What Would Your Boss Say?

[disney junky]

If your boss suggested that the company was going to train you to help you do your job better, and you said, no thanks. I'm not sure I'm here for the "long haul."

 

[Klayfish]

Not sure I fully understand. Are you saying that you're response to your boss was "No thanks, I'm not sure I'm here for the long haul". Or are you saying that your response directly to the boss was "No thanks", and the "I'm not here for the long haul" was a though you had in your head?

Neither one is good, but the response is different. For the former, my response to my team (and I'm sure my boss to me) would be something along the lines of "That's fine, but while you are here, these are the things I require you to do". Then I'd already be recruiting to be prepared for your departure...and if the job allows, I'd give you work that's a short term requirement. If the response is the latter, I'd have a more inquisitive response to find out exactly why you declined the training invitation.

 

[Christine]

I'm thinking with that sort of response, any boss might be looking for ways to get you out the door soon.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My boss would still have us do the training. There's no way to tell if you'll find another job or how long it'll take. I would never burn a bridge that way. The response comes off as completely snarky. While you are there smile and make the best of it.

 

[loves to dive]

I would probably tell you that the training is required and not up for debate. I don't understand why anyone wouldn't want any more training, even if they weren't staying longer, it couldn't hurt.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My boss would expect me to do it, but the way the question is worded, there's really not enough information here. I agree if you give that response, the boss will probably lose confidence in you.

 

[morgan98]

Seems like the best approach would be to do the training and realize you should simultaneously be looking for another opportunity.

Doing the training at least buys you time to look and it is always better to look for a new job while you are employed.

 

[ronandannette]

I'm thinking with that sort of response, any boss might be looking for ways to get you out the door soon.

This ^^

I would probably tell you that the training is required and not up for debate. I don't understand why anyone wouldn't want any more training, even if they weren't staying longer, it couldn't hurt.

And this. ^^

At our company, unless you were a stellar performer, it would be the beginning of the end for you. OP, is this a real situation or just an idea spun-off from the "Changing Jobs Often" thread?

 

[sam_gordon]

If you gave that response to me, yes, I wouldn't put a lot of effort into keeping you. I don't know that I'd fire you, but I wouldn't be too concerned about keeping you happy.

That being said, there could be extenuating circumstances that would give an employee a legitimate reason to turn down training:
1) Out of town training
2) Schedule is different that normal hours

Family life is important to me and if I offered someone training but they had to go out of state for a week, I wouldn't hold it against them if they said they couldn't go because of family obligations. It's the same with the schedule. Maybe the normal shift is 9-5, but the training would be 8-4. 9-5 allows someone to get kids up and out to school whereas 8-4 might not. I understand that.

 

[mom2rtk]

Who would say that?

 

[disney junky]

Not sure I fully understand. Are you saying that you're response to your boss was "No thanks, I'm not sure I'm here for the long haul". Or are you saying that your response directly to the boss was "No thanks", and the "I'm not here for the long haul" was a though you had in your head?

Neither one is good, but the response is different. For the former, my response to my team (and I'm sure my boss to me) would be something along the lines of "That's fine, but while you are here, these are the things I require you to do". Then I'd already be recruiting to be prepared for your departure...and if the job allows, I'd give you work that's a short term requirement. If the response is the latter, I'd have a more inquisitive response to find out exactly why you declined the training invitation.

Not my boss....someone I knew. But he verbalized the response. I paraphrased it because I wasn't there.

 

[rastahomie]

My boss is me, and though I demand excellence from my one and only employee (myself), I'm certainly not going to fire myself.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Mine would probably laugh and say, "It's not an option." Well, he's a funny guy, so likely he'd say something wittier, but in the same vein.

 

[Klayfish]

Not my boss....someone I knew. But he verbalized the response. I paraphrased it because I wasn't there.

I wouldn't actually say it, because I'd get in trouble, my in my head my sarcastic response would be "Well then, let me help you expedite your 'not long haul' plans...there's an empty box in the storage room. Go ahead and grab it, I'll even help you pack your things".

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Mine would probably laugh and say, "It's not an option." Well, he's a funny guy, so likely he'd say something wittier, but in the same vein.

If it were my boss & I (as a long-term employee who is comfortable teasing him) said that, he'd roll his eyes & take it as a joke. If one of the new people said it, it would be a concern.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Seems like the best approach would be to do the training and realize you should simultaneously be looking for another opportunity.

Doing the training at least buys you time to look and it is always better to look for a new job while you are employed.

^^agreed. Training that my company pays for? Sign me up every time! Why not take the training and using the value of what you learned for your own personal advancement. Even when learning something that is very job-specific, there is usually value in it personally somewhere. And since most people change jobs, not total careers, it is likely the training will help them in the future.

As for being the boss of someone that says that, I can tell you that my offer of training would be the last time I would care about helping that person advance. I'm not going to waste my time on someone who couldn't care less.

 

[Micca]

Who would say that?

Exactly! Long haul or not, why would anyone refuse training while getting paid for it? Take the training, if you're looking for another job it'll look good on your resume.

 

[xlxo]

If your boss suggested that the company was going to train you to help you do your job better, and you said, no thanks. I'm not sure I'm here for the "long haul."

When I was younger, I welcome training. Now older, my response is a lot different.

Thoughts....

• did the boss say what they are training you on? Technical training vs soft skills? Obedience?
• Is this leadership training? Do you want to be a manager? How does the training support your career?
• How soon can you apply your newly learned skills? Don't bother sending me on courses that I can't apply my skills for a few years.
• I want the training, but the course is not offered for several weeks/months in another city.
• For what a single course teaches that they budget once a year, I negotiated with my manager to apply the cost to "eLearning".
  • don't need to take time off work to interrupt my schedule
  • I can take it when there is a lull in work
  • unlimited courses for a year, for what he would pay for the one class
  • I can take it when I need or want to
  • puts me to sleep at night. I watch the course on my phone next to bed
  • $29/month or $299/year https://www.pluralsight.com/
    https://www.pluralsight.com/browse/business-professional

 

[Vijoge]

Mine would probably laugh and say, "It's not an option." Well, he's a funny guy, so likely he'd say something wittier, but in the same vein.

Mine would have said "it's not an option" without the humor. She didn't have any and didn't make suggestions, only issued orders. I sure don't miss that woman!

 

[gotomu212]

Exactly! Long haul or not, why would anyone refuse training while getting paid for it? Take the training, if you're looking for another job it'll look good on your resume.

Well I've turned down training. Where I am they are always offering additional training and in different formats. Sometimes it's a good fit, but sometimes I have so much work on my plate and project deadlines that I'll decline to take advantage of it (my work still has to get done training or no training).

I would never say no I'm not in it for the long haul. Here it would go like hey there are two upcoming trainings in x and y and I thought you might be interested. Then if it doesn't work I say I really would be interested but right now I'm working on this project that has to get done by the end of the month. Please keep me in mind if future oppurtunities come up.