OP here, just wanted to say this has all been really helpful and constructive input. It’s funny how input can really help reframe things, because you haven’t told me anything I wouldn’t tell a friend in the same situation.
So I am making a list of places I might volunteer: there’s a healthcare clinic for the underinusred here, looking for data entry help, and the library needs processing people — and my DiL sent me a link to a cooking school here that is looking for a paid kitchen assistant a few days a week, which I may pursue at some point. I think first I will figure out when makes sense to stop my current job, take some time to downshift (what a GREAT term!) , and go from there. My DH is delighted.
Spouse adores her job as a self-employed home baker, making custom cupcakes and other treats for parties, weddings, work events etc. It’s great to have flexibility to take on work or not, and full of positive feedback from clients eg for kids birthday parties. And so much less stressful than her previous office job. She’s inspired several friends to set up similar home businesses selling baked goods of various kinds.
I have a low key retirement volunteer gig that I enjoy because it’s a pop-up food pantry only twice a month… and you can sign up per date/timeslot, ie no regular commitment - gives me lots of schedule freedom. Usually I just do 2 hours, sometimes more. Fun to meet lots of people from the community.
OP - glad to see that since you posted this upthread that you are now thinking about/investigating options for other activities and work-related ideas. Good for you!
I was going to say that while retirement is a few years away for me, I am definitely not doing the ‘jump and the net will appear’ route. Have been exploring different part-time options (in the ‘fun job/little money’ area) plus the more serious 'if I moved should I try for this high-level type job in a different locale. Plus figuring out some hobbies and working on fitness.
I saw my parents each take 2 years to adjust to their retirements - those activities won’t appear magically and developing some intentionality before retirement seems key.
All the best to you!
PS I worked as a substitute teacher’s aide (not certified) for a few months when I was home with my kids - very interesting work and nowhere near the effort required of the lead sub teacher.
Just here to say that my last day will be the end of this month, but Inhaven’t told my boss yet.
Is two weeks still the norm? I feel like that isn’t much, but otoh, don’t want to seem overly grandiose.
I have several projects here at home, plus my folks, and am on waitlists for volunteering at our library and Meals on Wheels (waiting for current clearances to finish up). Scared, excited, still a bit embarassed. My mom asked why was I quitting and I said “Because my bank is full but my soul is empty” and that is still the best summation.
Congratulations on that decision!! You mentioned early on that you’re in a low-level clerical position. In that case, I think two weeks’ notice is plenty.
Congratulations! So happy to hear of all the busyness ducks you have lined up! And I love your summation.
I think notice depends on your place of employment and position. I am sort of a one-person department so can’t imagine “only” giving two weeks. But for others that would be adequate. Is there any reason to not give them a little more? Like tell them next Friday giving 3 weeks notice??
Congratulations! It’s nice when you have the exact date decided.
Is there any reason you’ve not mentioned it to your boss yet? It would of course depend on the job, but I gave my manager a heads up months ahead (before exact date decided). There was a lot of training / task handoff required for me team. Also I wanted it to be clear that if layoffs came again, it needed to be my name on the list.
OP, since you described yourself as an “extremely poorly paid clerk” who is “condescended to daily,” I would say that two weeks notice is fine. Congratulations, and know that there are plenty of people working drudge jobs who would love to be in your position.
Sounds like two weeks notice is plenty, especially since you would be affording them more respect than you seem to have been given. I tend to take the high road in situations like this, because I always want to be on the right side of things (two wrongs don’t make a right). Happily submit your letter two weeks in advance, start a countdown, and when it happens … celebrate!
Congratulations on your decision!! Some state laws like NY, you are not required to provide any notice to your employer before quitting. But I agree there’s a good way and a bad way to quit and 2 weeks’ notice is the good way.
Two weeks is sufficient though I, personally, would give more, especially if my absence would affect well-liked co-workers more than the condescending boss. If the co-workers are condescending I’d keep it at two weeks.
My work-partner left in December, and really struggled to not give a month’s notice — but I said that was so, so much more than management deserved and she had to wait. (I had known for about 8weeks). Trying to take my own advice !
The only reason to give more notice, IMO, is if benefits need to be set up in a certain way. My friend retired Feb 28th. She was going to leave at the end of December but found SHE needed more time to pick some retirement things like pension and insurance. She just didn’t want to do it all right at Christmas.
Her situation was very complicated because her husband had died last year so she was just plugging along through the end of the year. I think she might have taken other options if he was still alive as he had different medical needs. She worked in a pharmacy so they’ve been really busy since the start of Covid. Everyone knew she was planning on leaving ‘soon.’
H was in a unique situation and they didn’t give him anyone to train to take over his responsibilities. He loved his job and coworkers for the most part and had been there 44 years. He gave them lots of notice and they begged him to come back as contract worker for 6 months so they could have him train some new folks. He did but in your situation, no long period of notice would be required.
The only reason to give more than two weeks is if you need to be part of the hiring and training of your replacement (doesn’t sound like it). Otherwise two weeks is plenty. And I would not hesitate to take any vacation or personal days you have accrued during that two weeks (I recently had someone quit and she gave two weeks but had a medical procedure for one of the two weeks. In her case we were glad to see her go - saved me the trouble of firing her - but I was fine with it). I’ve had long time employees give a month so they could tie things up, but really even with professional long term employees I’m fine when they give two weeks. It’s not like another two weeks is going up give me time to hire and train their replacement.
I don’t get benefits (I am covered thru DH) or any paid time off, even though I work a 40-hr week. There will be no training or exit process – even the professional staff don’t have exit interviews and replacement staffing requests have to go through a bunch of approval hoops that only begin once a position is vacant. But I understand those would be reasonable expectations in most workplaces.
