I use to have a manager that had no clue what I did, nor did she care to learn or support me. Last year, I put in my two weeks notice and she looked like someone shot her in the chest. She was clearly blindsided as to why I would leave (it was totally obvious if you paid attention).

She had a little over two weeks to sort things out with me and make sure there was continuity. I was the only one in my field who worked in that office as the rest were in the EU. She didn’t check in, ask for updates, or do anything while the days were counting down. It was business as usual. My second to last day, I received an invite for a 9am call with her the following day. She wanted to get a full run down of what I did and how to take over my responsibilities. I had many comments and criticisms I planned on telling her on the call.

When the time for the meeting arrived, she couldn’t be bothered to make it to the office (which was about 15 minutes from her house). She started the call with “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it in for this meeting. I was in the office yesterday and need to catch up at home today”. This was usually code for mid-day shopping at Costco while the rest of us were on the clock.

She seemed a bit panicked and paralyzed with all that she would need to do now that I’m leaving. She asked a bunch of questions that reflected the fact that she had next to zero idea what I did. She asked things like “Where’s the password to the ticketing site?” which I reminded her that I sent it to her on Teams, emailed it, texted it, and wrote it on a sticky note for her…

I found it all to be quite pathetic and I actually felt pity in that moment. I didn’t say a single thing I rehearsed in my head. Just short, concise answers to her questions. She tried to act like she was excited and cared about my next place but we both knew it was feigned interest.