WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2007
Was I Right to Quit My Job?
Note from Joe: This question comes from the same person who posed the question on May 11 about a raise contingent on agreeing to stay one more year.
I know you just helped me through a difficult situation. I'm writing to you because I'd like your feedback on how things turned out.
When I went into my bosses' office to discuss the raise/one-year contract situation, they confronted me with printouts of cover letters and resumes I had sent out to prospective employers -- from my own personal computer, on my own personal e-mail account, on my own personal time.
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The day before, I had to use my personal e-mail to complete a work function. (Someone was trying to send me an ad, so I could lay it out in the paper.) Our work's e-mail server wasn't working, and I was on deadline. So, I had someone send the ad to my personal e-mail account. I made sure to close up the window, but the only thing I can gather is that perhaps I hadn't logged out of my e-mail. I'm usually very careful about this, but what can I say? I was on deadline and rushed -- perhaps I forgot to formally log out.
Well, I'm sure you know where this is going. My boss went looking through the Internet history and was able to access my inbox. She saw correspondence between other employers and myself, mostly just introductory cover letters. She opened the messages. She even opened a message from a friend that was obviously not even employment related. So, they felt "personally betrayed" and didn't offer me a raise or the option of staying.
I interpret this as "firing." They danced around it, but admitted they are actively seeking my replacement starting Monday. When I asked for this in writing, they refused to give it to me. They then advised me that it was in my best interest not to seek unemployment compensation. They went on and on about what a disappointment I was, that I wasn't ready for "primetime," and asked me, "Didn't you learn ethics in J-school?" They then said I owed them at least two more weeks of work.
Joe, I cleaned my desk out and left. To me, it added up to this: I was being fired, but they wanted me to stay until they found a replacement. On top of that, they were being very, very nasty about it. I know the bosses probably hate my guts, but I talked to a couple colleagues at the paper who agreed to give me a stellar reference. It may sound shallow, but once I knew I had that in my pocket, I decided I didn't need to sit around and suffer through a toxic, hostile work environment.
I felt like they violated my privacy in a very big way. I was very apologetic, but I don't think seeking employment elsewhere is a fireable offense. Yet somehow, I still feel guilty for leaving them in a lurch. Did I do the right thing?
One Year So Far
Let's see ... your privacy was violated, you were insulted and threatened.
That's enough.
I cannot give legal advice on coercive work practices, hostile work environments, privacy or labor law covering unemployment and wage-and-hours rules. That's what attorneys are for.
But, no, seeking a new job is not a firing offense, and I would try to get over any feelings of guilt. I don't quite understand how they got into your personal e-mail, and I don't know what it said, but from your description, these bosses are bullies and are in no position to give lectures on ethics.
Your experience underscores the importance of keeping personal e-mails and files entirely separate from work. (It sounds as if someone should be glad you used your own equipment to get that ad into the paper.)
Good luck in your job search. I hope you wind up in a better situation.
Coming Thursday: Times have changed in the newspaper business, and the picture is much better for this print journalism student who has landed a TV internship.
Posted at 12:00:00 AM
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