Lately, I have read posts from others who gave two weeks notice without having a job in the waiting.

Angela Blackmon

October 19,2021 at 2:10AM UTC

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Lately, I have read posts from others who gave two weeks notice without having a job in the waiting. I have been fully supportive of those women because I am in a similar situation that I feel is truly abusive. My pragmatic side keeps telling me to "stick it out" until my applications and interviews produce a new opportunity for work, and retain my benefits. But the job is physically taxing my body, and I am in pain all the time. The neuropathy in my fingers and arms is unbearable and keeps me awake if I don't take Advil PM or an equivalent. The bakery where I work is severely shorthanded, and it looks like I have been handed the grunt work, and no cake production as I requested when hired. Instead I get undesirable heavy labor tasks that at least two people have done in the past. At age 61, I am at least 25 years older than my coworkers, yet expected to tear down pallets by lifting several boxes of frozen food (some weighing at least 50lbs) and placing them on rolling carts, then hoisting the pallets on stack to be taken away. Then I have to stow away some of the boxes in a walk-in freezer, keeping the rest on a bigger cart to be opened, the contents to be date-stamped, and placed on the floor to sell. In addition, I have to backstock all of the items on rolling carts. The walk-in freezer is so crowded, it is like an Artic-Blasted Obstacle course that's an accident waiting to happen. In fact, I have fallen and injured my knee months ago. Even though the doctor cleared me for work, I still have pain. Sometimes I have to take the heavy pallets back to the loading dock myself because I get no help. One of the fellows who is kind enough to help me has recently been injured himself and currently under work restrictions. If that isn't enough, I am constantly sent to the checkout lanes to before I can finish my work. Every day, I am so exhausted, I practically fall asleep at traffic lights driving home. This is AFTER I complained to HR and told them it was too much work for one person, much less a 61 year old woman. As long as I do a good job, they won't hire another person to help. What I would like to do leave on my day off and NEVER return. This started as a holiday job after my layoff, before COVID hit. I have been using every bit of my personal time at home undergoing training to upskill, applied to many places, and nothing yet. It's a nightmare that I am trying to end. But it is taking a toll on me. My friends empathize, but don't fully understand that its like working at a loading dock. Some thoughts, please.

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Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.October 19,2021 at 2:21AM UTC
I have but one thought: quit before you kill yourself for an employer that would do nothing but replace you as quickly as possible.
One thing I learned several terrible jobs ago is that you HAVE to let your brain, body and spirit recover from the trauma of a toxic workplace before you commit yourself to a whole new situation. It's no different than staying in an abusive relationship just to "stick it out" until you have a new place to live/you meet someone new/you get through an upcoming important event that you have to attend together/etc etc etc. You will come up with every reason to stay, because the conditions you've been operating under have forced you into survival mode and nothing is scarier than change & the unknown when all you're trying to do is make it through the day alive. Tomorrow should be your day off that you never return from!
AnonymousOctober 19,2021 at 2:40AM UTC
I found that working out my notice prior to finding another job enabled me to have more time to focus on improving my skills and resume, plus practice interviewing. I had a bit of savings to get me through a workless month, and I was able to land a job within that timeframe. Taking a moment to fully focus on yourself and your job hunt can be more beneficial than trying to juggle both in some instances. However, you have to be able to afford it! I don’t think there’s one right answer to this.
So sorry you’re having to deal with this. Wishing you the best of luck on your job hunt! May god bless you through the process.
BeaBoss979975October 19,2021 at 4:30AM UTC
I left a toxic workplace with no notice. It was quite satisfying. You are handling workloads that you shouldn't have to handle alone. Don't let them injure you to the point that you never recover. They won't care and you will have to live with the damage forever. Don't come back from your day off.
AnonymousOctober 19,2021 at 10:04AM UTC
I agree that sometimes you simply have to resign as there is no other option.
Reality is: when you have a family as a single parent, it's not as easy when you lose an income without something else.
My corporation closed during Covid as did many others and I was home a long time. Partially to waiting, partially to pivot careers. However, I had unemployment (enhanced) to back me up. Recruiters were still hateful (I never quit my job, but many accused me throwing conspiracy theories about Covid in my face
I found a terrific role and fortunate, but it is FAR from perfect. I work my ass off amd sometimes take work home. (They don't know it, it's because of my strong work ethic)
Call me crazy or tell me it's unhealthy, toxic, whatever. But FINDING a good job is much harder than a couple extra hours on my time. Plus it's calmer at home.
AnonymousOctober 19,2021 at 10:32AM UTC
My time spent at home was a TON of professional development including certifications (6) AND an award!
Recruiters continued to see me as "leaving my employer too soon" despite my accomplishments there (15 m employee until Covid).
I invite recruiters to be more open-minded. Rather they want a perfect person with the "perfect degree" to do high level work for nothing.
I had what they wanted, but my "quitting" left me with "unqualified and not a good fit" making it impossible to find a livable wage role
It's not an employee shortage (predominantly), it's an ego of MANY (not all) hiring managers
AnonymousOctober 19,2021 at 12:51PM UTC
I assume taking FMLA isn't an option because the company is too small? It's obviously better to leave with something else lined up, but your health is too valuable. What about trying to negotiate a change in job duties? If the bakery is short-staffed and it's between losing you or changing your job, as a boss, I would certainly do the latter. if she doesn't budge, you could try to force the issue.
You mention that a doctor cleared you for work. You could request a doctor's note indicating that you aren't fit for heavy lifting. You can take that to your boss and ask for accommodations. If she refuses or says this is part of your job that you signed on for, and you have a position description showing that it isn't, you can threaten to lawyer up. These are strategies to buy you time til you get something new, not intended for long-term job success. Threatening to sue doesn't put you in good favor but it might get you what you temporarily need.