Worked so hard and another internal complaint

[wasiwrongtoask]

I am employed in the Social Care sector and the last few years have been horrendous. Case numbers through the roof, more and more complex cases coming through and not enough time in a day.
Even tough I was classed as ECV I worked through covid and still visited my families whereas other people didn't.
In May I had a total meltdown after I had worked almost every weekend and often up until 11pm with no extra pay and following a complaint being raised internally after a piece of work took longer than it should.
I was signed off work for two weeks and in hindsight should probably have taken longer but I didn't want to let my families or colleagues down so I went back.
Although I tried to have more boundaries around my work life balance this did not last long and so last weekend I worked all day Saturday and Sunday again and last night was up until 11pm working.
I have had another internal complaint raised again today and it's justified in that I had not done what needed doing due to competing demands.
We are short staffed, haven't had Admin support since July and there are numerous issues in the area I work in.
Despite being upset that I had still not done enough I think I am done. I feel eerily calm and I intend to hand my notice in on Monday. The area I work in has lots of vacancies so I think that getting a new role would probably not be that difficult. My husband supports my decision and we have savings to fall back on.
However I have always believed that it is better to have another job lined up before resigning but the issue is that I just don't have time to apply for anything.
Would I be wrong given the circumstances to just resign? It is killing my motivation and self esteem staying where I am.

Just resign. It's not worth it. Do you have a notice period? Use that to find another role.

I unfortunately understand where you’re coming from. I have had a previous post where I felt so much pressure and took up all my evenings and weekends that I ended up getting signed off with stress. After just a short time I took the decision to resign as I knew I couldn’t keep that up and it wasn’t the job for me anymore, as much as wanted to help the young people I worked with. A few years on I actually have a different career and new qualifications so I made a drastic change, but sometimes just a short break to refocus and then move forwards helps. Or it did me. So I totally agree, if your husband agrees and you can cope financially in the short term, do what’s right for you. You need to look after yourself!

good luck 🫶

I don't blame you for wanting to resign and in your shoes I would.in our authority SW leave every week and go to a different authority on agency work. Those that stay seem to become managers of teams alarming quick from being a student social worker.

Resign - you will be able to pick and choose your next job. Be fussy about your employer. In this sector you don't have to put up with this!

That’s disgraceful, the culture sounds horrific.

It doesn’t sound like your workload is manageable if you are working through your weekends.

Who is complaining?

No job is worth your mental health so do resign if you can afford to.

I’m NHS and can’t imagine being like that with any of my team or anyone being like that with me. I work hard and I’m efficient but things get delayed at times due to workload. My seniors understand. We are all only human.

Also work in the public sector (not social care) and this really hits home. I'm fed up with the blame culture that's developing despite us all working relentlessly all year around. It's soul destroying.

Agree with other posters about finding a way out. This level of stress only leads to burnout and you need to look after yourself. You're fortunately in a good position to find another post and great that you have savings to support you to move on. Good luck :-)

Take a week of sick and look for another job then return and resign.

I am so sorry you are in this position. But some of the other posters are being helpful but naive. You are in social care. If you resign with a "cloud" over your head, it will follow you in a reference. That's the law. With that, getting a new job in this
field ought to be almost impossible. And if it isn't, I'd have seriously shocking questions to ask any potential employer.

Like @LookdeepintotheParka I'm also public sector. I used to love it. Its not a career I could now recommend. But.. if you need to work you need to clear your record before you quit.

Are you in a union?

I've done this myself. The situation was different but if I'd stayed another month I'd have quite literally lost my mind. It was the right decision, i managed using savings for a couple of months and got a job in a much better place. The job I left was in a LA, some of them really are awful places to work. I hope you are ok, they don't deserve you.

Yes I am in a Union, I understand from other SW that the process that leads to these 'internal' issues are not a 'big deal'. I don't think that these will prevent me getting a new role however the suggestion of speaking to the union is a good shout.

It's desirable to have another job lined up but it's not the be all and end all. Kind of like buying a house vs renting. Don't stress out thinking what you are supposed to be doing. Think for yourself. If money allows of course. I've left a couple of times without a job lined up. And I am also in that position now although this time I've had it thrust upon me for the first time as the company I was working for has gone out of business.