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Leave job or not?

(12 Posts)
Gin0rW1ne Thu 09-Jan-20 09:01:19

I'm soon to be 50. Have a mortgage to pay for 15 more years. No dependents any more. So bored of my job. I hate it. Find myself being grumpy all day. 5 days a week. I work approx 50-60 hours a week. Been there for 15 years. Salary is fantastic. Trying to weigh up whether to just resign and survive on one household salary until I find something else or just keep going. I have looked for similar work but nothing out there. I can retire in 18 years after all! Don't think I'd get the same salary anywhere else as I have worked my way up. Anyone resigned with no job to go to and survived?

Doodledog Thu 09-Jan-20 09:09:18

I think a lot depends on your personality type. I wouldn't do it, but I like security, and I did have dependents for a lot of the time. I often wish I had been more adventurous over the years, though.

It sounds as though you have a safety net, though. If your partner is happy for you to make the leap, and it won't cause problems in your relationship, then why not? Before you leave, if you can put aside enough money to keep you going for a year or so, that would be ideal, as you can keep your independence, and maybe retrain for something that would make you happier. Do you know what you want to do?

We spend such a lot of time at work that it's important that we aren't miserable; but at the same time, you don't want to leave this role and find another that also makes you miserable but pays half the salary.

B9exchange Thu 09-Jan-20 09:13:01

If your salary is fantastic, I would start planning now, don't just resign, but put what remaining hours you have into deciding what you want to do next. Everyone gets itchy feet at the start of the year, nothing wrong in that, but turn the frustration into planning what you really want to do with your life.

Decide how much money you need to support your lifestyle, and how the drop in income could be managed. Start saving so that you could survive a break in employment. Set yourself a timeline to find another job with savings behind you. Build in a holiday if you like.

Make your life what you need it to be, but decide what that is first? grin

Grammaretto Thu 09-Jan-20 09:15:23

I can't decide for you but if you hate what you do every day and 60hrs a week is a full working week, it's time to take stock and look at changing things. Would it be possible to cut your hours?
If you want another job it's easier if you are already in work.
Can you afford to live on one salary? Think of the dynamic changing too. This will affect others as well.
Have you thought of retraining? Learning a new skill?.
I met a man yesterday who gave up his job in marketing and now runs a pyrotechnics business.

Harris27 Thu 09-Jan-20 09:17:25

I would find something else before you go. You may regret not having that salary.

Daisymae Thu 09-Jan-20 09:18:16

Find another job. Work out what you like to do, what's important at work, think about what type of job involves that most. It's almost always easier to get a job when you are in employment. Maybe you can retrain? Think about your options, get a goal. You have nearly 20 years to go, make the most of it.

Eglantine21 Thu 09-Jan-20 09:26:43

Yup, Ive walked away from jobs I hated. Twice. No second salary to fall back on either. Never regretted it.

Not just your decision though, is it? If you have a partner you have to discuss it with them. I had only myself to think about. Having been poor before, I knew I could manage with a low paid job if I had to.

Actually what happened was that once I was free I could take up other opportunities. Am I rich, no. Have I enjoyed my life - you bet!

Shelmiss Thu 09-Jan-20 09:30:29

If you can manage on one salary then I say do it. I was made redundant at 45 and decided I didn’t want to try to get another job. I’ve enjoyed every day since, I’ve gone on to do things I never thought I would (did a BA (Hons) and Masters and started online gift shop).

If you have the support of your partner, which I do, then I say go for it.

Daisymae Thu 09-Jan-20 11:18:23

Have you considered going part time in your current job? Might make things more bearable in the short term. Alternatively cut down your hours so that you are getting a better work life balance.

grannyactivist Thu 09-Jan-20 11:43:06

I walked away from my career when I realised that I was no longer able to carry out the role I had trained for and was passionate about due to increasing bureaucracy and decreasing resources. I have never regretted it.

Now I do the same kind of job, but it’s unpaid, so we live on just one salary. I love what I do and although it’s stressful and often difficult it brings me a daily satisfaction that no amount of money would give me.

Fifty hours a week is a long time to be doing something you hate. Is it really worth the extra money?

Tangerine Thu 09-Jan-20 11:59:13

Perhaps firstly try and cut down your hours.

Maybe explore the job market before making a final decision. See if you can see other jobs you like and whether you are successful at getting interviews perhaps.

You say you are bored which is different from being worried and stressed. Would you miss the money and think "I could put up with a bit of boredom for the money"?

A lot depends on your personality and financial position.

Hetty58 Fri 10-Jan-20 21:11:15

You only have one life - and it's too short to do jobs that make you unhappy. How about study, travel or voluntary work instead?