Resigning a promotion

davidspd

Hi everyone,

I work in the NHS and last year (2005) a vacancy became available which, due to pressure from people at work and home, I applied for. I subsequently was offered the job, and accepted. I jumped over several people in the process, however relationships have been good.

I have found the position extremely stressful, and now wish i'd never accepted it. I am working 65-70 hour weeks, have begun to get chest pain and wake up at night in tears! I now wish to resign from the post and if possible get my old job back (less responsibility and less money).

I was wondering how people would view this either from the point of view of my employers, but also my coworkers. And also any advice on how to word my letter of resignation would be useful.

Just looking for some general input.

Thanks
davidspd

PS Despite my username, I'm female.

Also posted in The Money Savers Arms

Emmzi

Idon't know if I would go straight to resign. Have you talked with your line manager about support you need in this role- training, coaching, general resources? What have you already tried?

ictmad

1stly u have to asnwer,did they employ anyone in your old job? if so maybe hard getting it back,or if you want demotted they may say therers no vacancy for you,but i fully understand i was in a job 4 mnoths ago that i hated and needed out of now iam a new job and love it

alwaysonthego_2

65-70 hours seems alot, no wonder your health is suffering. As the above poster says you need to have a one to one with your line manager.

seven-day-weekend

My husband did this with a promoted post in teaching. He found it far too stressful and wanted to go back to being just a classroom teacher.

His Head was very sympathetic and enabled him to do this. However the next person who had the promoted post and also found it too stressful just had to resign altogether and look for another job! :eek:

So, at least in Education, it appears to be the decision of Senior Management. I presume it's the same in the NHS.

I think maybe having a word with your Union and also Occupational Health may be a good place to start.

Good luck, I hope it works for you.

Hoddie_2

I am working 65-70 hour weeks

This goes against the Working Time Directive and is illegal unless you've specifically signed something to opt-out. If you haven't, have a word with your union who might be able to liase with your employer to ensure a satisfactory reduction in hours.

ckerrd

65-70 hours is a lot to do but is not necessarily over the Working Time Regulations. Depends on loads of things.

However back to the OP - there is no shame in saying you and the job are not suited - the way it is currently configured.

You need to talk to you line manager outlining the problems that you face.
Is it the length of the working day/week? Do you need more support? Was the pervious holder of the post doing so many hours? Is the post adequately resourced?

Ultimately if it is affecting your health then something has to change. It need not necessarily be you.

davidspd

ckerrd wrote:

Was the pervious holder of the post doing so many hours?

The post has changed substantially (due to Agenda for Change) since the previous post holder retired and has become much more management oriented. This is one of the problems as I have discovered I much prefer to deal with patients than paperwork.

Probably much like everyone else in the NHS, I also feel that I am under constant pressure to decrease waiting times whilst not being given any more resources to do so.

Thanks for everyones input so far.

ckerrd

I understand what you are saying. Doing that number of hours regularly is not good for you.
Do you have a number of contracted hours? Do you get overtime?
If you were, for example, to be contracted for 40 hours per week and regularly did 60 then something is wrong.
Could be one of a few things - not trained/supported enough to be able to carry out your tasks in the time allocated. Too much work. Unreaslistic expectations from managers/those higher up.

Before you make any decisions talk to your boss or/and HR

If the job is not for you then do speak to your manager and explain this. I have known people who have not coped well and gone back to their previous job. Not once have a known anyone to speak ill of them, as it takes a lot of courage to do this.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

Happy to help in anyway I can if you need more input.

ohreally

Have you raised any of these issues with your line manager? Have you requsted support mechanisms to enable you to carry out your job function, eg training, assistance, mentoring? Both occ health and a trade union rep can provide the much needed support you require, are you a member of a union? As a point of interest, what is your job title - is it clinical or admin?

davidspd

Unfortunately my line manager "lives to work" rather than "works to live", and spends more time there than me! I haven't been in touch with occ health but i have been to my GP, and i'm not a union member. Also I'm on the clinical side of things.