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NSOR: WDYD when you're at your breaking point
I've been at this company/position for 2.5 years. It's within the same industry that I've been in since 2006, but it was a promotion to assistant office manager from sales rep. Well, this company is ten times more strict, detail oriented, and fast paced with much more demanding clientele than any of the other 3 companies I worked for before in this industry. (Sometimes to the point of ridiculousness. I've spoken to several former colleagues that have worked this position and higher and they're all flabbergasted at some of the things that I do here.)
I make more money at this company than I would in this same position at any other company in the area, even in a different industry, because of the above. And as you can see from my post below, I'm already crunched to within an inch of my life, so I can't really afford to take a pay cut. However, I feel that the nature of this company and the pace of it all has directly contributed to my rapid decline in health over the last few years. I'm suffering from major burn out, and I crash more every day. I decided that I *have* to leave. I need to stay until September to get our yearly bonus, because it's substantial (well, based on my salary anyway). I told myself that I can push through one more busy season (spring/summer).
But I don't think I can. But I HAVE TO. Here's the thing. One of my sales reps is leaving to be promoted to my position at another facility on April 9th. Not only do I have to train her from the ground up to do my job during my busiest time of the month, but I also have to work OT to cover her shifts until we find a replacement. AND my only other sales rep is going to be out the rest of this week for surgery.
Just the thought makes me want to throw up. I simply have no clue how I'm supposed to do it. There's no support from management; I've tried that route already. I'm at my breaking point.
How in the hell do I keep going through the next month, let alone the next 6 months?
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Re: NSOR: WDYD when you're at your breaking point
I don't have an answer as I am in the same predicament job wise except I am not quitting anytime soon. I feel like it is becoming the norms to be overwhelmed with job roles within a position in this economy.
I try to compensate something good in my personal life to make up for the hard work life. Take many breaks during work and focus on getting the higher priority tasks and if possible, delegate as much as you can.
Is there a way you can cut out extra expenses to save even more while you are at it?
I have no idea... that sounds horrible.
Maybe you can get a doctor's note and go on medical leave for a bit if you are really sick and get a new job? My friend did this when we worked at a Big 4 accounting firm and it was super stressful.
Or I would take a paycut and go to a less stressful job...or move? I wouldn't keep doing this though unless it was leading you to an amazing position or you were getting really valuable experience... it's just not worth it.
Just a thought, but try looking at the cost of having this job. In addition to the money, do they pay for your benefits or are they deducted from your check? Do they put in to your retirement or is that all up to you? What is your commute like? Are there similar positions closer to home? What number of exemptions are you claiming? Did you get a big return with that number, so you could in theory claim an additional exemption and get more take home money, but still not owe come next April?
I ask because last year I took a job that paid me $10K more than my previous job. I needed to make more money because I was supporting my ds on my own, and didn't want to move him from his preschool or the house he knew with everything else going on. Once I got established in this new "higher paying" job, I realized that not only was a taking home less each month (because of how the pay days broke out and the fact that at my old job I had a FSA for dependent care which lowered my taxable income, and the new job did not), but I was spending a whole lot more on gas for my commute and I was sicker than I have ever been in my life due to stress and spend more on co-pays. Add to it a crazy nutcase of a boss who wanted me to spend more time in the office after hours and kept trying to explain to me that being a working parent means sacrificing time with my kid (my regular 9 hours a day -- I worked through lunch -- plus donor events weren't enough to her), and I knew I needed out for my own sanity.
Once I realized all this, I started looking and found something that suited my situation much better; and it came with a better pay check.
Can't hurt to look into options.
What kind of burns my ass is that it's all because of inflation/cost increases that make it harder to get by now than when I first started this job/bought this house. The same services cost so much more. My health insurance has increased $50 a month. My car insurance has increased $20 a month. My cable/internet has increased $35 a month. My gas for my daily work commute has increased by $55 a month. When you only bring home $1950 a month, $160 in increases is huge.
But that's another post, I suppose.
Well this seems to be a problem where you need to make more money. If I was in your shoes I would consider looking into different but similar type jobs or going back to school for something more lucrative.
No kidding. But unfortunately, I'm at the top of my earning potential for what I can do/my skill set. When you break it down, I'm just an admin. Doesn't matter what my title is, I do administrative and accounting work. Those type of jobs typically pay $10-12 an hour around here, and I'm making $15.50 (plus getting my work clothes bought for me). There's really nothing school-wise that I think would get me any further. Nurses around here only make $18-20 an hour. I'm not going to spend $20k on going back to school to make a dollar or two more an hour.
(Sorry if this sounds loopy, I just took my evening meds and I do feel sleepy and sort of out of it!)
Well maybe something other than nursing - although maybe you could become a travel nurse... they make lots of money I hear.
Are there any large accounting or law firms by you... the admin that I worked with in the Big 4 made quite a bit of money and had excellent benefits.
What about taking some classes in accounting... that was my college major and it generally pays well.
Is nursing something that interests you? If so, I'd say the $18 to $20 per hour figure is only a starting salary. Experience and advanced education in a specialty will earn you substantially more. Also, I'm not a nurse but from what I understand there's a lot of potential to pick up extra shifts and make more money.
You can't look at education as I'm not going to pay X amount of money only to make X more. Education is a long term investment that will open so many doors to you and you can't place a definite value on the cost of tuition. I won't even tell you how much I still owe in student loans. However, I can tell you with experience and a few smart career moves, I earn far above the "average" salary in my field in my geographic area. The student loan payment doesn't even phase me and I would be no where near where I am today without my education (case I point, my Ex doesn't have a college education, is 8 years older than me, and makes half of what I do).
If I were you, I'd look for jobs to see what's out there. You never know if there actually is something better paying without looking. I'd try to limit the stress in your current job in any way possible until you can leave. And I'd think about making a plan to further your education either in your current field or a new field.