Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

resign or not

14 replies

MsMcGonagall · 15/07/2022 08:49

I think this work situation might be impossible to describe, but let's see.

A colleague wants to change something that we do, and I fundamentally don't agree. He's gone behind my back to start getting permissions, refuses to take my advice. It should actually be my job role to negotiate this change if we were doing it. Who actually agrees we do it or not is a contested area and one where one of us is going to be very unhappy either way.

I'm on the brink of resignation because

  • I don't agree with the change ( even though this looks like pride/ cutting off nose to spite face)
  • I hate the thought of having to negotiate this change that I don't believe in
  • I hate the thought of stepping away from the negotiation and letting colleague do it because I think it will run into trouble, even if not immediately
  • I don't sense a lot of support for my view from colleagues

Am I being crazy or am I being justified if I resign?

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 15/07/2022 08:58

Get his job description, get yours and take it to your LM.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 15/07/2022 08:59

A bit crazy...

Can you justify (business case) not making the changes? I can't see where you've tried.

Original poster
MsMcGonagall · 15/07/2022 09:20

I've tried making the case but not been very successful at it yet, partly because I've had to do it as a response to colleague's case.

OP posts:
Idontgiveagriffindamn · 15/07/2022 09:37

It depends. I have previously had to do pieces of work that I am not fully behind.
I feel that it is my role to raise concerns and ensure the key stakeholders are aware of them. It is not my role to block a piece of work that has been agreed and where my concerns have been raised.
Would I resign - no I need to work to pay the bills. Would I look for another job - that depends on how my concerns were handled.

ChicCroissant · 15/07/2022 09:56

Former HR worker here - firstly, if you are planning to resign in the hope that they will ask you to stay I really wouldn't!

Whatever this change is, it sounds like the rest of the company are behind it - is it something they've tried to implement before? If you are the only one blocking it (the fact that you've been bypassed in this makes me wonder about this) then it's likely to go through.

What is it about the change that makes it a resignation issue for you, is it the new procedure that will come in/you'll have to work to, the fact that you've been bypassed or just feeling out of step with the rest of your colleagues who want the change?

I think there is a bit more to this than this one issue, as it's a bit dramatic to threaten resignation over one thing in work that's not going your way. So while it might not be something you'd necessarily choose to do in work (the change, whatever it is) is it really something that in the future you are going to look back on and tell yourself that it was worth resigning over. Don't make a decision in anger and haste that you may regret in the future.

Good luck with whatever you decide OP.

Original poster
MsMcGonagall · 15/07/2022 12:16

No I wouldn't be resigning to make people persuade me to stay. I'd be resigning to get out of there.

It isn't a scenario that's happened before.

Being bypassed and without apology so far means that I think this bypassing will just continue to happen in future scenarios too.

Yes I am worried about what I'll look back and think - either way! Was it worth resigning over, vs did I stay and leave myself in a continuing frustrating situation

OP posts:
TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 15/07/2022 12:24

Why can't you just let him negotiate it and take a step back? You've made it clear how you feel, and it doesn't sound like your colleagues are on board with you, so why not let him run with it and see how he gets on? If it goes tits up it's on him, and if it doesn't you may gradually change your mind as time goes on.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 15/07/2022 12:28

Also: how do you know who is right? Is there someone more senior who should be making this call? What are your objections - I mean, do you think he's fundamentally misunderstood something vital to the success of the change? I don't mean this in an aggressive way, but if everyone else seems to think it's going to work, why don't you? Is it something that could go either way and depends on buy-in - and therefore if you don't buy in, you could affect its success?

AtillatheHun · 15/07/2022 12:28

Is this change something which, when enacted, will appear to the world at large as if it’s come from you? And if so, will it damage your professional reputation? Am thinking eg of an accounting or practice policy that is on the shady side of good practice or even the law. If so - resign as fast as you can (& talk to a lawyer about potential constructive dismissal).

Original poster
MsMcGonagall · 15/07/2022 13:33

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 15/07/2022 12:28

Also: how do you know who is right? Is there someone more senior who should be making this call? What are your objections - I mean, do you think he's fundamentally misunderstood something vital to the success of the change? I don't mean this in an aggressive way, but if everyone else seems to think it's going to work, why don't you? Is it something that could go either way and depends on buy-in - and therefore if you don't buy in, you could affect its success?

In terms of negotiating the change, as the 'negotiator' I think there is some risk in even putting it on the agenda. It's distraction and delay and creating uncertainty. So my advice would have been not to do it even apart from the fact that I don't agree with the change itself.

OP posts:
Original poster
MsMcGonagall · 15/07/2022 13:35

AtillatheHun · 15/07/2022 12:28

Is this change something which, when enacted, will appear to the world at large as if it’s come from you? And if so, will it damage your professional reputation? Am thinking eg of an accounting or practice policy that is on the shady side of good practice or even the law. If so - resign as fast as you can (& talk to a lawyer about potential constructive dismissal).

It's not shady or illegal. There is principle involved though. My name is on the contract, its signed by me, so I do feel a bit, Not in my name, about the change.

OP posts:
AlisonDonut · 15/07/2022 13:37

What are the reasons that you don't agree with this?

jay55 · 15/07/2022 13:39

There's no harm in brushing up your cv and having a look at what is out there.

Circumferences · 15/07/2022 13:42

Don't resign until you have something lined up, as I'm sure you know.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread