Work advice: want to quit my retail job

[Anonymous]

So I work part time at a retail drug store, and I need to quit within the next few weeks.

Real reasons:

-This is a second job, the first being a full time job for my family's company. My role in my first job is changing, and I want to focus more of my energy on that.

-I have hobbies I want to devote time to.

-I hate hate hate working at the store; the customers aren't my friends, my co-workers aren't my friends. It is weirdly hellish and physically demanding. I get so exhausted after a shift.

-It makes me feel bad about myself and my self-worth, and like I have no dreams and I won't accomplish anything with my life.

-I have reached my personal financial savings goal. I don't need to suffer anymore really.

-We all have to work on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years etc etc. (wonder if you can guess where I work...).

The problem is that the holiday season is gearing up, and they expect me to be there and work (and do more physically demanding stuff). I used to work for the corporate office, so the managers regard me as someone with company loyalty etc... even though I show no motivation to become shift lead or progress towards management (I assume they know I don't give a rats ass, but they do respect me enough). They are all stressed out, and I feel bad for all the assistant managers. They also pretend to be friendly with me (not real friends, but they act like they care).

I made it clear when they first hired me that this is a job that may end with me leaving, but "I'll see where it goes" (hinting that I may want to go down the store management path). It was a little manipulative of me to leave my motivations so open-ended, but I needed a part time job at the time.

What should I tell my manager about why I'm leaving? I feel like real reason #1 is the only thing to say, but they will be suspicious that I'm leaving before Christmas. Should I just keep up the charade?

How should this conversation go?

I've quit a job before, but the last time, my reason was "I'm relocating". Ugh, that was so much less awkward.

Updates

+1 y

Thanks, guys. You're right. People just got overly involved in my life, and it makes it hard for me to compartmentalize.


Can't wait to never step foot in that store though! And transfer my scripts/business elsewhere (aka to the competitor down the street)!

[Anonymous]

You are easily replaceable, especially since the holidays are coming up. I'm sure someone will be eager to take your place because everyone needs extra cash before the holidays. Just tell them that you have to leave because you're advancing at your family's company. I'm pretty sure your manager won't care about the reasoning behind why you're leaving, so it probably doesn't matter how you put it. Just give them a good heads up so that they'll have time to find someone else to fill your spot.

Actually, you should try to care less about what they think. If you want to leave, you have the right to leave. There's no need to feel awkward or nervous, you're not breaking up with a boyfriend. You're just leaving a part-time job for something better.

[jmowen]

Ah, retail during the holiday season.. Hated that. Made the holiday much more less appealing than it should have when I was working at the time.

Anyway, just tell them that you've got a more responsible role at your first job and that you will need all energy and focus to go towards that.

If you don't plan on going back (which from your post doesn't sound like you will), this won't be an issue. Yeah, it's holiday season but they will be able to find someone (or 5) to replace you. They usually hire a ton of new people during this time so they won't be short staffed. If you're worried about future employment with other companies, don't. They can't legally 'shame' you if an employer calls them.

[martyfellow]

You should do what's easiest for you; you don't owe them anything, not even an honest reason for leaving. Corporate entities don't care about employees, and won't pay any attention to your real reasons if yu tell them, so just make up some excuse, say you are too stressed.

That will make them sweat, since they'll be worried you'll file a lawsuit.

[Anonymous]

Who cares if it's awkward? Tell them you have stronger commitments elsewhere.

You already have a full-time job. You don't owe them anything. Your relationship with them is nothing more than labor in exchange for a paycheck.

It's a business, not some friendship. Don't let them convince you that you show "company loyalty" or that you're more than just a part-time employee to them. If their attempt to charm you fails, they'll simply get a hire to replace you within a week.

You reached your financial goal already and I doubt you'd come crawling back to them since you apparently have security with your family's company. It might be awkward if you shop there after you quit but so what.

[qwer1234]

Quit your job like she did:

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=Ew_tdY0V4Zo

[Dionysos]

Tell them you have an opportunity you can't turn down, and give at least two weeks notice.