Quit job?

[jteezie]

Recently there's been talk around re-branding the Emergency Fund as a "FU fund" or something of that kind that gives people freedom to make better life decisions.


So in that spirit... today I had a revelation after the behaviors of 1 particular coworker finally caused me to snap (internally).

I've read about how the majority of the time when people leave a job, it is because of people like managers or coworkers. I thought that was a myth because I've never seen it, but now I've experienced it. The person is question is a mass consumer (also something I thought was a myth... I just never understood the statistics... but here is one). All day, web surfing, buying stuff, booking restaurant reservations, buying stuff over the phone, talking loudly to girlfriend about buying stuff, calling to dispute credit card charges...

To top it off, he's not very competent at his job either, is a poor communicator, and is lazy. In contrast I work extremely hard and am a "high potential" employee by most standards.

So anyways, I have a fairly large nest egg, enough to live on for over a decade at my present spending levels. What should I do?

The job is actually pretty cool, significant, and offers some fun challenge; although it can be frustrating at times as well due to poor systems and some somewhat demanding clients.

[Robert742]

Recently there's been talk around re-branding the Emergency Fund as a "FU fund" or something of that kind that gives people freedom to make better life decisions.


So in that spirit... today I had a revelation after the behaviors of 1 particular coworker finally caused me to snap (internally).

I've read about how the majority of the time when people leave a job, it is because of people like managers or coworkers. I thought that was a myth because I've never seen it, but now I've experienced it. The person is question is a mass consumer (also something I thought was a myth... I just never understood the statistics... but here is one). All day, web surfing, buying stuff, booking restaurant reservations, buying stuff over the phone, talking loudly to girlfriend about buying stuff, calling to dispute credit card charges...

To top it off, he's not very competent at his job either, is a poor communicator, and is lazy. In contrast I work extremely hard and am a "high potential" employee by most standards.

So anyways, I have a fairly large nest egg, enough to live on for over a decade at my present spending levels. What should I do?

The job is actually pretty cool, significant, and offers some fun challenge; although it can be frustrating at times as well due to poor systems and some somewhat demanding clients.

I would hate to see you quit a job you like over an annoying co-worker, but believe me, I feel your pain. There are people like this in a lot of work places. Being able to work with all types of people is an important job skill. You certainly have the money to quit, but if you want to be able to get another job, you need to come up with a better explanation for quiting your last job than the reason you posted.

[Shewillbemine]

If you truly have enough liquid assets that allow you to live jobless for a decade, QUIT. Life is too short to deal with an annoying co-worker. That's assuming you aren't talking about early withdrawal of retirement funds btw.

And why should quitting also mean no job? Find another position in an industry you love or better yet, start a business.

[jpg7n16]

So anyways, I have a fairly large nest egg, enough to live on for over a decade at my present spending levels. What should I do?

So let's just say you take off the next 10 years. How long will it be before you find a job where no one annoys you?

I just don't think that's reasonable. Some people are great, others irritating. No matter where you go. So IMO, if you want a job where no one ever annoys you or you quit - you'll need more than 10 years income.

If you like the job, I'd keep it.

[bjl584]

Recently there's been talk around re-branding the Emergency Fund as a "FU fund" or something of that kind that gives people freedom to make better life decisions.


So in that spirit... today I had a revelation after the behaviors of 1 particular coworker finally caused me to snap (internally).

I've read about how the majority of the time when people leave a job, it is because of people like managers or coworkers. I thought that was a myth because I've never seen it, but now I've experienced it. The person is question is a mass consumer (also something I thought was a myth... I just never understood the statistics... but here is one). All day, web surfing, buying stuff, booking restaurant reservations, buying stuff over the phone, talking loudly to girlfriend about buying stuff, calling to dispute credit card charges...

To top it off, he's not very competent at his job either, is a poor communicator, and is lazy. In contrast I work extremely hard and am a "high potential" employee by most standards.

So anyways, I have a fairly large nest egg, enough to live on for over a decade at my present spending levels. What should I do?

The job is actually pretty cool, significant, and offers some fun challenge; although it can be frustrating at times as well due to poor systems and some somewhat demanding clients.

I would probably either:

A) Let things work out on their own. If your coworker is as lazy as you say, them he will probably be fired or quit before long. Your job will be back to peace and quiet in no time.

B) Move on to another job if things don't seem to be getting better at your current one.

I'm not sure about retirement. How old are you? Were you close to retirement anyway? I could see leaving a job and retiring a few years early, but I can't see retiring at the prime of your working years because you are unhappy with a coworker.

[NetSkyBlue]

Congratulations to you for being in a place financially where you were able to make the decision to leave an unhappy environment. Too many people are stuck without options because they need the income. You now have the freedom to search for a good fit, without the desperation that leads most job seekers to snap up the first offer that comes their way.

[MonkeyMama]

I'd personally assume coworker won't be around long, and would just stick it out.

NOW, if this is some corporate culture where everyone does this, I'd personally be looking for another job, but wouldn't quit, probably.

If nothing else, it's easier to get a job while you have a job.

It's hard for me to answer for anyone else - you got to do what you got to do for you. I mean if I was in a really unhappy situation myself I would make an escape plan to leave. It's not in my DNA to leave a job unless I was really miserable, without finding another job first. No matter how much of a nest egg I have. Because I wouldn't want to chip away at all that hard work (Savings) if I didn't really need to, personally. For reference, I have had quite a few friends quit mildly annoying work situations and be out of work for YEARS and regret their decision. Though they certainly had the means to quit.

[rennigade]

op welcome to the workforce. Anywhere you go there is going to be that one person, or more, who are tough to deal with. I wouldnt quit your job without having a new one lined up first.

[Mr Nice Guy]

Lets try and brainstorm some ways jteezie can sabotage his co-worker's career at his current employment. I don't understand why you get the short end of the stick because of one idiot's doing. If anything, him quitting or getting fired will be a wake up call to his character, so in essence we are doing him a favor.

[Nika]

Wow, if you want to quit a "pretty cool job" over a co-worker's just mildly annyoing behavior that is not even directed against you personally, you have had a very sheltered life.

[cypher1]

No job or position is perfect. One annoying or bad co-worker is one thing, but try having multiple incompetent managers or PMs that can't make a decision, or teams having to be re-trained while they had the proper documentation for years. My point is, it could always be worse.

[disneysteve]

To those who replied that the bad worker would be gone soon enough, don't count on it. Having a worker like that there is the fault of the management. If they allow someone like that to remain on the job, there are deeper problems and leaving the job might be the only solution. I have a similar situation where I am. The person in question has been here 18 years. She is completely incompetent and disrespectful but the boss doesn't have the you-know-whats to fire her. I complain about her. Other employees complain about her. Patients complain about her. But nothing ever happens. I've thought about leaving but other than that I love my job so I'm not willing to let her drive me away. I just deal with it best I can.

Now at my previous job, I felt that I personally wasn't being treated well by the boss. That was something I was not willing to just deal with. I quit that position with no other job to go to. Having savings and a frugal lifestyle allowed me to pull the plug when things got out of hand. I had a wonderful 3-month "retirement" that I love every minute of including a week in Vegas and 10 days in Disney World.

[jteezie]

Thanks everyone.

I decided to stick around mainly because I'm too busy right now to look for a change. Also, I realize these things are just a reflection of myself and my preferences, so I'll try to learn to deal with it better.

[photo]

Unfortunately, that situation exists far too often. In today's culture, it actually can be difficult to fire someone who didn't do something concretely wrong (like stealing, and only if it can be proven beyond a doubt). The onus is usually on the employer to explain why the employee was fired, and if the employee has any minority status at all, forget about it.

Also, there can be behind-the-scenes politics of which you may be unaware. It's possible that the employee caught a superior doing something illegal or immoral, and in exchange for keeping his mouth shut, the employee stays. Likewise, maybe the employee slept with someone higher on the chain, and the employee has the superior's you-know-what in his hands.

Lots of scenarios, and most of them, ugly.

However, watch your own behind, and be confident that someday, somewhere a clear distinction will be drawn between that employee and yourself, and you'll come out ahead.

[EEinNJ]

Bad idea. Not because you have to work with a jerk- you'd have to quit every job you ever got! There are larger reasons.

Ten years at your current spending level won't last that long. Why? First, because despite what the gov't. claims, inflation is quite real, and many things from durable goods, utilities, to medical insurance, will cost 50-100% more long before then.

Sure, you could re-enter the workforce. Not so easy after not just months, but years go by. Employers generally don't prefer candidates without a recent work history, and an astute interviewer will zero in on why you left your last job, and what you've been doing since.

I don't blame you for wanting to enjoy your financial independence- it's been too long since I've enjoyed lengthy time off, but it's great if you can afford it.