Floss Talk
October 19, 2000
Quitting My Job
By Philana Wu
I knocked on the opened door and entered the cluttered room. All I could see were the back of his head and his massive upper body seated in an office chair at his desk. He stood up a minute later after finishing some paper work and turned around while I took two steps back. I lifted my head toward the ceiling at a 45-degree angle so I could look him in the eye. The man was built like a football player, 250 pounds and just over six feet tall. I came with a simple message and was determined to articulate it as best I could. Surprisingly, I found that I was not nervous at all. I spoke eloquently with a confident and steady tone of voice. The words that needed to be spoken flowed freely and openly from my mouth without pauses or stutters.
Me: Mr. Boss, I thank you for the opportunity of working here. You have given me the benefit of the doubt since day one. You are oftentimes silent but seldom impatient or angry. Your easy-going managing style has helped in making this a comfortable working environment as well as a meaningful first retail experience for me. Because of all this, I am very sorry to say that I can no longer work here. My schedule is too busy for both school and a job. Therefore, I have decided that it is best for me to focus all my energy on studying.
Mr. Boss: Well Philana, I’m sure sorry to hear that. But, a kid’s got to do what a kid’s got to do, right? After all, attending one of the most academically challenging high schools in the nation can’t exactly be easy. What can I say; we’ll miss having you around.
Me: I appreciate your understanding. Give my best to the other managers and good luck with the upcoming holiday season. Again, I just want to say thank you!
Mr. Boss: Now you’re sure that you’re going to quit?
Me: Yes. I have no other choice, really.
Mr. Boss: Then good luck in your studies. We’ll probably need some extra help during winter break, so please consider that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to attend to another customer.
Poof. The daydream was over and I found my stuttering self seated at my desk, looking blankly at the blinds as I contemplated the words I would use to tell my boss I was quitting. I needed to be polite but firm at the same time.
The tick-tock of the clock served as an anxiety-inducing reminder of what little time I had before the store closed for the day. I had two options: I could dismiss my sudden decision to leave my relatively easy job with decent pay. That would also mean I would have to continue living a lifestyle with a ratio of very little sleep to a lot of work. Or, I could step up to my boss, speak my mind, be content with the money I already have in my savings account, and get more sleep. It was a tough call, but I chose my comforter over all the comforts my salary could have purchased.
It’s funny how the phone can be the most personal and intimate means of communication when it’s late at night and I’m bundled up in a blanket, analyzing the plots and character development of teenage soaps with a friend from school. Yet, when it comes to things like resignations, the phone somehow transforms into an extremely cold and impersonal medium of communication. The actual conversation with my boss was awkward and brief, thankfully.
Me: Um, Mr. Boss? I don’t think I can work anymore because I have too much homework, what with honors and Advanced Placement classes and clubs and other activities. I’m sorry but I just can’t handle it anymore. I’ll still be willing to work during the holidays, maybe, if I have the time, and not too much homework or studying to do. (Breathe Philana, breathe.)
Mr. Boss: Well, it sounds like you’re in over your head.
Me: (Trying to sound confident.) But if I were to take Saturday off to catch up on homework, I think I’d be doing okay.
Mr. Boss: Well, if that’s how you feel…( Pause.)
Me: (Resolute, trying hard not to sound offensive.) Yes, I think that would be best.
Mr. Boss: Alright then. When will your last week be? You’re still coming in on Saturday, right?
Me: (Naively hopeful.) Yes. I might be able to help out if you need cashiers sometime. (Pause.)
Me: (Meek in a not so professional way.) Thank you. (Pause.)
Mr. Boss: Well, I’ll see you on Saturday then.
Me: (Once again hurried.) Okay. Thanks. Bye.
Mr. Boss: Bye.
It was, by all means, not the most pleasant experience. But I would definitely do it over if I could, just so I could sound more professional and serious than I came off.
At least I now have one more skill to add to my resume. If you’re thinking “retail,” think again. I am referring to my resume of life experiences, which now includes a check in the “average” box for “ability to interact with managers and other authority figures.”
Hey, I’m still a kid so I figure that I have plenty of time to improve my skills. One day, I’ll be able to check that “excellent” box. Until then, I’ll savor my unemployed status.
Mr. Boss: Well Philana, I’m sure sorry to hear that. But, a kid’s got to do what a kid’s got to do, right? After all, attending one of the most academically challenging high schools in the nation can’t exactly be easy. What can I say; we’ll miss having you around.
Me: I appreciate your understanding. Give my best to the other managers and good luck with the upcoming holiday season. Again, I just want to say thank you!
Mr. Boss: Now you’re sure that you’re going to quit?
Me: Yes. I have no other choice, really.
Mr. Boss: Then good luck in your studies. We’ll probably need some extra help during winter break, so please consider that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to attend to another customer.
Mr. Boss: Well, it sounds like you’re in over your head.
Me: (Trying to sound confident.) But if I were to take Saturday off to catch up on homework, I think I’d be doing okay.
Mr. Boss: Well, if that’s how you feel…( Pause.)
Me: (Resolute, trying hard not to sound offensive.) Yes, I think that would be best.
Mr. Boss: Alright then. When will your last week be? You’re still coming in on Saturday, right?
Me: (Naively hopeful.) Yes. I might be able to help out if you need cashiers sometime. (Pause.)
Me: (Meek in a not so professional way.) Thank you. (Pause.)
Mr. Boss: Well, I’ll see you on Saturday then.
Me: (Once again hurried.) Okay. Thanks. Bye.
Mr. Boss: Bye.
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