I’m not happy in my current position and the unhappiness has taken a toll on my physical health. I would like to take a few months off before looking for another position but the only way I can do that is to quit. I can take short term disability leave but I don’t think they’ll give me more than a month and after that I’ll be a target for layoff. I don’t want to be laid off either since I have to explain the reason to my next employer. I’m afraid that if I’m out of a job while looking I’ll have a hard time landing a good job or being able to negotiate on the pay. I can aford to be out of a job for a year. Should I just take the leap and quit? I’m too burned out and miserable to start a new job right now. I want to start fresh, happy and energized.
Nothing is more important than personal life I believe. Every employee do go through this situation. If you feel comfortable taking break you can go ahead. But again depends on financial situation too. Think all possibilities before taking any decision
You're more comfortable quitting outright and having to explain that to a future employer rather than explaining a lay-off? Lay-offs are so commonplace these days there isn't a stigma. I'd take the short-term disability and see how you feel. Health is #1!
Getting multiple offers is key to negotiating well without a job. But without a job, you tend to just accept the first offer that comes to you and that could potentially be less than you are making right now. Agree with the other poster though, your physical and mental health is #1 priority. Wealth means nothing without health.
When I thought of doing this everyone said always look for a job when you have a job. But I was not even a year out of grad school and definitely in a different financial situation. If you can afford it, take care of yourself first and you have a ton of experience to rely on when you're back on the search. You could do some skilled volunteering or startup consulting if you're feeling better and looking for something to do but not ready to go back full time.
Look into FMLA. Your health is most vital. It would be bad for the company to lay you off after such leave.
I like the idea of taking the shoerterm disability leave.Who knows you might get what you are looking for in 2 weeks of vacation. As you are planning to leave the job anyways what happens if they lay off? If not quit before they fire you.
Hi - I recently went through a similar situation. I accepted a position about 7 months ago and realized it was not a good fit at all for me. After 6 months I knew I had to leave, otherwise it would’ve exacerbated my health issues. Not having anything lined up (and to be quite honest, not really having more than just a couple months’ savings), I decided to submit my resignation. I was working as a consultant, and I knew a job search would be impossible while still working, since my work and client load were both extreme. I don’t regret my decision. I’m one month in to my unemployment and while I am scared, it was the best thing I could’ve done for both my mental and physical health. Also, it sounds like you are very experienced in your career. If that is the case, then landing another similar role shouldn’t be too terribly difficult. I’ve not done a ton of job searching since I left, opting instead to really give myself some time to rest and collect myself, but recruiters have reached out to me and i am just starting to have conversations with them now. Best of luck!
Mental and physical health come before money. I have to keep reminding myself.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate all your comments. Very helpful.
Dude, do listen to your inner self. If you have about a year to go before you need to worry about another job, do leave. Getting laid off or quitting is essentially the same thing when it comes to how you explain it to your next employer in an interview, which they'll know only if you tell them. If you are worried about the gap, do some coding boot camp or work on a project that gives you joy but also adds value to your skills enough for you to put it on your resume. Follow your heart man, life is too short to feel miserable. Good luck!
Quit! Be happy
What is your job title now? TC? YoE?
I’m not comfortable giving a lot of information since I don’t want to be identified. I’ve been in high tech for over 20 years.
I'm in the same situation myself, which is why I am curious.