Am I mad to leave my job?

katie_saver

I am lucky enough to have a job after being made redundant earlier this year. I started work as soon as my redundancy kicked in.

The problem is I really don’t like my job. I have been in this job for 7 months so I feel I have given it a fair shot. Things have only got worse and it is beginning to affect my health. I have huge problems with early waking because I dread coming into work so much. I spent most of the weekend in tears because of the stress..

I had to take a pay cut when I accepted this job and was then told that in January we are moving offices which will double my commute time and mean I will be stuck in traffic crossing town for at least an hour each way per day. I don’t think I can afford the petrol for one thing.

I attended a 3rd interview for a job on Friday and have just been told by the agency that I didn’t get it. I’m gutted.

But I am thinking of giving my notice in before we move tothe new office. This at least would allow me to take roles that want an immediate start and I believe it would alleviate my stress. Am I mad to do this?

Lovelyjoolz

Ordinarily I'd say no, you're not mad, leave the job before it affects your health any further.

But in today's economy? I'm not so sure. Would being out of work be more stressful than what you are feeling now? Will you be abl to pay your bills/keep a roof over your head if it takes 6 months to find another job? Only you can answer these questions.

What do you do? Are your skills unique and in demand? How much work is out there in your field?

katie_saver

I am an events coordinator/PA. I am fluent in 4 languages so that sometimes helps and is the reason I got this job. But I agree, being without a job could be as stressful...I have some redundancy money left so I could probably survive for a couple of months with no income if it really came to it.

jbreckmckye

I would keep the existing job but redouble the efforts to find something else. Being already employed is always an advantage in interviews and gives you leverage during pay negotiations. Plus it gives you financial security, which is hard to appreciate until you lose it.

What sector are you in?

morganedge

Couldn't you claim housing benefit so that you know you'll have a roof over your head if it takes longer than anticipated to get a new job?

katie_saver

I was in telecommunications for 5 and a half years before being made redundant (a very large telecommunications company).
I'm now working for a leisure company. My manager promised me supervisory role which has never materialised. I was also told a lot of otehr things but that was just because they wanted me for my languages...Effectively I am a customer service advisor now, chained to my desk for up to 9 hours a day. No variety at all, very little hope of progression. I can feel my stress levels just boiling over just typing this. :-(

Daedalus

It is always a hard decision to make.

It comes down to how employable you think your skills is. Languages are always in demand in my area.

What people often overlook is how a truly depressing job can all but destroy the will and motivation to search for another, it is a vicious circle. You do 9 hours of job you hate and you go home and cry/stare vacantly at the TV etc.

A week being unemployed can be more productive job searching than 6 months being in a depressive job.

morganedge

Being in a job you hate sucks.

I don't like my current job at all, although I don't experience the sickness before work, the butterflies and the constant dread of the thought of facing another day - something I have a lot of experience of due to completely hating pretty much every job i've ever had!

That's when I envy those who choose not to work and I wonder who the fool is.....me or them.

Tough decision.
What is it in particular that you hate so much?
I know it's easier said than done, but i'd try to adopt a much more carefree attitude towards the job. You know you don't plan to be their too much longer. Turn up, do the bare minimum, don't let anyone wind you up and remind yourself that it's just a job and not worth getting stressed about, and keep applying for other jobs.

If it still really does get too much, I'd personally quit after that, but that's me.

Good luck

xcarlyx

I'm in the same boat hate my job. Dread going into work. so sorry to hear this x

dandelionclock30

Its awful when you really hate your job. If you are hating it so much you wish you were dead (been there, bought the t shirt and written the play) then I would personally pack it in. No job is worth this.
Also if its so bad that you have to take tablets, anti depressants to get you through the door then I would also leave.
If you feel like you can cope for a short while then I would apply for other jobs and give yourself a time limit of 6 months.In the meantime be saving a bit as a buffer fund. After the 6 months is up and you if you havent got anything, then I would leave.
You will have the money to fall back on.
Lifes too short really to let rubbish jobs wreck it.

MinaMina

I agree with dandelionclock30. No job is worth the stress.At the end of the day there only paying you for a service.Take dandelionclock30 advice.