Verified answer

Give proper notice..You do not need to explain yourself.

You are working to make a living, and if you have a better opportunity elsewhere, your boss should understand that. What will you do if he goes out of business, and you have turned down this chance at a more secure job?

I'd be honest, tell him you have been offered something that is more secure, and give him as much notice as possible. I'd wonder if this other guy is really a best friend, though, if he's raiding his friend's staff. That's a bit odd.

Come on! If you like what is it you doing and want to make a career or business in this field – why leave?

Do you really think you’ll have a secure future with your boss’s friend company? He knows you left because your current company didn’t perform well – do you think he will ever trust you his business?

Go and talk to your boss and tell his the situation – tell him what your options. Tell him that you would like to stay and help him, but if things will turn ugly ask if he can ask his friend for employment for you.

Then tell him how can you help in his business – can you do something that will help company to save money, time or to get more prospects? Get Brian Tracy book on time management read it and think how can you save your and other people’s time. Find something! And yes, take more responsibilities on you without being asked for and without getting paid for. As you start doing those extra things make sure you are getting regular feedback – did your initiatives helped, what helped the most, if you change this and this – will it be better? Make sure you know what’s good and what’s bad for the business.

You’ll learn a lot in the short time and it will really help you in your career.

If your company will get bad – you’ll still get the best possible references to his friend – you stayed till last and you helped as you could. Who can turn the employee like this!

If the company will go well – you’ve got your best experience. If you will never be rewarded for your effort (very likely even if you have a good boss) – change a job then, you experience will be equal to 5 extra years of work. Every employee will want you in their team.

In your situation it seems to me the safest solution in the long term.

I too put up with an employer who made excuses about being in a rough patch, needed me to hang in there. But after his trip to the Bahamas (spent too much $$ and had to delay my paycheck) and then buying a house he couldn't afford, I gave my notice.

Does your current employer have a business plan? Can you ask to see it? Are you receiving benefits like health insurance or 401K? If not, what reassurance do you have to invest your career/time in this company?

While a better offer may be on the table, do some background research on the new boss and his company. Ask for better benefits & salary and get everything in writing.

Your current boss is doing you a disfavor by asking you to "hang in there". It's disrespectful to you and he should understand this is a professional environment.

Good luck.

follow the money and security but give proper notice when leaving. I was in this same position 3 years ago and stayed with the current boss because he was all so a friend, the company went bust and I still haven't been able to recover yet to the point I would be if I would left when I could have.

I would talk to your boss and let him know that you have an opportunity that you want to take that is better for you in the long term. If he is a good person, he will tell you to take the other job with his best friend or maybe help you to secure that job when it is good timing for his company to let you go.

I agree, give proper notice and leave. He may be your boss now, but your loyalty to the company does not mean to follow till unemployment. If you have an opportunity to leave for a better and more secure company/position...take it.

That is a tough dilemma. If you feel a strong loyalty to your current employer, then stay to the bitter end...or fortuitious upswing.

If your more loyal to your wallet, take the new position.

This really is a conscience call, though.