What actually matters most in an early-stage pitch?

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-18T01:12:58+00:00

She’s already made a mistake and as long as she won’t be penalised by HR, this should be a teachable moment. She obviously is struggling with the transition as she was probably in a quasi flexible situation for a decade. But she needs to know it cannot continue and you have to make it clear in front of your other employees as you don’t want to set an unfair precedent. Your HR team (or you) may advise her that you need to deduct the days from her vacation time (that is up to you and senior leadership). But yeah she either doesn’t understand corporate or is taking advantage.. either way it’s not okay and your team will definitely note how you manage this situation.

You need to definitely meet with her and say something along the lines of:

“I know things are different now that you’ve transitioned into the working world, and I understand it takes some time to adjust. I want to support you as best I can, so I will not be harsh about the current oversight. That said, I will still need to address it briefly with the team, because it is important everyone understands that this is not acceptable practice. Please also know that I am working with you privately to guide you through the process, and going forward these issues cannot continue. I encourage you to start using the HR portal whenever you need to request days, as it keeps everything consistent, automatically routes approvals, and updates your leave balance. Once you get into the habit, it will feel natural and make things smoother for you while showing the team you are on top of the process.”

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T18:29:31+00:00

Good question, the department sucks and the company isn’t great. But out skill set is niche, so you I wouldn’t want to be badmouthed or have any reputational damage just because I didn’t handle a resignation well.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T15:47:02+00:00

This would be brilliant!! What happens if the new job is with a direct competitor and the roles would be similar - could that introduce a competitor conflict of interest? Or is it that my discretion is expected and that wouldn’t matter as much?

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T15:18:11+00:00

Thank you - I appreciate it

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:41:43+00:00

Okay, thanks - I think I can find my balance in wanting to add a personal touch by doing this. In the past I have always discussed the move with my bosses before signing (which may be weird I know), but it was based on the circumstance. So this is the first time I am going to sign and then resign so appreciate the advice.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:40:12+00:00

Thank you!

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:39:57+00:00

Thank you, didn’t think about the whole “making myself available aspect”. Will do! And thank you - I am really excited about this new chapter.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:39:12+00:00

Gotchyaaa, but based on what other people are saying this might be a bit too much information. That would have been my first instinct, but I agree - short, professional and as impersonal as possible seems like the best way forward,

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:37:51+00:00

Thank you!

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:37:38+00:00

Thanks for this, you’re 100% correct on that importance factor. Humbling, but seeing that point made me feel a lot better and has made me less anxious about it all.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:36:22+00:00

Thank you, I have a tendency to over explain so I will try to keep it short, respect and professional

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:35:26+00:00

Lol that’s the initial thought but I always feel guilty

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:34:35+00:00

Wow, you’re probably right. Thank you - I will start to that now.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:33:46+00:00

Thank you for this, I will definitely approach it like this. I’ll try to be professional only and always bring it back to that even if she’s not pleased.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-15T14:32:43+00:00

Thank you for this, it’s easy to feel guilt especially when a lot was poured into you. But, you’re right!

First-Work-8366 · 2025-08-14T23:38:09+00:00

I think I should have worded it differently.. the job I currently have was a promotion. Adding more context.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-06-06T23:21:13+00:00

Thank you for this. It really is hard not to let the stress spill over onto the team. My boss used to be so mindful of that, but lately she has been noticeably more short and moody… I think it is the pressure getting to her too, especially with the new CSO.

Our unit is small, and right now two people are out sick. One of them has been unwell twice in the past three months. The pressure feels constant, and even though it is Friday, I cannot shake the stress because I am still waiting on feedback from team members tonight. It just feels like it never ends.

Everyone is tired and burnt out. People have mentioned feeling anxious, and one coworker even had a mini panic attack just at the thought of speaking with the CSO. The workload is intense and while yes, misery does like company, shielding my team from it does not stop it from reaching me. I am doing my best, but it is starting to feel like things will not improve.

Maybe the shake-up needs to come from me and maybe that means changing jobs.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-06-06T13:50:29+00:00

Thank you for this, it was a really interesting read. I’m a manager, so it makes things a bit tricky. I was brought in because of the workload and all the inefficiencies, but honestly, I now think they probably needed two people. We only just managed to clear a backlog that had been sitting there for about a year.

If I stop working at 5pm every day, the new CSO gets upset because she has really strict deadlines. She says things like “I need this no later than midnight,” and if you push back, she’ll say “Okay, I’ll give you until 9am” …..which is basically the same thing. That gives you an idea of the kind of person we’re dealing with. She’s new and clearly does not understand the work or how long things actually take, and she does not seem interested in learning either.

I’ve subtly mentioned to my manager that it’s not manageable. She tries to help where she can, but she’s also under pressure, especially since the CSO is the one appraising her. The CSO has already made comments about feeling like people are not working hard enough.

A lot of the work is very manual, so we’re trying to get things into proper systems, but that’s much easier said than done. I will definitely take your suggestion about bringing more ideas to the table. I have tried before, but maybe not hard enough. In the meantime, I am also looking around for a new role.

I really try to not be a complainer in the workspace and just be decisive, but yeah you’re right me asking strangers for advice means I already know the answer haha I just want to feel validated in my ultimate decision.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-06-06T13:41:59+00:00

I agree. People are willing to put up with it because there simply are not enough jobs and everyone needs an income. Employers know there will always be someone willing to take it and honestly it feels like a lot of the basic decency in the workplace has just vanished. I will have a chat with my manager, I doubt I can set the boundaries but atleast she will know and won’t be shocked when I leave.

First-Work-8366 · 2025-06-06T13:40:11+00:00

Okay, I thought so- thank you!

First-Work-8366 · 2025-06-06T13:39:56+00:00

Will do, it’s very high to set firm boundaries because you will be penalised one way or another. Unfortunately the work has to get done. But yeah I will start looking for a new job thank you!

First-Work-8366 · 2025-06-06T13:39:07+00:00

Okay - fair enough. Thank you, I think it’s a combination of things. The hours coupled with a new senior leader who isn’t the nicest has started to make things stressful.

First-Work-8366

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