So, I lied about going attending a local community college to obtain a job this summer. You see, had I told people that I would be attending college away, no one would hire me. I ended up doing really well. In fact, the owner gave me a raise and really likes me, which has put me in quite a predicament. I don’t want to quit on poor terms, and maybe if I do it right he’ll invite me back to work on holidays and next summer. I knew this day would approach, but now…I don’t really know what to say.
Please don’t judge me. I know it was wrong, and I’m not proud of it. I just needed the money.
Any advice would mean a lot to me. Thanks in advance.
What you should do is tell the owner that: after further research on your class schedule/curriculum, you strongly believe that putting complete effort into your school work is more important than your current job. At least this way the owner understands that you prioritize your education and would like to do well for the sake of your future. Like you mentioned, you could also tell him that you really liked the work and would want to continue it later when you believe your schedule has been lightened. Good luck.
Could you cut down on work hours and still keep the job?
@bodangles No, because the OP falsely claimed to be going to a local community college this fall, when in reality he/she is leaving town to attend college.
OP, I doubt that telling you to come clean is going to make any difference, as you’re obviously wanting some solution other than the honest one. Nonetheless, that’s my recommendation. Also, please don’t lie further to protect the possibility of future employment there.
I don’t encourage lying. But there may be a way to say your plans changed and you have an opp to attend College X.
I’d feel a whole lot better about this if we knew you normally had integrity. To the max.
@NerdMom88 Oh, I see. I had interpreted the post as OP saying they weren’t going to college at all, when in reality they are going to CC.
It’s good that you feel guilty - means that you have a conscience (though it’s not good to dwell in shame).
My only thought is that - from what you wrote at least - it sounds like you lied to get what you need (a job) and now you want to gloss the truth to keep what you need (a good job during breaks). It’s still about you.
Put yourself in your employer’s shoes and think how hard it is to ramp up and train new employees, and you can understand why they prefer to hire local students.
My only point is to put yourself in other people’s shoes. Maybe it will help you figure out how you can best approach your boss in an empathetic and professional way.
Don’t beat yourself up too much, though, because hiring students is always a wild card. Young people change jobs and gears frequently. Most employers get that.
Wishing you the best. Again, don’t beat yourself up - just learn from it and move forward!
What you say is one issue. But if he hired you because he thought you’d stick around, the best thing you could do is find your replacement. And the second best is to tell him sooner rather than later and offer to train your replacement.
Does the community college he thought you’d attend have some kind of job board? You could take the initiative and post there since he thought the job could be compatible with a cc schedule.
Jeez, folks, this is not a big deal.
OP, either tell your boss that you realized you wanted to focus on school work during the year or you were taken off a wait list last minute. You’re very sorry to put your employer in a bind but you would love to come back seasonally. It’s up to your employer what they want to do.
@bodangles Not quite… maybe. It seems to me that the OP told her employer she would be going to a local CC in the fall when in actuality she is going to a college too far away to keep her job. So the employer apparently expected she would continue to work during the school year, but due to distance, she cannot.
Thanks everyone for commenting. It means a lot. Just a note on his personality. As I said, he likes me and treats me well, but he’s not a nice guy. I’ve seen the way he treats other employees and customers. Honestly, if he knew that I hid the fact that I would have to leave after summer, I would seriously fear a bit for my safety. It would get ugly to say the least. I was planning on saying that I got unexpectedly busy, but waitlist sounds good too.
Also at least one person inquired about my character. You should know that I’m almost always completely honest. I’m not selfish and I ALWAYS look out for others. But I figured that this wouldn’t be nearly as big a deal for him (as wealthy as he is) than being financially insecure would be for me. I’m not saying what I did wasn’t wrong, but that was my reasoning.
Given how I fear he will react, I was thinking of giving two weeks…perhaps less. Your thoughts are appreciated.
@likeabird I would seriously consider not coming back to this job, in that case. Is this a retail type job? Not worth that much strife.
As for your character, companies screw over their employees all the time in the name of profit. In my job, corporate is slashing hours left and right. DM rains fury on my boss for not accomplishing xyz but my boss better not go over his alotted hours or else. We’re running a skeleton crew with a longer to-do list than we have manpower and hours for. We still open our doors and take care of our customers every day, 7 days a week. When I quit next year, same thing. It is what it is.
Sounds like you got the job on your merits (if not your long term employability) and you’ve performed well during your employment. Your boss can’t be stupid, he knew you were going to leave eventually, whether it’s 3 months or 1-2 years. Any good manager who hires a student should be HAPPY for that student when he or she moves on to better things.
I’ve never heard of a student wanting to return to a job where the boss treats the customers and other workers so terribly that they are in fear of their safety. I feel like this detail was added to justify the OP lying without the OP really thinking of whether this new detail makes sense.
Well you’re wrong. And honestly, you shouldn’t go around making false, gratuitous accusations based on no evidence. If you’ve read my two posts, you’d know that I’ve mentioned plenty of times, he doesn’t treat ME poorly, therefore I don’t have any opposition to returning to work there. I said numerous times, he likes ME, and treats ME well. The point of my comment was to make known that this kindness is not just his personality however, and it’s very possible for him to have a complete change of heart, which is why I’m wary. Assuming he doesn’t turn on me though, I enjoy working there.
@PrivateConundrum
It’s a restaurant job. I think you’re right though. Maybe it’s just not worth sticking around. And now that I think about it, the longer I stick around, the longer he has to discover what’s up. It sustained me while I needed it, but maybe I’d rather get something more academic, maybe an internship next summer? Anyway the waitlist idea was really good. Honestly I hadn’t thought of it; I might just use it. I’ll see what happens…If he reacts understandingly, I might return and if not, then I won’t. Also thanks for understanding 
@likeabird Restaurant work? Even less worth it. I’m not above taking any honest job if bills need to be paid but I’ve thus far been lucky to avoid food service. I would not come back to work for this boss because your luck as the golden boy might run out. Don’t put yourself at risk. I’d definitely look at other options after your first year of college. Good luck!
If you did a good job for this employer, the reason you are leaving, or if you knew in advance, is not his concern. Give as much notice as you can and work hard until your last clock out. You owe employers nothing more than doing your best work while you are on the clock. Have good ethics but ALWAYS take care of you and your family first. You don’t owe your employer anything else. Zilch. Nada. If suddenly his business took a turn he would lay you off in a heartbeat. Things change. Life happens. Having a big confessional moment won’t go well or do either of you any good. Just give your notice like you got a better job.
Before anyone jumps down my throat please know I am an entrepreneur who hasn’t had a boss for almost 25 years and currently manage employees in the double digits. This is all I expect from them and they are highly paid knowledge-workers. Respect goes both ways.
Go to college and forget it. Good luck!
I’ve had to lie to get a job before. It’s not pretty and I’m not proud of having done it, but it’s one of those irksome situations where if I had not done it then things would have ended badly. It was on a trivial, hoop-jumping procedural requirement, which is not too far from what you did; you didn’t lie about having a degree, you just basically gave your boss a sign of dedication to education which is just a signal of work ethic.
And a lot of the previous posters are right: you don’t owe your boss anything. If business is rough for them, you will be on the chopping block. If you find a better opportunity, you leave.
Just thank him for the job opportunity, and tell him that you will need to put all of your effort into your studies. It’s a perfectly valid reason and any reasonable person understands if you want to do that. If you give proper notice (2 weeks is enough) and help your coworkers/replacement pick up your tasks, then you will be fully replaced within just a few months, and that’s the best you can hope for when you leave your job.
Just quit.
And next time you look for a job, don’t lie.
Yea, just put in your 2 weeks notice and don’t feel obligated to be completely upfront for the reason you’re leaving. While what you did was far from noble, the restaurants not gonna shut down as a result! Lying during job interviews, coming from both sides of the table, is something you’ll continue to learn about and experience. Enjoy school and study hard.