Quit Job: Advice

PurpleShark

Hello.

I am looking for advice. Currently I have a well paying job, however I absolutely hate it, it causes me so much stress, I constantly think about it and things I need to do, day and night. I have been moved to various roles because “I am good at my job” however in reality, I believe it is because I am easy to manage and will just get on with it whilst others (rightfully) will push back.

I have applied for voluntary redundancy on several occasions, each time being turned down. I am in a very lucky position, that I do not have a mortgage and have savings of nearly £100k.

I have recently been moved again to a new position, this comprises several topics which I am really weak in and is heightening my stress levels as I know I can’t do it. When I was first told I had to move, I told Senior Management I hadn’t done any of this before but they replied to say it will be fine (see above, they know I will just get on with it - they don’t see me coming in at 6am, leaving at 6pm and stressing out in between). There is no point talking to them again.

So the natural thing to do is quit, right? I am scared to do this for two reasons, a) I only moved into this role in September and don’t want to seem like a complete failure and quitter and b) the notice period is 3 months - I ideally want to get a part time, low stress job, but it is unlikely they would be willing to wait for 3 months when other people will be immediately available.

As you can see, I am very risk adverse, but I am scared of other people thinking I am a failure (which is silly I know, but reality) and secondly I am worried that it will be hard to get another job with the three months notice period, and moreso that I would have to go crawling back to my employer to ask for a reference in a few months time.

From an impartial view - any advice?

martinthebandit

Actually the natural thing to do is not get to work till 9 and leave by 5 and make sure that you leave work at work.


If work doesn't like it they will either move you to a job you can do or sack you.

ElefantEd

Savings of £100k, no mortgage and hate your job?


You could live comfortably for 5 or 10 years on that, I have to say in your position I would certainly be looking to work part-time and have more time to enjoy life.

TELLIT01

If you hate the job and can afford to leave then the decision seems pretty clear cut. The situation of working long hours all the time should never have been allowed to develop but that's no immediate help.
Work your 3 months notice and then start looking for another job. You will then be in the strong position of being able to start any new job immediately.

theoretica

Start looking for other jobs - if you are at a level where other people also have 3 month notice periods the employer will expect this.


When you hand in your notice also be prepared for your current bosses to ask what it would take for you to stay - think about what of your various past roles there might suit you, if any. They might not ask, but be prepared if they do.

DCFC79

Leave and either get another job or just take some time out and then look for another job.

Gavin83

PurpleShark wrote: »

Hello.

I am looking for advice. Currently I have a well paying job, however I absolutely hate it, it causes me so much stress, I constantly think about it and things I need to do, day and night. I have been moved to various roles because “I am good at my job” however in reality, I believe it is because I am easy to manage and will just get on with it whilst others (rightfully) will push back.

I have applied for voluntary redundancy on several occasions, each time being turned down. I am in a very lucky position, that I do not have a mortgage and have savings of nearly £100k.

I have recently been moved again to a new position, this comprises several topics which I am really weak in and is heightening my stress levels as I know I can’t do it. When I was first told I had to move, I told Senior Management I hadn’t done any of this before but they replied to say it will be fine (see above, they know I will just get on with it - they don’t see me coming in at 6am, leaving at 6pm and stressing out in between). There is no point talking to them again.

So the natural thing to do is quit, right? I am scared to do this for two reasons, a) I only moved into this role in September and don’t want to seem like a complete failure and quitter and b) the notice period is 3 months - I ideally want to get a part time, low stress job, but it is unlikely they would be willing to wait for 3 months when other people will be immediately available.

As you can see, I am very risk adverse, but I am scared of other people thinking I am a failure (which is silly I know, but reality) and secondly I am worried that it will be hard to get another job with the three months notice period, and moreso that I would have to go crawling back to my employer to ask for a reference in a few months time.

From an impartial view - any advice?

There seems to be two obvious solutions here:

1) Start working to your contracted hours (I assume 9-5) and stop worrying about work once you've finished. If management complain say it's a role you can't do and there's too much work for one person.

2) Hand in your notice today and also start working to your contracted hours. You've enough savings to keep you going for a long time so you shouldn't worry about not having a job to go to, you'll find another and can be one of those people without a notice period.

Life's too short to stay in a job that stresses you out this much, especially when you don't appear to have an obvious reason to.

Personally I'd have rethought my options when they turned down my VR claim.

General_Grant

It's not your competency to actually do the job which is stressing you - you wouldn't have been trusted to do them if that were the case.
Obviously it is the time involved, 12-hour days on site (plus thinking about it outside of those hours) which is what is causing the stress.

I would hand in my notice and cut back on the hours right now, not necessarily right back but easing off gradually. I would also seek help with any of the tasks that are not a complete walk in the park for you.

For your next job you will be expected to provide a reference from your current employer so it is worth bearing this in mind.

custardy

As said by others. In your admirable financial position I wouldnt be doing 12 hour days and stressing out.
You can hand in your notice or (and I know this isnt your style) push back to your boss and lay out it isnt working for you with the workload/skills.
If you can be happy where you work then perhaps lay it out where you want/need to be.

SensibleSarah

In your position (with your level of savings), I would absolutely be handing in my notice and taking a career break whilst I decided on my next move.
Work your notice, take a couple of months breather and then start making plans for the future. If it takes you a few months to find something that fits, you won't have money worries in the meantime at least.

Life is too short to be stuck in a job you hate when you have alternatives.

Hazzinho

Quit, you sound just like me, I did the same 3 weeks ago and it's like a weight lifted, feel so much better, 3 months notice and savings so can take my time. Would have lost the plot by now, work is getting worse but I don't need to worry about the long term. The fact you're asking says it all.