I need advice- want to quit a job I have spent 4 years training for.

[katedan]

I am in a job with a very high level of responsibility. My contract is 4 days a week (30 hours) I regularly work 40/50 hours a week and spend Sunday's going through work e mails to catch up. I am under so much pressure that I am making mistakes and due to the blame culture of the role this is adding further pressure to my workload. I spent 4 years training for this role and have put my family in debt ( student debts) to train. I have only been qualified for a year but already feel ready to resign.

Prior to this I was at home for 10 years with my children and I am aware that I quit easily and maybe I need to toughen up but I am not sure what to do.

[daisychain01]

A couple of suggestions:

• please talk with your line manager (or the person you report to in your role) about your work load which is significantly over your contracted hours.
  
• on what basis was your role agreed at 30 hours 4 day week, when it clearly needs more hours? Is it that you need to work part time because of family commitments? As above you need to discuss with management.
  

• re making mistakes, we all do that! Can you start documenting key situations so you can understand the cause of those mistakes and fix them.
  

I wouldn't just give up, I'd try to change what you can eg mistakes that you can control.

Take a deep breathe, even if you feel out of your depth, try to think analytically about the problems and what you need to fix. Sometimes taking a step back helps to put things in perspective, it make feel worse than it is!

[katedan]

Thank you daisy chain, it is a full time role however when I applied they agreed for me to do 30 hours a week due to family commitments. I know if I went full time my workload would only increase more!

I have spoken to my line manager but her answer is just that everyone is overloaded and stressed and it is just the job.

I don't want to quit but I do want to feel in control, today I worked for 13 hours this impacts on my family life and it feels unfair on them that I have to put the job before their needs.

[Ledkr]

Is it by any chance social work?
Because I feel exactly the same and have just been signed off with extreme anxiety

[ClockMakerSue]

Social worker? I know a few who bank work rather than long term contracts because of the same issues. Sorry no help but something to consider if you need to. More pay per day too.

[CotswoldStrife]

If it is social work could you move to a different sector, eg adult if you are currently working with children? Or based in a hospital?

[newbieho]

Maybe you can do the same job but work for another company/ different employer?

[katedan]

Not sure whether to laugh or cry that you guessed my profession!!!! I don't think there is a job like it for such high expectations and workload. I need to finish my first year and get that signed off then I can look for a new role however I am dissapointed in myself that I cannot cope, I am no spring chicken and this was a very thought out decision to be a SW, my family is in debt so I could get my degree and I have only coped for a year!

[robertposteschilde]

KatedanI've just qualified and start my first post in a couple of weeks. Are you in children's services? I have no advice, just hugs and well done for getting through the first year X

[HyacinthFuckit]

How long is it going to be until you finish your first year? You can go and do agency then!