I have been in my position for nearly 30 years. It is in public service and becoming more and more difficult in recent years. I am becoming quite weary with the current political climate and an escalation of aggressive, threatening and abusive behaviour from clients. I dread going to work. I am only a few years from paying in the best/max pension amount. I am also very loyal and dedicated to my organization and community. However, while I perform my duties to the fullest, I feel like my dread isn't healthy for myself, my family, and not fair to my organization. I was recently offered a position in a similar role, but with less responsibility. I wouldn't be in the direct firing line from the public, and it pays a lot more money. The work week is also shorter. I feel some excitement about the prospect, I am not afraid about being able to transition into a new role or being able to do the work, but I keep getting hung up on doing the 'responsible' thing, waiting where I am and maxing out my pension. Even though I am miserable. I am also the breadwinner in my household and I am pretty much guaranteed work for as long as I want where I am, so my fear about moving into a new role, with no certainty is also where I hesitate. It would be devastating if I moved into the new position and it didn't work out. I don't know anything about severance protection, or if there is any. Also, I have never done anything for my sake. I am thinking that now is the time to jump. Anyone have any words of advice or experience something similar?

7 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 20,2024 at 3:05PM UTC

   I would go for the new role! It sounds like something you are excited about vs the dread of your current job. The 'responsible" thing to you and your family is for you to thrive and that means taking care of your mental health. Let go of the fears and trust it will work out.

   Good luck!

2. AnonymousJune 20,2024 at 3:23PM UTC

   Yes, since you are committed to staying I would focus heavy on my personal life. Family, friends and interests and hobbies. Those should all take a front seat. This will help you balance and recalibrate your sense of joy and satisfaction in life. You don't need to change your job if you find it fulfilling and a strong connection. You just need to invest the time, effort and commitment in your personal life. Surround yourself with joy and love and peace. Learn new things. Your job can't be all things. And 30 years focused at the same job can get weary. Embrace new and exciting endeavors personally.

3. AnonymousJune 20,2024 at 3:54PM UTC

   Can you switch to "part time" at your current job...is 30 hours (instead of 40) still considered Full time? (many places offer this)....TAke a long vacation, leave town, and get some alone time. You need your head to CLEAR to make a good decision with this. I'm serious.

4. Susan Grant-SuttieJune 20,2024 at 5:08PM UTC

   Let me respond this way:

   "I wouldn't be in the direct firing line from the public," Go to the new job.

   "it pays a lot more money." Go to the new job.

   "The work week is also shorter." Go to the new job.

   "I feel some excitement about the prospect." Go to the new job.

   "I am not afraid about being able to transition into a new role or being able to do the work, but I keep getting hung up on doing the 'responsible' thing" Old dogs CAN learn new tricks. Go to the new job. You need to be refreshed.

   "..waiting where I am and maxing out my pension. " Check to see if you can transfer or sometimes called 'vest' or vesting' your pension into the new pension at your new work place. Check if you can combine, or you will pull from both when you do retire.

   "I am also the breadwinner in my household and I am pretty much guaranteed work for as long as I want where I am,." Check out your emotional health, your family would prefer you be emotionally healthy than a miserable spirit with money.

   "With no certainty is also where I hesitate. " Do you sign a contract? Is this an annual job? Check the fine print in the contract. What do you want to be certain? Put your non-negotiable items on a paper, list in order, then compare to your contract.

   "It would be devastating if I moved into the new position and it didn't work out. " You make it work out. That is in your control. Go for it.

   "I don't know anything about severance protection" Check it out. But from what I can see GO FOR IT!

5. Christy JamesJune 20,2024 at 6:14PM UTC

   You didn't say if the new role was in the same employer or not. If it is with the same employer, take it. Make the money and get better health. If it isn't, weigh the risks to the pension changes and unemployment. There is little to no severance for new employees. If this is a public service to private employer change, it is a big difference. You are getting paid more money for higher risk. The balance between stability and pay rates with pensions and ending payouts is a delicate thing. Only you can assess your risk tolerance.

6. KatJune 20,2024 at 7:27PM UTC

   Definitely go for the new role - it sounds like a big win for you. The pension is not worth it when the new job has allthe things you want. Can you keep your pension fund in place at the old company after you leave? If so, let it sit until you max out or fully retire. If not, transfer it into an IRA or other retirement fund so that money can keep working for you until you need it. You may need to talk with an estate/financial planner to get it all sorted out, but it will be worth it long term. Good luck with the new job and don't look back.

7. AnonymousJune 21,2024 at 1:17PM UTC

   Trust your gut and pivot for your own health and wellbeing. The times of lifetime loyalty to a company are from a past generation. Safety and security, but having to take a lot of bs too. If you can handle it, stay. If you're feeling pulled to go, consider that it'll be taking a step into a new perspective. Take time to weigh the pros and cons of each--as it pertains to your needs. If the pivot to the new job allows you to max your pension, it's a no brainer. Yes take it. If it doesn't--run the math or see 1. How much would the lost pension be vs the new salary 2. if there are other pension-possible jobs. Consider this---if you don't take the new job and you stay in the dread-filled current job to get the pension, will you regret it? If so, that's your answer.

   If time permits, seek advice of peers in your industry (maybe not peers at your job). If it's public service, do you mean public sector too. Where I live, there's a big push toward cross-community resilience (on all topics including weather, politics, being a human today, etc.). Is there a resource in your community that can help address the concerns you have about the shifting tides in client interaction? (local government, another similar organization that faced the same challenges and succeeded, etc.)

   Good luck!