To be considering leaving a stable job in the current climate

[Jennarotersy]

And to ask WWYD?

I'm in a job for the civil service. It's not bad, It's fine in fact but the hours don't suit me (weird shifts that are always different, never the same days off, never the same start times more than twice in a row, it bothers me does the shift pattern, I am often exhausted).

It's also not in my field and I have been out of my field (academia) for a long while. It's okay pay, but I know I am worth more (It's pretty much a GCSE standard thing).

I am really envious of people who work from home. I've always dreamed of working from home.

I keep seeing WFH jobs in my field. With better hours, always same days off. And I'd be using my qualification and feel like I was a professional again.
But AIBU to even consider it? I would be hard pressed to get back into the civil service if I left. If I hate it, no going back. Private sector makes one so much more vulnerable and obviously i'd be back on a probationary period etc. I could lose everything. So tempted though because I am getting older and feeling like I deserve an easier life. What I do now is pretty stressful. I fantasise about never getting up at the crack of dawn and driving to an office again stuck in traffic, and working doing something I worked so hard for...

Am I mad?

Well I don’t think you’re being unreasonable to want to get back into your field. But there’s a lot to be said for job security and stability at this immediate point in time and the CS can offer you that. In your shoes, I’d be giving it six months or so to see what happens in the world and the impact on the economy. But I’m risk averse!

The other thing is that the Civil Service is massive and there are lots of opportunities for progression. If you feel you’re over qualified for your current role, what are you doing about seeing what other roles are out there at a higher grade? My department are recruiting at the moment and I’m sure they’re not alone. And a lot of us are working from home pretty much full time at the moment.

Isn’t it possible to apply for another Civil Service job? Then you can have security and a more interesting role?

The grass is not always greener. By that I mean it sounds like you are fantasising and romanticising about lazing around the house in between bits of work. You would still have a full time job to do.

Do you live alone or with a partner in work where there’s another wage coming if it goes wrong?

Ultimately, it’s your happiness. Does the thought of staying in that job for the next 12 months make you feel a little bit down? Or horribly depressed? There’s a difference.

I moved from my job of 5 years to a new employer in September having interviewed over the summer.
I can’t comment on the CS as I left that in 2003 but my experience of moving within private companies at this time has been really positive.

Thank you, some interesting views. I always feel a bit entitled asking people to help me but I am really bad at making decisions, and I've made a lot of bad ones in the past :( unfortunately.

calic0 wolfff I have searched many times and haven't ever found anything suitable within my part of the public sector. Odd perhaps but never have. There are some opportunities in different parts (NHS etc) but, they want more experience than I have. If I left and went private sector for a bit, maybe I could eventually get something like that, but not straight from what I do now.

dickbastardly You're right I am definitely fantasising I know that. And tht doesn't bode well for a good decision I realise.

Sorry for drip feed-what I do now is 6 shifts on, four shifts off. Some early shifts (6 or 7 am start), some mid (11 am or 1300 start and some nights). Always 10 hours.
The ones I've looked at vary slightly but are 3 or four shifts a week, all nights. I am very much a night person. I feel this would be so much an easier lifestyle. No rushing about, no working 6 days in a row, same days off-no juggling about with what days I have off. I miss things like being able to make a regular gym class, being able to arrange weekends knowing I am off work,not being as exhausted.

I have a mortgage just in my name, but I have a lodger, which helps. If it all went wrong I could survive and I'd ultimately take any job if I was dismissed/made redundant/whatever. But I realise how much of a risk this thought process is.

It makes me worried, that thought of staying there another 12 months. Because I'd have been a fairly newly qualified professional, who did that for a bit then didn't do it for another number of years and the more time lapses, the less chance of getting back into it-if that makes sense?
I'd like to be working professionally, I'd feel much better about myself than just 'doing a job'.

Thank you for the positive experience justbumbling.

I am really not good at life navigation.

I have a mortgage just in my name, but I have a lodger, which helps. If it all went wrong I could survive and I'd ultimately take any job if I was dismissed/made redundant/whatever. But I realise how much of a risk this thought process is.

If the lodger loses his job and moves out, you will only be receiving your income (or nothing, if you weren’t working). And a lodger, if they aren’t paying rent, they have no obligation to help you if they find other accommodation, compared to someone you were in a relationship with and wanted to support. Regarding your second sentence, that is the entire point of the situation we are in now. You may well be prepared to take on “any job” but so are a lot of other desperate people. It doesn’t guarantee you will get the job, even if you think you are overqualified for it.

It makes me worried, that thought of staying there another 12 months. Because I'd have been a fairly newly qualified professional, who did that for a bit then didn't do it for another number of years and the more time lapses, the less chance of getting back into it-if that makes sense?
I'd like to be working professionally, I'd feel much better about myself than just 'doing a job'.

Why are you worried about what other people think? Apart from maybe a fleeting thought, have you ever spent ages analysing someone else’s job role and thinking they made a bad decision and judging them on it? Because I haven’t, and if you haven’t either, why do you think people would do that to you?

You sound fine at life navigation. You sound like you want to put yourself out there but questioning potential drawbacks. That’s sensible.

Also, I obviously don’t know what your job is so this may affect this post, but just because you’re more of a night owl and got a job working from home doesn’t mean you could do all your work at night when you feel most active and keep your days to yourself. If it’s working from home but normal business hours you will need to be available 9-5 or as per the normal business operating times.

dickbastardly I really appreciate your help and detailed input, thank you. If you ever want to inbox me for any advice please feel free.

Anyway, lodger absolutely loves it here, obviously if one wants a guarantee they need to buy a toaster, but it is very doubtful that he will move out.

Yes, same reason I feel a bit mad and began this thread-to be even considering leaving the comfort I have now.

I have sometimes wondered why someone is doing a job when they're seeming to be far more experienced/qualified but only for a fleeting second and then that's that-never judged them on it. I am bothered that I am not using my quals, personally though. Which is why I've even considered it.

The position is definitely nights only. Thanks again for your input :)