How do I tell my boss ... so that he doesn't flip and go crazy?

Question

I've recently started working for a really nice company. I love my new job, get on well woth colleagues and bosses, and with most clients as well. I was going to go to Uni from January next year (full time), but spoke to them the other day and they are offering me an early start this September. I want to accept the offer, having thought about it a lot.

I am going to tell my boss about it next week, but how do I put it nicely enough to keep him calm? (he has a really bad opinion about people who often change jobs, and I want him to know I'm a worthy employee, just in a difficult situation).

Answer 1

I couldn't have said it better.

Answer 2

Tell your boss that you are strongly considering taking the offer at uni and he should understand that your education comes before a job.

Answer 3

Put it in a letter of resignation.

Answer 4

If your boss has a grain of intelligence within him he'll know that good workers aren't easy to find and there's always a chance he might have you back in the future, should things not work out/whatever reason, so keeping your option open is in his interest.

If he can't keep calm that's his problem, not yours, it just means he's not a good people's manager.

You can't please everyone and if this is your decision he has no right whatsoever to pressurize you in your life decisions or to patronize you.

A good boss is good when his workers LOVE him.

I have gone back to old jobs just because I liked old bosses. They'd sometimes phone me and ask me to go in and help for a week and  stuff and it was a pleasure.

Further, you aren't changing jobs, you are going to SCHOOL! That's a big difference.

Tell him that people that stick to a job forever are the biggest casualties when they end up losing their job halfway through life.

But change a few and you won't be affected as bad.

Answer 5

Simply tell your boss you are giving 1 month (or whatever is required) notice.  Tell him you are going to university (although you are not obliged to give a reason to leave) if you like.

Sod whether he likes it or not- it's a job, nothing more.

Answer 6

Tell him you everything as you told us and add that you really love working here and you don't want to leave but your education is very important to you. A proper education would make you a better asset to the company. Is there any way you could reduce or change your hours to keep part time employment and still pursue your education? See if he's open to the idea. If your workload with school isn't too hefty maybe you could help with the books in the evening or take some stuff to proofread at night... whatever it is your company does.

Answer 7

At the end of the day this is your life, you sound like a nice person who doesn't want to upset people.

But you have to do what's best for you, so sit him down and explain that you feel it's the right time, and you have to move on.

If he's that nice he will understand, if he blows up about it then it's his problem and he has to deal with it.

Answer 8

sounds like you had the University plan before you were offered full-time.

consider the possibility of deferring for a year - or going to school at night while you work during the day. Or working four days and going to school one. Or any other balancing act you can manage.

Then go and see your boss and say you want to talk over your longer term plans with him, as he has plenty of experience with people starting out in careers. Ask him which would suit the company best - for you to work part time and study part time, or for you to go fulltime and forget the university career next year, but you can only offer him a year's work. Or whatever two options are the best for you.

If he turns down flat any idea but that you work fulltime, he really doesn't want you to develop, does he?

Any way. see his reaction and then make up your mind.

Best of luck.

Answer 9

Even bosses have children and most in any event are more than sympathetic to opportunities which come up for young people on a start in life. You are not changing your job in a huff and being an unreliable employee and he know you were leaving at the end of the year.  I have always found that in the end it paid off to be frank and honest with my employer with problems of this nature. Whilst you are talking to him you can mention how happy you have been working there and see if there is an opening for part time or holiday relief work. A good grovel never did anyone any harm and you may want a reference from him in the future so whatever happens make sure you leave  on good terms    

Answer 10

I think you might want to simply tell him of the offer and ask his opinion. If in the uni and your job are nearby, you might ask to continue employment part time.

The main thing is if you can leave with a good spirit, you can always list the employer later when looking for work.

Also remember, you are not "changing jobs" in the sense of going to another firm, but are moving toward your uni future a bit earlier than planned. That will probably be seen far more favourably. Few would want to hold someone back from getting their education.

Answer 11

Just tell him the truth first thing tomorrow; then burst into tears - that will do it!

Answer 12

Just polity tell him what going on (like you did us) and don't seem nerves to him. Just sit down and explain what's going on and how you feel about the whole situation and be calm! Hope this helped lots! :)

Answer 13

Just tell him that you really love the job but that you want to further your education as you believe in making the most of your education and that you had planned to go to university in January but that an earlier opportunity to start has arisen and you want to take this chance and you believe that with a great education you can in the future contribute a lot more on the job market as an employee with a good foundation of knowledge..'' if he is a father as well or if he went to university, he will think that is a very mature answer and he won't freak out but he will think it a wise decision as long as you stick to a job you like when you have done with university this is no problem..he will wish you good luck and you should stay on friendly terms and also say goodbye to your colleagues and tell them you appreciated working there..  x*x

Answer 14

I think it's all in the timing- schedule a meeting with him when he's not busy, and he's in a good mood- maybe after lunch?

Also, just talk it over rationally. Give him solutions, not problems. for example: I've been offered an early start, but I can make this work by working extra hours on ___ day (granted, this might not be possible, it's just an example)

Also, bring up ways in which the uni degree could help your job?

If you explain your situation, and finish on good terms, it could work in your favour for the future.  

Answer 15

Hi,

Can imagine the kind of anxiety you must be having now about saying the right things. Had that problem too previously. I can imagine the kinds of question he would ask you (that's what my previous employers asked me when I could not complete my contract): "Shouldn't you have planned the timing of your education before accepting the job offer?", "Leaving a job after a short while will not look good on you and you may not be able to return here after you complete your studies (i.e., are you sure you want to burn the bridge?) It would be very important to think through what your possible answers might be. Sometimes, it might be helpful to take the blame. E.g., I think that I am not very gd in this area and so would like to upgrade and contribute more to the organisation later. Or maybe, you might want to discuss with them about alternatives etc. If it is postgraduate, some companies might suggest that you take no pay leave for 1-2years. Do explore possibilities esp when you like this job or might return to related fields (other employers might call up your current employer to find out about you).

Nevertheless, do remember that some employers take it as a sign of betrayal of trust, etc. So, be mentally prepared for the worse.

Hope it works out fine!

Take care!