Can I just walk off my part time job without notice?

[Q21]

EDIT:

Thanks guys. I haven't had many part time jobs, so I know that this problem wasn't that big of a deal as I made it out to be. Sometimes I fear confrontation, so it was basicly knowing that I shouldn't continue with the job- but fearing actually talking to the boss about it. I was a little bit uncertain as to whether what I felt was right was a good idea or not, but now I know.

But I did it. My shift today started at 1, so after eating breakfeast, checking up on here, and biking around my neighborhood to get less nervous- I just called and said I couldn't come in and it was simple.

Simple or not, it just re-affirmed that I need the guts to act, and I am working on it.

Thanks again

__________________________________________________ ____________

I know this isn't a career question, but I'm still in college and I have a question about a part-time job. I haven't had many part-time jobs. A pretty simple question for these boards, but I would appreciate any help.

I have this situation. I have this new job that I haven't started working at which I have only gone to training for. I am currently scheduled until Monday for (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) The only problem is that over the course of the training I've been thinking that I won't have enough time to hold this job right now, but once I get some things situated, I'll be able to fit a part-time job in. I didn't think I'd go to school when I applied for the job and have a lot of unorganized things in my life I want to clean up asap because I fear I will miss some deadlines as I have things in piles I need to still look over. I really want to get this stuff cleaned up so I won't have that nagging feeling that I am behind (which I am) or that something else might come up in my life putting me even further behind. I get stressed out easily as I have had some personal problems that have made me work less and go to school less for the past 2-3 years and am trying to get back to being hard working slowly and if I do too much too soon I will get overwhellmed and that would put me behind too. Things are getting progressively better as I am getting used to a more normal schedule and being in school and finding this website has been great. I fear that working these scheduled days, even though it is only 4 days might be too much too soon along with the other things in my life that I might get overloaded. I know it doesn't sound like that big a a deal to work these 4 days, but I don't know if it's a good idea to say I can 'fit it in' and then be pressed for time later because of something I know of yet.

The thing is, I called yesterday and didn't explain this whole sitution, just that "I've had some new things enter my life that I didn't have when I applied and I don't think I can fit work in my life." Since I had training Mon-Wed I was supposed to call Thurs to get my schedule for the week, so I am still sceduled Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon. Today, (Fri) would be my first day actually working.
The boss told me that they can't cover for me and that if I really could, they would appreciate if I could finish my scheduled hours for this week. I told her I could, but I don't know if I really can come in this week at all.

So, I'm wondering what I should do in this situation. Should I offer a compromise? Should I just talk to my boss in more detail about my situation and maybe offer to work some of the days only? Maybe see if I can just not have to work those days at all? Or talk to co-workers to see if they can cover me?

I'm not sure if I should just walk of the job though, with no warning and just leave. Would this put me in a bad position if I were to later apply for another job? Is there some way for future employers to check my work history and see that I just walked off that job? I don't like looking like I'm irresponsible or burn bridges in case I might see or work with these people again as I do live in a pretty small town (20 thousand). Do I have an obligation to stick to my hours?

Thanks for any help guys.

[sundaycomics]

It's considered good manners to put in 2 weeks' notice. Word might get around if you don't.

[tdko]

1) It's janky to leave w/o notice, but rarely required. In CA, at least, it's always an "at-will" employment, so you're not obligated to give notice at all. The "two weeks" rule is merely courtesy.

2) Your work history can't be looked up by a future employer. If you don't report it on your resume/application, there's no reason for them to know you worked there.

[shimmer728]

My sister did just this about three years ago, when she was still in high school. She had no problem securing not one, but two pharmacy internships in college. Like tdko says, she just didn't tell her employers about her hellish stint in retail sales. :D

[Cole]

I kind of did that once - went through two days' training and decided it wasn't the job for me. I just called and said "after going through the training, I've decided this isn't going to work for me. Sorry."

It would certainly be best to work the hours they've scheduled you for, but if you really can't, just call and politely let them know that you won't be taking the job after all and you sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. DO call them though; walking off would be seen as way worse. If you call at least you're being kind of responsible about it, as opposed to just not showing. Not to mention if you run into any of these people in the future, you don't want to have to explain why you didn't show up in the milk aisle at the grocery store.

Nobody else should end up finding out about it, as someone said above. Just so long as you're sure you don't mind completely burning bridges with this company and anyone who works there.

[baffledwriter]

I don't see the problem with just not going in if you really can't. From what I can tell, word of your work history rarely if ever gets around unless it's a very public job or unless you put it on your resume. I've worked at a grocery store, which I quit on the spot one night after someone there stole my purse; a telemarketing place, where I was part time and just plain quit because I got another job; and a jewelry store, where I only gave a week's notice. I'm really in journalism, however, and no one has ever known about these previous work issues because they're not relevant.

I wouldn't stress out over the part-time thing, even if you just plain quit. When it comes down to it, you're probably easily replacable.

[yes_is_a_word]

if you've not even got through the training yet, give a call and say... sorry, i'm not in for this. you don't have to give a reason why or put it on your resume - normally you aren't a full employee until after your training - i mean if you really displayed a gross inaptitude for the job, they would simply say... nope not working here. You get the same privilege - nope. not for me.

Give them a call though - out of courtesy.

[yankeeyosh]

Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it. If it was a full time position, and you've been working at it a while, then yeah, two weeks notice should be given, so your employer can look for a replacement. But if haven't even STARTED, there's no shame in saying that this isn't going to work out. A "probationary" period is really a trial period in which a boss and you see if this job is a good fit. A boss could fire you without warning, and in turn, you can quit without warning.

[capella]

Honestly..... I just wouldn't go. It's kind of clear they're going to try and guilt you into coming in when you already called and told them you weren't taking the job. I wouldn't worry about it much. I have plenty of work ethic, trust me, but I've walked off a job before too. Probably more than once. I quit at a restaurant after the night from hell. I quit a grocery store when they wouldn't let me take a break and I passed out from low blood sugar and low blood pressure from standing in one spot all day. I quit a job at a camera store when I was transferred as a full time employee, couldn't afford to live unless I was a full time employee, and then had my hours slashed to 20 hours a week. I worked for the company for a year. Bastards. I don't hold a lot of loyalty to crap jobs. They'd treat you worse for less if the shoe was on the other foot. Just forget about it and get your life together. Janky thing to do or not :p Good luck. :)

Edit: Oh and one more thing. I had to put down every job I ever worked at and received a tax form for when I applied for my teaching job because they want 10 years work history, blood (well OK urine, but still), fingerprints, my first born signed over and my left leg in order to be cleared to teach. And guess what! I still got hired. I don't think a lot of companies are going to go searching your work history and calling up everyone you've ever interviewed with. I almost forgot this one... I worked at a B&N coffee shop for four hours once. I'm not one to get in front of people who want their caffeine apparently. ;)

[Q21]

Thanks guys. I haven't had many part time jobs, so I know that this problem wasn't that big of a deal as I made it out to be. Sometimes I fear confrontation, so it was basicly knowing that I shouldn't continue with the job- but fearing actually talking to the boss about it. I was a little bit uncertain as to whether what I felt was right was a good idea or not, but now I know.

But I did it. My shift today started at 1, so after eating breakfeast, checking up on here, and biking around my neighborhood to get less nervous- I just called and said I couldn't come in and it was simple.

Simple or not, it just re-affirmed that I need the guts to act, and I am working on it.

Thanks again