Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Is it unprofessional to leave a new job where everything is a mess?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 288 posts

Re: Ask HN: Is it unprofessional to leave a new job where everything is a mess?

#21

Post by atlasunshrugged »

snassar wrote: post #9

In Germany you have a probationary period of 6 months where both sides can give notice of 2 weeks without having to give a reason. The probationary period is really there to make sure that you fit the organization and that the organization fits you. It is not usual that people don't make it through the probationary period, but it happens. If you know 5 months into a job that it is not for you and won't work out, then…

Yes, when I first got to Germany I was surprised at this but after doing it once I loved it. As an employee I had no hard feelings about just saying something wasn't a good fit within a few months of joining (I have a slightly different but similar in practice setup with a French co currently that I'm leaving after a 3m trial period). I think that it's a good way to do things & I think I reflect the consensus view here that you absolutely shouldn't feel bad about leaving a dysfunctional company. The only exception is if you were brought in with the mandate to execute a turnaround, but it doesn't sound like that's the case nor that you have the authority to do so, so don't burn yourself out trying without the power to make real changes for probably not enough compensation for the hassle

Re: Ask HN: Is it unprofessional to leave a new job where everything is a mess?

#23

Post by ttr2021 »

I was in a very similar situation around 2 years ago. I came into a lead data engineer role at a startup-going-scaleup. I saw technical horrors, mismanagement, lack of ownership at all levels and an overarching distasteful culture. I say get out now. I stayed for 2.5 years because it was my first job out of a FAANG almost in absolute fascination at watching the train wreck in slow mo, did my absolute best to tame the chaos but I think it actually start affectubg my health and well being. Also, eventually I lost favour with my manager, and then he started bullying me to cover his ass even after I left his direct reporting line.

Re: Ask HN: Is it unprofessional to leave a new job where everything is a mess?

#24

Post by edem »

Why would it be unprofessional? It is __rational__. By the way you can become self-employed (like myself) and do contracts and then you will no longer have to worry about a lot of these things. I usually have another contrat lined up long before my current contract terminates. Being self-employed also helps with the "job hopping" red flag. Since you're your own company, you never actually change jobs.

Re: Ask HN: Is it unprofessional to leave a new job where everything is a mess?

#25

Post by mytailorisrich »

snassar wrote: post #9

In Germany you have a probationary period of 6 months where both sides can give notice of 2 weeks without having to give a reason. The probationary period is really there to make sure that you fit the organization and that the organization fits you. It is not usual that people don't make it through the probationary period, but it happens. If you know 5 months into a job that it is not for you and won't work out, then…

Employees never have to give a reason to leave. The benefit of probation periods for employees who want to bail early is that the notice period is shorter (it is usually 1-3 months in most european countries). Of course, the downside is that the same applies to the employer and probation periods really are for the benefit of the employer since laying off an employee is an onerous prospect in most european countries.

Re: Ask HN: Is it unprofessional to leave a new job where everything is a mess?

#26

Post by lordnacho »

You have no duty to hang around a place that doesn't support you and basically isn't what was promised. You're a professional, you expect professional conditions.

Quite frankly more people should walk out of jobs like this. I've heard of it happening in more than one well known firm that for instance the person starts a job and they don't have a computer for months. These people should all leave and not feel bad about it.

Get interviewing immediately and see a lawyer about the conditions of leaving.

Re: Ask HN: Is it unprofessional to leave a new job where everything is a mess?

#30

Post by redleader55 »

It seems to me you are concentrating on the negatives too much - no place is perfect, otherwise they would not need you.

I would pick one small thing, try to improve it without complaining, while also delivering on your day-to-day tasks and see the feedback from your peers. The question you need to ask yourself in the end is "can I be part of the solution?", if the answer is "yes", you will gain trust, increase your salary/compensation, and have the opportunity to do what you like. In my opinion, that's what a senior is.

Post reply on HN