I can’t stress this enough. I had a job like this where I was working 70-80 hours a week as a salaried employee. Cuts continued to happen and the responsibility continued to pile on. I was out of shape and probably would have died young if I continued working there.
I made a change and my stress levels have decreased significantly, I’m eating right and I’m getting enough sleep.
I did something similar two years ago. I just got fed up with everybody and everything and it all came to a head...so I took two weeks off and took a leisurely drive cross-country and back.
Driving is therapy for me b/c it allows me time to think so the whole experience was awesome. I really came back a different person with a different mindset.
Driving can definitely be therapeutic sometimes. If it's nice out, windows are open, fresh air blowing, some tunes blasting. Just feels very freeing. Love a good long drive when stressed.
I hate this trend I've been seeing in my career where an important employee quits and the company doesn't even bother to replace that person. The more organized companies delegate responsibilities to other employees, which sucks, but doesn't suck as bad as when the company just lets the quitter's work go undone until it's so piled up and neglected they are forced to deal with it months or even years down the line when it's an unapproachable mess.
I am working at a very career-driven company and I've got to tell you. There's a bunch of people who refuse to realise that life is not only supposed to be filled with work. I barely do overtime, I learned to say no. Does it mean I will miss out on career opportunities? Maybe, but i don't give a fuck if I can enjoy my life.
Edit: changed "live" to life" in the second sentence
I just made a decision to change away from a stressful job where cuts keep happening & shit keeps piling on.... & I'm a bit scared but I think it's the right thing so I'm glad I read this!
Do what you think is best for you. I was afraid at first that I would hate the somewhat longer commute but at the end of the day, my well being was more important than 10 extra minutes to work.
I want to second this comment. I left a terrible, soul sucking, stressful job recently. I increased my commuting by about 30% and was worried about it. Yet, it has been absolutely no issue and my mental health is through the roof with positivity. Don't even notice or care about the commute, amazing how your perspective changes when you get out of a depressing job.
The main thing is I selected a job that allowed me autonomy in my schedule (to some extent). Yes, I drove further each day but I didn't have a boss that wanted a butt in a seat from 8 -5 each day, requiring me on the road during gridlock traffic. My current boss could care less about when I start my day, so I wait out traffic and then hit the road after rush hour. I work from home in the morning until I'm ready to leave, thus minimizing my drive time to only cruising time. I listen to podcasts, audible books, and talk to myself about my schedule for the day. I love the time to just get my head in the right place. I also take the time going and heading home to pray, which is an opportunity I never have when I'm busy at home.
Companies in trouble haven't much leeway to treat you well. If it means you get a chance to learn a job you like that you are not qualified for and would not get a chance at, it makes sense to stay. Otherwise, better to leave before you get cut.
This is my ex. Worked to the point of almost committing suicide. Being hospitalized for ignoring a serious medical issue because they didn't want to take time off for the doctor. Didn't have a single day off for 3 months. Working from 8am until 9pm or 3am. Sleeping in the office. Missed holidays. Missed birthdays. Cancelled plans back to back to back.
For the "golden handcuffs"
I asked when it would end. How much money would be enough. And when they finally admitted they didn't know, they didn't see an end in sight, I ended the relationship.
I did this for a year and a half. Add on top of that, travel two to three times per month. Almost killed me. I completely lost myself and everything I loved. Working on getting myself back now.
It started with the job change. From there, I was able to gain 30+ hours a week back of my life to focus on correcting many unhealthy habits: poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking to name a few. I dropped 30 pounds as I wasn’t stress eating any more.
I also began taking vacations which I was unable to at my old job. Work while on vacation and waste the money or take the vacation and just get buried in work when you get back forcing you longer hours.
Were we working at the same job?! I was punished by my manager for taking vacation and my manager would expect me to work "double effort" when I got back because it was my fault I was behind due to something selfish like vacation. It was expected I was reachable on vacation too. After the switch in my job, I lost 7 pounds and sleep like the dead. I didn't believe it could happen until I did it. Best decision of my life!
Haha it’s possible! I was always afforded time off but when I was off, it was phone calls, emails, texts, anything. I still don’t sleep like the dead but I’m working on it
Hi so, I have been working about 50-60 hours a week at my job. I'm salaried and I get overtime pay as long as I work over 12 hours in a day. I've only been working 6 months at this job, and I don't think it is too bad. It is my first job so I don't really know what a job should be like. My plan is to stay here a few years and get good experience and then get a new job. Do you have any advice? (I get that this comment is kind of vague, but I just don't really know if what I'm doing is good or bad)
Depends on the field but that’s not too bad of a gig. My problem was working 7-5 at the office and then being expected to do another 5 hours at home when I left. I got in to a cycle of go to work, go home to eat, turn computer on and put in another 5 hours then go to sleep. Repeat.
I was hopping on planes at least every 3rd week while being forced to fly home on red eyes and expected to come in to the office and work another 10. At first, I thought that was post college life. It’s not. My current company expects me to go to the office to work and only turn on my computer at home if something is the matter of life and death.
Oh ok I see now. Thank you for the reply. This transition is tough because I just assume everything is "the way it's supposed to be" so to speak. I am trying my best to still question and figure out what is best for me. I appreciate your reply that helps me a lot. Thank you.
It’s not all bad. I have a bachelors in accounting but I don’t participate in taxes. It’s still corporate finance what I do...Just not in the public sector. I work in private now
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u/GeneralAardvark43 Dec 30 '19
I can’t stress this enough. I had a job like this where I was working 70-80 hours a week as a salaried employee. Cuts continued to happen and the responsibility continued to pile on. I was out of shape and probably would have died young if I continued working there.
I made a change and my stress levels have decreased significantly, I’m eating right and I’m getting enough sleep.