Need to quit my job :(

Hi all,

Hoping for a little encouragement/room to vent with regards to my job.

I started a casual retail job about 3 months ago. It's supposed to just be a 'simple, fun' job which I can fit it around my full time studies... The position has caused me more stress and anxiety in a 3 month period than any full time job I've ever had.

The team of people I work with are not very nice, very negative about everything and the training given to me has been very poor. The unrealistic expectations and constant demands from coworkers leave me feeling dizzy all day long. There is no way this job should be advertised the way it was. Very misleading.

Anyway, after far too much lost sleep and my uni studies suffering, I have decided that I need to just quit. I figure now is a good time to send my resignation since it's a few days until my next rostered shift and it will give them time to reorganise the roster.

I just can't go back. It's ruining me! My husband is on board with me quitting and the loss of income won't cause us any major issues...

I still feel uneasy and guilty about the whole thing but my mental health is worth more than a bit of extra money at the end of the day...

Any encouragement would be much appreciated!

Your mental well-being is so much more important than a bit of extra money. I think you're making the right decision, the environment sounds toxic. Focus on school for now and if you want to get another part-time job in the future, go for it! Hopefully it will be better than this one.

I've worked in some unhealthy, dysfunctional environments. It's just like a dysfunctional relationship, in that it doesn't matter how much YOU try to make it better, if they're not doing anything to make it better.

In both the jobs and the relationships, I'd keep trying, but it would always end badly.

It is best to leave an unhealthy job, if you can. Sounds like you have a good support system that would enable you to look for a decent job where there is a more healthy environment.

If you can do it, then leaving is definitely the best thing to do. Good luck.

I've worked in some unhealthy, dysfunctional environments. It's just like a dysfunctional relationship, in that it doesn't matter how much YOU try to make it better, if they're not doing anything to make it better.

In both the jobs and the relationships, I'd keep trying, but it would always end badly.

It is best to leave an unhealthy job, if you can. Sounds like you have a good support system that would enable you to look for a decent job where there is a more healthy environment.

If you can do it, then leaving is definitely the best thing to do. Good luck.

Thanks dermald. I actually ended up emailing my resignation and telling them I wouldn't be available for any more shifts.

I feel like someone let all the air from the stress balloon I've been carrying! At least I know what kind of job NOT to apply for in future!

Good for you. It doesn't sound like it was beneficial to you mentally or financially, so just let it go. Sometimes we have to make decisions to protect our mental health. I need to leave my job, but I can't right now, at least not until I get something else set up.

I'm glad you feel better after resigning.

Seesaw

I was there last year - low pay, a boss with anger mangement issues, unrealistic and constantly changing expectations. I was very stressed out and havng panic attacks. As in your case, my husband and I could get by without the income, and he supported me quitting. It was a huge relief and the best thing I could have done.

I was unemployed for a while and later in the year found a freelance job that has turned into a permanent job with benefits. I am much happier. According to some former co-workers, things at the other job have gotten even worse!

I see in a later post that you handed in your resignation. Well done. I'm sure you'll be a lot happier. No one should have to work under those conditions.