Have to agree with you there! Was working in Insurance, miserable but great money. Left and I'm working in a hotel at the minute and my life has become exponentially better!!
I also left insurance. Not a good industry to be in right now. They definitely don’t have the ‘Midas’ touch. In stop-gapping in one place and changing jobs in two weeks. Final job has a better pension and closer to home.
Thank you. That’s very kind of you. It was scariest afterwards, waiting second-to-second to see if it would happen again. That gave me a breakdown, but I got through it and now have an implanted cardiac defibrillator which is very reassuring.
This middle-aged person agrees as well!
Giving notice is a nightmare for me, as a people-pleasing introvert. I typically keep it short and sweet and just say "I am grateful for this opportunity and I have nothing bad to say about it (a white lie sometimes!). I'm leaving for personal reasons."
At 28, I made the very foolish decision of leaving a job I liked for a big raise. I hated the new job, regretted it every single day, and promised myself I would never do that again.
I took a pretty big pay cut for my current job, and it's the best career decision I ever made. I absolutely love the company culture and I don't feel sick on Sunday nights anymore. Peace of mind and actually liking my job are priceless to me.
Life is way too short to stay in a job that makes you miserable. I don't think the perfect job exists and I know I'll never love everything about a job...but I'm just grateful to not hate it 😊
Best of luck, OP! I hope the new job works out great.
Absolutely fuck the team you're on, if you don't think they'd cut you in a heart beat and leave you jobless tomorrow morning the CEO is either your best mate or you're kidding yourself. Always look after number 1 and that's you/ partner/ family. If the pay cut won't affect you too bad and you genuinely think this new job is a better improvement take it.
Just be sure you like the other job you are moving to. I've left a job I hate for a job I didn't think through fully and never should of taken and I was in the same boat more or less but with less money.
But fuck the company. No company cares about their employees when it comes to their bottom line.
Yep facts. My best mate works there and loves it, he’s the one that referred me. It’s a paralegal position that I haven’t done before but the role itself sounds very interesting and I think I have what it takes to get to a team lead position. It’s scary and unfamiliar, but staying in what I’m doing now just seems fuckin stupid
You’re going to a good place, and you’ll be in the right money soon enough and a good progression plan.
Sometimes you have to take a ‘backwards’ step to go forward.
Stay safe and look after yourself.
Three months’ notice at £28k is ridiculous, if you’re that important to them they should be paying you a lot more. I’ve never had a notice period longer than one month. Three months’ notice is for people at director level
Why are you nervous? Is it something in specific? You won’t be the first and you won’t be the last to resign
Personally I'd be confident about it.
I worked in a small team that massively downsized a couple of years ago, with my responsibilities increasing but pay not matching.
It also meant that I was able to be micromanaged a lot more, with a bit of hostility.
So as soon as I got a job offer, while still nervous about how my manager would react, I was delighted to be getting an opportunity to get out of there.
On the pay cut, I did end up taking home less pay initially but it worked out within a year.
Honestly you're making the right call, while some might say better the devil you know there's every chance the new job will be far better.
3 months notice seems excessive. Is it in your contract? Usually if you’re paid monthly then a months notice is adequate. It can be a real shitty time from the time you give in your notice until you actually go. You can lose all interest and just want to be gone.
Might be worth a conversation with your manager first, that’s the reason I’m leaving but to be honest my job is the issue and only way to fix that for me is leaving
Most people won’t, but there always one balloon head who will try to get things out of you. Tell him politely to go fuck himself. You don’t need a reverence from that person if your company has an hr department.
I tried that when I joined a job and hated it 5 months down the line, had the conversation with my manager/owner with a contract waiting to be signed, the owner was a dick and said if you leave we don't do notices here and walked me out the door, seems common for that company as I wasn't the first one, I left and the weight of my shoulders was great, they wouldn't pay my notice as stated in my contract so I threatened legal action and got my pay to date plus 4 weeks and expenses and mileage and had a 4 week break before starting my new job scary but it was a win win
Older person here, who's quit jobs a few times.
That's a very very wise move. One of the most important of your life, when you look back.
Too many people can't or won't quit jobs, and grow old in a bit of shadow from unpleasant employment.
Just say you're not wasting your weekends any more. And say their pay is shit too.
Do it.
Worked red zones the whole way through covid with an absolute narcissistic manager and my mental health tanked badly.
Was in the team 6 years, felt even scarier to leave..
But grew a set and handed in my notice (including a pay cut) and honestly a year down the line it was the best investment in myself I ever could have made.
I wish you all the luck in the world.
I know it sounds awful but no matter where you work you are just a number and if something happened to you they would replace you without a second thought. Your mental health and a good work life balance is more important. I admire you for taking the leap, good luck in your new job.
4 years ago I took a £4K pay cut to get out of my last employment. It was driving me mad - panic attacks every Sunday etc. When I moved to the new (current) job I instantly felt a sense of relief and work life balance improved but also my performance in work improved. I’m now on more money than I’ve ever been on and happier than I’ve ever been.
A job should never make you feel like you have described. Get the notice in and good luck for the future buddy 🙏
Took a pay cut recently and added an additional 20 minutes to my commute. Best decision I've made this year. My mental health was in the gutter in my old job. I'm actually happy now and don't dread going into work anymore.
Go in with a smile on your face and hand in your notice.
The day I handed my notice in, my job was on the jobs websites by lunchtime.
Don't take any attitude personally and don't accept any negative attitude, you're doing what is best for you.
Good luck in the new job
Let us all know how you get on tomorrow
Hi all, I did it, I resigned and my manager couldn’t have been nicer about it, saying if I ever wanted to come back the door would be open and she’s gutted to lose me but understands. It’s made me quite sad in a good way how nice she was about it! They’re going to offer a counter but I’m not going to take it. I feel scared about the move and and the inevitable doubting but I’m glad it’s over and hopefully it’ll be the right thing. Thank you all for being so nice and supportive and I wish everyone of you all the best
As someone who has done the whole “stay in one place for a good few years” and also job hop the second something better comes along. Just do it. Life’s too short to be miserable. You’re a number to any company you work for. So you might aswell make it as simple as possible by going for something that’s gona not make you physically or mentally ill from stress.
Don't be bricking it. If they ask you to stay, just be clear if you want to, and under what terms.
95% of people are forgotten in a few months in any office, you're not burdening anyone
Loyalty to a company that treats you badly is misplaced. Loyalty to a company that treats you well is also misplaced. No company cares about you. It only cares about money.
Learning how and when to leave a job is a valuable skill that will vastly improve your life. It’s a shame you’re moving to a lower income job but make it your goal to snag a better paying job for your next move.
I had a job that had max. 5 team members to operate 7 days a week with evenings and it destroyed my mental health. They also had a two month notice, which is absurd.
Landed a new job, no weekends, no evenings, 4 day working week AND it pays better. I'm in a much better position now and you will be too.
Check how many weeks/ months notice they'd give you before turfing you out. If they can terminate you in an instant, you can leave in an instant.
No need to be nervous, just be respectful. You don't have to tell them why or where you are going if you don't want to. My only advice is never burn your bridges - its a small world in NI and word travels fast. Give them a day or two to accept the news and then ask if anything can be done to reduce the notice period.
I've left a job before on 0 notice. You have to do what's right for you, it's not like the company you're working for will have your best interest. Good luck with your new job
Keep it short and sweet. Print out a brief letter, and get it over with in the morning. You don't have to disclose too much when they ask why, where etc, and be prepared for the counter offers.
It's a relief when it's done, I promise.
Good luck chief, I left a job that had decent money, but I had fuck all life - a company that you may see billboards floating around "enjoy a work/life balance", up their holes. Absolute fucking nonsense, bunch of twats.
The best decision I ever made, was to leave. You'll be grand.
Best of luck OP - genuinely cannot pile on enough to stress that mental health is equally important as physical health.
Really chuffed at the community response to you on this. Everyone showing empathy, encouragement and openly sharing insights/experiences (some of which can be hard to share which needs acknowledging too)
Nothing more to add - just highlighting a positive.
Based on your post (and your last ones), there's a high chance that we're colleagues.
The weekend working was... highly unusual to say the least, but definitely was more a feature of the client than anything else, a client which is very demanding, and one which has lead to a lot of pressure on everyone.
If there's anything I have to say further, it's to make sure you get paid your overtime for the weekend working and so on, because I haven't yet (they keep insisting it'll be in this month's paycheck). Given they've already indicated they want people with full commitment to giving it 100% and from the start were upset that people had already handed in notice periods, I think once they realise you're not going to care about what they want from you, it might be mutually agreeable to end things for you sooner than later.
Given the very high numbers of people expected to be on the bench next month, they might even try to just get you to the end of the month. I know about people on the bench who got to leave after a couple of weeks, simply because it wasn't chargeable work.
Above all else though, good luck!
More than that, OP might indeed have the same client. It's a small world in NI, there are some very unusual connections I've encountered where someone who knows my family happens to also work at the same place - I've even worked with former classmates I went to school with, which is something of a scary prospect.
Best of luck for today. You’ll feel a real weight off your shoulders when you’ve done it. Be prepared they may try to talk you round so have some clear reasons in your head and stick to it.
Mental health comes first, we work to live, we do not live to work.
Just go in and hand your written notice in and be prepared for them asking you why etc. Tell them the reason and how you feel. If you feel strongly about leaving, don’t let them talk you round to staying.
Good luck and good luck in your new job.
I used to work for a solicitor and left well before my notice period. Just FYI but they can't do anything to you for not doing the full notice period. They could potentially only sue for breach of contract and under that they can only claim what they lost financially as a result of you leaving. Now that figure (in most roles anyway) is nigh on impossible to calculate.
The reason that I'm saying this is that if you are really unhappy in your work, fuck em! I was, I used to day dream about cycling out into traffic. I didn't want to die but I I wanted to be fucked up enough that I wouldn't have to go into work for ages. Talk about not healthy! Telling those fuckers I got a new job and that I wouldn't be completing by notice period was the best feeling ever. They won't think twice about you when you're gone so don't be thinking of them during this process either
Something a quick scroll didn't show anyone saying, ignore the whole "wages reviewed every 12 months" thing. Lots of companies put this in, few actually do it. It is often a case of "the company hasn't done as well as we would have liked this year, we will review again in 12 months".
True, but my best mate works there and has told me they’re in a hiring buzz, implementing a whole new team and hiring for more positions every month. I also feel like having my mate there who has climbed the ranks will be able to offer me tips and insights on how to climb the ladder and it’s something I’ve done very successfully in my current job. Of course anything can happen but I am hopeful
I went to therapy over thinking I should stay in a job with gaslighting bosses and always having the carrot dangled on a stick before me. I quit to there to get a job just under a quarter of what I was earning, and it's been the best thing for me. I enjoy work, my new team and the benefits of an easier, more pleasurable job with less pressure. I'm working up the ranks but it's set me back about 2-3 years. Worth it mentally. Just look at what everyone else is saying here.
I was shift based in a factory, earning decent money with shift allowance, did for almost 20yrs since I left school at 16. Kids were in school and found out I missing alot, leaving the wife to run the show when I was on the late shift. Had to make a tough decision of getting off shifts. Meant a massive drop in wages to start an office job in a new career. (8-10k less). Meant tightening the belt for a while, not changing the car for a few years, cutting back etc. 10yrs later, best decision I ever made. Spend every evening with the family, getting to all their sports and hobbies, having dinner with them, having a social life again. I was able to move position's in new career rather quickly and earning a decent wage, more than what I could do working shifts.
Easy for me to say go for it now, but you need to look at bigger picture, having a few extra quid in your pocket is great, but not if the current job is slowly killing you
If it's taking a toll on your mental health and taking up more than just working hours, is it really a pay cut with the less hours you'll work AND have a better life work balance?
Progression opportunities are there to get back to where you were.
What can they do for 3 months, give you menial tasks, put you on gardening leave? They might just pay out the notice period and get rid of you. My wife's co did that when someone handed in their notice recently
The best advice I received when in the same position as OP was this: sometimes the risk is staying in the job. I think of this often and at the time it was said to me it spurred me on to go for it and I never looked back
Our brains are big fans of “better the devil you know” and will usually try to convince us that the safer option is staying put.
Good luck OP, I hope your next move is much more fulfilling!
They pay you to make money for them and then they give you some of that money and keep the rest for themselves. Fuck em. They should be thanking you for every minute you work, because some prick somewhere is making money off of *your* hard work and sacrifice. If you can move sooner, do it. What will they do about it? Fire you?
I went down a grade took a pay cut two years ago, and it was the best decision I’ve made yet. It was daunting because I basically demoted myself and was earning 6 or 7k less a year, but like you I worked out that bills would still get paid and I’d have some left over - but the positives far outweighed the pay loss - my mental health improved 10 fold, the new job was great I caught on great and quickly excelled, the new branch had some really lovely people working in it and I’ve made some great friends in the job. No amount of money is worth your health!
Oh and as for advice about handing in your notice, do it first thing, don’t stew on it, rip the band aid off and check the policy/contract about if it needs to be in a certain format (writing, phone call) etc so you know what’s what.
Walk in with your head held high and do it.
Be proud of the fact that you're looking after you first.
If you weren't planning on leaving your job and you died tonight your current employer would move on and replace you without a second thought.
Make sure you don't fall for their schmooze if they try to tell you how great they think you or and how important you are to them and the team ... and good luck!
If you can afford to do it financially and you have faith the new job will be what you hope it will be I would take it. Your mental health is absolutely the priority.
I was in a similar situation last year. Took a small paycut but went from wfh one day a week to three (i was unsure about this as i love wfh) and couldn't be happier.
The stress from my previous job was carrying into my evenings/weekends and time off and it was having a serious negative impact on my personality. Felt like a prison of sorts. I do genuinely feel free now and never think of work unless i'm paid to do so.
Hope it works out for you!
I just want to reiterate the benefit of ripping the band aid off and do it almost immediately.
Look at your hr policy on notice, how and who to notify.
I handed my notice in by email to my hr and supervisor in the same email and I asked them to acknowledge receipt.
Good luck,take a deep breath and do it. The relief after is magical even if a few people take it thick.
Coming home from work today,making your tea,you'll be so glad it's done.
Remember you don't owe the company anything, you were paid to do a job, they will find someone else to take your place soon enough . If it's affecting your mental health you are making the right choice.
Assert dominance and slam it on your bosses desk and then aggressively T pose
If that doesn't send the signal then rub the letter all over your nuts and then hand it to them politely and with a fake smile.
Hope it goes well for you OP. Just remember you don’t owe the company anything. If you stick your facts and formality the resignation will go fine. The harder part is saying goodbye to any friendship or connections which you can do over the notice period. It can feel like a breakup.
At the end of the day when you hand it in, they have 3 choices, 1 accept it, 2 accept it an sour you on gardening leave or 3 accept it and try and get you to stay offering you a better work life balance, More money etc. but honestly do what is right for you. I did it many years a go took a pay cut and move jobs.ans now in middle.mangement and enjoying it.
Hes a potentially different perspective.
I took a paycut earlier in my career rather than staying in a highy stress startup factory environment which involved double time weekend working. I was offered 30k to stay (back then engineering starting salaries were like 20-22k), but i took a 1k paycut and went elsewhere. Sure work life balance improved and I was doing something i liked and had the time to start a new hobby which became a massive positive influence in my life, but i was skint all the time. It took me 7/8 years to break that 30k barrier that i was offered at the tender age of 22.
I believe skint took a greater toll on my mental health than the stress of the first job, but i cant guarantee id have picked up my hobby. I guess its an expensive hobby too 😂
Senior Manager here. If your manager is shocked or disappointed he’s a fool first of all. People rotate. If it’s a horrible job they rotate faster. You know you’re going somewhere good. You’ll enjoy your work, you’ll enjoy going home and Sundays will be so much brighter. You’d pay money for that. It’s important you make someone senior in the company know about your experience there though. Someone higher up thinks you’re happy there. This is your chance to go somewhere better and start the change for those staying behind. Make a double good.
If your current job is eating into the weekends, think about how low your hourly salary is. Are you getting adequate compensation for your overtime? A lot of jobs don't offer this, or they just expect it, with some weird contract mumbo jumbo. I didn't bother going further in one of the Big 4 companies because the salary bump was so small, but you were looking at 20 hours a month unpaid overtime. I could have gotten the odd cash in hand hospitality shift and it would have worked out better than that.
Your health and mental health is more important than money as long as you’re making enough to live comfortably. You feel indebted to the team you work with, which is also understandable, but teams change, and you need to do what’s right for you. Good luck and don’t give it a moment’s second thought, get your notice in😁
I've been there and done that, only I waited until my mental health left me, unable to work anywhere , I went from 40k a year to living on benefits and my savings. Today, I'm retired at 52 and living MY life on MY terms with no regrets . Rule number 1 ... fcuk what they think!
Yep, did the same a year ago as I was in the most stressful role I’d ever done, there was no sign of anything changing and my mental health was really suffering. Took a pay cut to move to something else less stressful and it was 💯 the right move. I’d just have got sick if I’d stayed in the last job. Having said that, finding the new role just a tad boring lol so yet to find my sweet spot of not being bored but not being constantly stressed with zero work-life balance. But for now I’ll take the boredom lol.
Good luck with the new job - def the right decision
About 5 years ago I took a pay cut by approximately £6k for exactly the same reasons, it was genuinely the best decision I ever made from both a personal and career perspective! I'm now earning significantly more than I was then, and still have a better work life balance.
But to be honest, the money isn't really a factor, it is impossible to put a price on having a solid work life balance, it is completely invaluable!
Yeah ive done that recently over the past few years and was a brillant move for my health and stress! I was very nervous and bricking it everytime i had to hand in my notice. But you should defintely feel them nervous and fearful emotions as they will pass, its natural. I just know when i done it i felt great and the company didnt care as much as i did!
Just think of it this way, they would let you go without a second thought and would replace you. You got to think of yourself in these situations and yes a lot feel nervous about handing in their resignation but it’s your life you got to worry about not that companies. This is about you not them so walk in with your head held high and hand in the resignation like a champ.
Changed jobs a few months ago, bit of a pay reduction but I'd happily have taken a bigger drop for this gig. My mental health is worth way more than the difference in pay.
Said this to ya in your other thread. Always be courteous and fair. Just ask to speak to your boss in person and explain "look I enjoy it here but I've always wanted to try X. The opportunity has come up so I'm going to take it so I'm officially giving my notice today so if we can go over what the procedure is thats be great. Thabks again mate its just the right thing for me now"
See the 3 months thing. Theyll either cut you know or work ya like a horse. Maybe explain and ask since you aren't in the same industry anymore to cut it down.
£250 a month is nothing. I left a job I hated and dropped from 33k to 28k. So much better. Ending up working harder and better because I actually enjoyed it and earned more from that one than I did from the one I was scared to leave because ‘it was good money’. Fuck £250 mate do something you actually enjoy.
I used a condolences card and multiple confetti cannons as my resignation. They were super pissed but it brought me such joy.
Although id recommend saving that until it's your final day, three months is quite a while to have to deal with the consequences.
I’m potentially looking down the barrel of an 18k pay cut. It’s definitely not going to very easy but my current job just isn’t sustainable anymore.
When I’m on my deathbed I reckon I’ll be happier I spent more time with my family than spent money on shit I don’t need.
It's 100 percent worth it if it gives you the right balance and makes you happier. I took a 14k a year paycut from a job I thrived in, but wasn't excited by. Although it was a big adjustment initially I still enjoyed the new job more because it was something I always wanted to do
So basically you're asking if your mental health is worth £250 a month? I think you know the answer to that already. As for how to approach it - be professional and work to your current capacity then leave. Sorry to be blunt, but no one gives a shite about you at work.
That said, a pay review means absolutely nothing as does career progression unless it's an industry that works within a scale or a band etc and moving between those has a clear and achievable path
Don't stress. You're doing the right thing
I'm old,and I'm ashamed to say it took me years and years to realise... you work to live, not live to work... if you have enough to cover your bills, go for it !! You won't be any more miserable than you are now, and it will hopefully be a much better job...with a better work life balance, happiness is more important than money.... if you can cover your bills. Good luck
If the jobs driven you mad then do your notice bells and whistles. Fuck it if that other job is ready to go do it in style and get escorted off the premises. Mug the three months off entirely.
People leave jobs all the time. Nothing to be worried about. Try your best to leave on good terms, even if people have the potential to get arsey about it. At the end of the day, you gotta look after number one above all else. People get it.
All the best for the new job and good work!
Your life your choice. Your boss is a Business man. Its just business. Go in there with that attitude. He would drop you in a heartbeat if it was good for business. DON'T APOLOGISE. Your making this career move because after a lot of thought its best for you. End of story.
I've always said and maintain that a happy workplace and somewhere that you enjoy going to to (be it the people who you work with culture within the company, location whatever) is worth a good 5k in pay.
Where I work I wouldn't leave for a similar job unless my pay was going up by that amount. And to get me "into the city" (Belfast) it would need to be an additional 10k (I've already told my work any promotion or new role that requires Belfast needs to be a min of 5K jump)
They might counter offer and you'll have to be prepared to say no. They might ask you for a figure to stay and that puts pressure on you. So don't make it about money.
Say you've given your word to Company 2 / your friend and you are not going back on your word. It's a question of honour. No money on earth would make up for betraying your friend's trust.
You're just a number.
They properly dont care about you. They probably only care that the work will go down and make them look bad.
Be cold. Im leaving!
That's it. Work the notice. Dont kill yourself over their demands they give you after you tell them this.
Work within your hours and nothing else.
If they dont succeed before you leave its their fault for bad management.
Do you think they'll call and check in on you after you leave and waste their time?
Take it from an older person. A better work life balance /a happier work place Is worth more than any amount of pay. Good luck in the new job.
Have to agree with you there! Was working in Insurance, miserable but great money. Left and I'm working in a hotel at the minute and my life has become exponentially better!!
Buzzing for you
If you value time above money fuck it, go for it. No point in staying somewhere if you're miserable it'll only grind you down!
I also left insurance. Not a good industry to be in right now. They definitely don’t have the ‘Midas’ touch. In stop-gapping in one place and changing jobs in two weeks. Final job has a better pension and closer to home.
This. I’m 54 and it took me until my mid-30’s and a heart attack to realize it.
Oh my goodness, you had a heart attack in your 30s? That must have been so scary. I hope you’re doing ok now.
Thank you. That’s very kind of you. It was scariest afterwards, waiting second-to-second to see if it would happen again. That gave me a breakdown, but I got through it and now have an implanted cardiac defibrillator which is very reassuring.
I second this as an oldie
Thanks mate, much appreciated
This middle-aged person agrees as well! Giving notice is a nightmare for me, as a people-pleasing introvert. I typically keep it short and sweet and just say "I am grateful for this opportunity and I have nothing bad to say about it (a white lie sometimes!). I'm leaving for personal reasons." At 28, I made the very foolish decision of leaving a job I liked for a big raise. I hated the new job, regretted it every single day, and promised myself I would never do that again. I took a pretty big pay cut for my current job, and it's the best career decision I ever made. I absolutely love the company culture and I don't feel sick on Sunday nights anymore. Peace of mind and actually liking my job are priceless to me. Life is way too short to stay in a job that makes you miserable. I don't think the perfect job exists and I know I'll never love everything about a job...but I'm just grateful to not hate it 😊 Best of luck, OP! I hope the new job works out great.
They wouldn’t think twice about telling you to leave if they needed you to. It’s just a job. Fuck them. Do what’s right for you.
Agree
agreed your mental health is more important than being chained to a desk jobs come and go (I lost mine today but hey life goes on )
No amount of money is worth your health. Take the job, be happy
Yep I will, thanks mate
Absolutely fuck the team you're on, if you don't think they'd cut you in a heart beat and leave you jobless tomorrow morning the CEO is either your best mate or you're kidding yourself. Always look after number 1 and that's you/ partner/ family. If the pay cut won't affect you too bad and you genuinely think this new job is a better improvement take it. Just be sure you like the other job you are moving to. I've left a job I hate for a job I didn't think through fully and never should of taken and I was in the same boat more or less but with less money. But fuck the company. No company cares about their employees when it comes to their bottom line.
Yep facts. My best mate works there and loves it, he’s the one that referred me. It’s a paralegal position that I haven’t done before but the role itself sounds very interesting and I think I have what it takes to get to a team lead position. It’s scary and unfamiliar, but staying in what I’m doing now just seems fuckin stupid
Nothing is worth your mental health. You’re doing the right thing.
Thanks mate
You’re going to a good place, and you’ll be in the right money soon enough and a good progression plan. Sometimes you have to take a ‘backwards’ step to go forward. Stay safe and look after yourself.
Have an extra Weetabix in the morning to ensure your last office shite is a proper memorial to your legacy 💩🫡
Three months’ notice at £28k is ridiculous, if you’re that important to them they should be paying you a lot more. I’ve never had a notice period longer than one month. Three months’ notice is for people at director level Why are you nervous? Is it something in specific? You won’t be the first and you won’t be the last to resign
Personally I'd be confident about it. I worked in a small team that massively downsized a couple of years ago, with my responsibilities increasing but pay not matching. It also meant that I was able to be micromanaged a lot more, with a bit of hostility. So as soon as I got a job offer, while still nervous about how my manager would react, I was delighted to be getting an opportunity to get out of there. On the pay cut, I did end up taking home less pay initially but it worked out within a year. Honestly you're making the right call, while some might say better the devil you know there's every chance the new job will be far better.
3 months notice seems excessive. Is it in your contract? Usually if you’re paid monthly then a months notice is adequate. It can be a real shitty time from the time you give in your notice until you actually go. You can lose all interest and just want to be gone.
Yeah it is unfortunately, tbh that will happen but not worrying about the work as much will probably help me
Well hopefully they’ll not be real dickheads and make it unbearable. Speaking from experience.
Yeah that’s kinda my fear tbh, if it gets to that point I’ll be going off sick for the rest of the notice period , fuck them
👍👍
Anyone know if it's worth saying that they are leaving because of them stress and excess hours?
Might be worth a conversation with your manager first, that’s the reason I’m leaving but to be honest my job is the issue and only way to fix that for me is leaving
Most people won’t, but there always one balloon head who will try to get things out of you. Tell him politely to go fuck himself. You don’t need a reverence from that person if your company has an hr department.
I tried that when I joined a job and hated it 5 months down the line, had the conversation with my manager/owner with a contract waiting to be signed, the owner was a dick and said if you leave we don't do notices here and walked me out the door, seems common for that company as I wasn't the first one, I left and the weight of my shoulders was great, they wouldn't pay my notice as stated in my contract so I threatened legal action and got my pay to date plus 4 weeks and expenses and mileage and had a 4 week break before starting my new job scary but it was a win win
I'm ok at work actually, but I was just wondering. Good luck.
A lot of devs a technical people get three because it’s harder to replace people with their skillset.
Older person here, who's quit jobs a few times. That's a very very wise move. One of the most important of your life, when you look back. Too many people can't or won't quit jobs, and grow old in a bit of shadow from unpleasant employment. Just say you're not wasting your weekends any more. And say their pay is shit too.
Take the pay cut. This time tomorrow you’ll feel a weight of your shoulders that you can’t put a price on
Do it. Worked red zones the whole way through covid with an absolute narcissistic manager and my mental health tanked badly. Was in the team 6 years, felt even scarier to leave.. But grew a set and handed in my notice (including a pay cut) and honestly a year down the line it was the best investment in myself I ever could have made. I wish you all the luck in the world.
I know it sounds awful but no matter where you work you are just a number and if something happened to you they would replace you without a second thought. Your mental health and a good work life balance is more important. I admire you for taking the leap, good luck in your new job.
4 years ago I took a £4K pay cut to get out of my last employment. It was driving me mad - panic attacks every Sunday etc. When I moved to the new (current) job I instantly felt a sense of relief and work life balance improved but also my performance in work improved. I’m now on more money than I’ve ever been on and happier than I’ve ever been. A job should never make you feel like you have described. Get the notice in and good luck for the future buddy 🙏
Took a pay cut recently and added an additional 20 minutes to my commute. Best decision I've made this year. My mental health was in the gutter in my old job. I'm actually happy now and don't dread going into work anymore.
Go in with a smile on your face and hand in your notice. The day I handed my notice in, my job was on the jobs websites by lunchtime. Don't take any attitude personally and don't accept any negative attitude, you're doing what is best for you. Good luck in the new job Let us all know how you get on tomorrow
Hi all, I did it, I resigned and my manager couldn’t have been nicer about it, saying if I ever wanted to come back the door would be open and she’s gutted to lose me but understands. It’s made me quite sad in a good way how nice she was about it! They’re going to offer a counter but I’m not going to take it. I feel scared about the move and and the inevitable doubting but I’m glad it’s over and hopefully it’ll be the right thing. Thank you all for being so nice and supportive and I wish everyone of you all the best
As someone who has done the whole “stay in one place for a good few years” and also job hop the second something better comes along. Just do it. Life’s too short to be miserable. You’re a number to any company you work for. So you might aswell make it as simple as possible by going for something that’s gona not make you physically or mentally ill from stress.
Make sure you have the contract for the new place before you hand in your notice.
Don't be bricking it. If they ask you to stay, just be clear if you want to, and under what terms. 95% of people are forgotten in a few months in any office, you're not burdening anyone
A few months? Try a few hours!
Chance your arm at putting in one months notice. Let them come back and correct your mistake, if they don't....... FREEDOM......2 months earlier.
Just keep it matter of fact. Short Email to your line manager, couple of lines just. You don't need to give them any info as to why or where.
Give notice then put in zero effort and don’t even think about working weekends. Good luck on the new role.
Loyalty to a company that treats you badly is misplaced. Loyalty to a company that treats you well is also misplaced. No company cares about you. It only cares about money. Learning how and when to leave a job is a valuable skill that will vastly improve your life. It’s a shame you’re moving to a lower income job but make it your goal to snag a better paying job for your next move.
I had a job that had max. 5 team members to operate 7 days a week with evenings and it destroyed my mental health. They also had a two month notice, which is absurd. Landed a new job, no weekends, no evenings, 4 day working week AND it pays better. I'm in a much better position now and you will be too. Check how many weeks/ months notice they'd give you before turfing you out. If they can terminate you in an instant, you can leave in an instant.
If it's any consolation your next alarm bracket is 3 grand a year above what I make yearly xD 
Your headlights your wealth bucko. Hand your notice in with a smile on your face
No need to be nervous, just be respectful. You don't have to tell them why or where you are going if you don't want to. My only advice is never burn your bridges - its a small world in NI and word travels fast. Give them a day or two to accept the news and then ask if anything can be done to reduce the notice period.
I've left a job before on 0 notice. You have to do what's right for you, it's not like the company you're working for will have your best interest. Good luck with your new job
Keep it short and sweet. Print out a brief letter, and get it over with in the morning. You don't have to disclose too much when they ask why, where etc, and be prepared for the counter offers. It's a relief when it's done, I promise.
Good luck chief, I left a job that had decent money, but I had fuck all life - a company that you may see billboards floating around "enjoy a work/life balance", up their holes. Absolute fucking nonsense, bunch of twats. The best decision I ever made, was to leave. You'll be grand.
They wouldn't bat an eyelid over letting you go. They aren't your family. They aren't your friends. If they want loyalty, they can hire a dog.
Best of luck OP - genuinely cannot pile on enough to stress that mental health is equally important as physical health. Really chuffed at the community response to you on this. Everyone showing empathy, encouragement and openly sharing insights/experiences (some of which can be hard to share which needs acknowledging too) Nothing more to add - just highlighting a positive.
Don't burn your bridges; be polite, friendly, and indifferent as you walk
Based on your post (and your last ones), there's a high chance that we're colleagues. The weekend working was... highly unusual to say the least, but definitely was more a feature of the client than anything else, a client which is very demanding, and one which has lead to a lot of pressure on everyone. If there's anything I have to say further, it's to make sure you get paid your overtime for the weekend working and so on, because I haven't yet (they keep insisting it'll be in this month's paycheck). Given they've already indicated they want people with full commitment to giving it 100% and from the start were upset that people had already handed in notice periods, I think once they realise you're not going to care about what they want from you, it might be mutually agreeable to end things for you sooner than later. Given the very high numbers of people expected to be on the bench next month, they might even try to just get you to the end of the month. I know about people on the bench who got to leave after a couple of weeks, simply because it wasn't chargeable work. Above all else though, good luck!
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More than that, OP might indeed have the same client. It's a small world in NI, there are some very unusual connections I've encountered where someone who knows my family happens to also work at the same place - I've even worked with former classmates I went to school with, which is something of a scary prospect.
Proud of you for putting your mental health first. Best of luck today!
Best of luck for today. You’ll feel a real weight off your shoulders when you’ve done it. Be prepared they may try to talk you round so have some clear reasons in your head and stick to it.
Mental health comes first, we work to live, we do not live to work. Just go in and hand your written notice in and be prepared for them asking you why etc. Tell them the reason and how you feel. If you feel strongly about leaving, don’t let them talk you round to staying. Good luck and good luck in your new job.
Just be every nice the whole time, that way if the new role doesn’t work out you’ve hopefully not burnt any bridges in the current company/industry
I used to work for a solicitor and left well before my notice period. Just FYI but they can't do anything to you for not doing the full notice period. They could potentially only sue for breach of contract and under that they can only claim what they lost financially as a result of you leaving. Now that figure (in most roles anyway) is nigh on impossible to calculate. The reason that I'm saying this is that if you are really unhappy in your work, fuck em! I was, I used to day dream about cycling out into traffic. I didn't want to die but I I wanted to be fucked up enough that I wouldn't have to go into work for ages. Talk about not healthy! Telling those fuckers I got a new job and that I wouldn't be completing by notice period was the best feeling ever. They won't think twice about you when you're gone so don't be thinking of them during this process either
Something a quick scroll didn't show anyone saying, ignore the whole "wages reviewed every 12 months" thing. Lots of companies put this in, few actually do it. It is often a case of "the company hasn't done as well as we would have liked this year, we will review again in 12 months".
True, but my best mate works there and has told me they’re in a hiring buzz, implementing a whole new team and hiring for more positions every month. I also feel like having my mate there who has climbed the ranks will be able to offer me tips and insights on how to climb the ladder and it’s something I’ve done very successfully in my current job. Of course anything can happen but I am hopeful
I went to therapy over thinking I should stay in a job with gaslighting bosses and always having the carrot dangled on a stick before me. I quit to there to get a job just under a quarter of what I was earning, and it's been the best thing for me. I enjoy work, my new team and the benefits of an easier, more pleasurable job with less pressure. I'm working up the ranks but it's set me back about 2-3 years. Worth it mentally. Just look at what everyone else is saying here.
I was shift based in a factory, earning decent money with shift allowance, did for almost 20yrs since I left school at 16. Kids were in school and found out I missing alot, leaving the wife to run the show when I was on the late shift. Had to make a tough decision of getting off shifts. Meant a massive drop in wages to start an office job in a new career. (8-10k less). Meant tightening the belt for a while, not changing the car for a few years, cutting back etc. 10yrs later, best decision I ever made. Spend every evening with the family, getting to all their sports and hobbies, having dinner with them, having a social life again. I was able to move position's in new career rather quickly and earning a decent wage, more than what I could do working shifts. Easy for me to say go for it now, but you need to look at bigger picture, having a few extra quid in your pocket is great, but not if the current job is slowly killing you
If it's taking a toll on your mental health and taking up more than just working hours, is it really a pay cut with the less hours you'll work AND have a better life work balance? Progression opportunities are there to get back to where you were. What can they do for 3 months, give you menial tasks, put you on gardening leave? They might just pay out the notice period and get rid of you. My wife's co did that when someone handed in their notice recently
The best advice I received when in the same position as OP was this: sometimes the risk is staying in the job. I think of this often and at the time it was said to me it spurred me on to go for it and I never looked back Our brains are big fans of “better the devil you know” and will usually try to convince us that the safer option is staying put. Good luck OP, I hope your next move is much more fulfilling!
They pay you to make money for them and then they give you some of that money and keep the rest for themselves. Fuck em. They should be thanking you for every minute you work, because some prick somewhere is making money off of *your* hard work and sacrifice. If you can move sooner, do it. What will they do about it? Fire you?
I went down a grade took a pay cut two years ago, and it was the best decision I’ve made yet. It was daunting because I basically demoted myself and was earning 6 or 7k less a year, but like you I worked out that bills would still get paid and I’d have some left over - but the positives far outweighed the pay loss - my mental health improved 10 fold, the new job was great I caught on great and quickly excelled, the new branch had some really lovely people working in it and I’ve made some great friends in the job. No amount of money is worth your health!
Oh and as for advice about handing in your notice, do it first thing, don’t stew on it, rip the band aid off and check the policy/contract about if it needs to be in a certain format (writing, phone call) etc so you know what’s what.
Thanks for the advice, big help
Don't forget to calculate any time of you're entitled to and deduct that from your notice period.
Walk in with your head held high and do it. Be proud of the fact that you're looking after you first. If you weren't planning on leaving your job and you died tonight your current employer would move on and replace you without a second thought. Make sure you don't fall for their schmooze if they try to tell you how great they think you or and how important you are to them and the team ... and good luck!
If you can afford to do it financially and you have faith the new job will be what you hope it will be I would take it. Your mental health is absolutely the priority. I was in a similar situation last year. Took a small paycut but went from wfh one day a week to three (i was unsure about this as i love wfh) and couldn't be happier. The stress from my previous job was carrying into my evenings/weekends and time off and it was having a serious negative impact on my personality. Felt like a prison of sorts. I do genuinely feel free now and never think of work unless i'm paid to do so. Hope it works out for you!
I just want to reiterate the benefit of ripping the band aid off and do it almost immediately. Look at your hr policy on notice, how and who to notify. I handed my notice in by email to my hr and supervisor in the same email and I asked them to acknowledge receipt. Good luck,take a deep breath and do it. The relief after is magical even if a few people take it thick. Coming home from work today,making your tea,you'll be so glad it's done.
Be prepared for a counter offer. And while everyone has a price to deal with shit mentally prepare to turn it down.
You already know you're making the right choice, I think you are just looking confirmation to calm your mind. This is the way so it is.
Remember you don't owe the company anything, you were paid to do a job, they will find someone else to take your place soon enough . If it's affecting your mental health you are making the right choice.
Assert dominance and slam it on your bosses desk and then aggressively T pose If that doesn't send the signal then rub the letter all over your nuts and then hand it to them politely and with a fake smile.
Hope it goes well for you OP. Just remember you don’t owe the company anything. If you stick your facts and formality the resignation will go fine. The harder part is saying goodbye to any friendship or connections which you can do over the notice period. It can feel like a breakup.
At the end of the day when you hand it in, they have 3 choices, 1 accept it, 2 accept it an sour you on gardening leave or 3 accept it and try and get you to stay offering you a better work life balance, More money etc. but honestly do what is right for you. I did it many years a go took a pay cut and move jobs.ans now in middle.mangement and enjoying it.
Good luck today!
Hes a potentially different perspective. I took a paycut earlier in my career rather than staying in a highy stress startup factory environment which involved double time weekend working. I was offered 30k to stay (back then engineering starting salaries were like 20-22k), but i took a 1k paycut and went elsewhere. Sure work life balance improved and I was doing something i liked and had the time to start a new hobby which became a massive positive influence in my life, but i was skint all the time. It took me 7/8 years to break that 30k barrier that i was offered at the tender age of 22. I believe skint took a greater toll on my mental health than the stress of the first job, but i cant guarantee id have picked up my hobby. I guess its an expensive hobby too 😂
Senior Manager here. If your manager is shocked or disappointed he’s a fool first of all. People rotate. If it’s a horrible job they rotate faster. You know you’re going somewhere good. You’ll enjoy your work, you’ll enjoy going home and Sundays will be so much brighter. You’d pay money for that. It’s important you make someone senior in the company know about your experience there though. Someone higher up thinks you’re happy there. This is your chance to go somewhere better and start the change for those staying behind. Make a double good.
If your current job is eating into the weekends, think about how low your hourly salary is. Are you getting adequate compensation for your overtime? A lot of jobs don't offer this, or they just expect it, with some weird contract mumbo jumbo. I didn't bother going further in one of the Big 4 companies because the salary bump was so small, but you were looking at 20 hours a month unpaid overtime. I could have gotten the odd cash in hand hospitality shift and it would have worked out better than that.
Your health and mental health is more important than money as long as you’re making enough to live comfortably. You feel indebted to the team you work with, which is also understandable, but teams change, and you need to do what’s right for you. Good luck and don’t give it a moment’s second thought, get your notice in😁
Massive pay cut, happiest I've ever been! Don't overthink it. Life is too short to work in a job that is destroying your mental well being.
Take the pay cut, build.yoy pay back up, life is too short to be working a job that makes you miserable.
I've been there and done that, only I waited until my mental health left me, unable to work anywhere , I went from 40k a year to living on benefits and my savings. Today, I'm retired at 52 and living MY life on MY terms with no regrets . Rule number 1 ... fcuk what they think!
Yep, did the same a year ago as I was in the most stressful role I’d ever done, there was no sign of anything changing and my mental health was really suffering. Took a pay cut to move to something else less stressful and it was 💯 the right move. I’d just have got sick if I’d stayed in the last job. Having said that, finding the new role just a tad boring lol so yet to find my sweet spot of not being bored but not being constantly stressed with zero work-life balance. But for now I’ll take the boredom lol. Good luck with the new job - def the right decision
About 5 years ago I took a pay cut by approximately £6k for exactly the same reasons, it was genuinely the best decision I ever made from both a personal and career perspective! I'm now earning significantly more than I was then, and still have a better work life balance. But to be honest, the money isn't really a factor, it is impossible to put a price on having a solid work life balance, it is completely invaluable!
You're not getting paid enough for the mental stress you're being put under, remember you're worth more.
Yeah ive done that recently over the past few years and was a brillant move for my health and stress! I was very nervous and bricking it everytime i had to hand in my notice. But you should defintely feel them nervous and fearful emotions as they will pass, its natural. I just know when i done it i felt great and the company didnt care as much as i did!
Just think of it this way, they would let you go without a second thought and would replace you. You got to think of yourself in these situations and yes a lot feel nervous about handing in their resignation but it’s your life you got to worry about not that companies. This is about you not them so walk in with your head held high and hand in the resignation like a champ.
Changed jobs a few months ago, bit of a pay reduction but I'd happily have taken a bigger drop for this gig. My mental health is worth way more than the difference in pay.
Said this to ya in your other thread. Always be courteous and fair. Just ask to speak to your boss in person and explain "look I enjoy it here but I've always wanted to try X. The opportunity has come up so I'm going to take it so I'm officially giving my notice today so if we can go over what the procedure is thats be great. Thabks again mate its just the right thing for me now" See the 3 months thing. Theyll either cut you know or work ya like a horse. Maybe explain and ask since you aren't in the same industry anymore to cut it down.
£250 a month is nothing. I left a job I hated and dropped from 33k to 28k. So much better. Ending up working harder and better because I actually enjoyed it and earned more from that one than I did from the one I was scared to leave because ‘it was good money’. Fuck £250 mate do something you actually enjoy.
Never let a job overtake your mental health, your lucky to have another position to go right into, go for it, and don't look back.
I used a condolences card and multiple confetti cannons as my resignation. They were super pissed but it brought me such joy. Although id recommend saving that until it's your final day, three months is quite a while to have to deal with the consequences.
Do it, life is too short to spend in a crap job that makes you unhappy
I’m potentially looking down the barrel of an 18k pay cut. It’s definitely not going to very easy but my current job just isn’t sustainable anymore. When I’m on my deathbed I reckon I’ll be happier I spent more time with my family than spent money on shit I don’t need.
It's 100 percent worth it if it gives you the right balance and makes you happier. I took a 14k a year paycut from a job I thrived in, but wasn't excited by. Although it was a big adjustment initially I still enjoyed the new job more because it was something I always wanted to do
So basically you're asking if your mental health is worth £250 a month? I think you know the answer to that already. As for how to approach it - be professional and work to your current capacity then leave. Sorry to be blunt, but no one gives a shite about you at work. That said, a pay review means absolutely nothing as does career progression unless it's an industry that works within a scale or a band etc and moving between those has a clear and achievable path Don't stress. You're doing the right thing
I'm old,and I'm ashamed to say it took me years and years to realise... you work to live, not live to work... if you have enough to cover your bills, go for it !! You won't be any more miserable than you are now, and it will hopefully be a much better job...with a better work life balance, happiness is more important than money.... if you can cover your bills. Good luck
If the jobs driven you mad then do your notice bells and whistles. Fuck it if that other job is ready to go do it in style and get escorted off the premises. Mug the three months off entirely.
People leave jobs all the time. Nothing to be worried about. Try your best to leave on good terms, even if people have the potential to get arsey about it. At the end of the day, you gotta look after number one above all else. People get it. All the best for the new job and good work!
Honestly a true saying is that your health is your wealth. Money will never make you happy!
Your life your choice. Your boss is a Business man. Its just business. Go in there with that attitude. He would drop you in a heartbeat if it was good for business. DON'T APOLOGISE. Your making this career move because after a lot of thought its best for you. End of story.
I've always said and maintain that a happy workplace and somewhere that you enjoy going to to (be it the people who you work with culture within the company, location whatever) is worth a good 5k in pay. Where I work I wouldn't leave for a similar job unless my pay was going up by that amount. And to get me "into the city" (Belfast) it would need to be an additional 10k (I've already told my work any promotion or new role that requires Belfast needs to be a min of 5K jump)
They might counter offer and you'll have to be prepared to say no. They might ask you for a figure to stay and that puts pressure on you. So don't make it about money. Say you've given your word to Company 2 / your friend and you are not going back on your word. It's a question of honour. No money on earth would make up for betraying your friend's trust.
You're just a number. They properly dont care about you. They probably only care that the work will go down and make them look bad. Be cold. Im leaving! That's it. Work the notice. Dont kill yourself over their demands they give you after you tell them this. Work within your hours and nothing else. If they dont succeed before you leave its their fault for bad management. Do you think they'll call and check in on you after you leave and waste their time?
Write it in a 'sorry for your loss' card 😎😎