Do I take a massive pay cut ?

[Laughpuddle]

I’m so unhappy working. It’s a very stressful job in an Sen school but I want to leave teaching altogether. I love working with children but hate the politics and bureaucracy, behaviour and lack of support. I’m currently on ups3 £43000 but only work 3 days so about £25000 but am lucky to have the holidays with my children. It’s very good money but my job is making me ill and although I’m on beta blockers for my heart I am still get palpitations, just in work. Management are also horrible. I want to leave teaching altogether and I have seen various jobs still in education working for the council but for 37 hrs, 5 weeks holidays and for £25k - 29k. One was term time only at £22k but 37hrs. All the jobs look interesting but I worry I will regret the massive pay cut. I would have pay for holiday care which us expensive near me. I have seen another job at a uni as an advisor for 15 hrs term time only but I would be going from being home £1700 to £800!!
I’m very worried about my health and feeling depressed. I don’t want it to impact on my kids but should I stay try to manage for the sake of 13 weeks off with them. My husband has a very good wage but we have a huge mortgage, we are also supporting our elder 2 children through university. The younger ones are 9 and 5. Apologies for the long winded post.

Health is more important than work.

What about trying a different school?

I think this is why people get stuck in teaching. The other types of jobs which we seem to think we're suited to are not as well paid. I do wonder why we aren't going to higher paid project manager type positions. We have lots of skills that are transferable. I feel the same way. Management are currently trying to get me to move across to a part teaching/part admin role which I'm trying to work out in terms of hours/salary vs teaching.

If you can afford to life off a smaller wage then do that. In this case more money is clearly not making you happy.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes. Do it!

This is a difficult one as you have quite a lot of flexibility with you role and I'm sure you would miss that.

Is there a way of reducing the impact of your work on your MH? I have worked in toxic places so not it's not easy but then also know that some people get very easily fixated on all the wrongs and get wound up by it more than others.

With work could you work around the culture or not is the question?

What are the behaviours you don't like from your employer?

Yes, maybe try a different school on similar pay scale as a first option. Trading longer hours and less pay for less stress may not work in the long run as you may just get stressed from the logistics of working full time/ having less money.
If it’s making you ill can you get your GP to sign you off for a few weeks? It might give you some thinking time: it’s always hard to make decisions when you are in the thick of it.

Thanks for all your comments so far. The kids aren’t teachable as behaviour not dealt with. We used to have a dream team of SLT and were outstanding and I loved my job. Now in RI and school in bits. I have been there a very long time too so maybe scared to leave. Unfortunately I am a perfectionist and want to meet all the kids needs which is why I think I also need to leave the profession. I would love an advisory role, I do have the experience and capability but there is nothing out there at the moment. I am worried about my health and wish I could afford to resign now.

It’s very good money but my job is making me ill and although I’m on beta blockers for my heart I am still get palpitations, just in work.

If your best friend or your child told you this, what would you say to them? Your children will be better off with ahappy and healthy parent. I think your health is telling you something important.

If I take sick leave I am worried it will affect me getting another job .

Excuse the grammar! I’m very tired🤣.

@Laughpuddle

If I take sick leave I am worried it will affect me getting another job .

I don't think so if your record is exemplary so far?

My workplace allows career breaks and unpaid leave. Could you ask for this and see if they say yes? You have nothing to lose by asking, they can only say no.

I would love to train as a social worker or mental health nurse too but can’t commit because of the little ones and my husband job is very demanding.

Good idea if the head was supportive but as I’m so expensive I know she will say no, just to make me leave. She is recruiting lots of inexperienced, cheaper staff which I do understand. My sick record is exemplary.

@Laughpuddle

I would love to train as a social worker or mental health nurse too but can’t commit because of the little ones and my husband job is very demanding.

Could you do something less stressful and do some form of distance or part time training to at least be moving towards this?

Although being honest I think SW is harder than teaching due to staff shortages and cuts

@Laughpuddle

Good idea if the head was supportive but as I’m so expensive I know she will say no, just to make me leave. She is recruiting lots of inexperienced, cheaper staff which I do understand. My sick record is exemplary.

You don't know she will say no. You could imply you would prefer unpaid leave to sickness absence...?

In wouldn't.

Having worked in council's, it's not always the easy option despite the shitty pay.

You're able to take the school holidays which is really something.

I'd look for a new job with similar pay grade. Or hash the situation out with HR as to why you are being made to feel this way at work.. unsupported, badly managed etc.

But losing the holiday time would be pretty rubbish.

@Laughpuddle

I would love to train as a social worker or mental health nurse too but can’t commit because of the little ones and my husband job is very demanding.

Don't know much about Social Work but I have worked for the NHS for 20 years so if were you, I'd do more research before thinking about Psych Services because it's not what you think.

Health is more important.
There's progression in local government and that comes with pay rises.

Hmm, if you were sure these more lowly paid jobs would be better for your health, then go for it but IME non teachers in education carry a lot of the emotional burden of children's difficulties.

All your reasons for leaving really just suggest you need a different school.

I doubt you'll be happier doing 5 days a week for the same as you currently work 3 days and losing your holidays.

The grass is always greener, but these other jobs won't be stress free either.

Perhaps a change of school. Would supply be an option?

Honestly your health & happiness are paramount. Take a break if you can afford it-even just a couple of months. It will help you see things more clearly. Do not continue with a job that is making you unwell.

Unfortunately not as we need a guaranteed amount to pay the childcare, which is so expensive in our area. I have thought about it, and a possibility when the little ones are older. Saying that the local supply agencies don’t pay that well either.

Wish I could financially 😞. A few years ago I could have afforded to do that. I feel so trapped but yes, health so important. I just worry that the grass is not always greener like another member said but it can’t be worse than currrently 🙏.