Is it a bad idea to quit a full time job for a temporary job because your job makes you unhappy?

Teapot55

There’s nothing better for the self-esteem than going temping & then they ask if you’d like to go permanent. You still have to be choosy though, because there’s some rubbish employers out there. 

In any case temping can be fun & the variety refreshing. 

MalMonroe

Life is too short to be so miserable in a place where you spend one third of your life.

You said this "My dream was to work part time to have enough money to cover the bills and to also have the time to start a small business (I worked on this during the later part of 2020 so it's almost ready to go). I also want to build a freelance career. As I am not making any progress with job-seeking for permanent part-time positions, I am considering finding a temporary job for around 6 months just to get out of this job."

Why not follow your dream now since you say you DO have some money to last for a while. Why not do some part-time temporary working while you start your business? I've done temping in the past and three times I was offered a full time position. Temping is a great way to find out if you and your manager or managers are compatible and whether or not you like the place and the people before committing yourself. But anyway, you won't be staying long because you are going to launch your own business and build a freelance career!

I wish you all the very best, please don't stay somewhere that's making you so utterly miserable. You really DO deserve better.

IAMIAM

Brie said:

Been there, done that and I left. 

Some people are highly employable as temps and use that to their advantage.  I know one ex colleague who for the last 15 years has worked 4 - 6 month contracts and then taking a couple of months off before starting the next one.  He was always enthusiastic as a new employee so the employers love him and he's never bored as it's always new scenery, new friends.  And if he finds it's not really him, well it's only for a couple of months.  He'll finish whatever work he has signed up for and then move on to something else.

Too many people are too frightened to move.  Better to move and maintain your happiness and mental well being then suffer needlessly.  

Good luck with the job hunt!!!

This is SPOT ON. All too often people get trapped in big salary jobs because of kids, mortgages, bills etc. Best advice is written here.


I always find temping, if you have a financial safety net (one years expenses in your case) means the balls always in your court. Do what you want to do. I have literally walked out of a couple of jobs in the past and the bullies still want to know what I am up to. Move On.

[Deleted User]

oh_really said:

That aside you need to learn to deal with such thing in working life or the same situation is likely to keep repeating, either develop resiliance or learn to fight back.

Very true. 

"I also feel ashamed because I wanted to be able to leave by showing my boss I am valued by another company in an even more senior position but it looks as if I won't be able to. In fact I will likely be working in a more junior position which also makes me worry about career prospects. I don't want to even tell him which company I would be working for anyway as he would find a way to put in a bad word or join in with the bully to make fun of where I am going to. He will be extremely angry at me if I hand in my notice and I wouldn't put it past him. I also have this weird feeling of not wanting to upset him. He has promoted me which I am grateful for but being the 'least respected' makes me feel as if he did me a really big favour and I feel ashamed about that too as if I am an imposter and lucky to be where I am."

OP, as someone who's ex. boss rescued them day 2 of the call centre (gladly, it was nice to know an ex. boss would come after me) when realisation shrunk in could be different from all the other phone buddies stuck in such a place and not have to accept working for min wage, I think you could be worrying over nothing. The pay issue yes maybe really sad, but you've been promoted, and I wouldn't knock that.

Temping can actually knock your confidence, rather then build it, especially if you are in the wrong head space.
Get some counselling before making a move.

The Grass isn't always greener. In my search for a great saying as to why, these threads jumped out
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4123111/grass-isnt-always-greener
Dilemma - I hate my new job — MoneySavingExpert Forum

TBagpuss

We spend a lot of our time at work and if it is making you ill and miserable it makes sense to get out - specially if, as in your case, you have savings etc. to enable you to leave and still manage financially. 
Having a boss like yours can really undermine your confidence and make it harder for you to feel you can move on - don't let it.

If you can, I would find a new job (temp or perm) before leaving. 

I understand the impulse to want to leave for a visibly better job to 'show' the boss, but honestly, you're giving him much more space in your head than he deserves, and no matter what the circumstances are he's never going to admit his bad behaviour or acknowledge your success. If he's that kind of person, you could get a job which was triple the salary and jumped  3 roles above him, and he still wouldn't admit that you were valued, because that would mean admitting to himself that he was wrong.

steampowered

Life is too short to be putting up with this.

A temp job could easily lead to better opportunities in the future. It will build your experience and connections. Perhaps even help you get your self-confidence and motivation back. 

Get out of there.

Brie

Heliocentric said:

What your friend does sounds ideal. I guess he is confident he will always be hired? Does he do a 'niche' job or is it along the lines of administration?

He does "projects" in the finance industry.  He's got a strong background in pensions but because of personal interests in DIY, horticulture, food he is quite flexible.  But it's the general confidence that helps him most I think.

DCFC79

OP if its that bad then yes you should leave, no manager should be treating you like that.
I don't know why managers cant speak to others like adults, do they do it to make themselves look big.

Deep_In_Debt

There is no point in being unhappy where you work.

I quit a permanent job in 2014 and went temping.  Best thing I ever did.  It was scary at the time not knowing if I would have work.

I spent 2 years temping and had some long term temp roles - 6 months plus.  I made some new friends, worked in different sectors and industries and did jobs that I had never done before so had extra skills to add to my CV which lead to a complete change in my job direction in my late 40s and I'm so glad for my temping experience.  

Apintplease

Definitely quit and go temping

I had my breakdown younger then you are now because I felt I was trapped in a job which I hated. Trapped for years after getting caught into the wage slave mindset - needed to earn and keep the perks because of wanting the lifestyle that came with it

Obviously getting as sick as I did, that all had to go out the window and we had to learn to cut our cloth so to speak

Since then Ive only ever worked PT and way below my skill set and I dont give a jot

We may not have the brand new cars every year now, not the 4 or 5 holidays abroad and eating out in fine dining restaurants  ( can you believe I paid £36 for 4 drinks one time back in 2000?, now thats my weekly entertainment money lol ) but what I do have is a great work life balance and Im happy in my work

Its a huge move for you, but I think you are already there. You have plans of where you want to be in the future, jumping ship now might just bring those plans closer. Dont wait till you are that worn down by your now work situation that it leaves you unable to move forward