Leave work or am I being stupid

LegacyUser

I have been working in my current job for 1 year and 4 months,before that for the same organisation but another department for a year on top of that. For the most part I have enjoyed at and was overjoyed when I got the first job, it was my first paid job in an area I really wanted to forge a career in, in an area that I had studied for at a high level. It took several unpaid internships post college to get in and I was lucky. The pay isn't bad also.

Anyway, I have for a long time wanted to move to London. I have family there and there would be some good work opportunities if I would get them over there. I am somewhat sick of Ireland and have been talking about moving for a long time. I am not originally from Ireland but have been here a good few years now.

Anyway, the other day I had the worst day at work ever. My boss was picking at my work and made some very unfair comments in my opinion. Boss even mentioned disaplinary, this was massive shock to me as I thought my work was fine, I have never been on discaplinary in my life and never thought I would be. I don't know if the boss was having a bad day but it got me to thinking, I haven't really been enjoying my current role for a long time now, I like the work but the team is very bitching and backstabbing, the boss is something of a micro-manager who is prone to moodiness and makes bad calls sometimes/puts a bad atmosphere on the team.

Now I have some savings, not a huge amount but a few months wages and I was going to put it towards something else. I haven't been on holiday for over ten years! I have been working interning or studying all of that time and just didn't have the spare money. I am 30 now and regret not having traveled more. I was talking to my boyfriend last night, I was very upset when I got home from work, he pointed out that I have been stressed a lot lately and hadn't been happy for a long time. We came up the idea that I could leave my job and we could travel around Europe for 3 months (this isn't a problem for him because of the nature of his own work) then on return I could stay in London with relatives for a few weeks and apply for jobs from there, it would be much easier to get jobs when I was already in the country and don't have to mess about with flights and time off etc. When I have a job, he would come and join me.

This sounds great and I feel liberated by the very idea of not going back to work but there is still part of me that thinks I am crazy to leave a jobs,a good job at that, in recession times. I don't know how long it would take me to get a job in London, I don't want to use up ALL of my savings but at the same time I know my relatives over there would charge me little or no money to stay with them (I know I am very lucky here). Waht if it looks bad on my CV though?

But then on the other hand, I am rotad in at work to work both Cristmas day and New years day this year (it's the kind of job that doesn't stop for Christmas) I have been at work for the last 2 Christmas, in a very stressful environment both times. Our plan would allow me to pop home for Christmas and actually enjoy it with my family for a change.

What should I do people? I know this is a first world problems but it's wrecking my head! I need to act fast and hand in my notice ASAP if I am going to do it.

Grandpa Hassan

You only live once. Sounds to me like if you didn't do this, you'd regret it for ever, and always be wondering what your life would have been like if you'd just done it. Sonetimes you've just got to take a chance. I've taken a few over the years...moved to NYC for a couple of years, quit my job to go work in a gym a in NZ, then back to dub, then quit to go back to college aged 35, then fancied London 2 years ago. That kind of experience is much more important to me than just 100% focussing on career. I never want to have regrets.

My advice is just do it.

ivytwine

Totally agree with the above poster. You only get one shot at life and seeing as you have a good base already in London it's not like you're taking a huge risk.

I know people tend to cling onto jobs in recession but it's also a good time to try something new. The days of a job for life are gone.

Good luck whatever you decide

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies you are probably both right. I do love the idea of travelling Europe and I have little ties here except for my job.

It's just, I do really value having a wage coming in, I am also quite protective of my savings! I was working for free for a long time and struggling at college before that so it's great to have a decent wage coming in, I know what it's like to be poor and I don't want to go back there. I have 2.5 years experience the sector now plus voluntary and an academic qualification, that should be enough to set me up in London in the industry shouldn't it? Am I panicking unnecessarily about finding a job there?

I will probably go. I mean when I think about staying on over Christmas with a bad atmosphere between me and my boss and a possible disciplinary hanging over my head! Eugh, it's bull****.

MouseTail

Sounds like you are ready to move on. I don't see anything wrong with your plan at all.

Santa Cruz

Go. You will regret it if you don't especially when it seems nothing will change to improve in your present position. Start by checking out the job agencies in London. Also apply now for a Insurance number in the UK using your family address over there. You may need to get a utility bill there with your name on it though.w

tinkerbell

Go for it, OP.

Xidu

If you like travel, you should do it before you have kids anyway. Although you don't have that much saving, you can afford to spend it now before you plan to start a family.

lmos

Yes OP, go for it! Sounds like its all happened for a reason....

camphor

Apply for some jobs in London and see what reaction you get. You will have to give up your job at some stage if your boss is behaving like that.

kob29

I agree that you should go at this junction. I think its normal to have an anxiety response in these times to a move so why not update your cv or get a pro to do it and contact recruitment agencies in London to discuss possible opportunities after your travels. If you knew what you were likely to be coming back to that would probably ease it.
Then in your most professional mode tell the boss how he contributed to your decision.

Enjoy the travels.

LegacyUser

Thanks everyone for the advise.

You're are all right, I do have to go. I knew that really I just felt a bit anxious about it and you guys have helped me come to the decision. I have always been a great believer in not leaving on permanent job until I get another one but I guess there are exceptions to the rule. I am young(ish) after all and don't have any responsibilities so I should take advantage of that while I can.

I am all excited now planning my trip with my boyfriend and can't wait to see the look n my boss' face when I hand in my notice!

LegacyUser

I know just how you feel as I have been in your situation.
I would update your cv and send it off to a few recruitment agencies in London.
Put a good cover note with it explaining what type of work you are looking for, ask there advice if you could improve your cv in anyway. I would contact the uk tax office and find out what information they require to give you an national insurance number in the uk. It might be worth your while going to London for a few days before traveling and getting this number sorted out. I would also look up to see what you need to open a uk bank account also. I think you may need proff of a uk address, a national insurance number and your passport to do this.

From what you have told us you are not to happy in your present job. A disaplinary should happen if you make a major mistake in your work, if you are late everyday or if you are doing something wrong despite being told/trained how to do it properly.
I know you would like to tell them to get lost but I would just keep my head down and say nothing to anyone you work with your plans. Once you get some feed back from London I would book your flights home for Christmas and give your boss the amount of notice written in your contract. Tell your boss I have enjoyed working here, I have lernt a lot but that you have decided to travel for a while ect. Also make sure you have handed over any work for the others to do before you leave and put down in writing to your boss who is dealing with what.
A few years ago one of my co workers left the company and my supervisor spent ages trying to sort out the mess he left behind. When I left this company I tried to finish as much work as I could but handed certain things over to other people. I let my suprvisor know who was dealing with what customer. Doing this ment I got a good reference leaving here.