To feel like a failure for leaving the Civil Service?

[Lookingforanewjob34]

I'm in an EO job that is making me ill with stress and I'm looking to leave ASAP, I'd even happily downgrade back to AO.
I asked about returning to my old AO role in another department but I was told they were not recruiting.
I am applying for other CS roles but anyone in the CS and even maybe out of it will know what a slow process this is.
People are telling me I'd be foolish to leave because of the pension. I do understand this but there are other places with a respectable pension, even if not as good as the CS, and for me this is not a reason to stay in a job you hate.
I've seen several interesting roles I like the look of and currently applying. Some of them need a DBS which I currently have in progress so it won't be months and months of waiting. Even if I stayed, there's no guarantee I'll get another CS role, I know they are competitive.
Has anyone else left? Some people are insisting i stick it out because leaving the CS is not the done thing.

Public sector pensions are just used as a decoy to make you feel better about getting underpaid for life compared to what you'd get in a private sector job.

With a private sector job I get the money guaranteed now and can choose to put more in private pensions or investments if I don't like my employer's match rate. Plus I choose how much goes in and where it goes. If I need more money one month for my own costs I can control that.

My FIL worked hard for a pension all his life and died a year before he could claim anything anything.

I'm stressed as in not sleeping well and often feel sick in the evenings but don't feel like I'm sick enough to warrant going on WRS if that makes sense. I don't know what happens but when I switch on the PC I just shut down and zone out, can't take in what's in front of me.
Would going off sick affect my references for future roles?

Who did you email exactly?

I left a HEO job because I was bullied out of it. Long story, not for here. Made me a much stronger person and I don't regret leaving one little bit.

It can be an incredibly toxic work environment, I have a friend who is still there and the toll it's taking on her is not worth it.

You only live once and money isn't everything! People thought I was mad to leave too, but I valued my health over the pension that I may or may not live long enough to get!

Best of luck OP.

There was someone on here last year that figured out promotion was more achievable by dipping in and out. It really worked for her. Public/private/public/private/public.

She jumped through the loops at record speed.

I've been an EO for 25 years, in various roles, and in that time I've seen people of all grades leaving the CS. Some come back again and one person I know has come back twice!
I can't say I've ever thought (or heard anyone else say) they were crazy to leave. Everyone has different circumstances and move jobs to suit their lifestyle and needs.
Do what's right for you!

If you really hate your CS job it's not worth it making you ill. A working life is usually 40 years. Too long to do something you don't enjoy. There's the old saying if you do something you love it won't feel like you are working a day in your life. Think about what you'd enjoy doing and what your skills are then apply for those jobs. You'll get one eventually. Don't give up your CS job until you set another job and keep your attendance good as new jobs often ask how many sick days have been taken. I was a teacher and even with the huge workloads I loved my job. I loved seeing kids develop and get the grades they needed to enable them to follow their dreams. I also knew many teachers who hated their job and were literally counting down the years and days until they could retire.

One of the great benefits of the CS is the working conditions (sick pay, EAP, supportive management structure - in theory at least). Have you reported the stress as an accident at work, talked to your line manager, spoken to Occupational Health, explored possible adjustments to your role? I'd be tempted to do all these things. - doesn't stop you looking for external roles too. A few tweaks and the job may be perfect for you.

Those are good suggestions, I'm basically doing the CTU compliance caseworker for anyone who's heard of it. I'm sure some people will say what's all the fuss about it's very straightforward etc.
They can extend it but I don't enjoy any aspect of the role, my line manager wants to have 100 meetings a week. If we receive an email she will call you just to see if you've received the email. Yes we have, why wouldn't we?
I know i will hate this job and that I need to get out ASAP sadly.

I don't feel comfortable talking to my line manager about this tbh.

Are there any EOI opportunities you could apply for? Or any temporary roles? These tend to be filled quickly.
Even within my agency there are EO grade roles that are much much harder than others (line manage 10 remote workers).
On the other hand where I work now everyone, even SCS work very hard.

It depends. If it’s making you really ill then leave. However, approaching my 50’s I’m very grateful for a fantastic pension with early retirement a possibility. Some of my friends have little or no pension & have no choice but to work until 70+.

I don't know how you've got the impression that it's not the done thing to leave the civil service, retention is awful because the pay is so bad.

Which leads to stress is due to constant shortages and having to train New people all the time, who then leave because they've got a better job elsewhere.

Then there's the people who see their sick pay as an allowance that's there to be used.

Having a experience in both areas. I would say do what is best for your current situation. Life is short and no one knows tomorrow. So if you want to explore other options, gain more experience, earn more money go try out the private sector. If you want to come back to CS after sometime when your circumstance change and you want more flexibility you can always apply back to CS. The sky is the limit, don't let expectations for the future limit your present decisions. The private sector also offer decent pension 10-15%. So either way u will get some kind of person when the time comes. Most people will get they large pension and only enjoy it for 5-10yrs max, some may not even get to enjoy it at all. So don't stay in a job for a pension, get a job u like doing, build your financial flexibility, get a house, car, save for you kids schooling, think of the near to medium term. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Do what's best for you and listen to your gut. If you are young this is the time to explore. No matter what job u go to u will be getting something for retirement, so don't let the % limit you.