Jacking in your job

[The OG Jester]

I'm the 40-something guy in the same position as many have found themselves in here.

I'm seriously in need of a change as my own sanity and motivation levels now require it. My wife thinks I should just suck it up and continue, I'm well paid and in a senior position but the industry is full of so many horrible people I cracked up before Xmas and told a Director of our client " if you said that to me in the pub, rather than a meeting in work, I would have punched your in " and that is not me. My own boss laughed it off and tried to turn it around into a joke but I was being serious and the client knew he was being a .


Anyway, 2023 problems are still here in 2024. Going to use this thread as a bit of inspiration that people can move on even if it's less money but ultimately be more happy in life.

[Pit Pony]

djc206 said:

Pit Pony said:

I've already mentioned in another thread.
I'm 56.
I've had enough.
I'm resigning next week.
We can survive without work.
I probably will look for work after a few months.

Good luck!

I’m planning on retiring around that age. I’ll probably do some volunteering to keep me busy, maybe a bit to part time work if I get really bored.

So what actually happened was that I resigned. Without a job to go to. I calculated that full retirement would be a bit st on what investments we've got, but that we could live on savings for a long time if we needed to.
During my 3 months notice period I found 3 jobs. I took the one I thought would be most fun. (At a truck maker in Lancashire that used to be part of BLMC back in the 60s...they still talk about the plug hole of doom)
Took a bit of time off before I started. Sold the midweek house, so I can put lots more into pension.
For the most part the new job suits me. Management style is a bit 1985, but I'm old enough to see through the bullst.

One thing that's happened is that my 27 year old daughter in planning to take a year off work with her boyfriend and go travelling.

I'm thinking "wait a minute, maybe I shouldn't have taken this job, and should have taken 6 months out, before looking"

I think I've been conditioned to strive to earn, and the goal is the retire early, when actually, I could take a year of retirement whilst I'm healthy, go back to work and retire a year later.
This idea scares me.

[Pit Pony]

jm8403 said:

Oilchange said:

This is how I saw the last 30 years, the perfect employee is the family man/woman who is inches away from defaulting on debt or mortgage and has an expensive lifestyle to maintain. It's all about leverage and how the worker can be made to work harder to make the manager look better.

One senior engineer at my old workplace put it perfectly when he addressed the workforce, he said ' you lot are here to get me promoted'.
That went down like a st sandwich.

What is wrong with that statement? Surely everyone should want to improve their lot?

I have said to multiple bosses over the years "my job is to make you look good, I don't want your job, but I can help you do it better, and if you treat me as an equal, you'll be able to make me look good too" about 50% understand and benefit and 50% thought I was crazy.

The thing is, I know alot of stuff, and have seen alot of stuff and am good at working out the problem and finding a solution. I'm fairly average at implementing the solution, because once I know what the issue is and how to fix it, my attention has moved on. If I have to I can implement the solution but I'll be bored by it.

[jules_s]

Pit Pony said:

I have said to multiple bosses over the years "my job is to make you look good, I don't want your job, but I can help you do it better, and if you treat me as an equal, you'll be able to make me look good too" about 50% understand and benefit and 50% thought I was crazy.

I'm close to calling it a day at my current job (55) - pretty/very stressful job. High value, high risk position - failure = bad public fallout

I told my manager pretty much the above as Pit Pony as he really doesn't (IMO) have much idea what I do. It's a case of 1 million things done right (no problem - blissful ignorance) - one minor thing wrong (read: can be fixed the same day) and he's straight on the phone shouting the odds. The lack of understanding/trust is palpable.

This week, a week after a project takeover I'm leading he decides to go around me, stakeholders, clients etc to see if everything is 'ok'. and he rocks up unannounced which put everybody's nose out of joint. Me majorly - and I told him so in no uncertain terms.

Ah well.The people that 'know' appreciate what we've achieved (it's always a team effort)

Yes - I'm ranting online lol - feels a bit better though!

[siovey]

I'm 52, mortgage will be cleared in 4 years, which cant come soon enough!
I've been a contractor since 2014. My last contract ended in September last year and I was a bit skint so I had to take anything I could get at the time.
I'm currently working in telesales selling extended warranties and I bloody hate it. Crap money and hours. Utterly monotonous and mind numbing days . I'm going insane sitting here all day doing this garbage.
Some people have been here doing this for years!
I'm praying another decent contract comes up soon or I'll be quitting and living off my meagre savings for my own sanity!

[michael2219]

Pit Pony said:

So what actually happened was that I resigned. Without a job to go to. I calculated that full retirement would be a bit st on what investments we've got, but that we could live on savings for a long time if we needed to.
During my 3 months notice period I found 3 jobs. I took the one I thought would be most fun. (At a truck maker in Lancashire that used to be part of BLMC back in the 60s...they still talk about the plug hole of doom)
Took a bit of time off before I started. Sold the midweek house, so I can put lots more into pension.
For the most part the new job suits me. Management style is a bit 1985, but I'm old enough to see through the bullst.

One thing that's happened is that my 27 year old daughter in planning to take a year off work with her boyfriend and go travelling.

I'm thinking "wait a minute, maybe I shouldn't have taken this job, and should have taken 6 months out, before looking"

I think I've been conditioned to strive to earn, and the goal is the retire early, when actually, I could take a year of retirement whilst I'm healthy, go back to work and retire a year later.
This idea scares me.

Yes I jacked mine in after sticking it out for a year in, insurance. My manager lacked people skills. Liked the job and my colleagues but 1 phone call that was not compliant had me demoted to a role I hate which is dialling out all day everyday to clients who want a policy. I lasted a day and my resignation was handed in. I'm 35 years old so I'm not quite there yet with retirement hahaha.

I have been out for 4 weeks and some days I panic and other daya I'm fine about it. The panic is exactly what you say, it's ingrained in me to earn well.

I've a 4 week holiday getting In the way of employers taking me on. So this may be me until April. Eek!

The last time I did this (instant resignation due to the grim culture) I had 2 weeks off and was gutted when I landed a job after those 2 weeks. I've either gone lazy or a little rebellious to the crap some of us have to put up with. But then I think of people that really graft at work and think 'I'm I spoilt?', however not really because every penny I have is through hard work and no handouts from others.

But 1 day we will be none existent and I'll be one of those people with a feeling of regret that I didn't make enough time to enjoy my life.

Edited by michael2219 on Tuesday 9th January 00:27

[RabidGranny]

Im 43 and in the same role for the last 13.5 years. i applied for a job on a whim before xmas, did three interviews and lost out on the 1v1. Im a little sore about it because it showed what is possible. People say the usual 'oh well it wasnt meant to be etc' but at the same time not much comfort and hard to go back to the grind after it. While ive been overlooked for promotions i am paid as if i have been promoted so wherever i go now i will have to take a haircut. I just wonder if im doing it for the right reasons as i love the work and up to management level the people are quite nice to deal with. But as regards management my face doesnt fit. My wife says its time go and find something new but jobs in my area are hens teeth rare...

[ocrx8]

Must be something in the water…

Been in my role 4.5 years and the corporate nonsense is really starting to grind away at me. It’s a govt funded organisation and operates like the govt; meaning no decisions are made and over-consultation is extreme. Extreme penny pinching on some things while frittering away cash on others (I work in finance so see exactly what goes through the books). And the general politics are bat-st crazy.

I’ve been having resignation thoughts for a while now but I know there’s a potential restructure coming up, so I’d rather get paid to leave than leave on my own accord. I’ve worked without a break in jobs for 16 years now so the thought of a few months off is quite appealing.

[Sir Bagalot]

ocrx8 said:

corporate nonsense

I like that term. I used to call it Corporate Bullst.

I loved my first career. I was so passionate about it. Only problem was the higher you climbed the ladder the more bullst and idiots you met. It was draining.

I had some classic bullst times near the end, but my last corporate position was when I had a power hungry micro manager. After almost 2 very draining years I resigned with no job lined up. I worked my three months and my only regret was not walking with one month to go.

I totally changed careers and went self employed. So much more chilled now

[gangzoom]

Sir Bagalot said:

I like that term. I used to call it Corporate Bullst.

I loved my first career. I was so passionate about it. Only problem was the higher you climbed the ladder the more bullst and idiots you met. It was draining.

I must have lucked out in my corporate role because 18 months in and am loving it. Maybe its because I've managed to bypass 2-3 tiers, but it feels exciting and for once I actually feel like I can influence big changes that will benefit the whole organisation. I still do the front line/customer facing bit though, so maybe that's why? I'm also not coming across any issues with line managing colleagues who I've leap froged on the corporate ladder.....well not to my face anyways.

I can 100% see the appeal of going it alone, but I'm far too comfortable with the public sector pension, job security (pretty much zero chance of redundancy) to ever action any so dramatic, and nor would I want to given I love my current job. But if I hated my job it would be a different story. Life is far too short to waste grinding away at something you don't enjoy.

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 20th January 06:14

[BlindedByTheLights]

After ten years my notice is in to leave, it feels like a massive weight has been lifted already. Hardest part is leaving my colleagues in my small team who are fantastic but the company (big corporate) has just been disorganised chaos of late.

[SIMON67]

57 this year and on the brink. The older I get, the less tolerant I am of micromanaging hopeless managers. If the people above and around me were ok I'd be happy in my current role - sadly they won't be moving any time soon so I think it's me that needs to move on.

Currently debating eating a fair chunk of savings to take the next 2 years off, enjoy life now whilst healthy and able. Then find something less stressful & part time...

It's good reading this thread & realising that I'm not the only one!

[jasonrobertson86]

SIMON67 said:

57 this year and on the brink. The older I get, the less tolerant I am of micromanaging hopeless managers. If the people above and around me were ok I'd be happy in my current role - sadly they won't be moving any time soon so I think it's me that needs to move on.

Currently debating eating a fair chunk of savings to take the next 2 years off, enjoy life now whilst healthy and able. Then find something less stressful & part time...

It's good reading this thread & realising that I'm not the only one!

Sounds like you're the issue.... you should take that break....

[mcdk2]

I strongly recommend anyone in this situation moves onto a 4 day week or 9 day fortnight.
I did it for quite a few years and it keeps you in the game whilst providing a much better work life balance. A bit of space to breathe.

It could be enough of a reset for you, and I know people who regained work focus by moving to 4 days.

For me though, it encouraged me to retire a few years ago. I was only 42 so it was a difficult decision. I'd never consider returning to my profession, although i will always be an Engineer at my core.
Work of any kind is a compromise too far. My days are filled with all sorts of projects and I wouldn't have time to attend a job anyway!

[jasonrobertson86]

mcdk2 said:

I strongly recommend anyone in this situation moves onto a 4 day week or 9 day fortnight.
I did it for quite a few years and it keeps you in the game whilst providing a much better work life balance. A bit of space to breathe.

It could be enough of a reset for you, and I know people who regained work focus by moving to 4 days.

For me though, it encouraged me to retire a few years ago. I was only 42 so it was a difficult decision. I'd never consider returning to my profession, although i will always be an Engineer at my core.
Work of any kind is a compromise too far. My days are filled with all sorts of projects and I wouldn't have time to attend a job anyway!

42?! Did you sell a business?

[austina35]

I've been thinking of jacking my job in for a few months now. I'm fed up with incompetent people I work with. Also the management are hopeless.

I've been in engineering for over 20 years now. Currently been in my present job for 7 years. I'm surprised I've tolerated it for this long.

I've no mortgage, kids grown up, Mrs loves her full time job and some savings. Monthly outgoings are reasonable.

I've started to look for another position before I resign. If I get to easter and haven't found anything I like, then I may just resign and take some time out. After 35 years in employment, I deserve a short break.

[jasonrobertson86]

austina35 said:

I've been thinking of jacking my job in for a few months now. I'm fed up with incompetent people I work with. Also the management are hopeless.

I've been in engineering for over 20 years now. Currently been in my present job for 7 years. I'm surprised I've tolerated it for this long.

I've no mortgage, kids grown up, Mrs loves her full time job and some savings. Monthly outgoings are reasonable.

I've started to look for another position before I resign. If I get to easter and haven't found anything I like, then I may just resign and take some time out. After 35 years in employment, I deserve a short break.

Do it. But very hard to chuck away a decent salary, hence many don't...

[gangzoom]

It seems even YouTubers have similar issues .

https://youtu.be/GQAvce3MA44?si=Jz8TF5dVT-BYEpLu

[ocrx8]

mcdk2 said:

I strongly recommend anyone in this situation moves onto a 4 day week or 9 day fortnight.
I did it for quite a few years and it keeps you in the game whilst providing a much better work life balance. A bit of space to breathe.

It could be enough of a reset for you, and I know people who regained work focus by moving to 4 days.

For me though, it encouraged me to retire a few years ago. I was only 42 so it was a difficult decision. I'd never consider returning to my profession, although i will always be an Engineer at my core.
Work of any kind is a compromise too far. My days are filled with all sorts of projects and I wouldn't have time to attend a job anyway!

We trialed a 9 day fortnight last year from June-August. An extra ~50 minutes a day in exchange for one day off every two weeks. Since the trial ended we’re back onto a normal 10 day fortnight.

The feedback was good from all parties and the programme has been approved my senior management but five months on, HR (since rebranded People & Culture ) have done nothing about making it a permanent arrangement. Similar to most things involving HR at my place aka everything goes into a black hole.

I’d certainly look out for reduced days in a future organisation.

[Sir Bagalot]

mcdk2 said:

I strongly recommend anyone in this situation moves onto a 4 day week or 9 day fortnight.
I did it for quite a few years and it keeps you in the game whilst providing a much better work life balance. A bit of space to breathe.

It could be enough of a reset for you, and I know people who regained work focus by moving to 4 days.

For me though, it encouraged me to retire a few years ago. I was only 42 so it was a difficult decision. I'd never consider returning to my profession, although i will always be an Engineer at my core.
Work of any kind is a compromise too far. My days are filled with all sorts of projects and I wouldn't have time to attend a job anyway!

I think with Covid things may be a tad easier now. I quit my first career a couple of years pre Covid, I had suggested to my boss if I could WFH one day a week and I was told my position wasn't a WFH position The reality was I could do 80% of my role from home