To leave a role after 2 months..

[wildside9]

I have always been in positions for a minimum of 3 years. I started a role I loved, but after 18 months was unfortunately made redundant.

I had to get another job quickly, and I found one which seemed really promising - I've been in it for 2 months now, the salary is excellent but the working culture isn't. It's a small business and it's a very toxic environment where you're expected to work over your hours constantly, and looked down upon if you don't. There's no HR as it's a small business and it just doesn't feel right. I wouldn't say I'm desperately unhappy, it's manageable at the moment but I find myself looking for other roles.

Would I be looked down upon for moving jobs again? I just don't know what to do - I've never been in this situation and don't want to appear a job hopper. Would I be better off just pushing through for a couple of years if I can manage it, or get out now?

FWIW I'm 32, done having kids and trying to get back up the ladder, in the middle of a masters degree.

If you have found another role, go for it. It's just one blip in a stable career history

Are you still on probation?

I had to get another job quickly,

for financial reasons presumably?

Sorry yes, in a 6 month probation period currently, and yes I had to get another job for financial reasons. I had no statutory redundancy pay so had to find something to cover the mortgage.

So start job hunting now and try to get one lined up so you hand in notice when only one week’s notice rather than a month

Life is too short to be unhappy in your job. It is a very big part of your life, if you don't like it for whatever reason, try and find something else. Who cares what other people think, we make our own choices in life and you dont need anyone else's permission to be happy.

How would I explain to potential new employers such a short stint? Obviously when I left my previous role, my reason was redundancy but I've luckily never found myself in a position where I've been unhappy enough to leave so quickly.

No leave … if it’s a toxic culture long term will be a bigger career killer than being honest. If asked be honest within reason - maybe ask chat gpt for some safe ways of wording why you left

Just be honest, not the right fit.

They will see from your job history you're not a short term job hopper.

Probationary period cuts both ways - they can drop you with no excuse, you can drop them with no excuse. Worrying about future job interviews is a poor idea: anywhere who is bothered by you saying "Turned out the job environment was unpleasant so I left" is a massive red flag anyway, they should be using that as a reason to tell you why their office culture is so much better.

Get the fuck out, now.

Find something else and move on. Be honest with future employers. This is just a blip and these things happen. The alternative is to stay in post two years and still have to explain why you left reasonably quickly.

Don't stay and be unhappy, you'll regret wasting time and will be miserable.

Thanks everyone - you're right!

Completely agree with this.

I was trying to go to the mentality of it is just a job to keep me going in my job but it didn’t work. Follow your instincts and look for something better. I am similar in the way I like to stick for a few years but many people don’t care and put themselves first which is what it should be.