Would you resign and take your chances ??

easy

Hi all, I'm in a real dilemma here. I'll give as much info as I dare without revealing where I work.

I have been working for a small company (7 employees) for just over 4 years. I have a responsible position, the 2 directors are my line managers.
Although I believe no one is ever truly indispensable, I carry a lot on my shoulders, and the company will struggle for a while when I leave.

There is strife between the directors, and this is causing me a lot of issues. I'm finding the job stressful, and I'm now at the point where I dread Monday mornings and the week ahead.
I enjoy the fact that I have a good salary - it is a good salary although not a fortune by any means, but because the directors are not always doing all they should, I end up sweeping up stuff they should do. My portfolio of tasks grows and grows, I am working more and more hours to get things done. A 48-50 hour week isn't unusual, and since we moved offices a few months ago to save costs, I now travel an hour plus each way to work.

Last week a director asked me to do something that (in my mind) would have been fraud. I refused, it won't be done, but I'm very cross that he would even think to ask me.

I have been looking around for a new job for a while, had a couple of interviews at the end of last year, but missed out on both. I think one of them went to someone who could start immediately.

I have a month's notice in my contract, and would need that to get everything tidy and do a neat hand-over - should they find a replacement for me.
TBH I'd also like to have a week or 2 off before starting a new job to recharge my batteries a bit.

I'm 56 and disabled - despite discrimination legislation I know that in reality that puts me at a disadvantage looking for a new job. I have masses of experience in my field (company accounts) but there are plenty of people with better qualifications than I am.

I've spent the weekend looking on the job boards and making applications. Most of the vacancies for my skills locally are asking for an immediate start.
I have a couple of month's salary saved up (was hoping to go on a cruise next year so saving toward that), so could survive if it took me a while to get another position. But HATE the idea of being without any income.

I've talked it over and over with DH, who basically says it should be my decision. We could live with only half my salary ( if I only found part-time or a lower level job) but we would have to give up the 2 nice meals out a month that we have and such things. Currently I'm comfortable with the fact that if something happens such as the washer breaks down we don't have to panic, we can afford repairs or replacements. But I'm really REALLY sick of my current job.

So ... should I go into work tomorrow, hand in my resignation and start working my notice period, so that 4 weeks from now I could be immediately available? Or should I get a thicker skin, keep my head down, apply for jobs in the hope that someone would wait 4 weeks + for me to be available?

Please help me to think this through.

xapprenticex

too much to read but dont leave without something else to go to

PasturesNew

Edit that, print it out, then organise a meeting with the two directors while thinking "I have nothing to lose ...this is a step up from walking out".

Read out your edited script .... then say .... and if this isn't fixed then I'll have no choice but to reassess my position.

Ask them how they can help by changing things....

If they don't/won't/can't... then you have your answer.

Being unhappy won't go away.
Walking out won't change it.
Tell them what's what and see if it changes anything.

I've walked out of (bad) jobs with no warning and nothing to go to - and I've always lived alone and had nothing to back me up..... and I still did it. If something's bad and can't/won't be fixed, then you do sometimes have to just walk.

Rosemary7391

Why not give yourself a few months living on a reduced amount, saving up so you've a bit longer of a buffer period? Obviously keep looking for new jobs in the meantime, and try and fix things tactfully. I'm not sure I'd leave with just 2 months salary saved - 4 - 6 months would be better for me, but it depends on what you're comfortable with.

getmore4less

I think the first thing to do is try to manage your job back to where you want it.

Push back on the directors if they are not doing stuff.
They may need managing if they are not acting in the best interests on the company
(even if they own it they my just need some direction)

Manage your time and restrict your hours, stuff will have to wait.

Worst case is they don't cooperate enough, you end up resigning anyway.

coffeehound

Twelve-hour days with a long commute and work stress is a recipe for burn-out or breakdown. Per PasturesNew's suggested approach, you could see if they are willing to make changes, but if immediate substantial change doesn't look likely, I'd walk. A job isn't worth sacrificing your health for.

daytona0

getmore4less wrote: »

I think the first thing to do is try to manage your job back to where you want it.

Push back on the directors if they are not doing stuff.
They may need managing if they are not acting in the best interests on the company
(even if they own it they my just need some direction)

Manage your time and restrict your hours, stuff will have to wait.

Worst case is they don't cooperate enough, you end up resigning anyway.

Yea, I would try and push back some of the workload onto the directors and/or down the food chain. Just get the feeling that OP has mis-managed the situation slightly and ended up taking on too much work, AND it sounds like this extra work was taken on voluntarily....

Stylehutz

I wouldnt worry about the one months notice. If that isnt honoured are they really going to sue you if you dont give a months notice, Bad publicity for them plus Legal expenses etc,etc.

getmore4less

To put the new commute into context what was the travel before the move.

with only 7 employees how was the new place chosen, new office nearer either or both of the directors.

warehouse

easy wrote: »

I'm 56 and disabled.

My advice would be to hang on until you have another job lined up, but REALLY start looking in earnest.

POPPYOSCAR

Stay in the job while you are looking for another.

Stop working over and above what you should.

If you cannot do these things, leave, life is too short to be so unhappy.