Going in to verbally provide mu resignation to the President, my boss.
This will be NUTS as I have been tight lipped about it.
Hope I do not chicken out - I am pretty sure I won't, but the ball is rolling........right off a cliff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This forum has been so helpful. Hopefully you guys will be there this afternoon when I am hyperventilating. LOL
Good luck! Go in there and have your own back. Can't wait to hear how it went.
this be a long post - bewareOMG - nerve racking.
I have not told a soul my plan - whatsoever. I figured the right move was to tell my boss first and in person.
So here is how it went down.
I drove into the office - and it was barren as I expected. Odd to see - in that it was deathly quiet - almost like when I would go in on a Sat or Sun for an urgent project and no one else around. And people's cubes were still in place the way they left it, as if the cubes themselves were expecting their occupants to come back - just waiting.
Obviously due to COVID, still no one is in the office - except for one, my boss.
I knew he would be there. He is always there. No need to hit his cellphone - his desk phone always connects.
I went into my office with my backpack and a box - to gather some things. As I took a few things off my shelves I peeked down the hall to see if he was in. I walked down to his door and saw that his door was closed. Through the glass I saw he was on the phone.
Heart in my throat. Went back to my office to pack up some more things - and brought one load down to the car.
On my return to the office I saw his office door open.
Ok - here we go.....(teeth gritting)Walked into his office, said hi - simple pleasantries - and caught up on a few projects, some of which I play a part in.
Then I finished saying that look - with a lot of personal stuff I have going on including family concerns (he was aware of 1 or 2) and a current physical recovery issue I have been going through ... I could not provide the effort I would expect of myself. I needed to focus on the family and I was unsure as to how long it would take. I said for my sake and my family's sake I need take some time off, but I also I said this very hard decsion was for <Company's> sake (with whom I have been for 15 years) it would be best for someone else to take on these projects. Then I said I was giving my notice.
"wait...wait ....what did you say... what?"
I am resigning. I think its best for everyone.
These were the longest 5 seconds in recorded history. The deafening sound of vacuous space, breathing almost. He was shocked.
I started to see him getting perturbed - when he asked 'well - why did you bring up these projects that you are a part in?' I stated that I wanted you to know that these efforts are at minimized risk, that there is a plan. I offered a name or two of individuals that could assist. He seemed to get it - but I think he was pissed not only that I sprung it on him
How else does it go - I mean really? , but that I slow rolled it to the last topic.
Maybe I was a little chicken in doing so, but more importantly I wanted him to know that I was not leaving this company in the lurch, that this decision was very much for their benefit.
He did say that 'haven't we always been accommodating to employee's needs, in terms of flexibility, etc' --- and YES absolutely, this company has done more to support their people than any other I have known or read about. BUT - this was not about that. This was me needing to focus on the family for the immediate term - and I cannot say to you that I will be available for this and that and that project. Not fair to you, nor me.
He then asked if before we go through with it if I could look into any LOA option. I said I had not considered it - and that I will. Also said this is not a closed door whatsoever - that I hope I can come back in some capacity. I restated that I grew up with this company - learned a hell of a lot, and proud to be a part of that growth.
Still in shock - pregnant pauses So I handed him the requisite letter of resignation - simple and short - no reasonings or flowery language.
And left, amicably I think, I hope.
Drive home ... I called HR and let her know.
shock - maybe some light cursing She is going to look into options that would give me a LOA - but without the cost of COBRA-esque medical.
FMLA may be an option.
Once I figure this out - I will need to tell my direct reports, but big boss wants to form his plan first, which makes sense.
Want to share this news with some of my peers (other VPs/Directors) real bad - but need to wait until this approach gets ironed out. I get it. I don't want to burn any bridges.
But I keep looking at the phone waiting for the onslaught of texts and missed calls - presumably all starting with 'WTF !!!!!!' .... but they don't arrive yet. Maybe it is still safely under wraps.
But I NEEED to tell someone. Called wife but she is in the middle of getting her vaccine.
So I call my 75 year old sailing friend.
He is a great guy to bounce things off of. He is not surprised as we have been talking of my plan for years.
He agrees that better to do this now - when you can. Worse case - go back to work. The alternative of working until I am too frail or (too?) dead has no backup plan.
'I wish I had worked more' - said no one ever on their death bed.
At least that's my north star right now.
Now it is the next morning..... ... still waiting for a flurry of texts. Nothing yet. Maybe I am seeking congratulations, maybe some well wishes. It hasnt been 24 hours yet even.
I definitely have a weight lifted already. But something is still there, still pressing.
Maybe I am thinking the possible well wishes (or jealousy?) will remove that last pressing feeling. But its likely going to be time - time that proves to me and my wife that this is going to be OK.
I am still sitting here writing this and saying ' WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST DO !!!??? '.
Again - this tribe here has been so supportive through the whole process - and I am grateful.
So what is your plan???..... I am going to research the FMLA option (which gives me leave at the current cost of medical - a low HSA). If I can get that - I will use it as a LOA and see where my head is at in 12 weeks to officially separate (meaning I would need to get on the ACA). Otherwise I will plan to hit the ACA to start June 1 - which means I need to get my application and paperwork in between 5/1 and 5/15.
