When it rains it pours, when the sun shines its blinding

I've always known that my rtw would require me to give notice at my job. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I really had no idea that it would be so hard.

I postponed my original trip date by a few months so that I could get my bonus. Not only did I get an excellent bonus but a really large raise, as well as more responsibility. My boss has really tailored this job to my strengths and interests.
I'm worried that this is something that I can't get back.

I feel like everyone is really counting on me and it is causing me extreme guilt.

I'm not having second thoughts, I've worked too for hard too long for that.

Any ideas on what I should say when I give my notice?

2 weeks is standard. You can give a little longer, but it is not necessary. Once you give your notice, your mindset changes, trust me. Wrap up things best you can, and move from there.

It is hard not to feel the guilt, etc., but you have to get over it. We are all replaceable at our workplace. It sounds harsh, but having gone through the lay-offs of the early 00's, I know it to be the truth.

There is never a good time to leave a job. There is always something kind of left in the air. And that's ok, you have to do what's right for you, because if the company needed to get rid of you, they would.

In short, I would give to weeks, but start documenting things now. And make sure to give yourself some time between when you have your last day and when you're going to leave.

You'll find something else when you get back. you never know...you may end up at the same place!

Well, just think about what you want to say to leave on great terms.

As Annie said, there's no longer any company-employee loyalty these days (used to be different 40, 50 years ago), so long as you give 2 weeks, you haven't done anything wrong, no guilt.

If you want to go above + beyond, you can:

- give 4, or even 6, weeks notice
- say how much you've enjoyed the growth, opportunity, comraderie, blah blah blah, at your job
- write a proper thank you note to your boss
- suggest that you'll get back in touch in 18 months or whenever, and would be interested in working with them in the future (if that's true)


Seriously, you have nothing to feel guilty about. This is how the workplace operates. They will hire someone else and deal. And hopefully read along as you travel on your blog. Just enjoy your trip!

Thanks everyone!

I guess its normal to get a bit nervous at this point!

Nerves are totally normal. So exciting~!

Nerves are giving me an ulcer and an earache. I just want to get the scary parts over and get on that plane!

^^ That's no good. Can you get some quality time in with some of your friends sometime soon, hopefully after you've treated yourself to a spa massage?

It's all going to be completely awesome KM. And I'm actually psychic, so you can relax now.

Massage, what a great idea. I could really go for a mani/pedi as well!

I gave three weeks at my last job. My boss was an evil woman and used the time to talk bad about me and make me feel terrible. She also hired this woman at an inflated salary without interviewing, saying how she'd be perfect. I was pissed abt it, but whatever, I was LEAVING. hahaha!

I think with my job now, we are a very small dept and I would give as much notice as possible--which you should do if you have illusions abt picking up your job when you return. I plan on leaving my job in a few years for a RTW and want to relocate after that with my oh-so-patient partner (who is a marine biologist)--so I'll probably give enough notice and see if I could do the job eventually remotely. Probably not, but I really like my coworkers and boss (I send them emails when I'm on vacation to say hi and tell them what fun I'm having--this is my boss and my immediate coworker--not the rest of the office!).

So you have to figure out what to do.

Also, don't feel guilty. Your job would fire if you if they needed to (i.e., budget problems) and can replace you--although they might love you. Live your life and not your job!

I think you have an awesome opportunity to negotiate with your boss. You're well liked, and they know and appreciate what you give to the company...beyond that, they've entrusted you with more responsibilities in ways you admit, you're good at.

Why not try honesty?

I have a friend, and she and her husband wanted to take a year off, live in 4 different places and enjoy it while they could...they both confronted their bosses about it, and THEY BOTH were given sabattical type time, AND an open door to come back after the trip. IT REALLY HAPPENED!!

People like 'me and you and everyone we know' (great movie, has nothing to do with this, but I love recommending it...)

People like your boss, have dreams of RTW's, they have unaccomplished goals...they need inspiration from someone like you to get them moving towards those big dreams.

I don't know your work situation, but based on what you wrote, I think its worth a shot.

by the way, thanks for the dollar that time...the postcard arrived!