I started working at this job two years ago and really thought it would be the place that I would retire having 10 years left.

13 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 13,2023 at 6:55PM UTC

   Perhaps start by looking around for other job opportunities now. Browse but don't apply yet. Getting a feel of new companies / opportunities could help you transition more quickly if things get worse at your current job. Also, it would keep you up on what other jobs pay if you need to compare.

2. Natasha LorensJune 13,2023 at 9:57PM UTC

   Starting over at our age is scary! But it's clear that your current situation is not sustainable for 10 years as it's affecting your health. It's not likely to improve before your health declines further.

   Take some small steps to get started and work your way toward serious interviewing. Set goals for yourself every week. Some suggestions here:

   Week 1: Update your resume and make sure it lists your accomplishments, not just your responsibilities.

   Week 2: Update your LinkedIn profile and make it open for recruiters to see that you are on the market. Your employer won't see this.

   Week 3: Start looking at jobs for which you are qualified, but don't apply just yet. Instead, start writing out some stories about how you have accomplished some of the bullet points in the job. These are likely to be common requirements for similar work and you'll begin to build a catalog of stories to help you write cover letters and interviews.

   Week 4: Apply for a few jobs you don't care about that much, just to practice and to see if you can land an interview.

   Continue making small steps until you are only applying for and networking for jobs you want to go for and then get serious about putting in a serious effort to move on.

   Take it slow and you'll get there! Be in charge of your health and what happens to you next with small steps.

3. MislynJune 13,2023 at 11:33PM UTC

   Make the change you will thank yourself. I left a toxic workplace. My boss started showing a strong interest in me while I was at another job. I started working for him it was a great work environment at first then something switched and it became very toxic. Once the toxic behavior starts it doesn’t stop. Look for another job and save your mental health.

4. AnonymousJune 29,2023 at 7:14PM UTC

   Okayyyy you said your boss started showing a strong interest in you at another job so you went to work for him?? Like you guys had a connection at first and that sizzled out or what? It just seems like a very strange statement to make on this post. Hope you did get some help for your mental health.

5. MislynJune 30,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

   Take it however you want to but I believe I can post what I want to post. This is a place for women to post what’s going on in the workplace and negative comments are not needed.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 14,2023 at 4:10AM UTC

   What, specifically, are you afraid of?

7. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 12:31PM UTC

   Life is too short to be unhappy

8. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 12:50PM UTC

   I get your fear 100%. This is at a point where it's affecting you mentally and physically, which is a dangerous path for your heath in retirement. Not that one is more important than the other - body and mind are one system.

   I've experienced something similar at the job I am leaving (putting in my notice Monday). You need to take care of yourself, no matter how afraid you are. I know it's often easier said than done, but you don't want to start retirement with chronic health issues, either.

9. Cyndy TrivellaJune 14,2023 at 1:46PM UTC

   Weigh the pros and cons. If the positives of making a change outweigh the negatives, you have something to think about. Also note, the toxicity of the environment and its deleterious effects on your mental and physical wellbeing are so prevalent in your life right now, it’s difficult to see a way out. This difficulty makes thinking ahead and moving forward tough to navigate. But please know that taking control of your outcomes is always better than leaving it to the employer. I wish you all the best.

10. BethBJune 14,2023 at 5:13PM UTC

    What is your question?

11. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 8:03PM UTC

    Are you looking for someone here to tell you what to do? Only you know the threshold for how much you can be a part of and if the toxicity is not directed to you just find a way if you choose to stay to just put your head down and at the end of the day just go home and unplug. If you cannot do that, time to discreetly move on and tell prospective employer the instability is why you are moving out.

12. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachJune 15,2023 at 4:32PM UTC

    Life changes. This changes goals. Do what is right for you today, not 2 years ago. New data, new plan.

13. Joan Marie VerbaJune 16,2023 at 1:48PM UTC

    If you're 10 years away from retirement, you may wish to stay where you are and see if you can arrange for a transfer or reimagining of your job responsibilities. Because you may find that if you're over 50, it will be difficult to impossible to find another job once you quit this one. If you need to work, don't quit until you find another job.