Bitterness after leaving company?

PUClimber

PUClimber

Location
Indiana
I was wondering how many of you have chosen other career paths with different companies. Was there any animosity from the boss about leaving the company or was it parting on good terms. Or if you're a business owner and have had people leave the company do you feel like they owe you something for the time they spent with you with "training". Or do you wish them the best on their ventures and say it's sorry that things didn't work out. I understand that if there was formal training or someone was sent to a training program on your dollar that might be tough but in all we all need to what's in our best interest. Maybe it's due to try to be with someone or a loved one relocates. I'm just frustrated right now at the response I recieved after spending an internship with a company an then going elsewhere to be closer to my girlfriend. I have found a happy medium between her and my parents Christmas tree farm and I don't think I am doing wrong. I have not badmouthed the company. There are some things I didn't like about it but I was happy it was just in my best interest to go elsewhere as far as being close to both.
 
I have received some of the best endorsements of my career from companies I have left. I have also received some of the most slanderous comments from companies I have left also. I think one guy (not affiliated with any company, but on the property of one) spoke of stabbing me in the neck, why?, I don't know. This was done in front of a group of my peers. My point T, is move on and forget about it. Do what's best for you, sounds like you made a good decision.
 
I am in the same predicament. I am going to leave in September to be closer to the GF. Since I have been with my current company I have gotten 3 raises, an ISA cert, Pesticide License and certified landscape practitioner. All at the companys expense mind you. I have only been there since June and am getting my CDL in the next couple of weeks. I have a feeling that there is going to be serious words exchanged when I leave. The way I feel is that the company should be happy that they had me for the time they did.I have provided nothign but quality work havent taken advantage of anything and always showed up. Working for less then you deserve will only last so long. I have no hard feelings though, I want them to say the door is always open but am not sure how to go about fielding that sort of response. If I was the boss, and someone had to leave because of a life change then I would say bes tof luck and we would love to have you back. I mean people are gonna be poeple unlessyou give some sort of guarentee then I think you have to do what you have to do. No hard feelings neccesary.
 
I worked for my good friend Tim for over 10 years. I wore every hat in that company at Tim's request, and I really enjoyed my time there. 3 years ago another tree service in our town called me and said they were going out of business and would I consider buying their company. They had a good reputation and the price was right, so I jumped. I have never had a speck of regret about it, but it was very awkward between Tim and I for quite some time. Since then, we have become competitors, but we are still good friends. We have gone on a couple great road trips to the Michigan TCC and the Texas TCC, and have put our companies together to volunteer tree work at the local Nature Center. We have discovered that as we are preaching the same sermon to our customers, we are strengthening our advantage over the other companies in town. I am the lucky one, I didn't have to deal with the bitterness that I know is common, and I wonder how I will deal with one of my best guys leaving me to strike out on their own.
 
[ QUOTE ]
As long as you leave in a professional manner, you should have no reservations about leaving a job to improve your own quality of life.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cant see why it should be any different over here and despite repeated episodes of a less than professional nature throughout my some 12 yr career in tree work, I think I have to say that you should be able to leave a job for another one as long as you abide by contract guidelines and such....
 
its a capitalist world and slavery is not allowed. It would not be good if you felt obligated to stay with anyone company. you ultimatly work for yourself and whats good for you.
 
Ive had alot of guys leave after we trained them(total greenys).I guess when your an employee you dont really understand how much it actually cost train someone.Its a huge investment,well at least for us.Seminars,conferences.trade shows,travel time,training days-all paid most of the time it time and a half.Being patient while they are slow and green,mind you losing money basically.Ive learned its a big gamble that usually doesnt pay off.Kinda of like a diamond in the rough.I actually down sized to four total employees and I work with the crew everyday.Yeah I really love paying for gear someone else lost.Or even better paying for something someone else broke.Before I had my company I was an employee,I dont remember letting my employer pay for stuff I lost or broke-thats on me part of the job TCB.Sometimes I think we should be obligated to others especially if they done alot for us,maybe im wrong.Ive had new hires that where basically penny less with no hope for future and get patiently taught a career that will last a lifetime.Only to quit as soon as they where trained and found a better deal(mind you by some clown who couldnt even climb a tree or train someone to.But hey thats life and I dont regret teaching alot of guys to climb.In fact deep down I think it gives me a sense of pride that Ive trained alot of good young climbers who work for my comp.Maybe I should be blamed I probably weeded out the guys who complained alot.
 
Every small business goes through this and often complain of the lost investment. That is the nature of the world. Some owners accept this and make allowances to minimize the impact while others bemoan the situation.

As employees we need to look forward to see where we may get to within the company, assess what we need to do to make it worth the employer's money to make the investment in our development. Track it, so you know whether or not at any given time that what you've done is at the least a break even proposition for your boss.

The benefits of this are manifold. You and your boss will feel a lot better about the money spent on training, your self-confidence will be boosted, when it comes to asking for a raise you'll know what your worth is, if it does come down to leaving for another job or to relocate you'll know what the picture is and for the new company a better understanding of what your worth so you can negotiate the best package.

Do more then your paid for then you'll always be valuable to yourself and the market. If a boss is pissed because your leaving it's because your an asset otherwise they'd be glad to get rid of you!
 
I am starting a great new job in two weeks
I used my current boss and my previous boss as references
Be honest on your intent and work hard for them and they will return the favor
Well good bosses will! :)
It hurts them in their business but they are glad to help you grow if you are a good employee
Good luck to you
Rev
 
Do more then your paid for then you'll always be valuable to yourself and the market. If a boss is pissed because your leaving it's because your an asset otherwise they'd be glad to get rid of you!



I think that says it all..
 
dont ever let anyone make you feel like you "owe" them...i hear this all the time. As far as im concerned if you are turning up for work and doing a good days work everyday for your wage, no one owes each other anything.
 
As a business owner it cost money every time you lose someone. It isn't just the money invested in the employee leaving, but the money invested in the newcomer. It all adds up. I always encourage my guys to better themselves. I have no problem investing money in training and certifications because it only strengthens the business. I also believe the company should help financially on the training. That being said, a business owner must be a good steward with the money. If not, we are all out of a job. I have the employee sign a legal document stating that if their employment is terminated for any reason, the money is owed to the company. The company gains nothing from an investment that leaves to help competition. Each class, certification, or qualification is documented before hand and the cost is understood up front. I also feel the employee should be compensated for their achievment via raise, promotion or what have you. I feel if you train a person to climb, then a non-compete should be in place. Basically, this means a newly certified tree climber at company's expense cannot work for a competitor in the capacity of tree climber within a certain mile radius and a certain period of time. If the employee so chooses to, then their is an agreed set price for the training and certification. It's not that you want to prevent someone from better themselves, but you have to protect the company and more importantly, the other team members.
 
Eager,

Well stated.

All employees should, and deserve, to be able to learn, grow and move up in thier careers. There are many circumstances that may temporarily prevent that with a given employer and that is why employees will often leave. They must move up or they will move out.

Unfortunately there is a mindset, something I've heard referred to as "job mentality," that is now more the rule than the exception.

Basically it is the idea that the "company" "owes me" and "I give the company my 8 hours and owe them nothing more."

Consequently, if you have a great training program, pay for conferences, classes and other career improvements there will be that portion of employees who see it as thier right rather than a quid-pro-quo.

There are plenty of employees who will take a job, with the full intention of sucking out all the "benes" and when they have had thier fill of the "benes" will run to the next host.

Such behaviour is parasitic and by that very defintion, theft.

Too many are willing to make the very critter that is keeping them alive bleed to death.

Lots of companies have employee purchase programs where the employee, through payroll deduction, can purchase equipment, such as saddles.

Nobody, employees or employers, have a problem with a policy that states if the employee leaves before the item is paid for then the employee must pay off the balance or turn in the equipment.

There is no reason the same principal shouldn't apply to training and schools.
 
this is good. Have you made a legal agreement like this stick before and had the employee pay the fees back? Has the non-compete agreement for climbers worked before? These concepts might not work legally in Canada, but they make sense anywhere. Protecting the company and team makes sense - but at some point, say years after getting the basics and after years of steady production for the company and team, you should be able to leave and not owe the company anything. A grey area there for sure. If you were an intern you probably worked for a reduced or subsidized wage, so that's even greyer, if that's a word. If you've had a few grand worth of credentials paid for in 4 months, the employer is making an investment in you for the future. Its a 2 way street. Leaving after learning a collar cut, a couple of knots and how to carry brush to get you started is one thing - I'd feel uncomfortable after taking that much that quickly, no matter how cool your GF is. If you can provide a suitable picture of the girl that's inspiring your move, it might help, but they will be choked to see you go, good job or not.
 
Non-compete clauses are enforceable if the employee has gained knowledge through their employment that would convey a competitive advantage over the ex-employer. There must be a limit to the time and area. In Canada it is felt that one year is a sufficient period except in unusual cases.
 
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