I have quit a barn manager position from a less than ideal situation. I gave them a firm 2 weeks notice, put in writing and worked everyday up until my last day and moved out on the last day. I lived on site and so it wasn’t easy working 10-12 hour days and packing.
Be prepared for things to get a little ugly if the owner is a bit of a whack job. My consistent answer after I left was that it just wasn’t a good match, and I thought I would have more opportunities to ride my horse. (this was being kind, head trainer was crazy, hours were too long, owner/trainer was never around, then got mad if i answered or helped boarders with simple questions or needs, they constantly wanted to cut my staff for a 40+ barn, etc)
Be prepared to hear thru the grape vine that you are being badmouthed by the former BO. I was actually contacted via FB and told by someone who was interviewing for the position that the head trainer was saying pretty awful things about me. All untrue. Just keep your head down and do you, others will come to realize ( if they already don know) that the previous employer is just upset.
But always try to give 2 weeks notice. they did try and tell me that was hard for them , but i simply reminded them that their last Barn Manager only gave 2 minutes notice ( they had actually told me this, which should have been my sign, but thats a whole other story).
good luck!
Thanks for all the replies! She was out of town but got in yesterday shortly after I left her house, so I’m planning to quit tomorrow and give three weeks notice, that should be enough time for her to find someone but I’m not there another full month. I’ll thank her for the opportunity and tell her I have a new position that is a better fit. Hopefully all goes well and I just get passive aggressive BO, not aggressive aggressive BO, since I will still have to see her at shows etc. My trainer told me last summer when I was in a questionable working student position and being taken advantage of “don’t let anyone treat you like you’re less than they are” and it’s stuck with me through this job, I’ve been able to stay calm and professional but still stand up for myself. Hopefully tomorrow morning I can channel that, but I still really hate confrontation!
Have nothing to add to everyone else’s advice, but I hope that if this lady does start screaming at you, instead of some passive/lame “I’m sorry you’re upset,” you simply say
“Do Not. Yell at me,” and then turn and leave without another word. At that point in my opinion if she is behaving uncivilized your only obligation is to the horses and your own integrity and you are free to go.
You maintained professional courtesy during your employment, you are giving notice; the second someone can’t treat you with BASIC manners and respect, you owe them absolutely nothing.
I watched my best friend quit a barn once where she worked off her board because the owner went on a drunken tirade at her. My friend has worked as a working student in tippy top barns, is the MOST responsible and hardworking person you can dream of, always fulfills her end of the deal and then some, and Hand to God when that lady screamed at her she put two red (I remember this so clearly) water buckets down on either side of herself in the middle of the aisle, said “Do the barn yourself then, I’m done,” and went back to her house to get her trailer and by that afternoon her horses were home and mine was a new place as well.
Remember this always and carry it with you: The second someone can’t treat you (or your horse, if it’s a horse care/treatment issue) with basic courtesy, you owe them nothing.
Wow…over think it much. NO BARN owner EVER thinks people will work for them forever. Be honest…let her know you just got a great opportunity to work at the other barn. Thank her for letting you work for her and let he know you would like to start the other job as soon as possible and hope that two weeks notice is enough time for her.
Most people leave on good terms. Horse world is small. I had one VERY good barn worker give me just one week notice. I would have paid him more to stay but the job offer he got was for a lot more than I could pay. I was HAPPY for him. It was a great opportunity. I’m still friends with him…and would hire him again in an instant. I had his replacement hired before the end of the week.
Do not expect her to be pissed off with you…that would be unusual IME.
If she goes off on you, just be done. Rescind the 3 weeks and just walk. You can ignore her at shows later. People treat you as badly as you allow them.
My guess is she can expect a lot of turnover, not necessarily because of her temperament which isn’t helping, but because it’s part time and doesn’t provide housing or enough hours for a person to live on.
She did go off on me, and did throw me off the property. Oh well. I can start the new job next week!
Shocking…
Congratulations on the new job!
At least you don’t have to worry about 3 miserable weeks there.
