To walk out of my job right now?

[CulturalBear]

My worklife is currently miserable. I've been back 4 months since maternity leave and the company - and especially my department - is in chaos. We have no manager, the manager above us has been elbowed out for no real reason (we believe a personality clash with the CEO).

We have had a recruitment freeze in our department - and we are especially short in my team. People have been brought in by the CEO's office (on dodgy contracts - they're practically incapable but they were friends with the right people) to do elements of our job without any consultation with or explanation to us - (paid from our budget, to boot).

The former unofficial team leader has gone to another department but continues to interfere with our work.

Our divisional boss, who knows nothing about our area, will take the side of anyone who complains to him without asking us for advice, or explaining anything to us.

People in the wider company are failing to consult with us about matters of critical importance - and then we are receiving backlash for only finding out late in the day.

I am this close to walking out, right now. I feel undermined, completely powerless and at breaking point. I have a huge mountain of work and some very busy pinch periods coming up.

Most frustratingly of all, this all seems to stem back to events that took place while I was off - yet I have been tarred with the same brush with no opportunity to discuss the issues with the CEO, with whom I used to have a strong professional relationship.

I've been looking for new jobs but I am in a specialist role and would struggle to find enough money to cover childcare if I had to take a paycut.

AIBU to just walk out? I know it is irresponsible but I don't think I can see another way through right now...

Oh you poor thing. Don't walk out though, go and see your doctor, get signed off. Deep breath and hugs and everything.

You could walk out and leave, but be aware that depending on your contract you may, if you received any, have to pay back some of your maternity pay.

no opportunity to discuss the issues with the CEO, with whom I used to have a strong professional relationship.

If you have a good relationship, how about a "haven't had a chance to catch up since I've been back at work" drink one evening? Find out what is going on from the top.

I've done more than the 3 months required by my contract to avoid having to payback mat pay (though good call).

Do you have to pay back maternity leave? Can you afford to just walk out (eg do you need to give childcare notice?).

I would, in your position, write out your resignation now for the period you are contracted eg 1 month or 3 months etc. Then knock on the door of the CEO, or send an email, to let him know that you are resigning and you'd like the chance to talk it over with them before you do.

Can you not organise a meeting with the CEO to discuss the situation? Is this all a short term issue that will eventually resolve, or is the company a ship that is gradually sinking?

for you. As shit as it Is, I wouldn't walk out. Sorry it is so shit though.

Is it sort out able ? Have you got anything to lose by having a meeting with a manager or similar and telling them what is going on.

I wouldn't walk out either. If you don't feel you can change your current working situation then you need to find a new job, you are much more attractive to a prospective employer while you still have a job. It will take time to find the right position but you will get there. Good luck.

I would request to speak to the CEO. They may be unaware of the full scale of the problems and may be glad you informed them. I would try to do this confidentially however to protect your own back.

That thing about paying back your maternity doesn't always stand, as often you may have accrued more in holiday pay than they gave you in Mat pay. So effectively they may owe you money. None of this was mentioned in the many threatening "you WILL have to pay back your maternity pay" letters sent to me when I was in a similar situation!

Check it out first though!

The company's been having issues ever since I joined two years ago (not related btw, at least I don't think so!). They are reaching a crisis point now. We have yet another period of interim managers coming up, so the turmoil will continue, and there is no immediate resolution to the staffing issues foreseeable until probably January.

It doesn't matter what we suggest (and there being budgets in place to accommodate plans) we are being blocked by red tape.

I'm inclined to go to the soon-to-be-departed boss and lay it all out but I am very concerned about appearing weak - he says he values my talents and has offered to assist with finding good roles in the future. In fact, he's been urging me to jump ship before it goes down for a while, but opportunities aren't amazingly forthcoming.

Would need to check about nursery. Would be gutted to take DS out - he absolutely loves it and I'm not sure how good I'd be at being a SAHM.

I like the idea of taking a letter to the CEO. He is a very strong-willed man though and appears to be refusing contact from anyone in the department.

Sadly, the CEO is very aware of the situation - there is a mass grievance going on against someone in the department. He's distancing himself as much as possible.