To quit or not to quit

PCPhoto

In essence the title says it all -

Should I quit my job in hope of finding something less stressful ?

I work as a photographer and with another photographer I cover an area - however my colleague seems to consider that he's in command and bully's me into doing more work (simply because I am fitter and able to do it and he physically isnt) .... I have mentioned it to my boss on several occasions and even mentioned it to my colleague.

we've been working together for over 4yrs and over the last 2-3years I have been voicing my opinions which have been constantly ignored....personally I know its a bad time to leave a job but its mentally killing me.

jim o doom

Consider moving jobs - but as they say, finding a new job is easier when you already have one. Just leaving when it's hard to find jobs at the moment would be silly IMO.

smileysurfer

Have you told him how you feel? And what was the outcome when you told her boss?
Maybe you shoudl bring it up again?
It sounds like a very frustrating situation to be in and I dont envy you!! But jobs are so scarce at the moment I wouldnt be inclined to leave any job in case you end up not finding anything else

another world

As Jim O doom says, look for a job while you are still working it makes it a lot easier in the interviews. Just hold out until you get something else and then move on. Saying that, if you are in a good financial position then maybe you can quit your job earlier.

You might need to work on some skills to do with being bullied, because this could repeat itself in the future if you are a person particularly susceptible to it.

Best of luck

Xiney

If you're considering quitting anyway, maybe tell your boss that you want a raise because you're working harder than your colleague?

If anything, that will make him get your colleague to pick up the slack he's been leaving.

AngryBadger

PCPhoto wrote: »

In essence the title says it all -

Should I quit my job in hope of finding something less stressful ?

I work as a photographer and with another photographer I cover an area - however my colleague seems to consider that he's in command and bully's me into doing more work (simply because I am fitter and able to do it and he physically isnt) .... I have mentioned it to my boss on several occasions and even mentioned it to my colleague.

we've been working together for over 4yrs and over the last 2-3years I have been voicing my opinions which have been constantly ignored....personally I know its a bad time to leave a job but its mentally killing me.

So you're fitter and more physically able and yet you allow him to bully you?

Personally I think you'd be mad to walk out of a job right now. Your options at this point are to either make a formal complaint, or learn to deal with this guy. Honestly, I think you need to develop a thicker skin, or some other way of dealing with this guy.

Unless you feel you can walk into another position, or in some way provide for yourself in the interim I'd advise against anyone walking out of a job.

*Dallas

Call a meeting and lay all your cards on the table, dont take any b.s, you have to be to-the-point and confidant.

Tell him to shape up, listen to your ideas or your out - you don't have to leave, just the threat to him should make him wake up.

PCPhoto

@ Angrybadger ..... he's a good professional and spent many years in charge of a team of photographers and in my opinion he's stubborn and unable to work on the same level as someone 30yrs younger.... its a physical job and personally I believe that my boss is afraid to take action (due to my co-workers age and connections to my boss' family) , the matter has been brought up and agreements were made for him to make a better effort but its just his attitude towards me which is what I am not willing to deal with anymore.

@dallas - meetings have been done before and agreements made but attitudes havent changed and I dont believe they will.

I personally believe that if I quit that I could be more successful working on my own....I'm young (ish) motivated and have the know how, unfortunately for me I dont have the money to survive more than 6-8weeks, and the more I think about it the more I believe I will do it..... gonna call my boss later and let him know. (Money has been put in front of me before and promises have been made - this time its not going to happen)

Redpunto

Life is too short to be amde to feel like crap from sh*theads but at the same time you still need an income - id say ensure you have all options planned for before making a decision - maybe writin your options down might help sort out in your head what the best option would be

star-pants

I agree it's horrible to work in a job where you're very unhappy - I've done it before and run myself into the ground. But at the moment, it's kinda the worst time to be jumping ship.
Is there any way you can start up a business plan for yourself, maybe try saving up to the side for a few months (put up with this guy a little bit longer) and then try branching out?

Obviously it'd be great for you to get out on your own and you have the drive to do it(very important). But jobs are very tough these days to find and it'd be horrible for you to last 6weeks and then to be stuck.

PCPhoto

have made loads of different business plans - for other side ventures but never had the time to commit to them ..... until I gamble on life and choose to create a path for myself.

star-pants

This is true - it is a gamble - but you have to choose the right moment to do that. Because you don't want the gamble to leave you jobless and stuck either. Not saying you can't make it work - but just at the moment things are tough.

estar

its the wrong time for a big change. and 6-8 weeks savings arent enough.

make a proper plan with 6 months savings, and then you can gamble your future

you are lucky to have a job really. if you are asked to do something unfair - what would happen if you refused

PCPhoto

"asked to do something unfair" ??? please explain that !!!

personally I think I have spotted several opportunities for various side ventures which I have never had the time to explore - if I choose to leave current job then I can work freelance a little bit and earn enough money to get by and pay bills.

I suppose another way to ask for advice could be .....

given that my work is stressful - should I leave work and take care of my mind/body and earn less money ....or stick with my job and endure the stress but continued financial benefits.

star-pants

PCPhoto wrote: »

given that my work is stressful - should I leave work and take care of my mind/body and earn less money ....or stick with my job and endure the stress but continued financial benefits.

I think that if you can still live ok on earning less money - go for that, because I would rather work a job for less pay and be happy than be miserable and down working for more money. I left a well paying job before because it got too much for me doing the same thing day in day out and it got me very down. Ok I didn't get the same level of pay in the next job, but I was happier at it.

LegacyUser

well what was the outcome? did u ring boss ...remember your health is ur wealth amte alot can be said for happyness. i changed from a job i LOVED for more money, biggest mistake t date! id rather be tight for money but happy anyday, u only live one life

Overheal

If you're ready to quit, then you have nothing to lose. You might as well grab your balls and take charge for a minute, and make your case calmly and assertively.

A raise in recession time doesnt seem like a wise move, but commanding a bit more respect? Thats free, and worth millions.

Salome

I'm not sure how big the company is that you work for but do you have a grievance procedure in place? Have you documented the meetings that you've had before and can show that nothing has improved? Perhaps you need to escalate it to your HR/MD, they have a duty of care towards you. Are you a member of a union? No employee should have to feel this way.

I would try to avoid leaving if possible - it's not a good time - don't let this jerk force you out.

yellowcurl

If you can find another job that's away from that guy before you quit this one then go for it. Don't quit before you find a new job though, not a good time to be jobless.

PCPhoto

think I have a job..... phoned boss and talked - explained the situation he said he was aware etc etc..... so I threw a proposal at him that I do my own thing but do some work for him - where I dont interact with other guy.

if he's agreeable then I'm gambling that I do get some work done on the side..... I'll still get some income from my boss, so will work less and limited interaction with colleague so just have to hope outside time can yield some money !!!

All will be revealed in the morning - supposed to talk with boss again to check if he's agreeable to my proposal - and then discuss financials !!!

star-pants

Best of luck mister!

PCPhoto

im officially on my own - last day of work on yesterday (friday) !!!

it does feel strange knowing that I dont have to interact with my former Co-worker, fingers crossed working on my own will allow me time to get other stuff sorted.

A final meeting with my boss on Friday involved offers of getting rid of my co-worker and questions about if its a money issue - while it would be easier to just get rid of my co-worker and ask for more money - I would consider myself to be under more pressure to cover the entire job - eventually I decided its not my decision to make (to sack my co-worker)..... it was my bosses decision to make, personally I thought it was bad management to ask me to decide if my co-worker should be fired - its a managerial decision ...NOT an employee decision.

On reflection..... I think/hope I have made a decision which will not haunt me - but I can only blame myself !!! (fingers and toes crossed)