Morality of Quitting Job

[new_User1357246]

I am currently at my first job out of college (hired in September 2010). I love it. My boss is great, gives me interesting projects, and treats everyone with respect.

When I applied, they asked me my future plans, etc. If I mentioned that I was thinking about grad school, I probably said something to the effect of “maybe in a few years, we’ll see”.

To make a long story short, I applied and got into a top grad school in my field. I will be paid almost the same hourly rate I make now, working 5/8 as many hours, while in school. And I really want to go. If I don’t, I know I will never get in again.

However, is it moral to quit a job after working only two years? (I don’t have a contract or anything, so legally I can quit whenever). My parents generation seems to think its ok, but my generation and my grandparents generation often seem to be less approving.

Is there any moral problem with this?

 

[Castello]

Give your boss adequate notice and leave on good terms.

Pray that the economy turns around so a Grad degree means something and that you will be able to get another job in the future.

 

[1ke]

However, is it moral to quit a job after working only two years?

Why wouldn’t it be? What possible commandment would you be breaking?

 

[new_User1357246]

Why wouldn’t it be? What possible commandment would you be breaking?

I don’t know. You could argue I’m “stealing” from my employer who was gracious enough to give me a job and train me expecting XYZ return on the investment and instead will maybe get less because I am leaving early. You could argue that it’s not honest to leave because employers implicitly expect you to stay for a certain amount of time or because I didn’t tell them right away that I’m applying. Additionally, we are about to go through a MAJOR software conversion (I am a programmer) and the head of our department said last August that it was a big deal that we have everybody onboard, etc, etc, etc and if we weren’t going to be there for another three to five years tell him right away. I didn’t tell him anything, because, frankly, how could I?

I really, really care about all of the people I work with. They are very much my friends. Yet whenever they talk about what we are going to be doing in a year or two my heart just sinks, knowing I probably won’t be there as they are expecting me to be.

 

[Allegra]

Give your boss enough notice to hire someone else. That’s all you have to do. No employer expects an employee to work for them forever. If they do have an expected amount of time, they will have you under contract.

 

[1ke]

I don’t know. You could argue I’m “stealing” from my employer who was gracious enough to give me a job and train me expecting XYZ return on the investment and instead will maybe get less because I am leaving early.

No you cannot argue that, as it is not true. You worked, they paid a waage. You did not steal anything.

You could argue that it’s not honest to leave because employers implicitly expect you to stay for a certain amount of time or because I didn’t tell them right away that I’m applying.

No you cannot argue this, because again it is not based in any sort of fact. There is no such implicit expectation. I’ve had employees quit after a month because they had interviewed with several companies and after accepting our offer they received an offer from a company that they wanted to work for more. Employees come and go. You have a very skewed view of honesty if you think putting in notice to some place you have worked for 2 years is dishonest.

Additionally, we are about to go through a MAJOR software conversion (I am a programmer) and the head of our department said last August that it was a big deal that we have everybody onboard, etc, etc, etc and if we weren’t going to be there for another three to five years tell him right away. I didn’t tell him anything, because, frankly, how could I?

Which is why this is really ridiculous in its entirity.

I really, really care about all of the people I work with. They are very much my friends. Yet whenever they talk about what we are going to be doing in a year or two my heart just sinks, knowing I probably won’t be there as they are expecting me to be.

IMHO, you have misplaced loyalties. Certainly one should be loyal, honest, and ethical in one’s business dealings.

Unless you have a contract, you are under no obligation to stay. Courtesy is a 2 week notice. Anything beyond that is generous.

Just as you are under no obligation to stay, they are under no obligation to keep you. If business were doing poorly they could lay you off with no notice. is that stealing? No. Is that dishonest? No. It is simply business.

 

[Castello]

There are likely 500 unemployed people who will be thrilled to have a shot at that job!

 

[RastaPasta]

A) Pray to the Blessed Mother - ask for her intercession… she will take care of the rest.
B) Give your current employer two weeks notice.
C) Go to grad school.
D) See A.