Am I making a mistake?

[Ducksgoquackk]

I've been in my current job for 8 years and I hate it now. I wake every morning with anxiety, constantly feel sick, spend the day on the brink of tears. But it's a 28 hour contract and gives a good life/work balance. Apart from I spend the time I'm not working, thinking about it and am never really present at weekends. It also has a company car and decent pay.

I've just been offered a job in my previous industry - 40 hours a week over 4 days for the same money I earn now as I'd be going on just as a team member. Means I can work my hours, go home and not have any stress. But the hours are only guaranteed until September so I'm hoping it's just a stop gap so I can find something else. It also means I miss bedtime 4 days a week and have to look at getting a car on finance. It feels risky but all I really want at the moment is to go to work, do my hours, come home and enjoy my time with the kids but am I being selfish with the cost of living increasing to take a risk?

YABU - stay in the job you're in
YANBU - take the risk and change jobs

How about look for another job that isn’t a pay cut. Also 40 hours over 4 days sounds horrific

Don’t stay in a job that makes you feel constantly sick! Is there anything you can do to improve this in your current role? Is it to do with a manager’s attitude, pressure of deadlines? Definitely worth trying to address why it’s making you ill. If you’ve done this and there’s no way to change it, don’t stay.

Is the other job more, or less, pay? Unless it is more there is no benefit - you will be doing long hours and having to pay for a car. Look for another job.

Will 10 hour days really be less stressful?

Yes, you're making a mistake. Rather try for a third option.

What's your pay rate like? Could you find similar easily in September, or when people are looking for Christmas staff? Why is your current job causing so much stress?

I would look for another job for definite; having experienced work stress and the impact it can have on your whole life I’d be tempted to take this other job just to get out of the place you’re in even with the downsides of it.

I agree with pp's, this isn't a good alternative.

Doesn't sound like a good switch. What's going on with your current employer?

So you’ll be doing 40% more hours for the same pay and lose quality time with your child/ren. Not to mention actually be worse off as you’d need to factor in car finance? And it could be all change again in 3 months?

I’d look for another job entirely where you’re earning the same hourly that you are now so actually gaining by working longer hours and not have the worry of going through the hassle of potentially job hunting again in the autumn.

I think take the risk. No point having more time off if you're stressed like that. Also means that your head will be in a better place to find a new job. You'll be happier and more confident.

it looks like you’re so stressed you’re considering any way out, which is understandable.

however, I think this would be out of the frying pan but into the fire. You’d trade current stresses for different ones and I think you need to step back and really think if it’s right. I don’t think it is, based on what you say

And potentially down on hours and income going into a winter where energy price rises are forecast to reach new levels.

I don't think we know enough about the OP's financial position or relative ease of finding a new role to recommend jacking it all in.

At 28 hrs a week, that leaves plenty of time for job hunting, additional training or even a second job/sideline. If you cracked on you could be working your notice over the summer and starting a new role in September.

I'm (helpfully) on the fence!

on one hand work stress is awful, especially at the point you're at, and this would give you a few months of less stressful income to look for a new job.

on the other hand, your current job gives you a lot more time to look for a new job. These days (but probably less so when I was your age) I'd be able to push aside the work stress & look for another job, knowing it was almost over.

Try to actively enjoy your time after work, play with the kids, make them laugh, hug them & DH. Work really isn't what matters xx

If you DO take the new job, contact some car rental places, I hired one for a few months at a very reasonable price. So much better than getting into a finance agreement for the short term.

Do it. You could use it as a stop gap to find the right balance of hours, pay and enjoyment.

That said, four 10-hour shifts will be quite exhausting. You could also just start applying for anything that would pay similar hourly rate but without such a toxic environment.

Both sound awful options. Keep looking.

Agree with pp’s that this might not be the solution you’re hoping for. I would actively try to seek a similar role to the one you have now but in a company that values work life balance. There are more around than you think, particularly since Covid.

Although more hours may be just as stressful/different stress there will be no taking my work home with me. I have always struggled to switch off but now I'm left feeling completely burnt out and although missing out on 4 evenings with kids I'm currently having to stay away from home in hotels for 2 weeks a month anyway. I'm at least hoping that I'll be able to switch off from this job as I will have no targets/KPIs/pressures to meet and spend more quality time with kids then over a 3 day weekend and be happier.

Thanks everyone - you have all pretty much said everything that has been on my mind over the last few weeks whilst I've tried to make a decision!

New job doesn't sound good, but having something to jump to before the first one wrecks your MH is worth it. Look actively in the meantime.