Hey mtgsalvation people. I'm in need of some advice. (sorry this turned out to be pretty long)
I'm 17 and still in high school as a junior. In mid/late October I got a job at a local gas station working weekends in the afternoon. My shifts are 2-9PM.
It's not that I dislike my job, or my boss, or the other guys who work there, in fact I like it, I just feel that I need that time back to regain my energy/sanity and do school work. I'm trying to get into a good college, and I just feel that a lot of my time to do my work has been taken away by, my work (pun intended).
My boss is a really nice guy. He's owned the gas station for a long time, and lots of people go in there and say they've known him forever and only come to this gas station and he's the nicest guy ever and this and that etc. I like him, he's a good boss, a fair boss, and he pays me well (like $11/hour in a first job). When I took the job I told him that I can work 2-9 weekends no problem, and could stay in the job at least until I leave for college (at the end of next year).
About a week after I had been working there we were talking about how much I could work during the summer, and he was offering to let me take some more shifts in case I wanted more money during the summer. Understand that he wasn't pushing me to take more hours at all, he was just letting me know that the option was there in the summer, he was being nice. During this conversation he mentioned that he doesn't like employee turnover, as in, he doesn't like it when people get in the job then leave after a short time. Well I've only been working for a couple months, so I would feel bad leaving so soon.
The thing is, he is really nice, but he can also be serious when he needs to be. He is professional and expects his employees to be professional. I feel like I'd be letting him down or betraying his kindness and the opportunity he has given me if I leave after only working for a short time.
I really like my coworkers, too. The kid who works the morning shifts on weekends is my age and also a student, and we get along really well. The adults who work weekdays are also really nice, and I've made good friends there. I don't want to offend them or anything, especially my boss.
I just feel that I need more time on the weekends for myself. I need to study for the SAT and the ACT (well I don't NEED to, but I want to). I want to have more time to relax and recoup from the school week (I take pretty rigorous classes, and go to a private high school). I also want more time to do my homework on the weekends. I can do some work while I'm on my shifts but it's not as easy or focused as when I do it at home.
So, those are my reasons for leaving, and those are my reasons why I'm having a hard time doing it. I'd really appreciate some advice from anyone who has gone through something like this (or hasn't). Thanks guys.
Very easy, you simply go up to him and say you are quitting (if you want to do it the official way you have to give him 2 weeks notice, but you aren't obligated to if you feel that you really need to go asap...which if you need to study seems like the case). Don't be afraid. I worked numerous jobs like yours, and you have to realize how high the turn-over is for them. You have no obligation to work there, and his feelings shouldn't come into your decision making process. It's your life, not his.
Edit: If your boss doesn't enjoy the turnover rate, then he shouldn't be working at a GAS STATION.....ridiculous, no clue how he expects people to be loyal for near minimum wage with ****ty conditions and no room for advancement.
Very easy, you simply go up to him and say you are quitting (if you want to do it the official way you have to give him 2 weeks notice, but you aren't obligated to if you feel that you really need to go asap...which if you need to study seems like the case). Don't be afraid. I worked numerous jobs like yours, and you have to realize how high the turn-over is for them. You have no obligation to work there, and his feelings shouldn't come into your decision making process. It's your life, not his.
Edit: If your boss doesn't enjoy the turnover rate, then he shouldn't be working at a GAS STATION.....ridiculous, no clue how he expects people to be loyal for near minimum wage with ****ty conditions and no room for advancement.
Thanks for the reply. The thing is though, the conditions aren't ***ty. They're nice. This is a nice neighborhood to work in, an affluent neighborhood. Granted it's not like working at a lounge, but there are much sketchier gas stations one could work at.
Also, there isn't really a high turnover at this particular gas station. The two weekday shift guys have been there, happily, for like ten years. The other kid who works there (morning weekends) has been there for about a year I think. The only reason my slot opened up was because the previous-previous guy went to college, and the guy they replaced him with got fired because people complained that he was rude. There are only 4 employees ever (one at a time there, though, not including the garage mechanics there on weekdays), and there is usually little turnover.
Just tell him that you think you need to focus more on school work because it is a higher priority, and that you made a mistake in judging the time commitment required. And thank him for giving you an opportunity to work at well above min. wage.
But you're not obligated to work for him, and as such there is no reason for you to even think that this warrants a thread. You do what you need to do, and the owner will do what he needs to do.
While I completely agree that it is easy to up and leave a job like this, im going to offer the perhaps unwanted opinion that I don't think you SHOULD try and quit.
It is not easy for people to find jobs now, older people are taking jobs usually considered to be for us "kids". Working a few hours every weekend at several dollars above minimum wage is great, ESPECIALLY if you are in school.
But hey, that's just what I think. Do what you want.
I'm inclined to agree with Purplegolem and you should tough it out and use this opportunity to earn some money while also studying. I understand that you may be concerned that it's affecting your school work, but I suspect there are other things you do that might also be taking up your time (this is a site about a rather addictive card game after all) and this might be a good opportunity to improve your time management skills.
That said, if you're planning on quitting then simply front up to your boss and let him know how you're feeling. Perhaps he would be willing to split your shifts with another person, so you only work one day a weekend? Perhaps you could find some potential replacements to take some of the pressure off your boss having to find a new employee? (Be aware though that if you recommend someone and they turn out to be flakey that will reflect very poorly on you).
I recommend being honest, just saying it (like tearing a bandaid off, it's better to do it quickly) and be unapologetic. It's your life and you know what will be best for you.
It sounds like you want to rearrange your schedule after you said you were available to work during the weekends. Before you make a decision, ask your boss if he can adjust your schedule to give you more flex time for your schoolwork. Make sure you have something solid in mind before you propose this decision or else you're going to look foolish.
If he says he can adjust your schedule to what you want then that's great. If not, then you need to make a decision about what's more important: a gas station job that pays $11/hr and the feelings of your manager, or your education and future.
Also try to remember one thing when it comes to leaving your job (if you do): be polite, be professional, and don't burn your bridges. You never know what kind of connections your former employer has. They can also be a valuable asset or a tremendous detriment when you seek future employment elsewhere.
Just tell him that you think you need to focus more on school work because it is a higher priority, and that you made a mistake in judging the time commitment required. And thank him for giving you an opportunity to work at well above min. wage.
But you're not obligated to work for him, and as such there is no reason for you to even think that this warrants a thread. You do what you need to do, and the owner will do what he needs to do.
Yep, magickware is right.
He definitely sounds like a reasonable guy. Just tell him, and give him two weeks notice so he can cover your shift.
It may seem super important now while you're young, but I worked maybe five or six different jobs between high school and college.
The only wrong way to quit a job is in anger, as long as you amicably quit, you will probably still have the opportunity to come back and work for him again.
Another option you could look into is asking him to cut your hours some on the shifts you do work. Basically keep one foot in the door while you do other things. Instead of working 2-9, tell him you're getting overwhelmed with school work and studying and that you want to cut down to 2-6 or something instead. I would especially recommend doing this if you want to be able to work there in the summer.
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I'm 17 and still in high school as a junior. In mid/late October I got a job at a local gas station working weekends in the afternoon. My shifts are 2-9PM.
It's not that I dislike my job, or my boss, or the other guys who work there, in fact I like it, I just feel that I need that time back to regain my energy/sanity and do school work. I'm trying to get into a good college, and I just feel that a lot of my time to do my work has been taken away by, my work (pun intended).
My boss is a really nice guy. He's owned the gas station for a long time, and lots of people go in there and say they've known him forever and only come to this gas station and he's the nicest guy ever and this and that etc. I like him, he's a good boss, a fair boss, and he pays me well (like $11/hour in a first job). When I took the job I told him that I can work 2-9 weekends no problem, and could stay in the job at least until I leave for college (at the end of next year).
About a week after I had been working there we were talking about how much I could work during the summer, and he was offering to let me take some more shifts in case I wanted more money during the summer. Understand that he wasn't pushing me to take more hours at all, he was just letting me know that the option was there in the summer, he was being nice. During this conversation he mentioned that he doesn't like employee turnover, as in, he doesn't like it when people get in the job then leave after a short time. Well I've only been working for a couple months, so I would feel bad leaving so soon.
The thing is, he is really nice, but he can also be serious when he needs to be. He is professional and expects his employees to be professional. I feel like I'd be letting him down or betraying his kindness and the opportunity he has given me if I leave after only working for a short time.
I really like my coworkers, too. The kid who works the morning shifts on weekends is my age and also a student, and we get along really well. The adults who work weekdays are also really nice, and I've made good friends there. I don't want to offend them or anything, especially my boss.
I just feel that I need more time on the weekends for myself. I need to study for the SAT and the ACT (well I don't NEED to, but I want to). I want to have more time to relax and recoup from the school week (I take pretty rigorous classes, and go to a private high school). I also want more time to do my homework on the weekends. I can do some work while I'm on my shifts but it's not as easy or focused as when I do it at home.
So, those are my reasons for leaving, and those are my reasons why I'm having a hard time doing it. I'd really appreciate some advice from anyone who has gone through something like this (or hasn't). Thanks guys.
Edit: If your boss doesn't enjoy the turnover rate, then he shouldn't be working at a GAS STATION.....ridiculous, no clue how he expects people to be loyal for near minimum wage with ****ty conditions and no room for advancement.
Thanks for the reply. The thing is though, the conditions aren't ***ty. They're nice. This is a nice neighborhood to work in, an affluent neighborhood. Granted it's not like working at a lounge, but there are much sketchier gas stations one could work at.
Also, there isn't really a high turnover at this particular gas station. The two weekday shift guys have been there, happily, for like ten years. The other kid who works there (morning weekends) has been there for about a year I think. The only reason my slot opened up was because the previous-previous guy went to college, and the guy they replaced him with got fired because people complained that he was rude. There are only 4 employees ever (one at a time there, though, not including the garage mechanics there on weekdays), and there is usually little turnover.
But you're not obligated to work for him, and as such there is no reason for you to even think that this warrants a thread. You do what you need to do, and the owner will do what he needs to do.
It is not easy for people to find jobs now, older people are taking jobs usually considered to be for us "kids". Working a few hours every weekend at several dollars above minimum wage is great, ESPECIALLY if you are in school.
But hey, that's just what I think. Do what you want.
That said, if you're planning on quitting then simply front up to your boss and let him know how you're feeling. Perhaps he would be willing to split your shifts with another person, so you only work one day a weekend? Perhaps you could find some potential replacements to take some of the pressure off your boss having to find a new employee? (Be aware though that if you recommend someone and they turn out to be flakey that will reflect very poorly on you).
I recommend being honest, just saying it (like tearing a bandaid off, it's better to do it quickly) and be unapologetic. It's your life and you know what will be best for you.
If he says he can adjust your schedule to what you want then that's great. If not, then you need to make a decision about what's more important: a gas station job that pays $11/hr and the feelings of your manager, or your education and future.
Also try to remember one thing when it comes to leaving your job (if you do): be polite, be professional, and don't burn your bridges. You never know what kind of connections your former employer has. They can also be a valuable asset or a tremendous detriment when you seek future employment elsewhere.
Yep, magickware is right.
He definitely sounds like a reasonable guy. Just tell him, and give him two weeks notice so he can cover your shift.
It may seem super important now while you're young, but I worked maybe five or six different jobs between high school and college.
The only wrong way to quit a job is in anger, as long as you amicably quit, you will probably still have the opportunity to come back and work for him again.
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