To leave my job for a position with less pay

[Justwanttotravel]

Hi, after some advice/perspective please

i joined the police 18 months ago at the age of 52. I loved the training and was looking forward to earning well for a change. It’s a career I have always fancied but never pursued for one reason or another but after a health scare a few years ago I thought sod it, and applied!

Anyway, I'm not enjoying it. The workload is relentless, I’m hardly ever home on time and I feel anxious about going in.
I recently had a week off and spent everyday trying to catch up on tasks that I had not done due to being sent on jobs and not finding time. I feel stressed and feel like I’m crap at the job (maybe just because I’m 30 years older than most I my station)

I recently passed the interview to be a call handler. Training starts in a few months. Obviously it will be less money and it is still shift work but at least when I’m done for the shift I’m not leaving work outstanding, or taking it home. I suppose I just want reassurance that I am doing the right thin if I leave.
I worry I’m not giving it long enough as an officer, but I’m also aware that I will need to make a decision soon.

For background I am a single mum to 3 teens. Their dad contributes each month but the amount hasn’t increased with inflation and as they turn 18 so the amount decreases more.

Anyone been in the same position?

thanks

Happiness is priceless!

Do it, don’t be swayed otherwise.

Bloody well done for getting the position, a lot of people your age (not that you’re old), wouldn’t have had the guts!

Thank you.

I am pretty proud of myself for managing to get in and pass all the training, and I think it’s the disappointment of it not working out as I’d hoped that is causing me to waver on a decision 🫤

You tried though! Stay proud!

Better to try and find out it's not for you than not try. If it's eating you inside and you have a way out why wouldn't you take it. As long as the salary is manageable, being happy is very important.

Someone I know moved from police officer to call handler and felt she was being micromanaged. But at least you can go home at the end of the day. And If you move roles you can always move again if you don’t like it. Are there any other jobs in the police force that you could move sideways into that would pay the same? A different department?

If you aren’t enjoying it - it isn’t going to miraculously get better overnight. So I would take the call handler job. Happiness is priceless, and whilst money gives you options, it really doesn’t buy happiness.
As for the teens - well at some pin they are going to have to learn that everyday needs and wants aren’t satisfied by any other way than earning money! So long as you can put a roof over your families head, and food on the table, plus ideally heat and hot water - then anything else is a bonus, but not at the expense of you having some happiness and peace of mind whilst working.

Have you done a budget to check you can afford to live on the lower salary? If you can then do it!

What?!!! At the risk of turning into my therapist - be BLOODY PROUD OF YOURSELF! You worked really hard to apply for, pass interviews, get through training and do the job. Absolutely no shame in also realising that it’s not a good fit for you - how are you supposed to know unless you tried???? You have done amazingly well to go for it, get it and try it way more than a lot of people do. Good for you for taking control of your own life!

I’m considering this too. I’ve been working in a company for almost 20 years. We were taken over by another and I was given a new role managing a team who were previously my work colleagues on the same level.

There has been a huge reorg and I’m finding everything so confusing and I’m struggling to keep up. The new company is American and they are very demanding and want processes, policies, workflows, data…all things I’ve never done and find difficult.

I’m not sleeping, I’ve lost weight. My GP advised anti depressants and I’m considering going on them. Thinking about a demotion which would also be a salary cut. I would prefer redundancy.

Sorry about talking about me. I think you should go for it! Do what you would enjoy. I will try and do the same too. Best of luck!

You wanted to follow this dream, you succeeded at it, and then found it’s not right for you. Time to move on to the next dream! Life is short but also very long, don’t second guess your instincts.

i hope you find a new opportunity that is a better fit!

Well done for getting where you goal but I'm sorry it wasn't what you wanted. I worked in A&E for many years- shift work, missing events important to me, stress and not be able to give the care I wanted to. I moved into private work, climbed the ranks, then the role became redundant. Initially I was gutted, but that role was equally stressful.

I returned to temp work which I hadn't done in years. The pay was less but quality of life better. I've moved again and love my current role. I know a police officer who re-trained as an osteopath.

Personally, I think I'd find call centre work even more stressful- because I couldn't physically help someone. Yes, I know you are helping on the phone. The shift work would be awful though. What did you do before joining the police? We might have other ideas of job roles to use your skills.

Being a police officer is a tough job and congrats for passing the training in your 50s. But I can see that this is a younger person's game and you have your child to think about. Being a call handler is still an important job where you can make a difference. You experience of life will stand you in good stead and the regular hours will suit better. There is no substitute for being able to finsih on time and walk out while leaving the drama behind.. You are doing important work.

Totally agree with @Alphabet1spaghetti2

You are awesome for getting into the police and passing the training ✅ You are self aware, astute and honest for realising it’s not for you 😊You are even more brilliant for getting a new job that will benefit from your policing experience 🎉You are a brilliant role model to your teens ☑️

Thanks so much for the positive and encouraging replies, I think I now know what I need to do 😊

What about finishing probation and then trying for non response roles as an option?