WORK - ARRGH!! What should I do?

@Carmetaf (309)
United States
May 14, 2008 2:00pm CST
I have been looking for work since November 2007. I finally found a PT min. wage job last week and started May 4th. Today is May 14th and I was offered a job that pays $1.10 / hr more and some fringe benefits. I feel bad that I took on one job and now have the opportunity to move to another. How do I break it to my new boss that another opportunity has opened up for me and get them to understand this? I was thinking I'd get a schedule for the week I start the other job and see if I could make the schedules overlap - or something like that. I didn't want to say no to a job that pays more and has some real benes.
6 people like this
19 responses
• United States
14 May 08
Well perhaps talk to your boss and let him or her know that you were offered a position paying more and that because of the economy you have to go where the $$ is. You never know your boss might offer you more money and benefits to stay where you are. But if it doesn't work out then go where the $$ is anyways, in the end it is you and your family that will benefit from the job change. Not the old boss.
3 people like this
@Carmetaf (309)
• United States
19 May 08
It worked like a charm. I was trained on a new part of the store on Wed night, the next day I told the boss that I wouldn't feel comfortable taking their $ to train in that position for the next 3 days as I had received an offer I had to explore elsewhere. They asked me to work the position I was already trained for through the weekend and didn't schedule me after that. Last night was my last night there and I told the boss again, that I'd compare schedules and see if I could work with them on a fill in basis. The other mgr of the other department was impressed that I hadn't wasted their resources training those other few nights in her dept. and gave them time to contact other applicants. ( I heard this through the grapevine via the girl I had worked with the night training in that dept.) I was tickled that the management was happy with my "duck out" and one of the mgr's said the door was open to me if I decided that the other job was too far away or it wasn't working out. :)
• United States
19 May 08
Im so happy to hear that everything worked out for you! Congrats!!
• Canada
14 May 08
I would not pass up a better opportunity. I am assuming that it is more hours and you are going to make more money at the new offered job? I am sure that your boss would understand and probably do the same if he were in your shoes! I would take the other new job and then see if you can still do some working with your 1st job, if not, take the job that pays and offers the most! Good luck to you!
@Carmetaf (309)
• United States
19 May 08
Thanks, I contacted my boss in person and we worked things out diplomatically. I worked through the rest of my scheduled days and gave them time to contact other applicants. I think all will be well and best, I can go back there if the new job doesn't work out :)
• United States
14 May 08
that would be the best thing to do. see what the schedule will be like and if you can handle both jobs i say go for it , if not then i would politely tell the first job that you were offered more money at another job , but you would stay there if they could match it or pay a little bit more.
3 people like this
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
14 May 08
I think your boss will understand. And if they really need the help they will work with you on your schedule. You have to do what is right for you and it sounds like that's the money and the benefits.
3 people like this
@Carmetaf (309)
• United States
19 May 08
indeed, everything will work out fine. Thanks for your comment!
• United States
15 May 08
Just be honest tell your current boss that this new job may have more hours and pays mores. We all want more money. I'm sure your boss will understand. Just tell your boss as soon as possible this way you give him or her as close to a two week notice as you can.
2 people like this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
14 May 08
Business is not like friendships, business is business and I doubt you're the first person this person has had leave his employ for a better opportunity. Tell your boss that you appreciate the opportunity and that you've enjoyed working for him but you have been offered another position that you really can't turn down. Give him a decent amount of notice...two weeks is the norm but you can cut it down to one week if you absolutely have to. Congrats on the new job and don't feel bad about moving forward. That's what you're supposed to do in life.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
15 May 08
If you give decent notice then you have not completely shut that door. Then if you ever need to go back you have a clean slate.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
15 May 08
In this day and age, if it were me, I would definately not want to miss out on the one that pays more, and offers Benefits. But I can understand your dilema as when I got the job I am at now, I was offered other jobs for more, but decided to stick where I am at due to the Benefits. If I were you, I would do as some of the others have suggested here, and go talk with your New Boss of the job you have been at for just a short time, and explain to him you have been offered another job with better pay and benefits, and see how he wants to deal with it. Wishing you the best with this decision.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
15 May 08
I think that that is reasonable and fair. Most minimum wage employers understand that you have to move on when you get better offers. Maybe they can fit together if the other one is part time as well.
@jayalaksmi (1039)
• India
15 May 08
Well this is not only your case but many people are facing this and they are choosing the high paying job. In corporate world change is always necessary for your growth and you should consider joining the new job. You can just simply say to your boss about your opportunity and change the job. Always act positively and you will find that you will get the success.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
15 May 08
I wouldn't feel bad about it. I would take the new one. I think they would understand that the other one has more opportunity then theirs. Congrats on the job. I just started a new job myself on May 1st and I am loving working again. Have fun at your new job. Vicki
1 person likes this
@rockvixen (894)
• United States
14 May 08
Tell your boss you've been offered another job. I'm sure he/she will understand, they have to. If this new job works better for you then do it! You have the opportunity now. I'd take that opportunity if I were you. Good luck and I hope all works out for the best.
2 people like this
@aero89 (422)
• United States
15 May 08
You gotta do what's best for yourself. I'm sure your boss is used to hiring and then losing people. You are no exception. In a couple of months, he won't remember you and you won't remember him. Don't worry about hurting his feelings, because they won't be hurt. I'd give some notice so he doesn't have negative feedback in the future, but I wouldn't apologize. Just go forward with confidence that you will now have more money - your doubts about leaving your current job are almost certain to disappear. Good luck to you
1 person likes this
15 May 08
Do it, and get money! duh
1 person likes this
@welshdai (77)
15 May 08
i would said take the opportunity as you never know what might happen you done not take and you could regard it and another opportunity might come round for a well so it best just to take and explain to your boss that you being offer a better job with more money and more benefits and their should understand
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
14 May 08
well, it is entirely depends on you... if you think that you will benefit more from the new job, then i will say go for it... you just have to tell your current boss in a nice and diplomatic way so that you won't hurt his feelings... if you already consider all the options and think that the new job with higher pay and more benefits will suit you better, then go for it... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@badpenny (741)
• Lancaster, Texas
14 May 08
You should do what's best for you. Certainly if you can work both jobs without scheduling conflicts, that's a good way to go. Explain to both employers your dilemma, and it may be possible to arrange your schedules for both so that you don't have to make a choice. Hopefully things will work out well for you. You are in my prayers.
@mrbranan (1012)
• United States
14 May 08
You just need to be honest with your boss and see if there is some way to work out a notice. Explain that you put in several applications and another opportunity came up that you just can't turn down. I know I would apprecate the fact that you let me know and I was able to try and find someone to take your place rather than be left not knowing what was going on when you just didn't show up or tell me on the last day.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
15 May 08
I would tell your employer at the pt minwage job that you have found a much better one, and I think b eing its only part time and minimum wage he would understand. Of course if there was any way to do both but I cannot see you passing up the better paying job with real benefits in any event.
• Lubbock, Texas
14 May 08
Kudos for your feelings of loyalty to the employer who hired you 10 days ago, but be realistic. In this economy you have to do what is best for you. Speak honestly with your current employer. If you can work both jobs and neither boss has any objections, maybe the PT one will work with you on your schedule. Good luck. Jobs are hard to find now days.
1 person likes this