Manager has asked for my resignation, should I quit or wait?

Question

I thought this job was going well until this morning when my boss came into my office and asked for my resignation. He said it was not a good fit and he wanted to go in a different direction. He said he did not want to deal with the idiots in Human Resources who have the power to approve all terminations. I understand they need the manager to go through a process of progressive discipline with an oral warning, written warning, performance improvement plan and final warning before they can fire someone. (unless it is a case of gross misconduct (fighting, stealing, lying, cheating, etc)

Because I use to work in HR and want to get back into it someday, I know my manager has nothing on me but a personality mismatch. I told him I would not resign and to start the process of working with HR to fire me. That got him all worked up and he stormed off and I have not seen him since. I work as an Office Operations Manager for a large Portland Office of a IT Company.

What would you do if you were in my shoes. Jobs are not growing on trees and I make good money here.

Answer 1

Keep working but unless they fire your boss you will be in a terrible working environment. Sooooo......Keep working but start looking for a new employer

Answer 2

You can talk to them about a severance.  You don't want to be fired, but if you quit you will not be able to file for unemployment should you desire to.  Tell your boss you will start your search for a new job, but cannot leave until you find something and a great recommendation from him would truly help.

I would also talk to HR now and tell them the issue.  Tell them it is a personality mismatch and you have done nothing wrong.  State that he asked for your resignation.  Get it on record with them now before he makes stuff up to get you not only fired, but a bad mark put on your employment history.

Answer 3

I personally would stay put.  If it is a personality issue it is not grounds for firing.   I would make HR aware of the issue and how he approached it and continue working.

Answer 4

I would not resign.  Given the apparent regulations of his firm, he cannot fire you without documented "just cause" and he knows that.   Continue to do your job as best you can (so no valid complaint can be made) and attempt to transfer to another office within the same company.  But in the meantime, hold fast to the job you have.

Answer 5

Go directly to HR, you need to move before he does. If you quit you will not have any access to unemployment. If your company is large enough I would pursue a transfer to another department, especially if you're work has been exemplary. If you want to try to stick it out get ready for some mess because it's coming your way.  I like the suggestion of negotiating with your current employer for time to find another job and getting severance but that can maybe not go well if you don't find another comparable job soon enough. If you haven't been there long enough your severance may be pennies.

Answer 6

I would not give him your resignation. If he really does not have anything solid to discipline you for, then he can't force you to resign. You might want to talk to someone in your HR department about what happened. I work for a public agency so we have an Employee Relations department that deals with personality issues between employees. You might also want to contact someone at the EEOC.  

Answer 7

Don't move till they escort you out with security and retain an attorney now for your wrongful dismissal case!

Answer 8

Stay, as it would be viewed as a procedurally unfair dismissal as the company's policies havent been complied with. A personality clash is absolutely no reason for a person to be dismissed.

Good Luck

Answer 9

Well I think you need to go about this in a way that will serve your best interest.

Is he going to try to tarnish your image? Will you be able to defend yourself agains this and maintain your reputation? Do you need a recommendation letter from the company for another job? Did your boss violate your contract?

Answer 10

You're doing the right thing.  Make them terminate you.  It doesn't sound like they have cause to fire you, so if they do, you will be able to collect unemployment.  

If you resign, kiss unemployment good bye

Answer 11

Texas Is a right to work state - meaning the company does not have to have a reason to fire you.  However I would wait, 1 to get unemployment. 2 to see if he will fire you.  good luck

Answer 12

I would definitely go directly to your HR rep. Explain the situation and the fact that you are dedicated to adding value to the organization. Ask if there are any other comparable roles you might be able to fill.

And start documenting everything. He's going to try and mess with you so you'd best write it all down and keep dates, etc.

If they do end up dismissing you, I would ask for a HUGE severance.  

Answer 13

I TOTALLY agree with you. If he has no valid reason for firing you then yes he should have to wait for as you he called them "the idiots in HR" to do their jobs and either approve or disapprove you being fired. Stand strong and if they fire without good reason then you have every right to sue the company for wrongful termination. And (this might just be me being spiteful) but if I were you and have a friend or two that work in HR I would let them know what was said, but like I said that could just be me being mean and spiteful. But yes stand your ground and let THEM fire you.

Answer 14

I would do exactly as you did. If the boss wants to fire you, let him go through the proper channels. He doesn't want to deal with HR? No, more like he illegally wants to get rid of someone he just doesn't like. Well, whether you are allowed to keep your job or not is not based on a popularity contest.

All that said, you will have to stay on your toes because this big baby will be looking for any reason to write you up and begin to terminate you. Maybe start looking for another job now, or, if you want to stay and dig your heels in, start documenting c**p like this and anything else he does to try to push you out, then you can go to HR and show that he is creating a hostile work environment for you.

Answer 15

Do you need a good reference from that employer?  How long have you been working there?  If you resign you can tell future interviewers you decided it wasn't right for you instead of having to answer questions about why you were let go.

These aren't answers I need to answer your question but things you need to ask yourself.  Should you leave quietly if they're willing to give you a good reference or is the unemployment money worth fighting for?  Remember if your boss wants to gone it's going to happen, no matter how good you are at what you do.

I hate to say it, but if they're smart they'll just make your job terrible enough that you'll quit.  Get ready for rough water if you're going to tough it out.

Answer 16

make sure you follow ALL company procedures and rules correctly, and watch your back for people trying to undermine your work.  the boss not liking you personally is no reason to fire you.  i'd talk to an attorney and also talk to your boss' supervisor as well (after you see the attorney).

Answer 17

I would go to HR and talk to them, this guy is an idiot!  He's trying to cheat you out of your job, so act like a tree and plant your butt until he goes through the proper channels!  Obviously, he won't go through the proper channels, because he has nothing to his position.  

I will tell you, though, start to cover your butt with a seriousness previously unknown!  Document this and any other conversations, save all emails and keep in touch with HR.  Make sure that they know, starting right now, that this guy is out to get you fired and is trying to do it under the radar.  Keep a detailed log along with any proof or witnesses, times and dates are essential!  If you do it now, when there's obviously nothing wrong with your performance, it will cast a different, more helpful light than if you waited until he had tried to build some false case against you which would then look like you defending yourself.  

I have been in a similar position, and I didn't say anything, which lead to the person being able to make it look like I hadn't been doing my job and me almost losing my position!  Don't let him win, girl!