Want to resign from a "very good-on-paper" job - am I being ungrateful?

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I have a very good-on-paper job, excellent pay, flexibility of WFH a few days a week, and good benefits. The company's name is good on my CV, work is not too stressful. However, I feel trapped by office politics, repetitive tasks, incompetent managers and colleagues, red tapes and an huge amount of bureaucracy. Everyone pushes everyone off to get onto the corporate ladder. But again, it pays well, flexible...

My friends and family think I am mad for wanting to resign under the current economic climate. However, I can feel this job is killing my spirit day by day, and I am not myself anymore...

I already grind my teeth for two years. Am I being ungrateful?

Unless you have a way to leave before finding a new job (i.e., lots of savings, partner works, etc), I don't think there is any harm to start looking around to see if you can find something better. You are right, on paper it sounds great! But YOU are the one that has to work there, not your friends and family.

It can't possibly be the only good-on-paper job in the world so look for another - similar benefits, better day to day satisfaction.

I wouldn't walk out of such a job with nothing to go on to, but would look widely for a better one.

Have you been looking for new jobs? Or are you meaning to resign without lining one up.

Have you looked in the last two years?

Thank you for the reply. Yes, I have, and got an offer. But the current company increased my salary by 40%, At that time, I felt the increase is worth the struggle and I was hoping things will improve. But it didn't.

I wonder if you have my old job 😂 I resigned.

I did feel very ungrateful and was lucky to be in a position to resign but it was the right decision for me.

How old are you?

Sounds like you're thinking the grass is greener

I have a similar job to what you've described, and yes it is dull but the company name is prestigious, full time WFH, loads of benefits, good money, etc etc

I will not give that up for more 'fun' at work

Hopefully it sounds like there are good prospects out in the market for you then.

I’d look around and make a move. Life is too short to be miserable at work. You might find you move somewhere and it’s no better but equally you might prefer it.

You're not ungrateful. You would be foolish to resign without a job to go to, unless very comfortable financially, but if the new job is enough money for you, that is good enough IMO.

Loads of people leave jobs they don't like.

Thank you for the reply. I can handle the dullness as there can be meaning in mundane work. But it is that plus office politics, red tapes, the feeling of I am wasting my life and the whole American corporate culture - adding them together really is killing me.

@minipie - Could you please share your experience? I am feeling so alone on this now. Would love to hear from someone who has gone through the same situation.
Thank you so much.

Do you have enough savings to realistically see you through the period to getting a new job?

A 40% pay increase to convince you to stay is a serious gesture from the company. They obviously value you greatly. It’s a real pain to recruit/train up/induct someone new. I think that loyalty and deep organisational knowledge are extremely valued in these days of people being able to jump ship quite easily due to online interviews and the ability to work for organisations further away from home.

Could you talk to them about moving internally? Do you have anyone there who is, or could be, a good mentor, in whom you could confide about the politics and other downsides? You do seem to be in a strong position to get them to make changes.

Yes, I do. The thing is, this job has made me so unhappy and mentally exhausted that I want to take a 6 months break from work, which I can just about to afford. This added another layer of guilt to my situation.

I relate to a lot of this.

I find comparison is helpful / helps me focus on the positives.

My previous job were not flexible longer hours and harder for less pay (circa 80k)
But the people were humans and I had "work friends"...
The people I work with now just...aren't normal.. totally fake and everyone is will shaft everyone else while staring into their eyes smiling.
It's nuts and sometimes I think I am going crazy.

Honestly the only thing that kept me sane is I got my "sabbaticals" in the form of mat leaves. The break really helps me detach and get perspective....
I'm about to go on my 2nd 🎊🎊🎊praise jesus!

I am similarly stuck as the money and flex are increasingly important due to 2x under 3s when I go back and honestly I don't think I could cope with a really demanding role due to the sleep deprivation so it makes my decision a lot easier.

You sound like you want permission to quit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laws-Power-Robert-Greene-Collection-ebook/dp/B0041G68Z0?ref_=ast_author_mpb

This book may help if you stay with the company

@GreatGateauxsby - Oh, thanks god for sharing your experience. My last company paid me much less and the work was very stressful and had long commute too. But, it was a very warm environment, full of human touches. People worked as a team and we hang out as friends. I was happy! The current job has none of that.
I am single and don't have any responsibility apart from mortgage, and living in London can be expensive.

People will always say you’re mad to leave in the same way people always think other people have it easier. If you have a decent amount of time spent there and just aren’t happy, definitely go looking! Best of luck op!

I'm in a well paid, good benefit package, decent work load situation and I hate it. My soul is crushed every day. This is because my manager is utterly vile and people are not that friendly.

I'm going for an interview tomorrow for 8k less but ANYTHING to get out of this situation!

I see and hear you

I would find another job first before you resign.

@Mehmeh22 exactly, it is soul crushing every day. How can such a good-on-paper job be so bad. It is ironic that when I got the offer, I described this job as "perfect" to my family and friends.
Do you think it is too risky to resign without a new job lined up as I don't think I can stay long enough to find a new job. I need to dig into my savings and can afford it for six months.

What about going off sick for as long as possible before doing that? I wouldn't resign without a job to go to. Just keep applying for stuff.

I am also very disappointed at how my job turned out.

I had a job like this, probably the best I have ever had (on paper). Great salary, no extra hours, easy work, great location, lovely building, benefits etcetera. But, my God the people were dull and my boss was beyond incompetent (which crated stress). I used to start very early so I could leave early and I'd be watching the clock. There was no vibe in the office, lots WFH and I could go a whole day without really speaking to anyone. I knew I had to leave when I felt a feeling of dread every morning when I walked through the doors, it was making me depressed. I lasted 6 months. Leave, life is far too short. I have zero regrets.

I'll add I didn't have a job to go to, but was ok with that. I knew if I stayed much longer my mental health would go down the toilet. I got another job in a month, but it is a risk of course.

@Passingthethyme - Yes! exact that. I also start early and leave early just to avoid the office. Some people would kiss the manager's ass every minute while even not brother to say "hello" and "goodbye" back to you. It is dreadful and unbelievable at the same time. It is so hierarchical, they check out your title first and then decide how to talk to you. I have never worked in a place like this. Believe it or not, I work one day a week at my local bar so just I can get some normal human interaction without thinking I am going mad.

I had a job like this. Hated it despite the great pay and flexibility. I was made redundant and have struggled to get another job. Don’t leave before you have something else to go to. It’s tough out there.