Conflict of Interest - Should I quit?

[Waiting4TheSun]

I put my 2 week notice in about a month ago. Work turned into a hostile, stressful environment over the years and I started having physical problems from it. I am a temporary part timer making $10/hr. I've become pretty good at my occupation and realized that I can start my own business doing it and not have to deal with the hostile stresses that some of my bosses create. So I quit. Then, they started scrambling to get me full time and give me a raise and benefits. My immediate boss came to me and asked me if I'd stay for a while longer if they could offer me $15/hr (no benefits, no full time, still temporary). I agreed because I know that me leaving will really screw them. Also, they're hiring another part timer. I also told my boss that I already ordered my own equipment and I'm still building the home business and I didn't plan to stay long term.

 

Well, today he started giving me a hard time. He made comments about me taking his customers and then laughed and stated how it wouldn't happen anyway because he's known them longer and they're loyal to him. Also saying we should call the clients up and see who they would go with, me or him. I haven't even approached these clients! He was just plain being rude and dicky to me today and it made me so upset that it made me physically sick.

 

I'm kind of astonished because he's never talked to me like this. Plus, he knew what I was doing on the side, it wasn't a secret. I'm doing my best to keep the two businesses separate and do the ethical and moral thing... I don't even have the home business up and running yet!

 

I'm thinking that I should say thanks but no thanks to the raise and go my separate way. I thought it'd be nice to stay and help train the new part timer, but if this is how I'm going to be treated, maybe I should just leave.

 

Any thoughts?

[quankanne]

I'd go ... they can train the new guy, and flick the same passive-aggressive crap at him/her while you are in a less stressful environment. Because there comes a point where it becomes more important to keep your sanity intact than it is to remain in a toxic relationship, even if that relationship is a work relationship.

 

just my 2 cents

[LoveAintEverything]

Are you sure that he was just not having a bad day?

 

Regardless that is BS and what I would start to do is continue building up your own business while working with the company and as soon as you are basically good to go, quit your job...you do not need that bull...everyone has there rights!

[spiderowl]

It depends what you want to do ultimately. I think they realise now you are serious about building your own business and they realise you will be competition. At first, they were probably more concered about being left suddenly but now they realise the long-term implications too - and you have made it clear that you are going to be in competition with them. I think this 'joking but not joking' behaviour is a way of expressing anxiety and uncertainty about this shifting relationship. I feel this is a situation where if you wanted to stay with them, you could express your need for a solid and proper contract, not in an aggressive way but in a 'this is what I need' way 'which is why I'm moving on'. Then they have a choice about whether they are going to meet your needs or not.

 

But, if you really do want to leave - and you say it has become a hostile environment anyway - then why not just get with the job until your agreed finish date ... then leave. You don't really owe them the consideration of plugging the gap until they get someone else, nor do you owe them anything in terms of training the next person - you are temporary and not exactly fantastically well-paid! They could have offered you more before if they wanted you to stay, but they took you for granted by the sound of it.

 

Another possible route to consider is one of suggesting possible co-operation with them in the future - you as a self-employed person who will put work their way if you have too much or they are more specialised in an area (and vice versa). You may find then that they would 'contract out' work to you because they know you can do it. You would have the option of turning them down if you didn't like their attitude or offer. You would still have the option of taking on work from other sources and benefitting from any profits there. I don't know whether they will consider such co-operation but surely it's better than total rivalry? Such an offer may ease the tension at this time too.

 

If co-operation is not an option, then I can see the present situation is uncomfortable for you because you seem to take it very personally and become anxious. If it's that bad and you can afford to leave, then leave, but if it's not, why not just accept that it's going to be awkward for a while and ride it out?