To take a lower paid job

[hecalledmecaptain]

I career changed about 4 years ago - better pay and generally better conditions - more work from home, more flexibility. I don't love my new career (Project Management in IT) but it pays much better than my previous job (social worker). I am also 4 days a week. I career changed in to company A.

I got a new job about 6 months ago, still project management and still in IT but a new company, company B. I hate it. Well, I don't hate it, it makes me feel sick, anxious and like I'm just not capable of the role. Its hugely different to my last job . I needed to leave company A, it was incredibly toxic management wise, people were leaving in droves and it was definitely the right move to leave as things have got much worse there since I left. It was also a big payrise. BUT I am honestly feeling sick at my new job. I really don't think I can do it. My probabtion period is 9 months and so far my manager is really pleased with me, but I'm being asked to do more and more (still in my roles remit) and I think that I'm quickly going to show that I am not capable. The things I'm being asked to do are not things that were expected or needed in my last role and I have absolutely no knowledge or experience of them. I had no idea they'd be expected of me.

I'm thinking of going back to social work. I loved it, but not the politics.

I'd have to go back in to the office everyday and I'd have to work full time again, And I'd still be taking a £600pcm pay cut. But I wouldn't feel like this!

WWYD?

Health is most important!!

Thanks.

It is really impacting my mental health.

I'm also peri menopausal and I'm very susceptible to hormone related poor MH. So I do worry it's actually that causing me to feel quite as bad as I do.

Are you actually not capable of these things or ate you just panicking a bit and will get the hang of them with a bit of guidance? Everything feels stressful when it's new.

That said if you are genuinely unhappy there you are definitely not unreasonable to leave

I would always prioritise health over a job.

If you are really not enjoying it and it is making you feel constantly stressed and anxious then I would leave.

It does not mean you need to get back to social work though, you might just want to find another project management role but in a more suitable environment.

Have you talked to your doctor about how you're feeling OP, could it be that you're just feeling low in general due to being peri, and are therefore struggling with things that you wouldn't have done previously?

I think you're freaking out and you need to ride it out and have conversations with your manager about the tasks required of you and get on some training. It may be that you're right and you're out of your depth, but more often than not, if someone is the right fit then management will be happy to train. Have you had any probation meetings yet?

I don't know. I'm generally quite anxious. This is worse though and very firmly about work.

It's stuff I've never done before so I've no idea if I'm capable of it.

I have spoken to my GP, but they're being pretty useless

Only informal meetings. He has said there's no reason for formal ones as I'm doing so well.

There's no training available.

If your GP is being 'pretty useless' it might be worth trying to see if you can see someone else, as I think having a doctor who understands menopause, is really important.

Also, if your boss seems pleased with you so far, that's clearly a good sign, so if you feel you're really out of your depth, could you perhaps have a chat with them about it, saying that while you're enjoying parts of the job, there are things which you hadn't expected, and as you don't want to let them down, wonder if there is any extra training available? Just a thought.

Id keep going and wait for him to tell you. Id keep enjoying that big pay cheque too or squirrelling it away probably. You can always have the big frank discussion when the time is right.

If there are tasks you have no knowledge or experience of that you didn't know were part of the role, then it is fine to go back to your employer and say that. You say no training is available. Presumably you mean there is no one there to train you. In which case there needs to be some kind of external training or even self-led learning that is factored into your role. Its understandable to be worried about doing something completely new that you aren't prepared for. But I don't think the instant 'flight' response of returning to social work is necessary the right one without even trying.