I Quit

Hello, I recently (a week and a half ago) started a job in a small dental office doing administrative work, although my experience is in the clinical side of dentistry.

I got the job through a contact from my previous position, who said the nicest things about me. Unfortunately I find my new boss, although a nice woman, has been a bit unclear about my responsibilities, and her office needs a lot of help, in my opinion.

An attempt at a meeting to discuss "what's working and what's not" veered off, and stayed off track. I am not the most disciplined person, and I know she is not, in the end, however, I can't work the way they work there-and although disorganized, she's the boss, and I am feeling uncomfortable expressing how I see her office. I am not use to such disorganization and mixed messages of what she's looking to accomplish, so I would like to quit. The last 2 days of work, there has not been a moment to give notice-her birthday, and then she went home sick- at this point I feel like the opportunities to slip out of there are escaping me!

I would like to call her to give notice ( I am off today), or to quit. First, is it appropriate at this point to quit over the phone ( I am not finding her very small office conducive to private conversations)? and, Do I have to give 2 weeks notice after a week and a half, or can I just tell her it's not working out?
Thank you for listening! Thank you for your help.

First off, after a week and a half of work I don't think two week's notice is necessary. They survived without you two weeks ago. And quite frankly, no one is worth much after only being at a job for 1.5 weeks. So, go ahead and quit.

However, here are the consequences:

Remember that friend who referred you to this job? You've just ruined her reputation as well as your own. It will be extremely difficult to find another job in a dentist's office. You think those people don't talk? They do. And a story of, "Yeah, we hired this new admin. She lasted a whole week and a half!" will get told repeatedly. With your name attached.

This dentist (and the other people who work there) will tell the story. Your friend who referred you will tell the story of what a nightmare it all is. Then everyone who hears the story will pass it along as a "worst new hire" story.

Unless everyone you work with is exceedingly mature and realized it wasn't a good fit from the start. (Not likely.)

Work is work. It's hard. That's why they give you money. If it were easy and fun, you would pay them.

The dentist is disorganized. You are disorganized. Why did you accept a job as an admin if disorganization is one of your trials in life? I would hire an admin to get me organized.

My true advice would be to buckle down and do the work necessary. You've been there 1.5 weeks. You can't possibly even know how the office really operates after that little time. Your new boss isn't interested in listening to your new ideas because you haven't proved yourself yet. Prove yourself. Make changes. Get things set up the "way they should be."

Quitting now (with or without notice, it's all the same) will burn bridges. Bridges should never be burned unless you are actively being chased by a live troll. A disorganized dentist does not count, even if she has a drill in her hand.

The transition period is always difficult. Stick it out for at least 6 months. Try your hardest to make things work. If that doesn't work, start looking for a new job. When you find one, give two weeks notice and leave.