when should you quit your job because you can´t handle it (anymore)?

Question

I think on a daily basis of not returning the next day, and always suffer from a sore throat, or back ache or headache....the thing is that it took me a long time to find a (full time)job, and when I am unemployed or even when I have a parttime job I get very depressed,nothing worse than being at home alone in my opinion..I feel like I have to choose: depressed or very stressed and always ill....PS I am working as a nursery teacher...lack of staff but no way they can afford any extra people...

I agree I should look for another job while still having this one, the difficult part is how to attend the job interviews, I work every day from 8:00 to 17:00 and can´t pretend having doctor´s appointments all the time...

Answer 1

Actually your other choices are: to be happy or unhappy while at work. If you choose happiness, find the good things about your job. Go back and reflect when you first started. I believe the reason you are sick a lot is because you are surrounded by children who seem to get sick a lot. Not saying you have a bad attitude towards your job, a change in your mindset may help you get through the day until you do get a different job. If it's too the point you just hate it, well, sounds as though you may be burnt out which could affect your performance. If that's the case, then yes, for sure find another. There are a lot of resources available on-line to find employment these days - you'll be so busy looking for a job on line you won't have TIME to be depressed! :-)

Answer 2

First and foremost is the practicality of paying your bills... There are a lot of people out there that do things they don't really like (and would much rather not do) 'cause they have to.

So... if you've got money saved and can meet your obligations for however long you think it's going to take to find something (better), then I'd say quit now and commit yourself to job searching full time. It's always easier to hunt when you aren't also trying to juggle work...

If you don't have anything to fall back on, I'd suggest you stay put and do everything you can to find something else... even if it's not ideal... to transition to. Working and job hunting is tough, but gotta do what you gotta do.

A couple of somewhat related thoughts...

1) You might want to really put some thought into how you handle stress. I don't know if this is the only job you've felt this way in. But the fact that you're totally stressed out at work, and then get depressed when you aren't in a job, may point to some opportunities to learn some better coping skills.
2) I don't know if this is your dream job or a filler... if it's just the job you're doing 'cause it's what you found, what are you doing to improve your skill set so you can go after other jobs that you might actually enjoy a bit more? That's a lifetime journey for most of us, and one you can do whether you're working or not.
3) If you do decide to stop working... don't sit home alone! Unless there's some limiting factor, you can always get out and do stuff. Any job search coach will tell you to hold yourself to a rigorous schedule when you're unemployed.... both for job hunting, personal/skill development and other activities (volunteering?). Makes you happy feeling useful, gets you out and around people and can do wonders for building the informal network that could help you find that next gig.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If it's making you physically ill then it's no good as a long-term option. Maybe you could look around for a job you know you would really enjoy and then quit at the nursery...but getting the other job before you quit is a better option because then there wouldn't be a gap and the money will continue without a gap.

Regarding your additional info - I think the best way to go about that would be to organise an interview and book that day/morning/afternoon off work. I'm sure you'll be allowed to book time off as long as it's in advance. If I have something booked then I just tell the boss in advance and there isn't really much they can do about it. If they haven't got enough staff then it's their problem, not yours. Don't let everyone else's problems get to you. :)

Answer 4

Sounds to me like you're working in a job you're probably not suited for. Is there something you'd rather be doing to earn an income? If so, maybe you could hang onto your current job just long enough to obtain whatever preparation you might need to do whatever it is you would be happier doing. There are lots and lots of books that point the way to finding what you really want to do instead of doing what you hate. Good luck.

Answer 5

Speak to your doctor.

I suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD.) My doctor determined that because I was having employment problems again and couldn't sleep. I went for sleep aids once and he gave me a prescription. The I came back a month later. OOPS! That's WAY too early for a refill! He did some questioning and diagnosed with OCD. Once I got on the right med, my life turned around. All the negative feedback at work disappeared and I started getting rave reviews.

-- Liam

Answer 6

No job is worth thaqt kind of misery. Hey girl it is only a job. ONly a brief entity in the timeline of your life. If you really feel so bad a bout it leave right now, even if you have to flip burgers. PS nothing wrong with flipping burgers you burget people..I appreciate

Answer 7

Did you go to a doctor for depression by the way?
A hormone check?
Any reasons for being glum or tired?
Many people hate their jobs, but end up finding ways to see the bright side and hang in there!
It's all how you look at it, even when it sucks!

Answer 8

~I usually quit my job during any month when the full moon falls on a Thursday. Fortunately, my boss isn't there to hear my ranting and raving and by the time he comes in I feel better and rehire myself. All great jobs have their downsides. Get use to it.

Answer 9

Time to quit? When you find a better job. Don't sweat the small stuff and deal with it until you find something you like doing better.

Answer 10

i would keep going till you found a new full time job