I'm not sure I can stand another 3 years working.

[Toolongworking]

I'm in a real rut and don't know what to do. I have worked in the NHS for over 20 years and 16 years in my current post. Its an admin post but I have got to the point where I feel sick going in. I have never had a day off sick apart from 5 days when I caught Covid! The management team are lazy and staff morale is awful. I am 3 years off claiming my NHS pension. People are leaving constantly because of the poor working conditions and senior management team. Would you guys stick it for 3 years more or leave? I don't feel mentally strong enough to look for another job and be the new girl again. I have worked so hard for this place and the management team rarely even say hello. Thanks.

Aww sorry that sounds rubbish! Some NHS teams are awful but some are lovely. I would look for another job in the NHS - same job but different team could be a whole new vibe! 3 years is a long time to be miserable every day. With your experience you will be in demand.

Can you reasonably reduce your hours or even compress them? That has helped me stick it out a bit longer in a job I hate.

@Berga I can't reduce but might be able to compress them. Its just so sad that a workplace can make you feel so awful.

I would move. 3 years is a long time to be working somewhere you are so unhappy. X

Think people don't realise the NHS is run like a business and its all about the money!

Definitely move jobs. Don't waste 3 years of your life being miserable every day.

Same here. I literally cannot bear the thought of the next 4 years before I retire. I'm also NHS but medical. Management always coming up with mad ideas to make our lives intolerable for the sake of putting something on their CVs.. I've done 45 years I'm battling with my health and all I want is to be left the fuck alone for the sake of my mental health to do my job unharras⁰sed
I fear I'm going to explode one of these days.

@Gettingbysomehow Think you have just summed up everything I feel about my work environment.

That sounds so tough. Another suggestion- get signed off sick for a week or two, being on the verge of a burnout. Ultimately better for the work than losing you altogether.

It will soon go, as will those 3 years of life: don’t wish your healthy years away.

Assuming you’ve ruled out the obvious things like compressed hours, as suggested below, and you can’t move sideways or up, my experience is that you need a clear plan for what you will do on retirement. Most of us just work because we need the money, so work out what you can save between now and your retirement day.

Start saving or increase your savings in an ISA and label it Retirement fund.

Plan for the first few months of retirement and for what you want to accomplish in the retirement years whilst you are still in good health. Get your home up to scratch for post retirement maintenance. Have a clear out. Where will you live when you are too old to move around easily? By then, what will you want to have accomplished? Do you want to gain new skills?

Ideas follow action and movement.

I work in the public sector (not NHS) and we have the same issues so I empathise. I don’t think most people outside the public sector bubble realise how badly these organisations are run. The effects of toxic senior management cannot be overstated.

If it’s financially viable to leave then do so - 3 years is a long time to be that unhappy. If not, condensed hours might help or could you formally request to be transferred to another team?

Stick with it! It’s really worth it.
But I’d look at maybe finding another job in a different department.

@MtClair Thank you. I can't go to another department. A bit outing but think "GP surgery".

What's the difference in £ to your pension if you leave now compared with if you leave in 3 years?

You dont have to tell us. But that's how I'd analyse it.

What price do you put on your MH?

If the difference in pensions is, say, £200,000.00 that might be a figure worth "destroying" tour mental health for

Its what you think is worth it in £

@Bestyearever2024 I think I would lose a certain percentage. Should of been planning for retirement from primary school age I think!

Sure. So it's about working out if THAT % is worth you putting yourself through the next 3 years in the same job

No one knows your financials, so only you can answer this

For me.....it would have to be one heck of a lot of money for me to put myself through hell every day for the next 3 years

But I'm not you 😀

@Bestyearever2024 Good point. I think I am very "old school" and plod on despite what I see and feel. I think I need to work out if it would be feasible to go now and draw my pension.

I would go now if you have enough savings or can take your pension early. Life’s too short to spend 3 years being miserable.

You can take your pension early at a reduced rate, you can also get another job part time or full time if you retire early. There are some options. Staying in a job you hate for three years sounds like a v bad option as it will take a toll on your mental and physical health and rob you of the enjoyment of three years of your precious life.

Get a new job outside if the NHS. If you can afford to just take a pay cut and worn somewhere completely different and have a three year new era of your life.

I'd take a dinner lady job over working NHS admin for that long

Absolutely! Thats what I'd do