Young employee wonders if it's unethical to not inform new job they're going back to school in 2-3 months: 'They'd drop you in a heartbeat'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Sep 8, 2026 4:30 PM EDT

Have you ever left a job earlier than your bosses were expecting? 

You're allowed to leave a job whenever you'd like to, no matter the reason. You're not bound or obligated to be there; you decide to be there. This is true at any point in your tenure of work. You can quit on the first day for any reason at all. You can quit a month in. You can plan to quit in 6 months. All of this is valid, but it can feel like you're doing something wrong, especially if you don't keep your employers informed. That's the situation this employee was in when they signed up for a new job. 

When you're starting somewhere, you probably want to do your best. You're signing up for a new job, and this can come with a lot of expectations. You're going in with a clear heart and mind and a hope that you'll find a situation that works for both you and your employer. In the best-case scenario, you're benefiting each other and both getting something out of it. This is sometimes easier said than done, though, and you get off on the wrong foot. If you do this, it can be hard to recover from, no matter who you are. The young employee in this story wanted to make sure she was doing the right thing before signing on. 

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  • A young employee reaches for products on a grocery store shelf
    via Unsplash+ (Kateryna Hliznitsova)

    Licensed media provided as editorial context.

    A young employee reaches for products on a grocery store shelf

  • Is it wrong for me to get a job knowing I have to quit in 2-3 months to go back to school?

    Pretty much the titles Been doing gig apps for a while and it's just not sustainable anymore. The back pain and pay isn't worth it. It was good for a while because I was able to do it while doing my summer classes.
    via r/work
  • I have an interview lined up with a job at a grocery store. All my friends tell me not to tell them I'm returning to school in the fall when the semester starts. I guess I just feel bad working somewhere for such a short amount of time.
    via r/work
  • It's worth noting that the store is be working at is always very busy and employs a ton of workers, so I'm sure there is plenty of turnover.
    via r/work

  • Life is unexpected. Things happen that you can't always prepare for. This is why it's best to leave things flexible when we can. That's not to say we shouldn't commit to something, but plans can change in the drop of a hat. Especially when you're first starting out. And going back to school is a big change in a young adult's life. You can't expect everything to stay the same once you do. The employee who was about to go back to school in this story wondered if she was going about it in the wrong way. Keep scrolling to see what commenters had to say about this back-to-school story.

  • Commenters gave their opinions and takes on the story.

    brunoreis93 Don't worry, they wouldn't feel bad if it was the other way around and they were planning to fire you
    via r/work
  • Character_Tour2050 No many quit on the first day
    via r/work
  • lovemanga21 Don't need to tell them anything, what happens if plans changes and you keep the job any ways. They are not loyal to you and don't need to be loyal to them. Don't worry about telling them anything. Though be kind and give two week notice. You should leave on a good note in case you need the reference or need the job again.
    via r/work
  • A young woman stocks products in a red freezer in a store
    via Kateryna Hliznitsova For Unsplash+

    Photo is a representation of scenes.

    A young woman stocks products in a red freezer in a store

  • PandahHeart I would not tell them because unless they tell you they are hiring seasonal summer workers, they are probably looking for someone long term. I'm saying this as someone who works as HR in retail.
    via r/work
  • But if you get it, just put your two week notice in and if they really like you, and you're back in that town for summer they might rehire you seasonally
    via r/work
  • ParadiddlediddleSaaS It's also not the kind of job that takes weeks of training / onboarding. You are helping them for a given wage - don't feel bad.
    via r/work
  • Awkward-Motor3287 If you do, dont put the job on your resume. It will make you look unreliable to future employers.
    via r/work
  • TechnologyBeautiful Nah. That's business. They'd drop you in a heartbeat the moment they don't need you. Don't feel bad.
    via r/work
  • Aromatic_Quit_6946 You're good. All retail businesses know that college kids work the summers and then leave. They may have a spot for you when you come back next year.
    via r/work
  • Fearless-Boba You can always say you're interested in being a seasonal employee. I get your friends have reasons for saying to not tell them you're leaving in a few months, but if when you're out of school on holiday, you could essentially work there then too or when you're eventually looking for your professional job after you graduate school. Don't burn bridges if you don't need to.
    via r/work

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school jobs employee job teenagers work back to school gig work employment grocery store
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