Considering Quitting My Job. Am I Crazy? UPDATE: I Quit!

Not crazy life is too short to stay in a job that’s making you miserable, that alone can’t be good for your health? I stopped working as I was on maternity leave when I got my tick bite and never went back, I’ve not worked for 18 months and money is wearing very thin now, not the best situation with Christmas around the corner. I’m considering starting up something of my own.

Is this something you could do, from the skills you gained from your job? If not believe that you will find another role when you’re ready and you will. It’s so easy giving this advice but I know what a huge decision it is. Do what will make you happy. You probably already know the answer

Szabo246,

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I know I will gain a lot of insight from the answers I receive, as the folks here have had the toughest of times.

I also want to be sensitive to those who, as you mentioned, may not be working at the moment. Or, those trying to get back to work but may find it difficult, due to competition, finding the right job, trying to get enough income, and other factors.

On one hand, I'm sincerely grateful to be earning an income, but, on the other hand, as you wisely stated, life is too short to keep doing something that brings misery. I've been in this job for over 10 years. The first two were great. Then, we were purchased by a larger company. That was the kiss of death. Seven years later, we were acquired by an even larger corporation and things only got worse.

Anyway, my concern about quitting is that the stress of staying will be replaced by the stress of being unemployed. I live fairly frugally, but still have $1,000 to rent, $400 to my student loan, and the usual expenses like electricity, etc. I don't have Cable TV, no credit card debt, my car is paid-off, and I have no kids. I do live alone, though, so there's no second income.

Finally, yes, I could do what I do now at other companies, but the job is really part of the problem. I'm in Technical Support and have done this for at least 22 years that I can recall. I'm burnt-out. That's why I feel like to need to completely step-away from everything and focus solely on healing. I know that's what I WANT to do and I THINK it will make me happy, but still worried. Basically, I want to know that everything will be okay and work-out fine. Of course, that's impossible to know.

Yes impossible to know unfortunately. My company went through a similar thing, new owners trying to turn a private hospital into a hard sell culture, I was dreading going back, leaving my little and with my health uncertainty I didn’t need that added pressure. Not working can also be a stress, too much time to overthink is not good for my anxiety hence looking into starting something up.

No doubt you will think long and hard, I believe in going with your gut, but of course everyone has to do what is right for them.

I was even considering working part time in an entry level role, where I can leave work at work.

Also started playing the lottery weekly (not advocating gambling!)

Thanks, PeteZa.

I do know people that love their jobs, but, for sure, it's very uncommon. It would just be a shame to get to retirement (assuming I live that long) only to have regretted doing something that I've hated so much for so long. It seems like a wasted life. Anyway, your points are well-received. Thank you.

I probably should have written my initial post a bit differently, as I do agree it's always better to have a new job lined-up, before one quits the old job. But, there are two reasons for me thinking about quitting.

First, and most obvious, is because I hate my job.

Second, is my free time could then be dedicated to taking better care of myself: more sleep, cooking more at home, seeing Doctors as needed, etc. If I quit my current job and go into a new one, then I've again lost those hours in my day and I again have to juggle my work and personal lives.

I've been in the workforce for 33 years. That seems like enough!

Hey Dude - how about going off on sick leave and see how you feel after you've been to the Hansa centre (if that's what you choose to do)

I've not worked since 2013 - but I haven't quit the job - not sure I want to go back there - but will make that decision when the time comes.

I think it's great to work at a job you like.

My father raised us kids to not quit a good job - that was how his generation saw it.

But my son sees it differently - he chooses where he wants to work - then applies for the job. He loves going to work everyday and I am so happy and proud of him.
His father worked at a mill job for many years - until it closed. Good money but crappy work conditions.
We spend a huge chunk of time at our jobs - wouldn't it be great to actually like our jobs?

Dude...
I quite my job 9 years ago to start my own business. Crazy? Absolutely! But I felt I had to, needed to, and could do it for that matter. Or had to do it, is more like it. I was a single mother of 3 and desperately needed and wanted to be in control of my life. I am a believer in, where there is a desire, there is a way. I am even more thankful now for being on my own (don't get me wrong though, there are always worries). We do what we have to do. End of story. All the best!

Girlie said...
Hey Dude - how about going off on sick leave and see how you feel after you've been to the Hansa centre (if that's what you choose to do)

I've not worked since 2013 - but I haven't quit the job - not sure I want to go back there - but will make that decision when the time comes.

I think it's great to work at a job you like.

My father raised us kids to not quit a good job - that was how his generation saw it.

But my son sees it differently - he chooses where he wants to work - then applies for the job. He loves going to work everyday and I am so happy and proud of him.
His father worked at a mill job for many years - until it closed. Good money but crappy work conditions.
We spend a huge chunk of time at our jobs - wouldn't it be great to actually like our jobs?

True, I could certainly go on unpaid medical leave (FMLA) and possibly even Short-Term Disability (STD) again. But, at the end of it, I would still have to go back to the job that I hate and which causes me mental and physical stress.

If on STD, while attending the Hansa Center, at least I would still be getting paid. I could really push to get paid as long as possible. That would require me to check-in weekly with my manager, while on STD. This wasn't the case with FMLA.

Ultimately, though, even if I were healthy, I wouldn't want to stay. I agree with you about not quitting a good job. To me, my job is not a good one. Interestingly, I've had two colleagues (one in Australia and one in Germany) ask me if I thought my job could possibly be making/keeping me sick.

So, that's interesting about your job. You're still on your employer's payroll? (Obviously, this is a personal question and you don't have to answer, of course.) Honestly, if I could take Long-Term Disability from my employer (66.67% of my salary), I would take that deal.

I had to go look-up my benefits and refresh my memory. This is what I found:

__________________________________________

"Short-Term Disability (STD) Income Plan

The Short Term Disability (STD) Benefit Plan provides employees with salary continuation for each day they are absent due to illness or injury, up to a maximum of 26 weeks in a period of 12 consecutive months depending on your date of hire and hiring division. You are eligible for this coverage on your first day of employment.

The benefits provided under this plan are offset with any Social Security Disability Income or Workers Compensation payments, or both. To receive STD benefits, employees may be asked to provide supporting documentation. In the event employees become totally disabled, they receive maximum benefits under this plan before benefits begin under the Long-Term Disability (LTD) Plan.

Long-Term Disability (LTD) Plan

The Long-Term Disability (LTD) Plan provides employees with important income protection if they become sick or injured for an extended period of time. The plan offers the following options:

• No coverage
• 50% of pay
• 66 2/3% of pay (this is the plan I have)

Coverage is offset with other sources of disability income, such as Social Security Disability Income or Workers’ Compensation, or both. The LTD period begins on the date immediately following the expiration of the STD Income Plan coverage."
__________________________________________

It seems that LTD payments would be taxable, in my case, as I pay for my monthly premiums with pre-tax dollars. That's a bummer, because my payroll deduction for the 66 2/3% option is only $8.60 per month. I'd rather pay that with after-tax dollars and not get taxed on the LTD income! But, it wouldn't be America, if we weren't getting taxed to death.

Of course, this is all academic, as I'm not on either option at the moment. But, it's good that I learned something.

Anyway, Girlie, I think your Son is doing it right - decide where you want to work and then go work there. If only we were all so lucky.

Thanks, as always, for the feedback.

At first I was like “No! Don’t quit!” But then as I read on I see your point about not liking your job and it having an effect on your health. It does seem like a decent set up though (home, <40 hrs, benefits). But there are a few lyme docs that stress the importance of the mental piece in getting better.

Keep thinking on it and I am confident you will make the right choice.

gfields said...
Dude, I don't know what state you live in, but in Mass you can get unemployment insurance if you get laid off. If you can collect in your state, just tell your boss you're suffering from a disease, and ask him to lay you off. You'll get 7 months UI. See if your company contributes to disability insurance through a private insurance agency. If they do, file for disability too. And also file for disability through SSA. It's worth a shot.

If you feel like you're burnt out, then you should probably take some time off. I've never been one of these people who is petrified to lose a job. Trust me, there is always another job waiting for you somewhere. It's just a g-dam job for chr*st sakes. It's not the end of the world. Maybe you could start your own business selling stuff on Amazon or something.

"It's just a g-dam job for chr*st sakes."

hahaha Very true, gfields.

I'm not too concerned about getting "a" job. It's being able to find something with earnings and benefits comparable to what I've been getting for a while. There seems to be a lot of competition in the job market. And, of course, employers only care about making the most and paying the least. So, why hire an middle-aged guy with great skills, when you can hire two college graduates for the same price, train them the way you want, and then work them like dogs!

Obviously, there's no magic answer. It's kind of a crap shoot, no matter what one does. One of my problems is trying to forecast for all possibilities and then selecting the solution that's closest to the outcome that I desire. Good luck and fat chance.

Anyway, I think you're right about taking time off. I had two months of Short-Term Disability, through my employer, and, with no other changes to my lifestyle, I did feel a bit better. A lot less stressed. Once I reached the halfway point, though, I felt the stress begging to increase each day, because I was getting closer-and-closer to returning to work.

Hey, by the way, thank you for the suggestion of requesting to be laid-off and drawing unemployment. Based on your note, I checked my state and it seems the most I could get is $350 per week for a maximum of 20 weeks. That's a total of $7,000. That's better than nothing, of course. Any extra income would reduce the burn rate of my savings.

As for disability, I'm not sure what qualifies for being "disabled." I'd have to look into that one. I can certainly do some stuff on the computer for a while, but I do have physical pain in my arms and legs and sitting too long is a problem. My sleep is terrible, maybe four hours of actual sleep per night - not consecutive hours, though. Oh, duh...I forgot where I was typing. I have many of the same things that EVERYONE ELSE here is dealing with. That's why I'm grateful for this forum. People understand.

Thanks, gfields, and be well.

The Dude

CatLady18 said...
Dude,

Could you take a leave of absence or PTO instead of walking away from an income completely?

Hi, CatLady18:

I could certainly take some PTO again, after January 1st. Unpaid FMLA and paid Short-Term Disability are options, too. I may go the STD route again, once we're into the new year. My main concern is getting better. I do have some money set-aside in an emergency fund. It's liquid, so I wouldn't have to withdraw from my 401(k) or IRAs. I have those as additional backup, but, of course, I don't want to touch them.

Meow,
The Dude

The Dude Abides said...


So, that's interesting about your job. You're still on your employer's payroll? (Obviously, this is a personal question and you don't have to answer, of course.) Honestly, if I could take Long-Term Disability from my employer (66.67% of my salary), I would take that deal.

hahaha - no, I'm not getting paid....I wish!
I haven't quit though...when I'm ready to go back, I can go back.

Oh, the age old question of whether to leave a job. I think about this ALL the time. I have a similar situation, lots of flexibility and work from home. The difference is that I like the company and I don't mind my job, so it makes it much easier to hang on. The reality of it, though, is similar to yours, will I retire from this company? Probably not. it's not THAT stable of a company. It's not like I work for AT&T, this place may not be around...

Well anyway, the point is, if you leave, how will you afford the medical considerations of living with an illness? doctors, medications, treatments, tests... That's one aspect that's always kept me hanging on. The other is that life is expensive. I personally am not in the position to be without income very long. I have a lot of expenses and financial responsibilities. I have enough money to go a year, or two, or ten maybe, under the right circumstances, but yes, eventually the dreaded will happen, I will be back to the same ol' rigmarole. I get your point too, in the industry of technology, new, hungry people pop up often and they will do "the same work" for less. The thing is, you're an experienced person, and you can lead these new folks. There will still be need for seasoned people like us. It's just stiffer competition. I wouldn't worry about getting another job when you're ready - it will require keeping up on your skill-set, doing training, and being committed, but if you can stay on top of tech, you should be fine.

The bigger issue is how to pay for expenses, and how far back will it set you on your retirement goals. Even bigger picture is you own individual situation. Do you have family who rely on your support? Aging relatives, kids, pets? If so, it becomes a question of whether they can maintain a decent lifestyle without your income. Stinks to worry about all that, but those are the things that concern me the most about being without income.

Another consideration, if you can get UE benefits, if it's $350, you can't make any money outside that money if it's getting reported. COBRA insurance is majorly expensive too. You can't afford it on UE usually. Does VA pay for everything or a %? Do they pay rx? Does it require you use a specific facility and if so, do they have what you need? I would definitely be looking into all that.

it's a lot to think about, but of course when it comes to your health and happiness, you should do what is best for you. Doing disability and trying to get some income until you feel more capable is not a bad idea, perhaps you can find a different job in that time, and return to working at a place you like and never lose all your income. Wouldn't the world be great if we could all take a sabbatical? or darn, I want a maternity leave - seems discriminatory that a healthy person can only get paid leave if they have a child.