I left my company pre-covid because I was, frankly, burnt out from working 60+ hours a week.

Anonymous

March 23,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

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I left my company pre-covid because I was, frankly, burnt out from working 60+ hours a week. They reached out in December and convinced me to return but in a different capacity. I was made several promises if I returned and, to date, not one of them have been fulfilled. To be fair, I believe that they were made in good faith but the company has went through a number of changes and is still determining how best to realign. The problem is, I'm only 3 months in and I am absolutely miserable. I have zero work/life balance and I'm falling back into old habits that I promised I would never resume. I really want to leave but I feel a certain responsibility to the company having just returned. Do I wait it out and hope that when the realignment is complete I'm made whole again or do I jump ship?

Note: I was seriously considering starting my own company before I received that call in December and put my plans on hold. I've been thinking a lot about my choices lately and that's definitely a regret....which may be having an impact on my happiness.

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Liz PerryMarch 23,2022 at 1:54PM UTC
Jump ship. You have no obligation to stick it out. They asked you to return and made promises that they haven't upheld. If you stay, you're showing them that it's okay to treat you that way and to not fulfill their commitments. Your mental and physical health is way more important, and you'll grow in many other ways by starting your own company. Now go get 'em! Best of luck.
Tracey MorrisMarch 23,2022 at 2:16PM UTC
You might consider having a conversation with your leadership regarding the concerns you expressed and the promises you were made prior to returning. I would also ask how they will make it right now and then as the realignment is finalized. If that conversation doesn't resolve the issues, I agree that it is time to say farewell.
Dorothy AduMarch 23,2022 at 2:27PM UTC
I would say jump ship as nothing has changed for 3 months. I would pivot back into the company you wanted to start and spend those hours investing into it. I sense your happiness meter might be a much higher going that route. Best wishes to you!
AnonymousMarch 23,2022 at 2:44PM UTC
If the company is not delivering on the promises made to you by its employees (ie HR or the team promised one thing, but maybe they just can't get everyone on the same page) then I would say that you need to speak with the people who made the promises and ask them how you can work together to follow through. Remaining silent often is misinterpreted as acceptance of the status quo.
If nothing comes of the collaborative approach, you can say that a different arrangement needs to be made. What was your business plan? Is it related to the work you are doing now? Could you contract with the company to provide services without being their employee? (by making them a client you will be starting your own company with one client and distancing yourself from the toxicity of broken promises.)
If neither option works out, then it is definitely appropriate to tender your resignation but be mindful of how you do it. You don't want to damage your new business' prospects before you even get started by leaving on poor terms.
Remember, you teach people how to treat you.
AnonymousMarch 23,2022 at 3:33PM UTC
I agree with talking to those who made you promises. Mentioning how you can work together to follow through will be a positive show of your team effort. Also if you could contract with them it would be a win win. But otherwise just gently tender your resignation again and get out there to follow your dream.
AnonymousMarch 24,2022 at 1:11PM UTC
I was just given additional responsibilities last night from my V.P. in order to take the pressure off of others. I was so shocked, since he knew my current bandwidth, that I didn't know how to respond. Now I see that you are absolutely correct, by not speaking up I'm signaling acceptance and this is just going to continue.
The new company is in a completely different lane but I definitely don't want to burn bridges. I believe that I'll have a conversation with my VP reminding him of the promises that were made, outlining my expectations and proposing a timeline. If we can't find a compromise then it will be time to respectfully resign.
AnonymousMarch 23,2022 at 5:54PM UTC
I totally get it.
My suggestion is to try and cut back on this current position if possible and get a business plan together for your new business. Start talking to your inner circle for support.
AnonymousMarch 24,2022 at 1:14PM UTC
Set boundaries! Draw a line. It's not their fault you're getting sucked back into old habits, it's yours for not developing new ones. That will follow you no matter where you go or what you do. There is always more work that can be done if you allow yourself to do it.
That being said, if you have a dream and it's not this, pursue it. Sounds like your regret is trying to tell you something. But leave because you're moving towards pursing a dream not because you're running from this situation.