Gainfully Unemployed

This was a big week. I resigned from my administrative job at Harvard. After 6 and a half years, I was more than ready to go. In many ways the actual resignation was something I dreaded. Over the years my boss has been known for his outbursts and all caps emails. Though rarely directed at me, I had seen the way he had reduced students to piles of sniveling mess and I had witnessed many behaviors from him that bordered on unethical. It was clear he had no idea how to manage and no ability to work with me as I grew to be sure the job grew in responsibility and pay grade comparably.

Technically my maternity leave ends in a week and with the turn of the new year, I knew it was time to take action. I set up a meeting with a colleague at OFA who had listened to me over the years and provided support and help in dealing with my boss. I told him of my intention not to return and he couldn't have been more supportive. He is also a dad to a 4 year old and understands the shift in one's universe when you factor a baby in. He has also worked with my boss a fair amount and totally gets the difficulty of dealing with someone like him.

So, having met with him and having been told to simply send an email (I had thought it was something to be done in person and maybe it should have, but the cowardly way out was just fine with me) informing those who needed to know that I wouldn't be returning.

It really was just that easy.

Several people responded saying they would miss me and good luck. My boss responded in his typical over-the-top fashion, proclaiming me a 'spectacular humanoid' (whatever that is) and only about a third of the email was in all caps. He seems to think I will help with the 'transition' from now through the summer, but, ah, I have to say that is so not how it will work. He will have to figure it out.

As for me, I'm going to enjoy taking the pay out of my 8 weeks of vacation that remain and work 2 days a week as a voice teacher for spring term.

Come summer, who knows. We may move to be close to a place that Ben gets a job, or stay in the immediate area. Either way, I closed one door and hope a new one opens in due time.