About to quit the Civil Service, terrified

[Toooowarm]

I know it sounds dramatic. I've only been there a year, and I'm leaving due to cost of living.
Have been offered a job with a £6,000 payrise which will enable me to save and live a little more comfortably each month.

I also don't feel suited to office environments as I'm a little shy, and whilst I do enjoy chatting, I like to just get on with my work whereas some people like to chat allll day long, then wonder why they don't meet their stats.

Anyway, I'm worried they'll think I'm flaky and fickle. Having quit previous jobs, gossip spreads fast. I've literally arrived onto shifts and the whole place knows I'm leaving, having only told 1 person.

Then I have to keep explaining to people why I'm leaving. Obviously some are genuinely disappointed but I just find it all so awkward.

I know I'll get told I'm stupid to leave because of the pension, but I'm in my 30s and want a better quality of life/to be able to actually afford a flat on my own.

Not the same, but I left a job for a pay rise/promotion despite the job I was leaving having a great pension. It’s not much use to you in your 20s/30s if you can’t get by!

Thank you :) plus, it's apparently not as good as it used to be.
Leaving the CS is apparently not the 'done' thing to do. I just can't face all the gossip but I hope people will understand.

I lasted 7 weeks in HMRC before I went running back to the private sector as fast as I could. CS isn't for everyone, there's no shame in giving it a year before deciding it's not for you.

I think you need a lesson in not caring what random people think about you. It's ZERO of their business. Act for you, be a decent employee and do what you wish. My brother left the CS two years ago – he's very happy.

True, it isn't even necessarily what they think, it's just the way that the attention will be on me and everyone will know, as we work in a huge office where everyone talks.

Only thing I would say is it's concerning you say "apparently it's not as good as it used to be" I hope you have done a comparison to understand what you're losing and gaining? Have you checked what the pension is in your new job to compare take home? It's understandable to want to leave for more take home, it's a recurrent issue in the CS and has been in the press again this week, but I think it's really important you go into it with your eyes wide open understanding what the pros and cons are of the move, including the true value of the move.

Just to say as well if you've been in less than 2 years you will get your pension deductions refunded (I don't think you get a choice although someone can correct me if wrong).

When you are in your 30s and can barely afford to live alone, to be honest thinking about the pension you may or may not receive in 30+ years' time is not the number 1 priority.

I didn't know that about the refunds, thanks.

https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/retired-left-or-leaving/leaving-the-pension-scheme-before-pension-age/#3

@Toooowarm I do totally get that, but that doesn't mean you can't look into it to fully understand the situation, it might help you feel less terrified because then you are going into it with your eyes wide open rather than fearing what you don't fully understand. Then you can ignore anyone who bangs on about the pension because you know what you're doing.