Interrobang, you rock my world.

Letter Writer: from what you've said, the company is dead anyway. Why stick around for the post-mortem? Think good and hard: if you stay, what is the best possible future you can forsee? If you stick it out for six more months, will the company get past the rough spot, and six years from now, you'll be rich? Be honest.

Not going to get better, is it? Your departure will not sink the company; the company is going to sink with or without you. In fact, if you leave, you are one more employee the boss won't have to pay for failing to do the job of making the company profitable.

It's a pity your boss is so optimistic. There's a time for optimism, and there's a time for saying, "This company's doomed, nice working with you people. Shake hands all round."

If you do stay to the bitter end, trust me, there's nothing pleasant about a "wonderful" boss trying to explain to you that your paycheck for the last two months is never going to arrive and your insurance hasn't been good for a while now, better not try to use that card. My husband, when he was quite a bit younger, worked for a boss who had the nerve to ask him to break into the building after dark and steal the office equipment which had been seized by the landlord in lieu of rent. Without pay, mind you.

Bit of advice for the future (your grandparents knew this without having to be told): friends are friends and bosses are bosses. The best protection from this sort of conflict is to make friends outside of work, and maintain a professional relationship with the people at work. That's why it's called a "professional" relationship.

You make less than $2 more than the new federal minimum wage, for a professional job that requires education and probably a great deal of business skill? And you feel guilty for not telling your bosses you were looking for a job that would let you eat?

Judging from the way they reacted to the perfectly reasonable act of quitting for a better job, I would bet that things would have gone far worse for you if you had consulted them. They sound like spoiled, self-entitled babies. I bet they would have fired you.

You know, if you had decided to stay and their firm suddenly tanked, how much notice do you think they would have given you?

You did the right thing. Maybe they'll learn from this and pay your replacement what the job is worth.

Please tell me that those 3 execs are struggling financially, too. It always amazes me to have executives balk at paying people a decent wage -- how little would THEY accept for themselves?

Good luck -- and congratulations!

I jumped ship seven years ago. That ship is still afloat and I have since jumped once more to a completely different industry. Unless you're a vested partner, go ahead and "Jump! Jump!" as KrisKross once said. I'm doing fine and that original ship is doing slightly better.

Thanks for writing this letter.

I think that you are asking the right question, have made a decision, and will have a very bright future. I think that a college grad can make a lot more money than $9.00/hr. With your degree, you could make more money and benefits in a variety of different fields, including journalism, publishing, or working within the administration of a hospital. The most money you could probably make at your experience and educational level without an additional certificate or license is probably working in pharma sales, as a paralegal, - or as an analyst or consultant at a large consulting 'big four' or at a financial services firm, where you would make at the very least over $45,000 (worst case) or so. There are disadvantages to each of these areas and carefully look at all the jobs. You have to make sure that you are in an area that pays for your student loans. Of course, there are folks who sell real estate who probably make more.

Anyway, you did good work at this company and conflicts happen when people leave.

Seeking out your best health, nutritional, and financial interests is not incompatible with still having a platonic relationship with your boss. If this person is a good person, he will respect you more. You don't see him taking money out of his pockets and giving it you for your rent and food as a reward for your loyalty. He is not making sacrifices or taking on risk for you, but you are taking on financial risks and making sacrifices that you maybe cannot support.

And the previous comment was right - if you find that you are being mistreated now - politely take your belongings and please leave tomorrow. Its better to leave before things get really nasty.

I once had a superior at a very large co. yelling at me on the last hour of my last day and telling my co workers that I would never make it where I was going. A friend of mine at a large co. told her superiors the news over a very pricey lunch, and they refused to pay her portion - and told her that she was not so skilled in the elevator.

You must believe me from my own experience that it will only get worse as the two weeks go by, especially since you do not have a separate human resources department that can check their behavior with consequences.

Sometimes I do not agree with Cary but never more than now.

The LW works for a company that is failing but fun. This is totally plausible. I enjoy many unprofitable pursuits with friends. The truth is she is friends with her coworkers, which is lovely. She can stay friends with them, of course. But make no mistake- her efforts have NOT "monetized widgets" but has maintained a carefree environment that does not actually work.

Now she is presented with an exciting professional challange that can bring her success, knowledge and an expanded network but to take such an opportunity would be some sort of capitalist pig move?

Please. There is no honor in keeping a JOB that isn't working for the sake of friendships. To think that such fealty is requisite and abandoning that ideal is tantamount to the hysterical breakdown of society Cary described is absurd. Jobs are fleeting and transient. She isn't doing her boss any favors by staying on and is certainly at liberty to remain as a consultant or a friend. She can, after quitting, offer some perspective to her boss that she might not have said prior to quitting.

It doesn't seem like she has a long career there anyway. Maybe her departure will wake up her boss to work smarter to protect the futures of his other employees. But her presence hasn't accomplished that.

Sometimes we have the priviledge of working with lovely people. I have often, from jobs I quit for greener pastures and from jobs that have sent me packing in lean times. Everyone survives. Everyone remains friends. Everyone learns and grows and also maintains their own personal needs and goals. Sometimes we have to step out from mommy's skirts no matter how warm and safe it feels in there. And that's a good thing! And mommy still loves you and you still love her. So Cary please grow up a bit. This is not so tragic. No one cries at this kind of natural and healthy progress. I'm really ashamed to have ever taken you seriously in light of your response to this person.

LW I know it is hard to leave a fun happy environment even when the cash is shaky. But consider if the company really is going under your ability to grow this new business will put you in touch with new vendors and contractors through which you can help your friends also find profitable work. And perhaps even your former boss. And now you have a chance to learn from someone kind as well as successful! What a joy!

Good luck!