A new boss has taken over and I am unhappy working under him. I have a three-month notice period. What is my best way to exit the company? And can I negotiate an exit package? I am part of the senior leadership team in a multinational. LS, Dubai
Unhappy under a new boss with a lengthy notice period is a very uncomfortable position to be in. However, your situation is far from unique. Today, the average worker stays at a job for 4.6 years, which means in a career of 30 years or more we probably have to exit a different company or move roles on six or seven occasions. A senior executive such as yourself has probably made decisions like this before or has lost valued team members exiting because of new opportunities or even through dissatisfaction.
Now that you’re planning your exit strategy, my suggestion is that like any business strategy, you take some time to really think through your approach before engaging in conversations with your senior management. This may mean living with a slight discomfort for a short period of time, knowing that it will not be permanent and also accepting the uncertainty of not knowing where the future lies.
The first thing you need to do is identify your next step and have some confidence in making it. As with many things it depends on your financial situation, but as a senior leader I expect you have some good options out there, possibly with competitors, clients or suppliers.
Equally, this may be an opportunity for a much-needed career change, or to further your education or do something you have always wanted, such as going it alone. People often only do what they want to do after being frustrated or forced through adversity or real difficulty. Think about what you want at this point in your career – for example, could you stand having another problematic boss?
If not, make sure you meet the person you will be working for and are confident you can work with this person. The more senior we get, the harder it can be to work with people who we don’t value or perceive as being difficult.
It is extremely important in the UAE market to have clarity before you step out. If you want another role, then speculative interest or a possible offer is just not good enough. If you want to set up on your own, then have a clear business plan before you hand in your notice. If you want to take a break, then know what you are taking this for and have some ideas of what may come after.
Some people naively propose their exit to their employer and then use the three months to decide what they want. My view is that it is important to have confirmed the route before you step into the car and drive off into the sunset.
In relation to your package, you should be due an end of service agreement, so it is important to review your contract; you can also consult the UAE Labour Law to confirm what you are entitled to. If you are seeking further supplements, it will need to be something you discuss after reviewing what you signed up for. All this information should be in your contract or available from HR.
Once you have done the above, then you need to think about how you leave the company. Just with personal relationships, the “bookends” – how you start and end your role – are the most critical parts of a professional relationship. The trouble is that people tend to spend a lot of time preparing for and strategising about their first impressions, and rarely give much thought to their last ones.
Quitting your job for any reason, whether it’s because you’re deeply unhappy or you’re embarking on a new opportunity, requires sensitivity and planning. It is good etiquette to tell your boss first – his last impression of you will have a domino effect on how others will see you in the organisation, and remember that they may be clients, customers or colleagues in the future. After all, the UAE is a small business community.
Doctor’s prescription:
Before going down a route that you cannot turn back from, make sure you know enough about your preferred destination. As with any change there will be some vagueness, but in uncertain economic times most people cannot afford to drive off aimlessly without knowing where their end destination will be.
Alex Davda is a business psychologist and client director at Ashridge Executive Education, Hult International Business School, and is based in the Middle East. Email him at business@thenational.ae for advice on any work issues.
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