Quitting after coming back from a sabbatical.

Anonymous

July 20,2022 at 12:54PM UTC

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Quitting after coming back from a sabbatical. Is it wrong to quit again?

I have worked at a company for 7 years. I resigned two years ago but they offered me a 6month sabbatical and a raise instead and I took it. Unfortunately, as soon as I went back to work I felt like I made a terrible decision by taking their offer instead of walking away but I stuck it out and tried to focus on the positivities. Now I’m starting to feel the same issues that made me want to leave weighing on me again. My department does a lot of work for no reason. With no specific goal attached to it. And it’s hard to work cross functionally because every team is siloed and focused on a different goal. My manager is a great talker but has no idea about the actual work that is done by the people on his team and it’s excruciating explaining the same thing to him over and over. I’m afraid to leave because i feel like I should stay after they were kind enough to offer me the time off. It’s a startup I’ve been there since the beginning and I do like the company- but as it grows and management changes it gets harder to see it in my career future

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AmyJuly 20,2022 at 1:01PM UTC
At that point I would not feel bad giving notice again. There is no motivation in work with no goal. I would give notice and when they do an exit interview make it clear to them that there is no goal or system within the department.
KatJuly 20,2022 at 1:28PM UTC
You wanted to leave because you didn't like the direction the company was going. That hasn't changed since you returned. I understand that you appreciate the company being flexible and giving you some time off. But that alone isn't a good enough reason to stay. You're unhappy in your role and with the direction (or lack thereof) the company is taking. Don't be afraid to change, as it will just prolong your unhappiness and raise your stress level. Trust your instincts. It's time to find a company and a position more aligned with your long term goals.
Crystal HowellJuly 20,2022 at 1:56PM UTC
You committed to 6 months, and let them know it is no longer a good fit, and move on.
Melissa Boillot, SHRM - SCPJuly 20,2022 at 2:40PM UTC
Don’t feel guilty! You are a quality employee so they wanted to keep you but that doesn’t mean you owe them anything. You are your number one advocate and have to cultivate the life you want to live so move to another role or organization and experience something new!
AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 3:18PM UTC
You really need to consider your own wellbeing, then consider your career, then consider the opportunity then consider the company.
Honestly, if they were able to survive without you during your sabbatical then they'll be just fine.
The company is what it is. If it's grown to a point that it is no longer a fit for you, then the kindest and most professional thing you can do is leave wishing them well.
If you feel inclined, you can offer to train your replacement if they can get someone in there in a timely manner. Other wise leave with a minimum of distraction as possible.
AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 9:13PM UTC
Well if it is a start-up. We are headed in a recession and most startups do not survive recessions. So keeping that in mind and given your experience. Trust your instincts and your intuition. If you left once, why would your torment your soul. If you need the paycheck, start putting in for other positions of interest, preferably companies with longer track records with better structured environments to help avoid this situation again. Interview the interviewer to get a better sense of what you are getting into. Shadow work for a few days if you need to so you are not walking into an unknown or surprise. Do what is best for you, not some company that might not be sustainable in the next 2 yrs.
AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 12:05AM UTC
If I'm reading correctly, you've been back at work for 18 months since the sabbatical, and you don't mention any specific time commitment you made upon your return. I don't see anything wrong with resigning. Two years (since your previous) is a long time and a lot can change. You're not in the same position you were, and this is best for you now. I understand your feeling of loyalty, but I wouldn't feel guilty about moving on.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 21,2022 at 6:51PM UTC
I just want to make sure I understand this.
You resigned because you were unhappy. You went back to a place where you were unhappy after a 6 month sabbatical where nothing had changed except the money. And now, completely UNsurprisingly, you are unhappy.
Please please please realize you have the right, indeed a responsibility, TO YOURSELF to be happy and fulfilled in your career. Don't ever let anyone try to make you feel otherwise.
You do not owe that company anything except a day's work for a day's pay. They could lay you and your co-workers off tomorrow with no notice.
If you don't look out for your career, who will? You are only as miserable as you let other people make you and unless you want to make being unhappy your career or you have a martyr complex, you need to fire up that resume and find a new position.
GOOD LUCK!
Kathleen LeCheleJuly 21,2022 at 10:55PM UTC
In the immortal words of Aaron Hall (from The acclaimed RnB music group, Guy) Don’t be afraid, Don’t be afraid, Don’t be afraid girl! ?
*that part only :)
many time we sacrifice happiness for loyalty. Sounds as though your company does appreciate you. Use that appreciation and your loyalty as leverage to ask for a meeting with management and address your concerns. Much like you have done in this post, but of course develop a plan of action.
Do not get into the “work done” more so how the process of work disseminated should be. Be sure to be organized in thought and show how change even with embedded variations of their ideas with yours could increase work morale and provide a very healthy work life balance.
Either way, even if above suggestion is not of interest, don’t be afraid to respectfully move on. Your mental health is most important.
However, be sure to take away from your tenure with this company and do not fall back into the same company culture with another.
Y.G.T. ( you got this ) :)
Leader135412August 7,2022 at 1:29PM UTC
Define what are actually your job duties, then just stay in your lane. If your boss doesn't understand what's going on with his team, direct him to talk it out with them. Stop being his girl Friday, make him micromanage. And take the time to breath and observe. Stand up for yourself, no shades of grey. And if it comes back at you tell them you want your job description in black and white. Then you'll know where you stand and what to do next.