I quit my job almost 2 weeks ago. The reasons in order of most important to least important:
Safety. If you look at a crime map, the area of my store was surrounded by assault, theft, breaking into cars, and a robbery now and then.
--- There was a pedophile in the store for about a week following a 14 year old boy. He once went to the bathroom to try to escape, and the man cornered and propositioned him. We did call the police, but the guy was gone when they arrived.
--- Creepy older santa looking dude only wanted female help, refused to be rung up by male workers and said very uncomfortable things. "Can I drink out of your shoe?" Not sure the exact wording but asking to go home with and/or to have the girl go home with him. And he was there every single morning Monday through Friday waiting by the doors 20 minutes before we opened (and when most employees arrived). I opened every day I worked except 3 or 4 times and I was always very uneasy waiting for someone to come open the door for me. After the first couple of times "helping" him, I learned that he would leave me alone if one of my male coworkers were near me and so if I saw him coming I would page a guy to come "help" me with something. Steve came to visit me for lunch once and I very deliberately walked in front of the guy, grabbed Steve's hand and cuddled up to him. The guy left me completely alone after that, but his presence still made me uncomfortable. And the way he licked his lips while talking to you... blech. I asked the manager if there was anything that could be done about him and all she said was "I'm supposed to be assessing his mental health, and that requires talking to him..." I get it. But the safety and ease of mind of your employees is more important!
--- The company is spending money on a security guard. I have never worked anywhere that required a security guard in the evenings for safety. He has to walk employees out after close. It certainly made me feel better the one night I closed, but the fact that we need one...
--- The management staff is new to the company. They are all great managers in general, but they don't really know what they are doing. Management asked me to teach them how to do things. I now believe it's important to promote from within. I strongly feel my previous store is the perfect standard for the company. The management is very particular about following ALL policies, rules and guidelines. They are all trained and ready for their next roles should a spot become available such as assistant manager to store manager, and store manager to district manager.
--- I'm OCD about some things. It took me 2 months to fix the children's department to what the company set for this store. It's all easily and readily available to anyone in the store, not just higher ups. Some of the changes I enforced were from summer 2011. It all just felt very chaotic and messy and I had plans to get other areas organized, but that's not going to happen now.
--- We got a puppy 3 days before I quit and I didn't realize how much work she would need. I didn't want her in the crate all the time either.
--- I feel like quitting my job will force me look into school and actually go to school. Working had become an excuse for me and Steve makes more than enough to support us.
--- I want to be a photographer and a stay at home mom. I just started the stay at home part early...
--- And finally, I freaking hate retail!
