I asked to go down in hours at my bookstore/publisher job

I recently retired after working 44 years for the same company. I stayed with them through thick and thin when there were plenty of times I could’ve gone on to better opportunities. My boss appreciated me so much, he shorted my last check claiming he had been overpaying me for work I wasn’t doing. Was it true? Of course not. Did I fight it? Nope. I just walked away and every time his name pops up on my phone I gladly do not answer. There’s been several times he’s needed my knowledge and expertise with a problem but I’m no longer available to him. I have helped the young fellow that took my place. We had become really good friends before I left. He’s even told me that the old boss has asked him to call me and ask me things that the boss wanted to know but he wouldn’t do it. If you’ve done your best for your job, walk away and don’t look back.

You could offer to come by if she has a tech issue she just can't solve until she finds someone new? Hopefully she wouldn't bad mouth you, does she have a reason to, and also that anyone who knows you would know better than to believe negativity that isn't true! Think of all the support you've gotten getting the manager position, a lot of people love and trust you. They will know better. Do what's best for you. 💛

Resign officially.

Work your notice and walk away head held high..

Not your problem any of it. You've new stuff to focus on etc. If she bad mouths you politely say to others that you offered to reduce hours not quit but she refused.

Don't let others dictate your life.

Look after yourself.

That sounds scary, hard, and annoying.

She sounds like an extremely toxic person, not just to work with, but for your soul.. You are aligned with softness and new energy, she isn’t fitting into your life anymore. Honestly, she sounds like the part of your life that is still linked to where others hurt you. Like that ex, like your family, like your heavy drinking, and your getting hospitalized for a bit.. that’s what it is still linked to. That part of your life. But that’s all part of your past.

I get your fear of being bad mouthed, but I guarantee she already is. She has already done it and will keep doing it. But think about it, who is she going to bad mouth you to? The people she is badmouthing as well?

She will be fine once you leave, ppl like that don’t let themselves suffer long, she will find someone else to do the computer stuff. She will be okay. It’s okay to leave her work to her.

You have to look out for yourself. Is this someone you’d want to have on your side? If she’s as mean to others, then maybe she isn’t the best person to have as a reference.

If you’re concerned about leaving her high and dry, maybe there is someone there you could train up to be a replacement?

Do what's best for you, if she begins badmouthing you it just shows how unprofessional she is to others. You've already built a good reputation for yourself where it matters.

She is not allowed to bad mouth you.
If she does, pay a lawyer to send her a cease-and-desist order.
That will stop her.
You have no obligation to her. If she is a nasty person, then she only has herself to blame when you leave.
Feel no guilt about not doing the tech stuff.
The old saying "You make your bed, you sleep in it" applies to her.
You can afford not to keep the job?
Give your two weeks' notice, if she bad mouths you, walk out.
Keep a record of everything that comes out of her mouth from now on.
You handled your previous run in with aplomb. No reason you cannot do the same thing here.

It's on her. You already asked for a compromise. I had a similar situation once, and I ended up just leaving. It's just a job.

I wouldn't feel bad. She created her situation. If she had been smart, she would have said yes, but didn't. The burden is on her as she wanted.

First find a new job. Tell the new employer you are available in 2 weeks because you need to give notice. Then resign and later when you pass your old place sing a little bit of "Camptown Races"

Not my problem anymore doo da doo da ....

You told her what you needed. She refused, you owe her nothing at this point