[Anonymous]

Let me try to make a long story as short as possible.

I work for a very small company. My boss has anger issues, which are documented with the DOL. Last year, we were hiring for another position and he explicitly told me that regardless of who they hire, that job is mine if I want it once I get my CPA. We ended up hiring someone at almost twice my salary. Now that I’ve got my CPA, I reminded my boss of that conversation and asked for a substantial raise (I don’t want the job, but my job is at least on that level if not more in terms of difficulty, responsibility, and hierarchy). He said that I definitely deserved a raise, but when I gave him the #, his legendary anger suddenly surfaced and he said, LSS, there is no way he can pay me that much but would think about it and let me know next week.

I decided I had enough working for someone I can’t respect, who can’t show his employees a minimum level of respect, and who won’t keep promises (there were several other major broken promises to me and others). Just trust me that this guy is an all-around asshole and a certifiable idiot.

Without getting into too many details, I now believe he is planning on replacing me. He doesn’t have grounds to fire me; I do an amazing job and everyone tells him so, but employment is “at will”.

I’m finding the job market is much better now and have interviews lined up. My concern is that I can’t pass a drug test (marijuana is legal in the state, but employers can still fire/rescind an offer legally). It will take me a few weeks to pee clean. I am underweight, have zero appetite, and am nauseated all day, in addition to having some musculoskeletal issues. Marijuana is the only thing that consistently helps me, and I’ve had a very hard time the past several days without it. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow to try and find alternative treatments.

Question #1: Do I go ahead and quit now so I don’t have a firing on my record or do I wait to get fired? He has told my coworker “you should never quit, let them fire you” because of unfair termination lawsuits. I don’t know if a suit would even be an option since employment is at will, but my coworker seems to think that is a huge concern for him. My husband thinks I should quit so I don’t have to explain getting fired.

Question #2: At what point in the hiring process would I know that there would be a drug test? If I get offers before I can test clean and they require a drug screen, I will have to reject them (which doesn’t look great in front of my recruiters but is better than testing positive). However, I am concerned that I will accept a job offer and THEN find out that I have 24 hours to test, leaving me with no out.

Thank you guys for your input. FWIW, I am actually the longest-standing employee here at just over 4 years. He tends to lose talent due to his personality.

[Anonymous]

Anyway, the boss and his wife (she works there and drives everyone up the wall) are on vacation this week so i figure i should put in my notice in writing via email tomorrow. That way he can calm down by Monday. Maybe I'll have a job for 2 weeks, most likely i will not. I'll offer to train the next person but they have too much pride. It will be hilarious to see them try to figure it all out on their own. And it turns out you can collect unemployment if you quit a hostile work environment; my predecessor did.

One day he screamed at his wife so badly, slamming his fist and yelling “I'm the boss” over and over that she left his office crying. That's where i work. And he's got a large hunting knife on his desk. Suffice it to say no one is comfortable when he loses his mind, which has been all too often lately.

[Tncincy]

I am a small firm owner (after I pass my exam…lol) /bookkeeper and I can see where the boss might have bit off more than his firm could handle. I've run my business for 18 years mostly small business and individual tax, the industry has changed so much to where I had to let my clerk go to keep my expenses low. So guess who's supposed to answer the phones and do the marketing….my husband. Yes, mom and pop on the real except I do EVERYTHING. We have not resulted to yelling and actually it is fun working together since he have no clue, and I am the boss (lol) But I think they may have expected you to bring in bigger long term paying clients since you passed the exam. Silent expectations can be aggravating. They can't pay you double, they don't respect the position, and they may end in divorce. Get out while you can.

About the drugs, full disclosure…..get the doctor or whom ever to sign stating the purpose so there is no problem. There is some guideline somewhere to help with that situation, just don't smoke on the job.

But hey, good luck, do what you have to do, but get out before you feel sorry for the boss and his wife. There is no more money though.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

I put in my notice several hours ago via email. I stated it was a hostile work environment and that “we all deserve better”, but that I would be happy to stay during that time to train the next person. He still hasn't written back. He is out of town but on his email. I know he saw it.

I told one of my coworkers yesterday that I was quitting. I don't completely trust her. She told another coworker who I do completely trust that she was going to call the boss and wife over the weekend to warn them and tell them they needed to do whatever possible to keep me because she was worried about the business. He told me (she didn't), and that was really good to hear. But I put in my notice to beat her to the punch. It was the best feeling since passing REG. I am not interested in staying whatsoever, but if he threw a ton of money at me, I'd be stupid not to take it. I doubt he will as “hostile environment” are fighting words, but I wanted it documented once again.

Had a lukewarm preliminary phone interview for a killer position and another interview with a new recruiter that went really well. He immediately said I was underpaid and expects me to have a job within a month – we'll see. Everyone is saying CO has the hottest job market in the country right now. I rode up the work elevator with a few strangers, and i had a feeling, so I asked “Is anyone hiring a CPA?” and one person's friend was, so we exchanged information. I cannot believe this job market.

I have an interview for a Controller position next Wednesday for a small company. The pay might not be enough, but that job description reads like my resume, and I know i could kill it. Holding out for the right fit, though.

Saw the doc and she had a lot of great ideas of what may be causing my symptoms, even brought up some that I forgot to mention. They took a ton of blood and are testing me for everything under the sun. Follow up in a month.

Thanks everyone for your input and support. If you don't yet have your CPA yet and need motivation, believe the hype. You say the letters CPA and doors seem to magically open. Feels amazing to apply to jobs that say “CPA preferred” as well; you know you have an advantage. Hang in there. Studying sucks but the rest of your life will improve!

[golfball7773]

Good luck Coloradorit! I decided to read the whole post since you are a huge contributor on this site and many of us appreciate it.

I think you made the right decision and in the end it will lead to you be happier. Which leads to the questions……

In regards to drug testing, any major employer will test……

But to my second point in regards to use and mental health – I struggle with depression and anxiety and I do use wine to cope quite frequently. Therefore I understand the legal use and to be honest my wife and I think it would be fun to try someday. But I also think that whatever it is wine/beer/crack/marijuana/etc, you and most of us need to think about what the end result is…… Not trying to start drama as I struggle myself with the Carlo Rosso box wine (a glass or two night about 5 times a week…5 ounce pours)…. Just trying to put some perspective and be helpful as you help many on here

PS – I had my wife read this to make sure I was being helpful and she has seen me through my process

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much! Sorry if I rambled.

Yes, I use(d) daily, which is obviously excessive, and I decided some time ago to move it to weekends only… However, when I get home, and I'm starving and weak but I can't eat, I will light up every time (unless I am looking for a job). I weighed in today 13 lbs under my normal weight (which is thin to begin with) and I have a very small frame so that's really a lot. I am optimistic about finding the root of this problem after seeing the doctor today. My old doctor just assumed I was depressed, though I said I wasn't, and tried to put me on prozac. I have struggled with depression and anxiety in the past, but I am not depressed now.

I am the kind of person who will stop cold any time I feel like I am developing a dependency. I used to drink after work every day (1 or 2, like you), and then I started feeling like I NEEDED a drink and stopped. I used a different prescription painkiller for 5 days in a row (for my hip) and noticed I started looking forward to taking it, so I stopped. Luckily, there is no such thing as a physical addiction to marijuana. The oldest woman in the world was asked about her secret and she said she smoked pot every day. Maybe when I'm 115, I can have an excuse to use daily, but till then, I'll keep it to the weekends (after I find a job).

[golfball7773]

It has been a long week and I am tired but my depression/anxiety caused me initial to get many many expensive tests (mri, gi, scans, etc). Dep/Anx can cause a lot and can be exacerbated by studying for boring material.

But to stay on the career track – you made the right move and your helpfulness on the forum convey's that you know what the bleep you are talking about and you deserve more from a boss and career (run-on sentence) 🙂

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Anonymous]

Thanks again, that is very kind. Anxiety/stress does crazy things to your body, certainly exacerbates anything else. Depression makes it all feel hopeless and you want to give up. Studying adds stress and boredom and takes away from the time you need to do whatever it is you need to do to feel good about yourself. But the CPA will feel so great once you earn it, especially after working so hard.

He finally wrote back, resignation accepted with 2 weeks notice. If he raises his voice at me once, I am walking out and never looking back.

[golfball7773]

^boom – in that situation I would do the same! it is hostile and not good place for your career. not worth it in the grand scheme of life 🙂

thus walking out is a good choice and what are they going to do “fire you”?

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Author]

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