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Relocated for a job but no work-life balance. What would you do?

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Relocated for a job but no work-life balance. What would you do?

I relocated out of state for a good opportunity as an assistant manager. The pay was below what I wanted but the company was highly recommended by a former employee. The thing is, this employee worked in a different area of the company at the same site than what I applied for. He couldn’t speak on the other area, but we figured it would be okay since it was a highly regulated industry. Wrong! This area has a high workload, in part because I am doing things that would normally be done by another group at other companies and the other area has the support that my area does not have. Also, they have reduced staff now (wasn’t like that before- in fact, I was told that people are not stressed because the company has too many people working there but it’s just barely enough now). Due to the lack of appropriate oversight, there are a lot of issues that need to be fixed that I am involved with.

My big issue is that I work 50+ hours every week and sometimes working into the early morning and weekends. Working like this everyday is not sustainable. I understand that people leaders work extra hours but everyday is too much. My friends and family think I should start looking again, but I haven’t even been here a year yet, and I think the job would help me later in my career. I’m not too concerned with paying back relocation since I didn’t spend all of it and can use a sign-on bonus if I got a new job. What would you all do in my situation?

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  1. P I.

    You stated that you "think the job would help me later in my career". So, I think you're answering your own question. In short, you're paying dividends (working 50+ hours), for a later gain (career advancement). I don't think any job is worth all that, but that's just me.

    However, your job is not meeting your expectations. As far as what I'd do, I'd find another job with a standard work week.

  2. Anonymous

    First, I wouldn't count on a sign-on bonus, especially one that could cover relocation expenses.

    Second, I would consider my mental health, and the impact of the stress of a chaotic environment has on me. This is different for everyone, so your capacity for handling this is unique. Only you can assess that.

    Third, I would weigh how much this job would help my future career, and determine if that is worth the potential impact for points one and two.

  3. Anonymous

    I am going out on a limb here, but you did not mention spouse or children, and the question leads me to believe that you’re early in your career. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong! As an old, grumpy person, my wish for you is that you try to picture being old and realizing that you spent your whole life working 50+ hours a week for lower pay than you wanted. You never got to do any of the things that you wanted to do. As a person who worked all the hours, and said yes to all the projects, and did all the things, years later, it didn’t actually help me in my career. I have a strong work ethic and a lot of experience, but companies will go out of business, or let people go, or simply decide they don’t want you. In 20 years it might not matter that you worked your tail off. This is your life. Embrace the awkward and unknown and chase your dreams.

  4. Anonymous

    OP here.

    Hi. I’m not early in my career. I’ve been in the workforce for like 13 years.

    You’re all right. I’m looking at the things I am missing out on because either work runs over or I am too tired to participate on the weekends. Although I like the job, there’s no guarantee that the role will take me to the next stage of my career. The only other time that I had a job that zapped so much energy was my first job right out of college, and I was only there for 6 months because of that. I’m thinking about leaving this job, and I am six months in. Whaddya know!

    I do have some good news. Although, I’ve been in the job for 6 months, I have already been contacted by recruiters, including one from a company where I have a friend at who can vouch that the department and company value work-life balance. Fingers crossed that I move to the next stage of interviews.

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