To not tell my boss I have a new job

[Clarebear89]

I know I’ll probably get flamed for this as being selfish but here goes..I’m currently a self employed baker, I work under a company although I’m responsible for my own income/outgoings and clients pay me not the company owner. I was offered my dream job yesterday and accepted. It will take up a lot of my time so I have decided to give up the cake making, although I don’t want to give in my notice and would prefer to keep them on hand ‘just incase’. If I tell them I’ll be taking several weeks off/unwell and see how I get on with my new job would that be unfair of me? They do have cover workers and can fill my space easily enough, I’m up to date with clients and wouldn’t leave anyone in the lurch. I’m just worried about saying I’m leaving and possibly regretting it. If I told her I had a new job she wouldn’t keep my position open for me and I wouldn’t be able to go it alone without the company brand behind me if I chose to get back into it later. What should I do?

Well if it's your dream job then it's hard to imagine you'd regret leaving. If they can cover without you then sure, take it as leave but it sounds like you're overthinking it.

Thanks I just don’t want to piss anyone off or risk losing out on having a job at all. The new job is very spontaneous and although it’s always been my dream I may not enjoy it as much as I think and I’ll still have children to feed and bills to pay so I need to be sensible

Could you not simply say that you're taking time off from the baking (say 6 months, like a hiatus) as you need to look after your mental health and that you'll be back in touch when you're ready to resume baking?

Would that be better than going silent on them or doing what you're thinking of doing?

You are self employed so of course you can take a break and do other work/take a holiday. Say you are having a few weeks off. Just don’t put your news all over social media!

Don’t lie just act as the business owner you are.

I assume there are no contracts to consider, tell them you are taking a few weeks out from supplying them and will review your ongoing commitment by x.

They may make alternative arrangements that suit them better also. Be aware if that.

It is business that’s all.

Agree with not broadcasting on SM etc though if potentially you do want to go back.

You need to re-evaluate your thinking.

If you are self-employed, YOU are the boss and the person you are referring to as "the boss" is only your client, not your employer. According to your OP, they don't even pay you - payment comes from the end customer directly to you, so in no sense are they your boss (and HMRC would be very interested in knowing exactly how this arrangement works for Tax and NI purposes).

Now the practical stuff. If you want to test the water with your new job, can there be a transition period? Can you agree with the old "boss" that you want to reduce your commitment to them to only 2 days a week (or X items a week) and agree something similar with the new position? You don't even need to tell the old boss why you want to reduce your commitment - as long as you are not competing directly with their business and as long as neither business has tied you to an exclusivity clause.

As for ever going back to baking should things not work out - why do you need the support of the "Old Brand" in order to get work? As you say, you have been directly billing the end customers and presumably you have a portfolio of things that you can show potential new customers (unless they are made to a specific design). Get yourself a website, facebook/social media presence and get networking so that you can continue if you want or need to - and you get to keep all of the money instead of paying a presumably hefty fee to the old company.

I wouldn’t lie. I’d just say you are stepping away from self employed role at present time.

Thanks I just don’t want to piss anyone off or risk losing out on having a job at all.

So you see your current job as a backup if the new one goes tits up? Nope. You have to be upfront with the people who are relying on you right now and give them time to find a replacement. Because if you don't and this dream job doesn't work out, do you think they will welcome you back with open arms? I wouldn't and i would be putting it about in the industry what you'd done, which is pretty underhand of you.

I think you need to grow up and stop thinking about this like a sneaky teenager. If you want the option of continuing a good business relationship with your current marketplace, you need to be honest with them, not string along a pack of lies.

You are trying to have your cake and eat it.

Ooh I see what you did there !!
totally agree with you

So someone is suggesting that use that old chesnut 'mental health' which I hear more and more to back up something something they want!

Yep
I NEED this for my mental health so screw everyone else.
Its important to look after all aspects of your health but it’s not carte Blanche to do whatever you want without challenge

I would tell them that you're taking a few weeks off. If like you say you're up to date with commissions and they have other bakers then it isn't a problem. You may decide to still keep your hand in because you enjoy it/wnat the extra income..

Everyone is using mental health as an excuse reason why they dont want to do something. It spoils it for the people who are really suffering and I have already seen people eye rolling where people are using it as a reason not to do something!

Sorry but I think it would be very unfair to lie so you can keep the cake business going in case your new job isn't exactly what you want!

You have accepted a job - you need to do the decent thing and let the current company know so they can get a replacement.

I think you need to check your new jobs contract s I imagine you would have to declare any other work to them , even if self employed. I would be more worried about new job finding out and losing that rather than not being able to go back to the old.job if your "dream" job doesn't work out...after all, this one is your dream..