Would you stay or would you go?

[Whoops12]

Work-related

I've been in my role for just over 7 years. The company is going through a restructure and the atmosphere is just toxic. People leaving and not being replaced, those left being expected to pick up more work.

I'm actively applying for other roles but not landed anything yet.

I'm feeling really down. I sleep constantly, upwards of 10 hours a night but am still exhausted. I'm having stomach troubles and hair loss. I'm also caring for my elderly parent and visiting twice a day.

My DP has a start date of 1st Dec for his new job. And I have savings to get me through 3 months. I'm almost desperate to resign.

Whoops!

The thing is I've never left a job without one to go to and during a cost of living crisis, it seems crazy to even consider it! After those three months, I need to be working to pay my bills. Plus, my notice period is 3 months so it wouldn't be an instant fix.

What would you do?

I would look for another job whilst still working.

Give notice now. Three months is plenty of time to find another job, even if you have to settle for something less ideal, e.g. not in your area of expertise or low paid. Many jobs are quite casual with shorter notice periods, so you could do something "easy" for a while until you find the kind of job you want.

Long ago I did similar when I couldn't find a job in the area I'd trained for, and it was 1. Easy to be good at it, everyone loved me and 2. Stress-free as I never gave it a thought from the moment I left at the end of the day till the moment I returned in the morning. Left me time and energy to focus on my 'real' job search and other interests.

Oh, and many companies seem to now start on a term contracts before offering permanent so don't be put off by that when looking.

Thanks everyone!

Yes a lower stress job sounds amazing at the min but I don't know whether taking a hit financially at the moment is smart...

I also feel terrible for considering it because it'll mean even more work for my colleagues 😕

On the other hand, I had my first interview this week and one next week. I don't think I did particularly well in the first (first one in a very long time, and first virtual!)

I interviewed last week for a new role and was just told I was unsuccessful.

I do have some leave so wondering if taking a block of that may help but every other period of leave I've taken just ends up causing me much longer hours before and after because the work just doesn't get done.