The deal breaker that made me quit my job

I love to dance

I’ve always loved dancing. Growing up, I took all kinds of lessons; ballet, folk dance, modern dance, jazz ballet, African dance and Middle Eastern dance. However, once I discovered partner dancing (ballroom, swing, salsa, etc.), I was *hooked! I was so passionate about these dances, I would go out dancing several nights a week, and I would teach any of my friends who showed the slightest interest in learning.

Becoming a dance teacher

My first job, after completing a Communications degree, was in radio. I was working as an advertising copywriter for a Montreal radio station when I took my very first ballroom dance class. Back then, I never would have believed that I would one day be teaching ballroom myself, but life is full of surprises! Just four years after my first class as a student, I was offered a position to teach.

What I liked about working for the dance studio

There was a lot that I liked about working for the dance studio that hired me. First, they offered me ongoing training. Second, I developed good friendships with some of the other teachers. But what I enjoyed most was sharing my love of dance with students who were equally excited about learning.

The deal breaker that made me quit

Despite everything I liked about working for the studio, there were a couple of drawbacks. For one, I was not paid well. At times I was even expected to do some administration work for free. However, because I loved the training and the teaching so much, I was willing to overlook this. The deal breaker, for me, was that I often felt that the owners treated me with disrespect. After three years of working for them, I couldn’t tolerate it anymore. The deal breaker was the disrespect.

What would be a deal breaker for you at work?

Have you ever quit a job, said “no” to a job offer, or fired an employee? What was the issue that convinced you not to continue the plan or relationship? What, in a work environment, is a deal breaker for you?

*hooked:
obsessed, addicted