Burning bridges

Pho3nix

Pho3nix

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Morning all,

Have you ever been put into a situation where burning a bridge would help you grow at work or personally and if so what did you do?
Everyone I've spoken to says this is the worst kind of thing you could ever do but at the same time the only one looking out for you is yourself. Thoughts?
 
Once when the Vietnamese troops wanted to get across this river then a bunch of us concocted a plan to blow up a bridge with dynamite. What larks. So yes definitely I can think of some scenarios where burning bridges can be helpful.
 
Depends on the situation but most of the time it's either egotistical or a little bit childish to burn bridges with someone. There is no point.
 
I'm wondering what specifically you will benefit from at work/personally to ever burn a bridge just to "grow"...

There's always an easy way of doing things. And if it means pushing your buddy in front of a speeding bus so you can get on it, would you do it? Would YOU be that *******?

There are many people like that.

All I'm saying is, karma is real and a huge bitch.
 
Well in this example, a client I worked at a couple moons ago heard about the retrenchment saga that was occuring at my workplace and offered me a position. As I understand my current employer is still helping out with some maintenance but no contract has been signed between the two (previous agreement lapsed and was sub-contracted to the company so no direct link contractually between company and client).

Now it's a real di*k move I know :(. The offer would expose me to new technologies and is alot closer to home.. :(
 
Pho3nix said:
Well in this example, a client I worked at a couple moons ago heard about the retrenchment saga that was occuring at my workplace and offered me a position. As I understand my current employer is still helping out with some maintenance but no contract has been signed between the two (previous agreement lapsed and was sub-contracted to the company so no direct link contractually between company and client).

Now it's a real di*k move I know :(. The offer would expose me to new technologies and is alot closer to home.. :(
Click to expand...

I would move.
 
Bane-in-TDKR.jpg
 
Pho3nix said:
Well in this example, a client I worked at a couple moons ago heard about the retrenchment saga that was occuring at my workplace and offered me a position. As I understand my current employer is still helping out with some maintenance but no contract has been signed between the two (previous agreement lapsed and was sub-contracted to the company so no direct link contractually between company and client).

Now it's a real di*k move I know :(. The offer would expose me to new technologies and is alot closer to home.. :(
Click to expand...

No man just move who cares? It's not personal, it's about your career which is the only thing you should care about.
 
hehehe! better opportunity + less travel time? wow man! u should be sending this message from the new company already!
 
Well if you got retrenchment going on be decent & go talk to your boss that you've had a work offer & what's his feelings on you taking it - maybe he's happy for you to go - maybe he offer an increase to keep you......no need to burn anything - use honesty.
 
I"m not really looking to leave because of the money(even though it's pretty good) but I do hear you and I will be speaking to my team lead sometime this week. I'm thinking of it as buring bridges as I've heard from the other guy that left for the new place that the company has threatened to sue him even though they have no legal recource(new company/client checked on this before they made the offer) so it seems they are taking the harsh stand on it IMO.
 
Yeah that's not burning bridges.

I think many people have a hard time understanding the difference between business and personal life. Remember that the company would retrench you if they need to - do you think they are worried about burning a bridge with you or worried about keeping the business afloat? It's purely business, it's purely your interest in growing your career. If your manager has a hissy fit and can't accept you are leaving then you definitely know you made the right choice. If the manager has any grip on reality, he may be unhappy but, he will realise what you are doing is best for your career and will wish you well.

I quit end of last month and the work is really piling up here, I thought my manager was going to be unhappy and disappointed, and while he was sad that I was going, he said he understands it is a good career move and that he wishes me all the best for my future.
 
Only once was it a good idea for me. I was working for a company involved in crime. Once I became aware of it I became uncomfortable and eventually left rather than actively participate in the activity. It definitely burnt the bridge but I was glad I did it. The cops closed the place down a few months later and the top level of the company went to jail.

Otherwise its always best to leave as politely as possible as you never knew when you will need that reference or come back for a different position at the same company. I see it all the time. It does not have to be personal. Most people do understand that within a single company opportunities can come a lot slower than desired and sometimes the best career move is a jump.
 
Pho3nix said:
I"m not really looking to leave because of the money(even though it's pretty good) but I do hear you and I will be speaking to my team lead sometime this week. I'm thinking of it as buring bridges as I've heard from the other guy that left for the new place that the company has threatened to sue him even though they have no legal recource(new company/client checked on this before they made the offer) so it seems they are taking the harsh stand on it IMO.
Click to expand...

If this is what the company is like then leave as soon as possible. Hand your letter of resignation asap, work your notice and make sure you meet all your legal obligations and then GTFO! Last place you need to be working at if that is the way they treat their employees.
 
Its not necessarily burning bridges. I can see why some bosses would be angry - I know my last employment contract had a clause in it specifically preventing this.

But whether you really burn bridges or not is probably going to depend more on the relationship you have with your boss and how you handle this. You can keep the bridge intact by handling it well.
 
Pho3nix said:
Well in this example, a client I worked at a couple moons ago heard about the retrenchment saga that was occuring at my workplace and offered me a position. As I understand my current employer is still helping out with some maintenance but no contract has been signed between the two (previous agreement lapsed and was sub-contracted to the company so no direct link contractually between company and client).

Now it's a real di*k move I know :(. The offer would expose me to new technologies and is alot closer to home.. :(
Click to expand...

Some people see THAT as burning bridges? Mmmmkaaaay

I was thinking more of my analogy. Check your current employment contract. Mine had a clause in there that I couldn't work for a client the company was involved with for 2 years as a non-compete clause and a way to stop clients trying to poach staff.

I don't see it as burning a bridge. Unless you are best friends with your current employer (in which case you should be getting paid more or whatever)

I *never* consider going back to a previous employer EVER. Move forward, not backwards.
 
Pho3nix said:
Well in this example, a client I worked at a couple moons ago heard about the retrenchment saga that was occuring at my workplace and offered me a position. As I understand my current employer is still helping out with some maintenance but no contract has been signed between the two (previous agreement lapsed and was sub-contracted to the company so no direct link contractually between company and client).

Now it's a real di*k move I know :(. The offer would expose me to new technologies and is alot closer to home.. :(
Click to expand...

Retrenchments, I would move ASAP.

Edit: That is not burning briges at all. When your company retrenches you, they let you go without blinking.
 
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