Should I quit my high stress job and just see what happens?!

[Shallijustgo]

I want to leave my job of 2 years. I've been on/off about it for a year but now think I have to go. I changed from public service to private company and whilst I expected a change in pace, it's actually more the people we work for and the work itself. I am constantly stressed and boss says we can't afford to bring someone else in (which I get in a small business ) Its a good paying role £55k and I am 3rd in charge. When it's good it's good but when it's bad it's awful, I can't sleep, workload is overwhelming. The team are great but I just have had enough I think. My child is also struggling at school and I don't have the mental space to support them as well as I could. We have savings so I could in theory not work for a year, but I think I would like to seek a position that has far less stresses, it might pay less and have some weekend work but just be able to switch off. I know the job market is tough right now, but I feel that the professional sector just grinds people into the ground and I just can't do it. Partner is supporting me , so wondering if I just hand my notice in immediately. I am on 3 months notice. If I find a job in that time, great, if not - I would like to have a proper break , maybe do some temp work etc over summer and have time with my child. Does this sound terrible? Partner earns well and salary due to rise from 52-60 over next 5 years, public sector so fairly safe. I've looked at other public service roles similar to my old role but there's no love for it for me ATM, hence a complete change to something I can be competent and confident in would be best for all of us. Can potentially make savings in a few areas too at home. Am I crazy given the jobs market right now?

TBH I would speak to your Dr and see if they can sign you off for a few thinks so you can take some time to think things through without all the work stress. It's a big decision so I think taking some time would be helpful

Please really think about this. My degree is in STEM and I have an amazing corporate background. I quit a stressful job that kept me up at night (every night for 2 + years!). And I haven't been able to find another role since!

I'm 40 and I've been applying and panic applying for everything from NMW admin roles to the role I had before I quit.

It's the worst job market I've ever known but I suppose it depends on which companies are local to you.

Remote jobs have vanished completely in my industry (engineering)

I was so stressed my hair was falling out but in hindsight I should have just held on. My biggest mistake yet!

The worry and anxiety that I've destroyed my career & pension is worse than the stress of the job itself.

I should have mentioned I've been looking for work for a full year now ☹️ can only get very sporadic freelance stuff

Can you reduce hours for a bit? I’ve just done this with a very stressful job, it’s made so much difference

I second taking some time off either holiday or get signed off to have a proper think. I've just left a good job for similar reasons but I do have a plan to retrain which I am putting into action. The job market is absolutely terrible so you need to decide whether the stress of not having a job would be greater than your current stress. A bit of distance from it for a week or two might help.

I left a job in similar circumstances many years ago. I did find another job after a few months, but actually the first job was actually a good one and I should have stuck at it. I should have just had some days annual leave to myself!

I hate my job, i earn around 70k but need to earn and cant afford to be without a job. Ive been looking for 3 months and its the worst market ive ever known. Opportunities are low on the ground, I have been "shortlisted" for a few roles and the process of now getting to interview feels long and protracted. Example one very well known financial services and insurance provider- 2 weeks ago confirmed i would be through to next interview stage- still waiting. Could be some companies waiting new financial year but its not working at pace.

I have also considered handing in notice working my 3 months- focusing on job hunt but what ive seen so far I would worry in 3 months ill still be looking or going through the process!!

ETA this has promoted me to look on the portal for one of the roles i am "shortlisted" for and that confirmed i applied a month ago....

It’s a brutal time to be job hunting. The global situation is affecting businesses and reducing investment and job creation. If I were you I would hang on in there but just set really firm boundaries and stop caring as much.

I know what it’s like to have a v stressful job, believe me, but the job market is HORRIFIC at the moment.

Take some GP- authorised time off to have a think and mini reset.

It is also easier to find a job when you are in one.

I can’t stress enough how brutal the job market is at the moment.

Thanks all, I am seeing GP today for meds review, been on sertraline since October for anxiety from workplace stress. I think an honest chat with management is also a good idea as they won't want to lose me, recruiting to our sector is really tough as not enough experienced people out there. Maybe I could ask for a reduction in hours? Going to crunch some numbers with partner this weekend. It's really helpful to have your advice too! Problem is we have people that work p/t and I know they regularly do overtime to meet deadlines so it just doesn't work!!

Welcome to he real world unlike the public sector. I’ve done both there’s no comparison. No wonder we are broke

Can you focus on your boundaries and your own wellbeing. Try to stop letting it stress you having the thought that you could quit in the background. Keep the job but adjust how it affects you.

I was going to say this - reducing your hours is unlikely to particularly reduce your workload so you'll still have all the stress but without the pay. Have you found any jobs out there that are even tempting you to apply for them? That will give you some idea of what the job market is like in your sector, although you won't know how competitive it is until you start applying. I agree with others about a few pronged approach - speak to management, speak to your GP, and start applying for roles. Good luck and hope you can get sorted soon.

I am in a similar position to yourself.i am between leaving completely or apply8n for other roles. I don't have savings like yourself but do have a supportive husband with a good job.

I would say take some sick leave, number crunch and if you can afford to take the time to be off and support your child struggling in school do it. I took time off pre pandemic to support one of my children and don't regret it. It didn't damage my career either.

In a similar position, I have chosen to leave a very high stress senior management role as I was unable to sleep, burned out and it was impacting my family life. I have been applying for around 2 months and had a few interviews (one unsuccessful, 1 TBC) so I am hopeful I will get something within 6 months but yes it is a tough job market so it's a risk you will need to weigh up. For me, I am fortunate to have a bit of buffer enabling me time to find something that is better for work life balance but I will do some interim work if nothing long term sorted in the next month or so.

I am very much enjoying having the extra time with my kids and far happier being out of that particular job though.

I don't regret leaving my job six months ago without a job to go to.

I have a long tern health condition, had to take some sick leave related to work stress that was making my condition worse and was treated appallingly by my employer when I came back to work. I raised a complaint and make it clear their choice was to pay me a settlement or I was taking them to an employment tribunal. They paid me off...

At that point my self esteem ( due to the workplace bullying) and health were so bad and leaving the job helped me put myself back together.

I have been freelancing since I left the job and I am feeling like myself again and I have regained confidence in my experience and skills.

Speak to your partner and they are supportive leave the job. No job is worth wrecking your mental and physical health.

@Raining12345 @Newname29 @Simplicitea237 and everyone, thanks for your perspective. Doctor said time off , but I think that is delaying the inevitable. Also said they would not up my dose of sertraline to cope with work stress when there is a way to get out of that stress - which is what I will tell bosses I think. Going to get head down and see what I can move on with over the weekend and look forwards. Like i said I do have a buffer and supportive other half, Thanks all

Daft comment....

Staying in a toxic workplace and risking complete burnout is not the smart thong to do.

I’ve done this in my previous role. Probably getting on 7 years ago now I was a manager in a high stress environment and just snapped one day and wrote my resignation there and then (and I had taken a couple of weeks off prior with a sick note but it was still the same when I went back).
Best thing I ever did but that’s easy for me to say when I applied for a role a month or so later and got it. I then worked my way up to a higher role and again, stress and burnout hit so I took another role within the company, 15k pay decrease, less stress and better hours for my child and I’m so much happier.
It’s cliche, but I think “You only live once” and I didn’t want my life to be unhappy and stress filled.
If you have a supportive partner and a buffer… life’s just too short to live like this.

No. Not in the current job market - it’s brutal out there.
Figure out how to be more efficient, how to prioritise and push back and manage the stress. You got this.

No, I wouldn't quit.
I just lost my job of 8 years.
Lots of companies are going down and cutting costs. Job boards are full of fake job posts and there are often 100+ applications from the people who just run their CVs through AI and mass apply for everything. It's horrible and like a totally fake world out there.
I would try to reframe my mind and think, am I saving lives in my job? If not, try to destress and nobody will die tomorrow if you can't find time to do something - I know, easier said than done, but I would stick with it nevertheless).

I’d say PT with overtime is better than FT or unemployment.

If the over time is paid.

I did that more than once despite being the high earner in the family. Once I left a £70k jobs and once a £95k but I was certain that my partner could/was happy to support me while I am job hunting. I was lucky that both times I found a job or a contract fairly easily but the market it’s tough so be prepared. To me family & health comes first.

I was in a similar situation a year ago - massive stress and a child struggling with school. I quit and it was definitely the right thing to do. I did some freelance while looking for a new job (took 6 months).

However... the job market just in one year has massively nose dived. I wouldnt make the same decision now.

Is parental leave an option? That wouldnt ne as likely to affect future roles as sick leave.