WWYD? Stay in this job or go?

[Hoolahulahoop]

Two decades safe and secure in a government job.
Pro's: Good hours. Near home. Relatively position. Good work life balance. Can take early retirement in 11 years and can work part time if I wish. Think I am well liked and get on well with most. Great holiday entitlement.

Cons: toxic culture in the workplace. Quite 'bitchy' leadership doesn't crack down on the few people making sure people are treated respectfully. Also I am a bit tired of the work. I have a lot of higher level skills I'm not using and in some areas it is mentally draining and physically hard. Three staff off with stress. I'm ok at the moment.

If I leave I can't take the early retirement plan. I might not be as secure for a few years (stating peri menopause and I know that can be very hard anxiety wise and sometimes I can feel low as it is)

I know I lack the vitality I would have in a new challenge but is the lack of security worth it. How can I think this through. Some people would kill (not literally.. lol) for my job and good hours and I think I am respected though not by my seniors who are cliquish and unfair at times.

Grr need to get an outside perspective please.

Do you have another job to go to? I’m personally wary of just leaving with nowhere else to land. Have you applied to other places?

If I were you I would see what other jobs are available, or can you move team in your current company?
No job is perfect and yours doesn't sound absolutely dreadful.

No I wouldn't move. There is no guarantee your next job would be nicer and you will have list the good retirement benefits you have lined up

I can certainly move team in my own organisation and will do soon. Its not terrible and most people are kind (when I had my dc I hardly had to buy baby clothes due to their generosity for example) that was a few years ago. There is a culture that's seeped in that is very unpleasant. Other jobs: I won't get one with just as good hours but there are other jobs and I am higher qualified than I need to be. 25 years experience

I will retire at 55 with £350 a week and able to work a day or two with that.

I’d stay!

I'd stay if I could retire comfortably at 55. No question.

With the early retirement option, I would look to stay in the organisation but move team if you can. 11 years sounds a long time, but being able to retire at 55 rather than 65/67+ is a real bonus.

If you're after more of a challenge, is there something else you could do outside of work that would fulfil that side? You mention part time working, would reducing your hours and upping something more exciting outside of work be worth considering? Keeps your security but maybe gives you more of what you seek?

I'd stay for all the good things plus that. Nowhere and nothing is perfect.

I appreciate these sensible responses. I have worked hard and been loyal and also invested in property that I can sell in 15 years. I grew up on free school meals and was told I would never do anything. So I am not big headed but I am happy with what I have achieved.

Since I turned 40 I have become a lot more assertive and that's helped with some of these toxic staff members but I do need to have nice things outside of my work to enjoy.