Can you help with advice regarding work?

[Mockingbird44]

I’m really struggling with my job at the moment. I have had 4 managers in the last year and each of them have made me prioritise a certain way of working only for it to be scratched when the new person comes in. Each have left within around 3 months of each other.

Currently our director is stepping in as our manager but whenever problems are risen to him he sort of acts like they’re above his level (which they are but there isn’t anyone else)

Each day I wake up and I feel like I am drowning. Like I have no sense of purpose. I don’t have any motivation anymore for the job. Other areas of my life I’m happy with:

I was thinking of speaking to HR but I’ve been warned by other managers that if I dare to question the authority of the director, my life would basically not be worth living so I’m hesistant to do that and believe that would be true. He’s a very outlandish character and he’s worked there 35 years.

I was considering being signed off with stress just to have a breather for a while and recalibrate myself but if I start applying for new jobs this will surely go against me wouldn’t it :(

I’ve been in my current job 2 and a half years so I guess that gives a little protection. I’m guessing I’m asking what would you do?

Life is too short to spend the majority of your day in an environment that makes you unhappy. Does this job offer any upsides? Eg short commute, good hours? If not then I'd be looking for another job. If you like the place but not the boss then I'd be looking for an internal move to another department.

I'd look for another job too , life's too short

I would recommend getting a new job while no one can say anything bad about you. Once you go down the long term sickness route you'll wreck your confidence and sense of ability to get a better job.

Start applying for another job, while in this one.

Just applying for other positions, will lift your spirits and make you feel more in control.

Start applying for other jobs, there is a reason why 4 managers have been and gone and I doubt the situation will improve.

If you've experienced why the managers haven't worked out, and he doesn't really have capacity to sort things out, why don't you go to him with a proposal of what you think the best approach is and ask if you could be given a promotion to roll it out?

I was thinking of speaking to HR but I’ve been warned by other managers that if I dare to question the authority of the director, my life would basically not be worth living so I’m hesistant to do that and believe that would be true

If that's the case then I'd be hesitant to adopt @GoodChat 's solution, despite it being sensible with a reasonable director. Is he the reason the managers have left? if so, you are on a hiding to nothing here. Polish up the CV and sound out a few recruitment agencies if you can - temping's better than that sort of situation.

If he's not the reason the managers have left then that sort of turnover is a red flag - add the director on top and you have a shitshow you're best out of.

I guess it depends whether he's likely to view it as her challenging him or her being proactive and taking pressure off him.

I was in a similar situation and worked on getting out without going off sick. It was difficult and I used a LOT of affirmation type apps and talks etc to keep me going, as well as talking to people outside of work for encouragement and support. After 5 applications and 4 interviews I got an offer. This was usual as for the last 20 years my ratio had been 1:1 for application:appointment but my job had really worn me down. The new role also involved a paycut, but no noticeable drop in seniority for my CV and lots more opportunity to progress as my new working environment actually functions.
My approach became to apply regardless of pay and instead look for roles I thought I would enjoy. And to work through the night at weekends to do applications as my job had became too stressful to do them at any other time - but it was all worth it.