xp: what are my oblications? (little long)

CHS2005 · July 2009

I am going to put this on 9-5 as well but I am looking for some honest opinions. Long story short, I work in the non-profit sector and am currently paid by a grant that ends in December. The non-profit that adminsters the grant had previously said there would be a good chance of another job being available for me with them on Jan 1, but now are saying that will not happen. So, I have started looking for other jobs - which are not going to wait until January to start. -- So, I am looking for some opinions on what my professional obligations are. If I leave now for another job, the grant will pretty much fall apart, as I am the entire program start to finish. -- where does that leave me with my current employer? I realize it totally screws them and their relationship with the grant-giver, but is there any sympathy for my needing a job that doesn't have a time limit on it? I feel like could have finished the grant with a job waiting, but in this economy (and the fact they don't seem to give a sh!t about me), I also feel like I've got to take what I can that will pay me past December? Will kill my professional reputation with them if I take another job? Honestly would be appreciated TIA

ak1234 · July 2009

For me, I would just start looking for another job right now.

I think in this economy, anyone that you would actually want to work for would understand that you need to make sure that your family is financially secure for the long term.

Who knows, it may take you that six months or so to find a new job anyway. Also, if it was the other way around, they would cut you loose without a qualm. If you give them two weeks notice, they will be ok. There are plenty of people out there looking for work.

stfne · July 2009

Wow, that is a tough one.

In all honesty, I think it would hurt your professional reputation to leave them in the lurch, so to speak. You would need to consider how small is the professional community within your field. How often would you "run into" people who are associated with your current job? If the community is small, I wouldn't count on ever getting another job that is based on a grant (although you may not want that uncertainty yourself after this experience)

Would there be the possibility of doing your current job part-time until they could find a replacement or until the grant ends?

I don't really have answers, just sympathy.

AlisaS · July 2009

Honeslty- if you told me what you did for a living and that you would be leaving before your job was done, I wouldn't hire you.

roshybride · July 2009

If you are planning on working in the non-profit sector, many of your jobs may be grant dependent. Therefore, if you quit before you finish this grant, future employers will be hesitant to hire you if your job will be grant dependent. They would be worried about you leaving them in a lurch. Look for a job that starts Jan 1.

WendyK · July 2009

Speaking as someone who works in the non-profit sector (I have for over 10 years), I understand where you are coming from. Many non-profits are used to people leaving if you know a grant is ending. You need to communicate your worries with your supervisor (if possible). Tell them you would love to see it through but you are worried about finding another position quickly. Depending on where you live the non-profit sector is either booming or in the toilet, so on that point it could take you actually a year or more to find a job. Also, get your stuff together so that if you did leave it would not fall apart. If a grant was to fall apart because one person leaves, this not a good sign for the organization or their managment of grants

14years · July 2009

I think it could have pretty negative future consequences for you. The non-profit community where I live is pretty insular, so I would imagine it's the same for you. Other agencies may hear about your leaving before the grant is finished and not hire you down the road, so I'd be really careful.

Would it be possible for you to train someone else or transition your work if you were to get a new job? If so, I'd start looking. If it's really only you, though, and transition is not a possibility, I would probably not try to find a new job until closer to the end of the grant.

I sympathize with you. You are in a tight spot.

erbear · July 2009

I would finish the grant. You were hired to do a job; leave now, and the job doesn't get done. It's professional suicide if you plan to continue working...I sure as hell wouldn't hire you!

Maybride2 · July 2009

I disagree with most of the previous posters.

I also work in non-profit (8 years) and have almost always had my position funded by grants. The situation that you're in happens frequently, and people in this field KNOW to be prepared for employees to leave if there's no job security.

As someone else stated - if the grant is going to completely fall apart if you leave, that speaks worse of the agency you work for than it does you.

If you know for a fact that you'll be out of a job Jan. 1, I'd be looking for new employement now. And no - no one in the non-profit sector would look down on you for doing so, because chances are most of them have been in your shoes before and had to make the same decision.

Want a personalized experience?

xp: what are my oblications? (little long)

Re: xp: what are my oblications? (little long)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards