If I resign my work might close down

[Meditationspider]

NC for this post.

i work in a small branch of a corporate vets. We have vacancies standing empty for 2 out of the 3 vet roles we need. So it’s pretty much just me and patchy locum cover. I feel like the weight of the whole practice is on my shoulders, there are more and more regulations and official requirements, long term cases which all come back to me, constant phone calls and queries on top of the planned workload, plus a generally demotivated team and run down building and equipment. I feel constantly anxious and panicky, I used to be a confident person who could take things in my stride but I don’t feel like that any more. There are vacancies everywhere, I could ask for more money elsewhere. It’s a no brainer to leave….

Except, I know other branches have closed down when they haven’t been able to find a vet. It’s been over a year and no interest in the other jobs so there’s little chance anyone will want my job. Without a permanent vet I suspect the branch will close and about 10 people would probably lose their jobs.

WWYD?

Of course they can! My mum did. Retired at 55 because the company she worked for closed and she didn’t want to get another job. MIL did the same thing. You can retire whenever you like. Could retire at 40 if you wanted to. Never heard of early retirement?

Early retirement is fine if you can afford it.

I think the point is you need money to retire- good on your mum for being able to retire at that age but not everyone has the means to do so. A 55 year old now, for example would have to wait 12 years until she is 67 until she gets the state pension. 12 years is a long time to cover from your own funds.

I agree with everyone saying that none of those things are on your shoulders - you work there, you don't own it and you make no decisions. You should leave.

But I'm going to add one other thing. I have owned dogs all my life, and currently have an assistance dog. The practice that you are describing is offering sub- standard animal care. No matter how hard you try, no matter how great a vet you are, you are part of an organisation that is putting profit before animal care. Or people care.

I have no problems generally with a business making profit, that is what they are for. I am not native enough to think that anything else matters to some businesses. But if they are in animal care they should not put profit as more important than consistent care, a good environment, resources etc.

I wouldn't want my dog in their care, no matter how lovely and caring you might be. Find an employer who actually cares about the animals, and not the profit line.

@Gymmum82 yes I suppose anyone can take early retirement. But you do realise that most people won't receive a pension that they can afford to live in until they are 60-67?!

OP despite this I think you should leave.

Obviously they don’t get state pension. But we don’t know anything about this woman.
She could just be working a kept woman’s hobby job for all we know. Most VNs and vet receptionists aren’t doing it for the money because the money is absolutely crap

I think this thread has been waylaid by the wrong issue. Whether or not someone else can afford to retire is not the responsibility the OP. The employment or redundancy of that person is the responsibility of the employer. Who isn't the OP.

People need to make decisions about their own employment in their own interests, and the OP clearly isn't happy, which is impacting on their quality of life, their professional future, and their care for animals. That's all the OP should be thinking about. By all means have consideration for others, but not at your own expense.