To stay or to leave a happy, comfortable job?

[finebutfedup]

I like my job. It is worthwhile, I am needed and appreciated on a daily basis. I’m lucky to be doing it. It’s in the public services. There are loads of good points:

• Great colleagues
• Non-competitive, collaborative work culture
• Good pay
• A chance to make a genuine difference to people
• Intellectually stimulating.
• Potential for excellent work-life balance (I struggle with this, but that’s because of me, not the job).

However. I’m really frustrated because my colleagues (and line manager especially) is sooo resistant to change and service development. I have ideas for new projects, things we could research, ways to get public feedback and engagement… all a big Nope. I suggested a new initiative today, something really exciting and could bring so much value to what we do. But manager just blandly said, ‘Ah yes but we do X, so we don’t need that.’ X being the old way. She wasn’t interested in hearing more about the new initiative, why I thought it could be good, nothing. Just killed it dead in the water. And it’s like that with almost everything. Her motto seems to be “if it ain't broke don’t fix it” but the sheer mediocrity and lack of ambition is extremely frustrating for me!

I work in a role which isn’t available everywhere. There’s only one employer for me within 50 miles, and that’s where I work. So if I were to move, I’d have to relocate which is a big deal because I’ve put roots down here. And there’s no way of knowing whether a new employer would have the considerable positives of my current workplace which aren’t to be sniffed at. For the same reason I’m as sure as I can be that my line manager (age 57) isn't going anywhere. And she’s said she’s here for at least another 10 years.

So, what would you do / suggest? My options seem to be:

1. Accept that no workplace is ever perfect, swallow my ambition, keep my head down and just work to get paid and count my blessings. Focus on embracing a healthy work-life balance. Work on feeling less frustrated and put-out. (YABU)

1. Uproot my life in search of greater career satisfaction, albeit a gamble because more ambitious workplaces may also be quite a bit more cut-throat and stressful (YANBU).

It's a tricky one as on paper aside from that one element it seems really positive- but I appreciate how frustrating it could be. Can you get a job elsewhere with the thing you studied? It would also be a shame to not use that qualification but of course not the end of the world.

Sorry I posted too soon!

I was in a similar position- rewarding job and worked in a good team, but little chance for progression and being realistic pay wasn't great. I took a leap of faith to another job which was somewhat related but for better pay, less stress, more chance to make changes and a difference. I don't get on with the team as well, not as they're horrible just as it's not as social and its smaller. I have no regrets in that I can now progress and I'm not worrying about money, but I do miss the job itself. Sometimes the grass is greener because it actually is, other times its greener as its fertilised with mature.

Stay where you are and do s master's related to where you want to go next

I would stay and think about moving up into a more senior position where you can start influencing change.
No workplace is 100% perfect and you sound like you’re generally happy.

One thing about public sector, is that its recognising that there is SO much work to be done, that it's not about doing 15 things poorly but 3 things well, there just isn't the capacity to do scattergun work. I would focus on the corporate priority areas and really deliver on those, or if that's not appealing then refocus on training.

Have you tried influencing, working around her, pursuing things yourself?

With your ideas, have you worked out how you would implement them, what the costs would be etc?

Can you see opportunities for sideways moves and/or future progression where you are? If not, then would probably move somewhere else with lots more job options because 30 more years (to pension age) is a lot with only one large employer in town!

Could you get the stretch you want outside work, by becoming a trustee of a charity, or doing a masters?

Could you raise this as an issue at your annual appraisal or ask for a meeting. I think it's a legitimate point to raise that there should be a mechanism by which new ideas are aired and considered, or that you yourself are ready to move up to a role where you get to implement some of your ideas.

Thanks everyone - some very sensible and measured advice, really appreciate it. I think you are right that there are too many positives here to jump ship, but my goodness I do feel stifled. The ideas about finding something interesting and challenging outside work are good ones, I never considered being a charity trustee before. The point you make @Timeforabiscuitabout doing 3 things well rather than 10 things badly is actually really appropriate, and I think probably the mindset of my boss. Perhaps I have more to learn from her than I sometimes think.

I just wish she’d throw me a stick or two!! Appraisal coming up in May so maybe I can find a way to raise it.

When you mention changes do you clearly articulate the payoffs and risks in a format she understands?

If it's about saving money, through innovation who else is increased in that objective? Can you get a mentor outside of your line manager and preferably higher?