Employee leaves company after 12 years, manager tells him the company would've created any job he wanted if he had asked for it: 'Why tell me now, as I'm leaving, that my dream job was supposedly in the works?'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jan 10, 2026 8:00 PM EST

Neither of them did a good job at communicating. 

There are a couple of different ways to do a job. You can do everything you're technically "supposed to do" perfectly, and be the best at your role and nothing more. You can branch out into different departments and try new things to strengthen your department and increase company-wide synergy. You can coast by for as long as possible, doing the bare minimum, until you eventually lose your job. Many managers believe that the best employees are those who do much more than is written in their job descriptions because they are the most committed to the company's growth and mission.

It can be difficult to parse how much you should stray from your job's original duties. If you get too far off track with extra projects and unrelated tasks, it can be to the detriment of the work that you're supposed to be doing. Some bosses see an employee trying to broaden their horizons within the workplace as them overstepping their bounds and sticking their nose into places it doesn't belong. Some managers don't want their employees to do more than they're asked to, because employees might then expect compensation for the extra work they did without being asked. It's essential to communicate expectations with your employer or employee so you can find a balance that works for both of you.

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  • Man in a gray suit jacket smiling
    via Danny Ocean

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The employee in this story is incredibly burned out from spending twelve years at the same company. He got a new job doing something totally different, much to the dismay of his manager, who told him the company would've created a whole new role to his liking if he had only asked.

  • After 12 years at my company, I resigned and my manager surprised me by saying: 'We could have created this role specifically for you, why didn't you speak up?'

    I finally did it. I resigned a few days ago from a place I worked at for 12 years. I was promoted and my salary was good, but honestly, I was completely burned out and just... Fed up. I found a new job in the same field, but doing something completely different from my old role. When I resigned, my manager
    via u/adamsawmdavid2
  • was shocked. He told me I was a huge asset to the company, and then asked why I never told him what I really wanted to do, saying they could have tailored this exact job for me here.
    via u/adamsawmdavid2
  • Sticky notes on corkboard
    via Jo Szczepanska

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • What is this logic with managers? Why tell me *now*, as I'm leaving, that my dream job was supposedly 'in the works'? I know this is a lame try to get me to stay, but seriously! If you truly valued your people, you would have created these opportunities proactively. You would
    via u/adamsawmdavid2
  • have created the roles you knew were needed instead of waiting for someone to resign. Maybe then, loyal employees of over ten years wouldn't have to look elsewhere to find the work they're passionate about.
    via u/adamsawmdavid2
  • Edit: If a company doesn't want me looking elsewhere, then it's on them to make sure my raises keep up with the market and they rarely do. Honestly, this just explains why a first-line manager might react like that. They're probably realising their job is about to get harder once I'm gone.
    via u/adamsawmdavid2
  • Man in suit sits at desk head in hands
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Ambitious-Boat8165 People dont know what they're not told.. I've never hated a job I've had so maybe its different but any time I was thinking of looking for different positions, I always made it known I was looking. On more than 1 occasion, this had led to better opportunities within the same company being presented.. so yeah, if they didn't know what you wanted or you were getting burnt, how could they have known to offer you something else
    via u/Ambitious-Boat8165
  • GalaxxyOG Why? Because he's full of shit, of course. Congrats on the new gig!
    via u/GalaxxyOG
  • StopElectingWealthy Your manager is supposed to read your mind?
    via u/StopElectingWealthy
  • Sudden-Transition-30 Did you make it known that you would like to do something else? Have you ever talked to your boss about change or advancement? While I agree that good management would speak with you about this, very few companies or managers do this. If neither side ever brought this up, then both sides are equally at fault.
    via u/Sudden-Transition-30
  • Petit_Nicolas 1964 Did you have regular performance meetings with your manager where you discussed your development? It is clear that he could have been more proactive in addressing your career path, but you could also have taken initiative. Did you tell him how you felt?
    via u/Petit_Nicolas1964
  • JuliPat7119 Did your manager know you wanted to do something different? If they did then yeah, they're a bs manager, but if they didn't know, what more do you expect of them?
    via u/JuliPat7119
  • jmlozan Did you ever tell him that you're burned out or wanted a different type of role? I just expected him to use his crystal ball?
    via u/jmlozan
  • TheRealLambardi I will share this. My last 5 jobs I spoke up and had created for me. Your career is in your hands and never expect a manager to do that for you...Including your next role in the company. Many companies have career planning sessions with management only on who is likely to fill next roles. My view over many years is that those roles are pre-indicated mostly by people that vocally speak up and say this is what I want next. If you are an employee and have not indicated what you want
    via u/TheRealLambardi
  • Melodic-Comb9076 classic, it's your fault. what a unserious manager and company.
    via u/Melodic-Comb9076

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