Should I let my employer know I’m looking for a job closer to home?

20 comments

1. Absolutely not. You don’t owe your employer anything in this situation – as much as you get along with your managers.

2. I had an alright relationship with my manager while working in a job that ruined my mental health. I explained to him that I was unhappy and I’d start looking for a new job and would appreciate a reference from him. He was a bit taken back but was happy to provide a reference for me and wished me well.

   About a month into my job search the stress of my job was taking a serious toll. I told them I was going to see a doctor and I might be signed off the following week (after not seeing a doctor) he offered me a severance pay as he said it was sad seeing me so unhappy etc.

   I wouldn’t tell them personally. I’d just find a new job and leave.

3. No, never tell them. Your employment is a business transaction, treat it as such.

4. It’s pretty much always a bad idea. The only exception might be if you were angling to get transferred within the company to another site nearer your home.

5. Don’t let them know, remember business will always come 1st for them, if you struggle to find a job and they hire someone else already it puts them in a difficult situation.
   From my own personal experience I was with a small company it had 15 employees when I joined.
   I started looking elsewhere after 7 years loyal service, never late, never had a warning etc thought I had a good relationship with them.
   They grew to over 100 employees, my father in law was diagnosed with cancer, and my husband who looked after our disabled son, well he had to spend time with his dad at his appointments as he had no one else to help. In the end I had to look for part time work, I told them.
   They put me under investigation for my behaviour and was suspended. When it came to evidence people I never worked with had complaints etc.
   I ended up leaving early and was devastated. Wish I hadn’t left and sued them.
   But years later a few who made the complaints contacted me and admitted they were subtlety threatened if they didn’t.
   Businesses and managers etc are there for themselves.
   Don’t say anything until you have something else lined up.

6. Nope. Never know west might Happen. Unles you can work from home or drop hours, keep it to yourself.

7. Generally speaking keep this to yourself. Unless you have a really good, supportive manager who will help you find a new role (these are extremely rare) you’re just setting yourself up for more problems ahead.

   Managers can quickly change attitude if you’re no longer ‘one of the team’ or ‘committed’, best keep them in the dark.

8. Unless the company has a location closer to home you could work at or you can transition to a WFH role (be that full or part time) there is no real reason to bring it up with them until you have a new position lined up. Best case they support you, worst case is they actively look to let you go before you are ready.

9. Pretty much what everyone else has said, but if this is your only reason to leave and you generally like your job otherwise, it might be worth asking about more flexibility or WFH options. Saves the stress of jobhunting at an already difficult time if they can accommodate you

10. Never say anything. I’ve seen people be frozen and forced out when they’ve said similar things to managers / or if things get back to managers.

    If you’ve been there less than 2 years they can pretty much get rid of you for flimsy reasons. Even if you get on well with managers, ultimately the business looks after itself as the priority and will close ranks on expendable staff – if they know you’re not committed or actively looking they may want to bring in and invest in someone who will.

    As mentioned you can look into your contract / company policy about WFH. I think they at least have to consider your request as long as it doesn’t impact work or the business (in short. I’m not an expert).

    If you get another job you don’t say anything until you’ve formally accepted it. Hand in resignation, keep it as brief and professional as possible.

    Thing is, for anyone who leaves 99.9% of jobs, just remember that a few weeks after leaving you’ll be replaced by someone else and you’re just consigned to memory.

11. No. Even if you get on well with everyone, it may potentially come back to bite you.

12. If you’re job is able to offer WFM then yes I’d definately approach them to see if you could work out some mutually agreeable situation. Otherwise keep stumm until you’ve got a solid offer of employment.

13. No. You’re obviously a kind person, who thinks of others, but please don’t assume that’ll be reciprocated if it suits your employer to use the information against you. A lot of managers will be good to their staff, until such a time that they have to be otherwise, at which point you’ll find who you’ve really been working under, which might be too late.

    You’re Number 1 – fuck them.

14. No, it will never benefit you

    The one time I did it, I worked for a university and had a three month notice period. Because of the niche aspect of my job it couldn’t be covered by someone else and recruitment within unis is ridiculously slow. I knew I would be moving to a different part of the country and gave them FIVE months notice (not officially, I didn’t actually hand in my notice until three months, but I made it clear I would be going). Did they hire a replacement in time for a proper handover? No. Was it a shambles when it came time for me to leave? Yes. I could have given them a year and nothing would have changed.

15. No. As a manager, I know what your notice period is, and I should have some form of succession plan in place so that I can cover that gap within the notice period. If you get on well with your manager, reflect this in the *way* that you give notice – talk with him/her before handing over the formal written notice (to the manager or HR). Say you will be sorry to leave and that it was great working with them, but you need to work closer to home. But don’t feel that you need to give more than your notice period.

16. No. You would be very surprised how quickly they can and will turn vicious. By the end of the week they’ll have sacked you for ‘performance reasons’.

    Is WFH a possibility with your job? And if so, have you asked them?

17. Do not tell them you are looking. It might take a while and your employer might prioritise other co-workers for promotions and juicier assignments.

    What you should do though, is ask if you can WFH a couple of times a week (if this is possible). Hopefully a little flexibility from them works as a decent compromise.

    You’ve obviously had a big change in your personal life, try and keep some stability professionally till you are used to your new life dynamics.

18. I once told a manager I was planning a big house move so would be leaving once that was arranged and she – very sensibly – started thinking straight away about training someone internally to take over my 1 person role. This led to that person doing my role so they had a chance to ask me questions before I left, I went back onto a less interesting general admin role in the meantime, and then when my house move didn’t happen I was just stuck there. I don’t blame anyone involved, it was one of those jobs that relies heavily on really specific internal company knowledge to do well so it made sense to do as much handover as possible, but in reality it was a demotion for me and I was so incredibly bored in the general role.

19. There’s lot is replies here saying “No Way!!” and “No! your work is just business!!” And I bet none of these people are managers or leaders.

    I am. I have been people managing for about 8yrs now and I can say there’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t tell your manager this if you have a good relationship. Why? Well firstly it allows them to start planning for the future and any internal movements they may need to make, they would appreciate it. Secondly, maybe they can help. Maybe they can offer you more of a remote role. Thirdly, if you tell them the reasons, they will
    most likely understand and be more willing to give strong references and hire you again in the future.

    The only time you shouldn’t tell your manager is if it’s a bad manager but it sounds like you have a good relationship so why not make this decision based on your relationship with them and not what some people view as evil upper level management.

20. No, god no. As much as you have a “good relationship” they’ll throw you under the bus given the chance.