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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU TO QUIT MY JOB BEFORE...

45 replies

pampam12 · 04/02/2018 15:25

Having anything else lined up or even know what I want to do?

I changed my regular username, I am a regular poster/commenter but I don't want to be outing. I also need some fresh, unbiased opinions

Basically I hate my job to the point I just dread going there. The pressure, my boss, the clients.... etc. I recently tried to leave but I didn't get that job (very specific job, a lot of competition-around 9 people on a single opening). I am obviously disappointed with a hint of depression (haven't been sleeping well etc)

AIBU to consider putting in my notice (I have to give them a month) and just figure out what I want to do? There seem to be no jobs going around. The idea of starting a business seems nice, I might have the budget for it but again- I have no clue what I want except the idea of opening a beauty salon

Are there any stories that ended up well when you quit your job without having anything lined up?

OP posts:
AlonsosLeftPinky · 04/02/2018 15:28

Depends, can you manage financially for a prolonged period of time? If so then crack on. If not then you'd be a bit daft.

TinyBarista · 04/02/2018 15:28

Have you the means to support yourself whilst you look for a new job, and consider for how long?

Life is really too short to compromise on your happiness and mental health, we spend an awfully long time at work... but then again financial security is equally important and biggest cause of depression.

Would you consider employment in other fields whilst you search in your current industry or develop your self employment idea?

Snowysky20009 · 04/02/2018 15:29

How long can you mange financially without job?

WetsTheVet · 04/02/2018 15:29

Get signed off with stress and find another job.

TheQueenOfWands · 04/02/2018 15:29

No, but I can tell you the story of when I didn't quit my job and it led to a complete mental breakdown.

If going to work is making you that miserable then you really shouldn't be going. Your job shouldn't he making you that unhappy.

I've been there, it's horrendous.

ilovesooty · 04/02/2018 15:30

Can you afford to do this financially?

It is easier to secure employment when you're already in a job

ChelleDawg2020 · 04/02/2018 15:30

Depends whether you can afford it. Realistically you will be out of work for at least a month, possibly much longer. You health is more important than money but unless you can get a doctor to agree you need to leave you can forget about getting benefits for the foreseeable future - as far as the government will be concerned, you quit a perfectly good job for no reason so you will be left to fend for yourself financially.

ilovesooty · 04/02/2018 15:31

There are implications to being signed off and attending interviews elsewhere.

ButteredScone · 04/02/2018 15:31

Don’t do it. Really. Take a deep breath and DISENGAGE.

Then focus on getting a new job. Send your cv out to other recruiters and let them do the work.

Original poster
pampam12 · 04/02/2018 15:31

I also wanted to mention (but I pressed send too soon) that it's so hard to look while employed here. 9-6, getting home fucking tired AND it's hard to take time off for interviews

I have quite a good pot of savings, I could do probably 6-7 months with no income, but I'd love it not to be more than 2.... as I don't want to ruin my savigs

OP posts:
Original poster
pampam12 · 04/02/2018 15:32

@TheQueenOfWands Thanks for your reply. So how did things sort out in the end?

OP posts:
Original poster
pampam12 · 04/02/2018 15:33

@ButteredScone I could probably suck it out a bit longer... but it's hard to take time off for interviews and they want you to interview during the day, not outside work hoursAngry

OP posts:
Original poster
pampam12 · 04/02/2018 15:34

Oh fuck. Have I mentioned my contract expires at the end of March (determined period) and I might be sacked? My boss doesn't exactly love me

OP posts:
PoisonousSmurf · 04/02/2018 15:35

Now that you mention a healthy pot of savings, then go for it! Quit and look for something you enjoy doing. But be careful about opening a business. Most fail in the first year and suck money dry!

GlitterGlue · 04/02/2018 15:36

What about looking into agencY work? A friend who hated her job picked up a six month contract a while ago, and is still there. Would give you a bit of breathing space and avoid an awkward gap on your cv.

toomuchlikehardwork · 04/02/2018 15:38

Wait for your contract to finish and then if anyone asks why you left you can say the contract ended as opposed to saying you left.

TheQueenOfWands · 04/02/2018 15:40

pampam I was signed off sick. Was like a ghost for about a year, shaken up, frozen completely lost myself. Was like that for about 6 months.

SSP only lasted a while so went onto ESA where the Jobcentre dragged me in frequently and interrogated me about it (despite having a sick note) which I couldn't cope with so found another job and built my hours up gradually.

That was about 4 years ago. Still on antidepressants and meds for anxiety/panic attacks but I am getting better.

It was definitely the job, not me. Looking back I think I was employed to be the company scapegoat. From day 1 I was being accused of things, blamed for things and had a couple of outright lies made up about me. Looking back it seems unreal, like a twisted dream or something.

Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Dozer · 04/02/2018 15:42

If it’s a fixed term contract (?) the end of the contract without offer of another one isn’t being sacked.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 04/02/2018 15:44

I did it. I had family financial help and I'm technically working for my parents but you need to be very proactive to avoid cv gaps

GeorgeTheHamster · 04/02/2018 15:53

I think part of the reason that it is easier to find a job while you already have one is that you are more relaxed less desperate in interviews. I wouldn't quit until you at least have a firm plan and ideally something lined up.

OutToGetYou · 04/02/2018 15:55

Surely you can disengage enough and keep going until the end of March, it's only another 7 weeks.

Do you have any accrued holiday? If your holiday year started 1st Jan then you'd get around 2 days per month, minimum (though you maybe took one 1st Jan as it was a Bank Holiday) so you should have 5 or 6 up to end March - use these to give you some respite and/or for interviews.

Even if no interviews, you could book a day of holiday every week to give you a bit of a break. Or book one week off in the middle of the seven weeks.

I have to the end of April until my fixed term job ends, I don't entirely hate it but I'm not keen on it. I've agreed to go down to three days a week until then so I can cope with it (long commute as well) - 3/5ths of the pay, obviously, but worth it and I have managed to find some freelance work which has made up the pay. I have holiday to take as well, two days carried forward I have to take, if I use one from this year too I will have a week off in March.

No idea what I'll do in April but am definitely counting the weeks!

NotAgainYoda · 04/02/2018 15:55

I did. I left it too late so I became depressed and it took me 4 months of not working before I seriously looked for another job. It never held me back, but then I did not return to what I'd been doing.

Just do it. If you can't get your head straight while you are still there then you may have to. And yes, not getting your contract extended is not being sacked. It's perfect, if you can stick it for that long. You then leave by mutual consent

CantSleepClownsWillEatMe · 04/02/2018 16:01

If your contract expires at the end of March why not stick with it until then but decide now that you're not renewing it. Knowing that it's coming to an end should hopefully help you mentally disengage so you're not feeling anxious and stressed going in each day for the next 8 weeks.

Then you'd have that time to make a concerted effort to find something new. Yes, I know you're tired in the evenings but isn't everyone, do it anyway Wink. So it's hard to get time off for interviews but hey, if you've already decided you're done in March what do you care about being pushy and insisting you need that half day or to leave early?

Just taking some control will make you feel a lot better.

DerelictWreck · 04/02/2018 16:01

If can you afford the worst case then do it.

But bear in mind that 9 people for 1 opening is not competitive so it may actually get much worse - we get around 70-80 applicants for roles like PA and Events managements, down to about 40 for Director roles or research positions, and we're a small company no-one has heard of!

Best of luck

Italiangreyhound · 04/02/2018 16:10

@pampam12 I think being me, and cautious, I would not leave unless there is another person supporting you or you have loads of money to support yourself.

I have left a part-time job with nothing to go to but my dh was, and is, the main bread winner and I managed to get another job within about 2 months.

If your mental health will be impaired then just go. But if you can manage it then stick it out, put all your energy into finding the new job.

Good luck.

PS I am not sure that employers can stop you going for interviews during work time but you may need to take it as annual leave. Either you tell them what you are doing, which can be hard, or you just are mysterious about appointments and why you need them. I did that about fertility treatment.

worksmart.org.uk/work-rights/hours-and-holidays/holidays/am-i-allowed-time-attend-job-interview

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