I need advice- want to quit a job I have spent 4 years training for.

[katedan]

I am in a job with a very high level of responsibility. My contract is 4 days a week (30 hours) I regularly work 40/50 hours a week and spend Sunday's going through work e mails to catch up. I am under so much pressure that I am making mistakes and due to the blame culture of the role this is adding further pressure to my workload. I spent 4 years training for this role and have put my family in debt ( student debts) to train. I have only been qualified for a year but already feel ready to resign.

Prior to this I was at home for 10 years with my children and I am aware that I quit easily and maybe I need to toughen up but I am not sure what to do.

A couple of suggestions:

• please talk with your line manager (or the person you report to in your role) about your work load which is significantly over your contracted hours.
• on what basis was your role agreed at 30 hours 4 day week, when it clearly needs more hours? Is it that you need to work part time because of family commitments? As above you need to discuss with management.

• re making mistakes, we all do that! Can you start documenting key situations so you can understand the cause of those mistakes and fix them.

I wouldn't just give up, I'd try to change what you can eg mistakes that you can control.

Take a deep breathe, even if you feel out of your depth, try to think analytically about the problems and what you need to fix. Sometimes taking a step back helps to put things in perspective, it make feel worse than it is!

Thank you daisy chain, it is a full time role however when I applied they agreed for me to do 30 hours a week due to family commitments. I know if I went full time my workload would only increase more!

I have spoken to my line manager but her answer is just that everyone is overloaded and stressed and it is just the job.

I don't want to quit but I do want to feel in control, today I worked for 13 hours this impacts on my family life and it feels unfair on them that I have to put the job before their needs.

Is it by any chance social work?
Because I feel exactly the same and have just been signed off with extreme anxiety

Social worker? I know a few who bank work rather than long term contracts because of the same issues. Sorry no help but something to consider if you need to. More pay per day too.

If it is social work could you move to a different sector, eg adult if you are currently working with children? Or based in a hospital?

Maybe you can do the same job but work for another company/ different employer?

Not sure whether to laugh or cry that you guessed my profession!!!! I don't think there is a job like it for such high expectations and workload. I need to finish my first year and get that signed off then I can look for a new role however I am dissapointed in myself that I cannot cope, I am no spring chicken and this was a very thought out decision to be a SW, my family is in debt so I could get my degree and I have only coped for a year!

KatedanI've just qualified and start my first post in a couple of weeks. Are you in children's services? I have no advice, just hugs and well done for getting through the first year X

How long is it going to be until you finish your first year? You can go and do agency then!