Work Dilemma

[winneythepooh7]

Hi everyone. So I have been pretty unhappy with my present position for quite sometime now. There is an open position within my agency with a population I totally adore working with. Problem is, it would be a huge pay cut, like $10,000 huge. I am thinking I can make it work out though (pay wise) because I just recently started working for another agency P/T and get paid really well, and ultimately enough to make the difference. I am torn as what to do though because I have developed a really good relationship with my boss, know the difficulties he is having getting a good team together here, and feel like I will be letting him down if I switch components. On the other hand, I really feel that working here has turned me into a miserable person. It is to the point I screen the majority of my calls at work to voicemail and have lashed out at my boyfriend and family members because I am under a tremendous amount of stress. I think I know what I am going to end up doing, but I am still torn about it. My boyfriend and family think I should just quit altogether, but I am one of those people who is totally paranoid about not having medical benefits, and god forbid, not being able to find a job for a long time. Has anyone been in this situation before? Also, how do I handle sending my resume discreetly since it is within the agency? I don't want my boss to know what is going on until I make the final decision about leaving. Thanks for listening ~A

[CarolinaDG]

My advice is to make sure it is something you really want to do before attempting to switch. I recently switched departments at work, and part of the reason was because I was honest with my boss and let him know what was making me miserable in my current position and what I was looking for in a job. Now, not only am I happy, but I've also received nothing but good reviews from the members, my coworkers, and my boss. I definitely understand your pain, but if you aren't going to be switching into doing something that you really love (and it sounds like you're doing this because you like the people, not the job itself) then I would just wait it out and see if I could find something better somewhere else. Just my advice. :-)

[winneythepooh7]

Yeah, I've thought of that. I think that if I went over there, maybe eventually I wouldn't be happy there because of the $$$$ issue. Here, a big factor that ties into my stress is because we are short-staffed right now. I am the only SW (well, besides my boss, who is not around a lot) so like every little problem to every major disaster falls into my lap. And because we are short-staffed, I am expected to work beyond my normal hours too which is a PITA. I have also thought about at least waiting it out through the summer, because (*fingers crossed*) we should have a SW starting by then which could make a big difference.

[valkyrie]

I'm sure it's different everywhere, but where I work, if you want to switch to a different department, you have to talk to your boss FIRST and your boss has to approve. Even if it's not required, I think it's a good idea to be upfront with your boss before trying to move out of the department.

[AChiOAlumna]

winney...

You need to be up front with your boss and let him know about your desire to change. This isn't an issue of your relationship with your boss and they need to know that. This is about your own self-preservation and happiness. I've been in a job similar to the elvel of unhappiness that you describe and that's not healthy for you, your family nor your support system.

You need to do what is going to make you happy to go to work. The rate you're going in your current job, you're going to end up on SSRIs yourself. No job is worth that!!

Be up front with your boss. Let him know that you appreciate his efforts, but the department you want to apply for can provide you with personal benefits that your current position will not provide.

You need to be happy...bottom line.