made a mistake at work - really gutted

[roastpotato87]

Last year I made an error at work, but didn't realise at the time. It was quite a big mistake, caused by me not paying attention to something I was doing at the time. I've worked for this company for nearly 10 years and I love my boss and my workmates, we are a small and close team. I also had never made a mistake at work before.

Anyway the error didnt come to light until the start of this year due to something else that happened, this was investigated and it came out that I'd made a mistake with a contract. When my manager told me he said it was very serious and he would do what he could to protect me but he wasnt sure what was going to happen. I then went on annual leave for a week and during this time I decided it was best to protect myself and arranged some job interviews.

I then got offered a job with a competitor, the pay is a lot more and the benefits are better. This company do very well and actually do more business than my current company.

When I came back off annual leave I asked my manager if he had an update and he said HR were in the middle of investigating and he didn't know anything yet but there were a few possible outcomes, such as losing my job / being demoted etc.

I decided to hand my notice in and accept the other job and I start in a few weeks. My boss was great about it and said he didn't want to lose me but understood that I could be risking losing my job if I stayed and he didn't want to see me in that situation.

I now just feel really down about leaving, I am going to miss everyone so much. The new job is more money, a better company car and less hours but Im worried Im not going to enjoy it because I didn't really want to leave my current job but I feel like I had to.

Does anyone have any advice? Should I have stayed at my current job or am I doing the right thing?

[NSEA]

You are doing the right thing. You’ve left on your terms for a better opportunity. With a blank slate. There’s no point staying somewhere just because you like your colleagues. You will most likely like your new ones too.

Embrace the change and make the most of the opportunity.

[Worldsworstcook]

You've not started yet. Look on it as a new beginning, an adventure and a chance to earn more and have a better home/work life balance.

Hope everything goes well for you!

[bluecashmere]

You haven't made a mistake because things weren't going to carry on as they had been. You could have been demoted or even lost your job. It's sad, but this is a new opportunity, with a better package that you would have missed out on otherwise.

[mollifly]

Everything happens for a reason! Congratulations on your new position, it's always best to leave on your own terms and you've done exactly the right thing.

Your old job wouldn't stay the same after the investigation and you might have ended up very unhappy.

Make sure your reference isn't effected by the investigation.

[GreenTulips]

Sometimes in life we need a push or we procrastinate

New job more money what's not to like

[Violetrose123]

Sounds like a great opportunity for you

As hard as it is, don’t base your love of a job on the people you work with. People will come and go throughout your career.

Try and go into the new job with an open mind - it’s a clean slate for you and you don’t want to be dwelling on the “what ifs” about your old job

[Gazelda]

I'm sure you'll soon settle in. Better to move on your terms and to an ideal sounding role, rather than risk staying where you were and risk demotion and demotivation.
And were you really expecting to stay at your current role until retirement? If not, then the sounds like the perfect time to move.
Good luck.