AIBU - To leave job after 6 months

[lala66]

Hi,

I've been at my current job for 6 months, working in the NHS. I used to love it, but recently it's become very stressful. I'm on low pay, and basically at the bottom of the hierachal ladder. Despite this, my job has alot of responsibility. I've tried to suggest changes to make things more efficient, but unless you're at the top, you're just ignored. I'm essentially doing two different roles, but have no time to fulfil them. It's a new hospital so alot of the processes are pretty shaky and don't work in theory. My department is also short staffed so everyone is working doubly hard to get through things, so much so no one ever leaves on time. A patient made a complaint and I was pulled up on it, anyway they eventually found proof the patient had lied. It has however, left me with a sour taste in my mouth. I'm even more conscious about making mistakes now, and constantly worry because of the sheer work load. I don't want to give up and quit, but I feel like my time isn't respected and things that used to be a shared responsibility between staff, are my mine soley. I really wanted this job to work as it works great around my home life. But I'm so stressed and fed up when I get home, I find I can't switch off be fully present for my partner and son. I wanted to hang on for a year at least. To leave or stay? Discuss with line manager?

Thanks for reading if you got this far!

I work for NHS. I would say keep your head low, don't say anything to your manager and look for work in a different ward/department. One good thing about NHS is they provide generous pension and sick policy- look up your contract. Change is possible. However you have to be in the job for longer than 6 months to be taken seriously. You also need to be very diplomatic and constructive about your suggestions

If you're miserable, then find something else. You're a long time at work.

In future interviews, it's ok to be honest and say that the work environment/expectations changed quickly after you joined, and it wasn't for you.

I have done this personally (joined a company, and my new boss hated his job and was miserable, they reneged on an agreement to support with a professional qualification, colleagues were lazy and unmotivated, there was no performance management at all, no energy from senior management to change anything, everyone got the same payrises every year, regardless of how hard they had or hadn't worked).

It may have meant i haven't been considered for some roles, but I found a new job quickly, and have gone on to change jobs a couple more times in the 7 years since.

I'm always very honest about that particular experience in interviews, and I've never had any feedback stating it was a concern.

It’s fine to look for another job if it’s just not working out. 6 months is only a red flag to a new employer if you only ever stay anywhere 6 months, if it’s once or twice it’s just being aware enough to understand it’s not a good fit.

I wouldn’t leave without a new job lined up though.