I was approached by my boss who was told I was looking for another job. What now? ?

Question

I was approached by my general manager yesterday who told me she knows I am interviewing for another job.

Fact is, I was called from a recruiter who presented a great opportunity for me and so I decided to pursue an interview with this larger provider.

I was offered a job that pays more than $10k a year than what I am currently making. I verbally told the new job I would accept it, but they needed to check some references from me so I presented them with 3 previous managers to contact. I also asked the potential job NOT to contact my current employer which they said they WOULD NOT.

Yesterday, I was approached by my current boss who told me she is well aware that I am actively interviewing and she had NO idea I was unhappy in my current job. I was NOT ready to hand in a resignation and I denied interviewing as i was put on the spot........ she told me she was told by a reliable source that I am interviewing and that she knows I am doing do. I told her I am always being approached by recruiters and I have listend to some of their offers, but for the most nothing has caused me to wish to leave at this time.

Truth be told I am still in the hiring process at the potential employer. I have not cleared the entire hiring process therefor not ready to resign at my current position.

WHO told my boss I am wanting to quit? She knows it's about the offer of $$ and my low salary where I am at. ( So it's someone who really knows the facts.. )

I emailed all three of my used references to ask them if they spoke ti my current manager and told them what she told me on the spot. I also made it clear that I was not 100% ready to resign due to waiting Human Resources clearance... which I did recieve later that day... I wanted them to know someone made it very awkward and on the spor for me. .....

What do I do now? Hand in my resignation on Monday? Do I telll them it's purely financial in the letter?

Answer 1

Wow your current boss is a jerk and seriously unprofessional. You have every right to look for a better job with better pay.

I wouldn't have lied to her, but I would have told her me interviewing will have no bearing on my quality of work, or dedication to my present employer. I cannot believe she approached you like that. Probably to scare you into not leaving. LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. As soon as you get the ok from the new job, give them one week notice and tell them the working conditions had become unbearable after your general manager made threatening statements toward you and you will be contacting a lawyer about harrassment.

Answer 2

Just tell them you are quiting, they probably know its for the money but it's not any of their business.

Answer 3

You should have told her you did intervew for another employment opportunity and the money was much better then your cuurent job.  If your not happy about your job tell her, if your satisfied with the pay let her know.  The reality is you have every right to seek employment while your working for a employer. You need to be up front if she values you has a employee she will do what it takes to keep you if not she needs to understand that when a opportunity presents itself you have the right to move on. If you resign state that obvious that a opportunity was available for you to make more money and though you enjoyed your time at your current place of employement it is time to move on.  Don't take it personal its business and be professional about it.

Answer 4

Oh, don't worry.  Do not give your resignation letter.  Go on with you present job.  No need to worry, too as to who told your boss.  Try to think if you're the one to hire someone.  I am sure you will make inquiry from the present job of the applicant, too before you hire that applicant.

Just ignore that.  At least, your boss knew already that you need greener pasture.

Take care and GOD BLESS!!!!!

Answer 5

Don't do anything else.. Don't hand in your resignation until you have a job. If they ask be honest and say that the pay is not enough and that you did look for another job.. but that nothing is clear yet.. don't lie about it. as the word of this other person stands against yours so if you say that yes, you approached another company as they offer more and you are in need of more money you had an interview there.. if they don't ask say nothing until you get another job and don't hand in your resignation. They now assume you are actively looking for another job. At least if you need to leave ... you can be open about it from now on unless they are willing to pay you more. They won't dismiss you so stay on until you get another job. Nobody will dismiss you but tell them you were looking.. They probably know this other person very well and you would be found out as dishonest so it's better to say.. it's true because of financial reasons but only if they ask

Answer 6

You did nothing wrong in seeking greener pastures.  You were looking out for yourself.  Your boss did nothing wrong in approaching you.  She was looking out for the company.  If she really had no idea you were unhappy, or if she was open to negotiating your salary or other terms of employment (e.g. promotion, change of duties, and etc.), then it only made sense for her to open a dialogue with you.

You felt put on the spot because your secret was exposed and you were not ready to leave your current job.  You were wrong to lie.  Depending on the tone of your emails to your references and whether you asked or implied they were the source, you might have hurt your relationships with your references.  Remember, you may need them again in the future, even though it appears that you have landed a new job this time.  It was also unwise to email all three of your references about this because you had no reason to suspect all three of them told your boss.  Remember, these three people did you a favor by agreeing to be your references.  Those who did not betray your trust would be justified in regretting helping you.  Also, consider the possibility that the leak may have come from the recruiter's office or even from your new employer.

You'll need to hand in your resignation some time since you're going to a new job.  When you do it depends on when you are ready to leave your old job.  It would be inappropriate and unnecessary to tell them you're leaving for financial reasons.

Answer 7

If you like your current employer and you feel as though they may be able to meet the offer of the prospective employer- ask your current employer for this same amount of $ and stay.

I would not give a reason for departure.  You do not have to and they can't legally require you to.  I would give a full 2 weeks so that you don't leave them in a pinch.  Be as respectful to them as they are to you.  You owe them nothing unless you wish to stay.

Either you have a friend with a big mouth or the new employer does not respect the privacy you asked for.  Your current employer should have never found out.  You should not of lied either though.

Answer 8

You owe your current job nothing.  Your boss was out of line.  If the new job comes through, I would quit today and tell whatever manager that asks that your boss acted inappropriately and you are not staying two weeks or two minutes.

Answer 9

That was unprofessional of your current boss.  You have every right to look for a different position if you see fit.  It's your life.  

I would just avoid all drama (which your current boss is creating), and continue playing it nice, like you're doing.  What you said to her was a good cop-out.  Just keep playing that story - you get approached by recruiters all the time.  

If your current boss wants to to keep you, then she'd better offer you more money or some other incentives to stay.... otherwise she should keep her mouth shut.  Sounds like you're doing the right thing leaving.  Crappy pay and then a guilt-trip for wanting better in life.  

I say finish your search and get outta there.  ;-)