To hand in my notice tomorrow with no other job lined up?

[resigningg]

I've been at my job a year and a half and have tried to push through it, but it's not a good fit. I ended up being signed off for 2 months last year because my mental health was so badly affected, since then I've started antidepressants and had counselling. My mental health is a lot better in general, but I still hate the job. It constantly takes me out of my comfort zone and just isn't the right fit. I've spoken to my line manager and had a few temporary adjustments made to the role to support me, but they are ending now. The job isn't what I expected when I applied, and I've tried to get used to it but I just can't.

I have savings, and my family are supportive of my decision and are the ones encouraging me to hand in my notice as they see the impact it has had on me.

I have a few ideas for next steps, I've seen a few jobs to apply for which are similar to my previous role which I enjoyed, although I'm technically overqualified and they would involve taking a pay cut. I've also been considering applying to study nursing and going down that route.

I just feel like there must be something better out there more suited for me, at the moment my view of life/the world is very bleak.

I did it in 2020, for the same reasons you mentioned. I was so stressed out, I was averaging 3 hours sleep a night, after 6 months I said enough was enough. I had DP's full support and enough money saved for a few months worry-free. As it happened, I did land another job almost immediately, in a very similar employment market to what we have now.
You need to look after yourself, good luck x

OP my advice to you would only have been not to ask for advice or opinions as everyone had a different risk appetite and have different circumstances so that's just inviting noise and opinion that may not be helpful.

Have the courage of your convictions. It sounds like a pretty solid low risk plan to me (and that's from someone who has submitted my resignation today with no new job lined up). I've told no one because only I can make the best decision for me.

Very best of luck to you and may this be a great year for us both !

In your position, I'd resign with immediate effect

Screw working a two month notice

It will be the longest two months of your life

It's so reassuring to hear others have been through this and are out the other side!

I'll definitely work my 2 months notice as I know there'll need to bring in someone to replace me, and I'd need to handover my projects. I'm not sure what to say when I'm asked why I'm leaving/what I'm doing next. I want to leave on a positive note, and truthfully it's not my employer or colleague's fault that I am unhappy in the role, it's just it isn't the right fit and I've put so much time, effort and tears into trying to settle into it and I can't.

I’d just be honest.

Just say that. You appreciate how supportive everyone has been but its not the right fit even with the accommodations they've made so you think its time to move on.

This morning has really confirmed this isn't the right role for me and that it's time for me to leave. I feel so anxious and on edge constantly. I have the email to my manager typed out all ready to go, but I'm not sure if I should ask for a call first to say it in person before I send the email?

I emailed and they were really angry with me as it came out the blue so I could ask for a teams call first.

I'd definitely call it's far more professional, good luck!

As someone else mentioned, it’s always easier finding a job if you’re currently in one. So I’d focus my energy on applying for other jobs right now if I were you.

The process will also help with your mental health as it’ll take your mind off your current job and help you look to the future.

on a couple of occasions where I had to leave a job without finding another first, I struggled for ages to find another job. Prospective employers somehow view a candidate as more of a “catch” if you’re currently working. In the end, I settled for roles with less seniority or indiscriminately took whatever job I was offered just so I can get back on the career ladder. Also, being at home without work had a detrimental effect on my mental health even though I had savings. This is obviously not always the case or everyone’s experience; there will be those who have opposite experiences. I’m just speaking from my own personal experience.

my advice is: devote your attention & energy to finding another role that’s more fulfilling and rewarding. Then leave.

If it's having that much of an impact on your mental health, I would go off sick again while looking for another job.

DP has just done that. There were other situations at play within the dynamic at work though.

I would but I'm already worried about having future job offers withdrawn due to my attendance so want to avoid any more time off

Knowing you're leaving will be a boost

You need to be a little bit careful doing this depending on where you want to work next. Im NHS and in my trust the reference specifically asks how many sick days the employee has had in last 12 months.

Do it 1000000%, I did it in my early twenties and never looked back. Quit my first job (in a very competitive sector) and it wasn't me, it was them... Just make sure you start applying for things before you go , 😜

What happens if they see you have low attendance? I was hoping to apply for NHS jobs. My low attendance was supported by letters from my GP, and I engaged 100% with occupational health and the return to work - would that have any merit?

Now I'm panicking that I need to stay another year to have a better attendance :(

@resigningg tbh in my experience it doesn't really make much difference whether it's certified by GP or not, it's still sickness absence.
In my trust, if they wanted to offer you a job but didn't like your level of sickness absence. they would send you for Occ Health assessment. They would be looking for reassurance from Occ Health that this is not a recurring problem resulting in considerable sick leave.

I know 2 people this has happened to, one had 1 period of 4 weeks and the other had 3 or 4 shorter absences. They both had to discuss the circumstances around the absences with OH, what treatment they had, what relapse prevention they had in place etc
Both still got the job they'd gone for

@resigningg I wouldn't stay in the job you're just going to be ill again. Register with a temp agency and get back on track health-wise.

I'm not sure what to say when I'm asked why I'm leaving/what I'm doing next

Say nothing or be vague. They aren't owed an explanation. Mental health break, reassessment of your career, commute's too long.....

I worked in a job that was a poor fit culture wise and after a humiliating incident, I tried to hand in my notice (no job lined up) but my line manager talked me out of it. A couple of months later I found a part-time job paying more. I took a small pay cut in my take home as I moved from 5 to 3 days, but the difference to my mental health m was immense. I actually enjoyed going to work- it wasn’t perfect but I was happy there. I’m still there 6 years later.

My current job suits me well. I work really well autonomously, and my MD trusts me and lets me get in with it. The old job was full of micromanaging middle managers who treat all the staff like idiots who needed to be kept in line. It wasn’t me- all of my colleagues left within a year or two.

I have also left jobs without another to go to as I moved around a bit when I first married. I had jobs lined up within a month of moving. My back up plan was to temp if I didn’t get a perm job within a couple of months.

Now I think back, I don’t actually remember an employer asking me why I left a job. It was also really easy to job hunt whilst I wasn’t working, as I was immediately available for interviews, to take calls from agencies etc.

Good luck in finding something else. It will feel like a weight has been lifted when you resign.

I resigned after being very stressed and anxious constantly. For about two years. I gave a months notice and found a temp job not long after I left. I then got offered a permanent job and a permanent position at the temp job.