A few weeks ago, I told my Japanese colleague (she’s the team leader in my branch office — there are only three of us including me) that I wanted to resign at the end of December this year because I got a new job in Tokyo. However, I told her the reason was that my husband got a job in Tokyo, and I wanted to move there with him at the end of December. I also mentioned that my new job would start in January.
A few days ago, I told her again that I wanted to use my remaining paid vacation during my last two weeks at work, since I still have 10 days left. But she became upset and asked me to stay until the end of the month. She even offered to give me compensation for the unused vacation days, but I refused because I plan to go back to my home country before moving to Tokyo.
I also told her that a new Japanese colleague would start working in December, but she said, “Yeah, but she’s Japanese and still new.” Honestly, she already put a lot of pressure on me when another colleague resigned a few months ago.
The real reasons I want to resign are: the low salary, poor management, and my emotional health has become unstable since I started working at this company. But the reason I gave her was simply that my husband got a job in Tokyo and I need to move with him.
After I told her I planned to use my paid vacation, she said,
“So your husband was actually looking for a job in Tokyo? Why didn’t you tell me and discuss it from the beginning? Well, it’s your right to use paid vacation, but I want you to think about me. Can’t you negotiate with your new company to start at the end of January?”
To be honest, I already negotiated with my new company to start in February, but they asked me to start earlier, so I agreed to begin in January since I received the offer in September.
She got upset, went outside, and didn’t talk to me after that. When I went home and said, “Osaki ni shitsureishimasu,” she replied “Otsukaresamadesu” in a low voice without looking at me.
Yesterday, I told the company president that I plan to resign on December 12 and use my paid vacation for the rest of the month. But he said, “Please cooperate. I want you to resign after we decide on a new person.”
I’m getting depressed about this whole resignation process. Why are they making it so difficult? I even helped them find someone to replace me.
What should I do? Should I just leave on December 12 and use my paid vacation?
I also heard that giving compensation for unused vacation days is illegal.
by rnynvnty