This is a question directed towards software people, but others can probably relate. I am in the middle of a big software project at a place I have worked at for about a year... basically I hate it... I have to deal with undocumented uncommented old ADA code that has been converted into c...its the worst code that I could ever imagine... I have tough deadlines, long hours.... and like 4 bosses.... I want to gouge my eyes out after staring at ada/c code in vi all day... I want to move to a more modern job, maybe some .NET, maybe some windows or web development... maybe some JAVA, maybe some interacting with people that arent programmers... I feel like I am losing a useful modern skillset staying at this job. The project finishes up in January if everything is on schedule ( big if ). They could replace me with someone else in the company, but it would take a big learning curve for that person... and the project schedule would most likely suffer. At least 2 of my bosses would probably have heart attacks. Do I owe it to the company that I am working at to finish this project? Is it a douchebag move to leave early? I have never quit a job before, so I don't really know what the ettiquete is. Is quitting mid-project like leaving the team during the 4th quarter, or is it just stone cold business?
If you want out, I would think all you owe them is 2-weeks notice as a courtesy. As long as you're employed, you're going to be leaving in the middle of something.
look for a job before you quit... although you probably knew that. if it was me i'd find that new job and quit.
You have the right to leave, just like they have the right to get rid of you. I really hate to be cynical, but most companies don't even blink and eye at laying people off to save cash, so you don't really owe them anything as far as leaving when you want. Give them a courtesy 2 weeks, or heck, say you'll train someone for them for 3-4 weeks if you feel really guilty, but leave if you are not happy. There are too many jobs out there right now to stay someplace you don't like.
Find another job first. Give them as much notice as possible (2 weeks minimum), and offer to help train your replacement. Companies have to deal with this all the time. It's part of doing business in a market economy.
Don't give them the courtesy. They won't give it to you when the layoffs start. The days of being "loyal to the company" are long gone, because companies are no longer loyal to their employees. Trust me.
You know there are people in this world who don't have to put up with all this s$@&? Like that guy that invented the pet rock. You see, that's what you have to do. You have to use your mind and come up with some really great idea like that and you never have to work again! Y'know… I had an idea like that once. It was a Jump… to Conclusions-mat. You see, it would be this mat that you would put on the floor and it would have different conclusions written on it that you could…jump to.
if they werent happy with you mid project, they would let you go. i think johnny paycheck said it best http://music.yahoo.com/track/1599205
I'll echo the comments that say to find another job first. I also say give no more than 2 weeks notice, and if your new job wants you sooner than that, then don't feel bad with only a week's notice. Do NOT work more than 2 weeks at your old job. However, the most important thing is that you tell NO ONE about your plans. This is imperative.
That's ridiculous; you don't know what kind of managers they are. Not all companies are the same. That said, from an employer, give them notice and that's good enough. It's their responsibility as much as yours to make sure that the fit was good when you were hired and that the job is not torture. And if they need you that bad, they'll just need to come up with remuneration that works for you else your'e underpaid (everyone has a price .. mostly).
Don't be a dick, stay until the project is done.... Just kidding, everyone's right -- if you're not happy, leave.
