What to do?

[seeyouyesterday]

Been in my current job about 5 months. Never felt settled in it from the off, I went from doing something completely different, but I have done similar work years ago. It’s just very stressful & I just feel like I can’t get the hang of it. There’s no switching off from it & I’m always thinking if I’ve done something right or wrong.

I left on good terms with my old employers, I know they are looking for staff. I left because I’d been there for a long, long time & wanted try something else. I could approach them and see if they’d have me back but it’s a big drop in pay -as working less hrs, although we managed before on it.
would I look an idiot if I went back? I know I was fed up sometimes but this job just feels too much. I am looking daily for other jobs sometimes 2,3 times a day for something else.

This job will grind you down! I was in a similar position years ago, which was dreadfully toxic. I managed 8mths, simply to have the time on my CV!

Would there be scope to return to the other job but on a better wage/higher grade/more senior role? Why is the other job less hours?
Keep looking, ask ex- colleagues about their work places, set up notifications on linkedin, indeed, reed etc etc.

Slightly different, but I did once return to a work place. I'd only been casual via an agency, but there a year. They cut agency so I left, but over the following 2yrs, begged me to go back. They moved branches closer to my house, and I eventually did return. Within 3mths I was promoted and within another 6mths got an even more senior role! I stayed there 8yrs!

I'm sure something will come up.

There’s not really any opportunity for a different position/better wage at my ex-employers. There might be a few additional hrs available which would be helpful, but still no where near the wage/hrs I’m doing now.

I honestly don’t know how much longer I can dither over it, I’ve tried talking to my other half but he says I was fed up in the other job that’s why I left but i was going through a really really difficult time. The constant worry & emails & alerts from this job, is really taking its toll. I’m trying really hard to do my best at it & stick with it, I just find myself stressed at every shift.

Obviously depending on the role, is it something you could join an agency and do temping whilst you look for something else?
I used to allocate time in my work calendar for lunch, and would walk to a nearby park. It stopped them adding extra meetings which meant I never got a break. Could you cut the alerts you get to just urgent ones instead of everything? Have you spoken to your current line manager about the expectations? I always found I was much harder on myself than the job really needed.

Thanks for your reply. Agency is an option. Going for a lunch break & a walk isn’t as there is only one of us in our department on any given shift! It’s been absolutely mad this last week & it’s just made me realise how much I miss the simplicity of my old role, don’t get me wrong, it was & could be quite stressful but in a different way, you could actually get away from it & switch off when you got home.

Yes I would contact them.

@seeyouyesterday

Maybe look at a possible third option OP?

If your old employer are unable to provide you more hours what about

• looking at what else is on the market which more closely suits your hours/salary needs? Or
• seeing if you could go for the old job but have a second job on top which would fulfil your needs? 🌹

Keep looking for a new job, I wouldn’t go back, you left for a reason. What’s the point in going back to be fed up all over again? Stick out the job your doing whilst looking for a new job

Yes agree with @Newestname002 Are there similar jobs to your old job around?

Having said that, one place I worked at, a few years ago, regularly had people returning, I think they realised the grass wasn't always greener.

Your description of your new job sounds similar to mine. I'm actively looking to leave. I also have a long, expensive commute and I can't find enough about it that's positive to make me want to stay.

Good Luck!

You could return to your old job as a stop-gap measure and keep looking for something more suitable. At the same time, consider whether you are prepared to go for the higher pay & more hours; it’s going to be at a price on your stress levels.