To consider quitting my job?

[waitingondr]

First off, I'm mortgage free and in a fairly economical flat. I don't drive and therefore don't have those expenses. I live with my ds (14) and am separated.i have savings equivalent to 4 yrs salary.
My job is part time (24 hrs) and I travel by train. I'm £200 for transport. The job is slightly above minutely wage so I'm not left with much at the end of the month. I'm postgraduate qualified and worked in this field until my son was born 14 yrs ago. I then had a break and was a childminder for 7 years until I worked in my job 3 years ago, so this job is great in many ways. I saw it as a stepping stone for future career. I deal with hr ( my background and qualifications), health and safety, and do a lot of policy and procedure writing. I was initially taken on to answer the phone and do basic all round admin but they've used me well and I've been happy with that. I'd be bored doing otherwise. I'm happy going to work in the morning. I fit in swimming every day because it's part time.

The thing is, it's so nice and easy and can't seem to find momentum to leave. But I know my take home pay is poor and there are no frills. In last last year I've dealt with a marriage breakup, being left to clear and renovate a house to sell, buy a flat, an ex dh who attempted suicide and was near death for weeks, being his only visitor, my D'Ss anxiety in dealing with the fall out with this. And my work didn't pay me even one day when I had to visit visit hospital to see if ex would live. I'm never off!

Sorry this is long. I'm going on a 3 week holiday to Japan with Ds. Haven't been abroad for years. I'm thinking of just handing my notice in. It'll give me a chance to breathe, spend summer with my Ds during holidays, and push me to find something else more suitable and with more money. Tbh anything more local on minimum wage will mean I'm better off. Am I being silly to think about doing this?

Please leave your job! Hand in your notice, go to beautiful Japan and have a fantastic time with your DS. Signed the Mayor of Living!

Have you asked for a salary review of your role with your increased responsibilities? Strikes me that they wouldn't want to lose you.

In answer to your question, it depends how easy it would be for you to get a job elsewhere and how long you can afford it without one.

Another one for do it, and have an amazing time!

Absolutely do it!

They are taking the piss out of you . Jack it in and move on

Have you considered asking for a few months off without pay?

I completely agree with this. I don’t see how you wouldn’t come out of this in a better situation if you left.

Yes do it !!!!!!!!!!
What a wonderful opportunity you have , quit tomorrow and look forward to the summer and amazing adventures with your son .

I’m not sure. You say “I’m happy going to work in the morning” and I think that’s actually really, really valuable and probably quite rare.

if it were me, before I left I’d request an increase in salary. If they turned my notice down then I would probably resign but there’s a lot to be said for doing a job that you either don’t mind or enjoy.

Couldn’t you just take Parental Leave for four weeks? As I understand it your employer can’t deny it to you . But maybe I’m wrong about that? You give at least 21 days notice.

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave/notice-period

YANBU

Thanks so much for all of your comments, I'm taking them all on board. I agree with ifyoudontask, I've had jobs in the past I've been pretty miserable going to, but this one's quite pleasant - hence the problem I have in handing in the notice. I'd actually hang out with the director as friends out of work, she's so nice! The job is in a private nursery, so there's absolutely no chance in any wage increase. I know childcare is expensive, but it's difficult for childcare providers to make ends meet. That said, I also know any extra is paying towards the bosses pension. I don't think they'd be up for prolonged leave either, or even if I want that tbh.

I eBay every Christmas and make good money, so know I could turn my hand to that if I'm struggling. But surely I'd find something after a couple of months off work? I'm a good worker but know it was a struggle to get back into it all after childminding all those years. That's my worry. I've found my confidence these past three years though.

You’ve got a great skill set and can afford to be a bit choosy about what you do. Go for it and put yourself out there on LinkedIn etc.

Youve had a horrendous time and deserve some time to relax, reflect and look after yourself and your some. I wish you good times ahead.

It sounds to me as though you have plenty
of cash reserves to take some time out and probably deserve it with the upheavals you’ve had.

If you can't get increased pay, they may at least be up for changing your job title. That could help with a future job search.

What I'd actually do is get your CV tarted up and start looking at the job market. I wouldn't apply for anything now, but it's good to get an idea about what's available and what you're qualified for.

I can see it's tempting to walk away, but equally your current job allows you enough time to prep and interview for other roles.

If you find there are loads of local jobs available that you wouldn't mind doing, then yes take the gap, but unless you're financially very secure, I'd be wary about walking away from a role with nothing to go to.

Thanks again for your opinions. I've put my CV on indeed and I've had a few companies contact me. The one I was most interested in was a temp civil servant job (agency) working from home, but it had a short notice period because it was temp. I'm thinking i might hand my notice in.

I feel my family and friends would advise otherwise. Family : old fashioned worry about bills.
Friends: she must have done well out of her separation, she's lazy.
Probably in my head, but i'd be judged.