Thinking of Leaving my job as a Garda

prospect1991

Hi guys. I'm really thinking of leaving my job as a Garda. I don't know which route to go job wise. The paperwork is no joke and it can take over at times. I have great colleagues and everything it's just really not for me. When you're off you're not off. A constant worry about documents forwarded to courts office and cases coming up. Going home and sleep for 3 hours and coming in on your day off to take some chap to court with your eyes falling out of your head. I just don't think the money is worth the effort. A Garda now for a year with 6 years service in the army. Need to find something else

Spear

This has nothing to do with Feedback. Moved to a forum that's related to the topic instead.

DownByTheGarden

I dont think you are the only one.

A neighbor of mine is a garda of about 10 years and has recently quit because he hates the job now.

He wanted to do an evening course in software development but he couldnt do that with the schedule in the job so only did it after he quit. During the day he got a job in a local garden center then, but he thinks he wants to stay at the gardening rather than the software now so he might not bother finishing the course. He wants to move home to the country if he can persuade the wife, who incidentally is a teacher but a total Dub so it will be hard to persuade her to leave Dublin.

Loads of teachers leaving my kids school last year and even more this year too. Even more leaving the primary school I am told.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058296699/thinking-of-leaving-my-job-as-a-garda

Let me start by thanking you for your service.

Here is the bad news, nothing you complain about are specific to the Garda! Pretty much every professional job involves a lot of paper work, deadlines. that must be met, serious consequences for failing to deliver, working unpaid overtime, coming in on your day off and regular performance reviews. I have a friend who is a Lt. Col. in the defence forces and everything I hear from him tells me there is very little difference in his general experiences than if he was a manager in industry, with the exception that he can at least rely on his subordinates actually doing what they are told - the paper work, the deadlines, the office politics etc....

If your issues were something specific to the Garda and you had a strong commitment to doing something else, I'd have no hesitation is saying go for it! But as it is I'm not sure that you won't end up somewhere else with the exact same issues over things like paper work, serious consequences for mistakes or failing to hit deadlines, etc...

Would it help if you learned to be more disciplined in our paperwork I wonder. Most of the people I know who get through paperwork and are good at it, have a method of doing things and they always do it the same way, use check lists etc... so they can be confident that it was done and done correctly. Maybe identify someone that seems to always be on top of the paperwork and try doing it their way.

And how about your home life - some people I know, including my son complain about the work-life balance, but it is not the work part that it the problem. They don't make time to get enough sleep, they don't take holidays or mini breaks and they make themselves available when they are off. You have to actually work at having a home life, it won't happen by accident.

When I need to make a difficult decision I take a bicycle tour - usually two days. The only thinks you need to concern yourself with is, where you are going to sleep, eat and are you on the right road. And you are alone with your mind away from all the usual noise of everyday life. That is when I think most clearly.

Hopefully you will be able to figure out what is right for you.

Eircom_Sucks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120607502#Comment_120607502

i have a professional job and when i leave at 4.30 i don't have to take crap home with me , my eve's are free , and if i want i can do overtime to get paid more if i choose to , work is a means to an end and should never be taking over your life , we get 1 life and make the most of it don't wake up at 50 and wish you made a decision sooner

best of luck with whatever you decide

hardybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058296699/thinking-of-leaving-my-job-as-a-garda

I think Jim2007 has given some good advice, particularly regarding the need for time and reflection when making important decisions. When you've had a chance to take some time off you might feel more rested and be better able to make a strategic decision rather than a reactive one.

The AGS is a big employer with presumably a wide variety of roles within it. Perhaps there are other roles you could transfer to now, or work towards in the future, that'd appeal more or give you better work life balance and job satisfaction.

The other thing to consider is taking a career break or a sabbatical and trying something different before quitting your job. Hanging tough for another year or so (to become eligible for it) could be worth it in the long run.

2ndcoming

I don't think it's great advice to be honest. Anyone under that much pressure in the private sector either owns their business or is in a position of considerable responsibility - either way they're gonna be earning plenty more money than a guard one year into the job - or a guard ten years into the job unless they're a complete idiot. They're also far less likely to get spat at, stabbed or run over etc.

Gardai leaving in record numbers and at this stage young people are accepting places then not showing up to Templemore because they decide it's not for them before they even start - both pretty much unheard of occurrences 20, 30 or 40 years ago. What was once a relatively well paid job that provided a position of respect in your community is now a poorly paid one that you often feel you have to keep a secret, sadly. That needs to be fixed but its not up to you to fix it - you'll have to do what's best for yourself. I wish you the best of luck, whatever you decide to do.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058296699/thinking-of-leaving-my-job-as-a-garda

This does not add up.

Firstly, you're getting an allowance to compensate for court duty on the days off. Second, there's a proposal for procecuting gardai to be represented by someone else; if not already in place, wait until these changes lessen the court attendances. Thirdly, the new roster allows for a very compressed work week, allowing for plenty of days off. Wait it out until you see how that pans out.

I agree with Jim2007. The biggest problem with a lot of people is woeful computer skills. People don't know their keyboard shortcuts, their clipboard history, how to select multiple files/folders, don't know how to use Excel macros; making admin a tedious series of mouse clicks. Look into using improving your computer skills or other ways to improve your handle on paperwork.

Don't get into IT if you find paperwork tedious.

Is it worth quitting and starting again from the bottom? It'll take a long time to reach the money you're on now, not to mention the lost earnings retraining for a new career. You'd want a very significant increase in salary to make up the lost earnings while retraining. How likely is that to happen? Unless you're very sure of your potential in your chosen new career..

Tefral

It sounds like your Burnt out OP. When you get to that stage, everything becomes a grey window you look out. Is it worth chatting to your Super to tell him how you feel about it? He might be able to swing getting you a change of scenery for a couple of months? I know from friends of mine in the Guards, they are losing good people so will do what they can to hang on to you.

I know the fella at the top doesnt really give two hoots about ye but surely speaking to your boss about it would help. Id say have some sort of half cooked plan though, as a manager of people myself I know it will come across less like a whinge and more like a person who is stuck if you tell him/her what might make you feel better.

As an aside, I would think that nearly everyone im speaking to these days are looking for the Grass is Greener oppportunity. They are out there at the moment with Multinationals with the working from home etc. Also, the Guards is a decent paying job, but much like the ESB etc there are better opportunities in the Private sector money wise at the moment.

Its the old adage though: Never a good job in good times, but an excellent job in bad times.

Garda increments increase fairly quickly over your first 5 years, I’m not a Garda myself but currently in the process of changing roles within the public service.

Have you thought about staying put for now and in a few years transfer to a different public service role, you get to carry your pay point to any other public service job and they’ll even give you one increment extra, you won’t have to enter at the bottom of the pay scale again.

Just an option for you other than having to retrain and start at the bottom again.

Heres the finer details on it for ease of reference:

https://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2019/08.pdf

prospect1991

Thanks for all the info guys much appreciated 👍 I have a bit of thinking to do to be fair.

prospect1991

What do you work at if you don't mind me asking? Sounds like a dream

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120609525#Comment_120609525

Very true thank you for the understanding

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120607547#Comment_120607547

That sounds great tbh 👍 what do you do if you don't mind me asking?

Juwwi

What part of the country do you live in OP ?

Have you considered becoming a taxi driver , in Dublin there's a huge shortage at the moment and they are all making good money ,especially if you put the hours in and it sounds like you are doing shift work hours already .

NiceFella

You need to identify the principal reason, of why you want to leave. If it's the paperwork and court days them I think you really need to listen to both Jim2007 and salonfire.

If you are looking for an office job, then paper work is going to be your bread and butter. So it's not going to get any easier that way. (In fact alot harder probably).

I work in the private sector and all the stuff Jim laid out is true. I have to hit deadlines, have performance reviews and make decisions that shape the company working on projects that can be difficult to switch off from in the evenings. So if you are looking for a cushy number and also paid well, then you will be looking for a while. Because very few jobs pay very good money that are 'handy'.

My best advice to you, is improve your attitude first toward the job before making a decision. Then see how you feel about it. Get better at the paperwork ! I work in IT and I've seen some public servants spend whole days on jobs that would take someone with the most basic of computer skills 20mins. Literally. Once you learn, you'll find it so much easier and have huge amounts of extra time. Also be strict with yourself, devote time each day to get it off your plate. If you are a person that keeps saying "ah I'll look at it tomorrow or at the end of the week" etc etc. There's your problem right there. You can build templates for yourself depending what the document you are working on. Always try to improve your process and you'll have loads of time. You'll also start to like those parts of the job, once you get good at them.

Also, it seems you have no idea what you'd do outside of guards if you left. You need to have an idea about what you enjoy and what you are good at first. So you have two things to really think about.

SuperBowserWorld

There are people with varying experience and skills earning large salaries and sitting at home in their pjs. Depending on the job or your ignorance about quality, and your tolerance of tedious work, there can be very little stress. Many of these jobs do not actually produce anything. They are creating products that never ever see the light of day, or reselling insurance or pensions ...

So, it's understandable why someone would want to leave a job that is babysitting a dysfunctional Irish society with poor pay and respect.

However, one competent pajamas worker with AI tools will replace N pajamas based workers. So a Gardai might be a better long term bet. And AI can do the desk work for you too.

If you are considering another career then force yourself to do some night time study or certification in the area to make sure it gels with you. Take time off work to do it etc etc.

No harm in having a plan b and additional skills.

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120622654#Comment_120622654

Thanks that's some great advice as is a lot of people's in here. Really appreciate it guys

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120622641#Comment_120622641

Yes I have thought seriously about doing other courses etc. I have absolutely no problem putting in the work and I am a hard worker. I have a lot to think about. If I do leave I will most likely stay public service as to carry my pension over.

SuperBowserWorld

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120622946#Comment_120622946

Definitely find some career advisor or coach to guide you along some career path. Sounds like you have time on your side. So plan wisely. And think long term and think big. Don't limit yourself because of fear of failure.

Communication, leadership, soft skills, etc will get you far. So, don't neglect these. From my personal experience it's easy to dive into the technical aspects of a career, but it can be limiting.

Even though it might sound over the top, setting up a YouTube channel, regularly posting, blogging, linkedin posts, toastmasters ... etc ... will improve communication skills no end. Just don't post anything that could be held against you.

Sounds horrible, but it's only about getting over the fear and making all that stuff easy. And so useful for all career options and job applications. And it's only going to cost you time.

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120623101#Comment_120623101

Cheers very insightful. Much appreciated 👍

JKerova1

I left the Gardai in 2019. At the time I regretted it and thought I'd made a mistake as I spent the next year floating around in different temporary jobs. I don't regret it now though. In fact, my main regret is that I ever applied to be a Garda in the first place. Some of the advice by apparent experts here is ridiculous. There is no job in the private sector (or public) that is any way comparable to being a Garda. In the brief time I was in the job I was aware of two Gardai that took their own lives. I wasn't the first person I trained with to resign and I wasn't the last, several more followed after me. I honestly couldn't recommend the job to anyone. One good thing is that ex Gardai usually have no problem finding employment after they leave and it's a good thing to have on the CV. You'll have no problem finding another job if you leave. Best of luck with your decision anyway.

Buddy Bubs

It's a horrendous job, a few friends are garda and only 1 likes it, but he has made his way to superintendent already at a young age so he's a real career policeman. The others can't stand it and I doubt they are giving it their all. Any garda in a station I've met to get a form stamped seems to be in the height of bad humour, and others have had the same experience as me.

I'd be resigning too if I heard the garda involved in the scumbags crashing and burning on the n7 going the wrong way with their lights off was being investigated and possibly charged and prosecuted. That's a disgrace.

Eircom_Sucks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120622493#Comment_120622493

youtuber with 600k subscribers :) so it's paying well

Oscar_Madison

Certainly personal organisational skills important- however if you’re worrying about things when off, that’s not good.

I think there’s either a skills gap here, or else some major fears around a telling off or disciplinary from senior management- I read the papers so I’m not totally unfamiliar with the current Garda management culture.

Garda as a career, on paper, is a huge opportunity and if you last till retirement, certain specialisms learned will get you work in the private sector in retirement.

However, you obviously have to last the pace and get some experience and further qualifications behind you:

As a first step OP- relax a little- it’s a marathon not a race- your health is far more important

secondly- speak to someone- just as you’re doing here in virtual land- a problem shared and all of that- but really, do talk and keep talking

thirdly- with disruption taking place in terms of technologies etc the public sector may well be the best place right now- so don’t be too harsh on your lot and try and count your blessings/ there’s more than you think there

finally- get a plan around:

work/life balance

Future skills ( preferably with the Garda for the moment)

managing emotions

If your employer has an EAP service for free- USE IT. That’s what it’s there for

Best of luck

Pompey Magnus

Unfortunately it seems with the Guards that they are all about modernisation in every aspect except when it comes to how they treat their staff. They now incentivise applicants with college degrees and increased the age range for applicants from 26 to 35 allowing recruits in who had experienced work outside the Guards in the Public and Private sectors. But they still think they can treat their staff like years ago when lads left school after their junior cert and were just glad of having a job. Incredibly they are still bamboozled why guards nowadays are experiencing the reality of the work and quitting in droves and they are struggling to fill places in Templemore.

It will just get worse too unless either (a) they have a massive rethink of how they are managing their members or (b) the country goes back into a massive economic recession and the job security aspect of the Guards becomes attractive again. My guess is that upper management plan on holding out until option (b) comes around again.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120626102#Comment_120626102

Indeed- whilst I get there needs to be discipline over and above what you’d have in a non-security forces role, there appears to be a fear in Garda senior management to “try something”.

The senior Gardai have a lot to lose “in their minds”- the power, the control- it’s a lot to lose for them as they’re simply acting as their previous bosses acted- they’re about 30 years behind in terms of management style thinking - some areas are probably ok to work in, especially where there’s a great reliance on IT skills to get the work done such as cyber etc- but I’d say even then, there’s a few senior Gardai who can’t refrain from throwing their toys out of their pram from time to time 😀

lisabiscuit

Before you give it up entirely could you see if there was any positions coming up in other sections? ASU comes to mind as I believe they have very little in terms of paper work. There are so many different sections- drug unit, scenes of crime, dog unit, sub aqua, CAD, roads policing, that you might find something you'd be interested in more so than the regular unit. Perhaps? Try and remember the reason you joined in the first place. Best of luck with it all anyway. It's awful being in a job your not happy in. Hope it works out for you.

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120625790#Comment_120625790

Thanks for this information. Yeah it's only those that are in the job know the story. Cheers for that bud much appreciated wish you all the best

prospect1991

K1 what job did you go into if you don't mind me asking?

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120630730#Comment_120630730

And that is exactly your problem - you only know one type of story.... and not even one of the issues expressed in this thread are specific to the Garda - from pressure to deliver, the work life balance and sadly even suicide are common to all trades or professions you might consider taking up.

Now I did ACP and all the other stuff we had to do back in the early 80s and I would not do what Garda are asked to do, they are far braver than I ever was. If you had issues with putting your life at risk, dealing with violence, human tragedy etc., there is no doubt that a change of career would be the answer, but you are not, you are concerned with the normal everyday challenges of working life.

I'd be very very slow in saying leave unless you are very sure that you miss the Garda. Maybe turn the question on it's head and consider what attracted you to the job, what aspects of the job give you satisfaction and if you were to leave where would you find the work satisfaction in another area of life?

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120634066#Comment_120634066

Well to be fair from my point of view it's numerous things on top of work/life balance that's doing it for me. I enjoy certain aspects of the job. I just think there are easier ways to make better money is all I'm saying, and also the fact you're not putting your neck on the line everytime you go to work. I have dealt with death, grief and lots of problems. It's hard when you leave work and can't switch off correctly because you're worried about this job or that job.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120627595#Comment_120627595

Unfortunately for any young member, unless they have a relation or 'know someone' who has 'pull' the chances of getting some of those units is very slim to none.

Nepotism and favouritism are still rife in the organisation & while some public may think some Gardai are corrupt, it's nothing to the way management run the force.

And for some reason, the commissioner has one of the biggest forces in recent times, numbers wise, but there are less of them on the streets. I don't know how he managed to do that, but it puts massive pressure on young members.

And one of the biggest changes is everybody is now 'watching their own behinds ' afraid to do anything, just in case something goes wrong. There is no room for mistakes anymore, there is no chance of learning from a mistake. There are no senior members willing to help junior members, just in case they also get into trouble.

The job is good, but I understand anyone leaving, particularly the younger ones, who's salary isn't great & pension is brutal.

OP, maybe get in touch with some of your old army buddies and see what they're doing now? Ex army and ex Gardai are usually easily employed.

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120637116#Comment_120637116

This, all day long.

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120637116#Comment_120637116

Yeah I've a lot to think about. I do have great senior members who do help me a great deal so I'm lucky in that regard. I wonder would An post be worth a shot ?

prospect1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120679328#Comment_120679328

Thank you for the information

Rushd73

Hi. Do you mind me asking what did u do. I'm a member with less that 6 years left and I am on the verge of walking away. I'm sick to teeth of the way management run the station. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Taking members of units and leaving that unit shafted for members just to facilitate her favourite unit. Having to fight to get leave for family functions, funerals, looking for proof of holiday bookings, etc. Being asked to come in to work and then being told there's no car to go to do the job so suggest using your own but then you get refused allowance to use your own car. Lack of push for equipment when other station have it. Office staff that are treated better than members. Atmosphere can be toxic around the station and when a PR opportunity arises. it's all smiles and everything is great. Members going on sick galore with stress, etc or can't get their leave they're entitled to. A shambles of a job compared to when I started. Injured on duty loads of times, treated like crap. In a rural station so no chance of moving to another section. It's alright for some to say how lucky we are. but **** pay, abuse, no support from management and constant pressure with lack of unit members.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623524#Comment_122623524

You have less then 6 years till retirement? Post doesn't read like that

Rushd73

???

Rejoin the Army the money isn't great but anyone I know in the Army loves it, do some useful courses so by the time you are 50s you can't transition to something else.

Rushd73

I was never in the army to rejoin

prospect1991

Ya I've gone to Irish Water. Signing contracts and starting soon can't wait.

prospect1991

God no. It was OK to be fair and I did enjoy it. But I'm onto bigger and better things now thankfully

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120625790#Comment_120625790

Just to add to that. I dealt with AGS from a civilian role in the civil service. The amount of women with young kids phoning me to discuss their widows pension was scary. Added to that the number of Gardai whose marriages broke up because of the stress of the job being brought home.

Then there were they guys who retired and died within 12 months.

Then there's the ones who have been beaten up or run over while on duty.

I've a son in his teens. Id never encourage him to join AGS. Am actively trying to dissuade him from the Army. Hopefully secondary school will show him he has options.

I admire the guys who stick it out but the money's not worth it.

prospect1991

Army is a great option to be honest. I've nothing but great experience while in it. I just wouldn't return. That ship has sailed.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122626254#Comment_122626254

Brother was in it 40 years as an nco. I also know retired officers and not one would recommend joining.

No matter what organisation, profession, or careers are discussed here someone will come on here and say it's terrible.

The one who are not happay are more likely to be using social media or contacting traditional media or putting themselves forward for interview to say it's terrible.

Lemon Davis lll

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623524#Comment_122623524

Why should members be treated better than office staff (by which I'm I assuming you mean civilians?). Plenty of stations where members on light duties are doing civvies jobs for about 3 x the pay.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058296699/thinking-of-leaving-my-job-as-a-garda

Soldiers make amazing IT managers, you should have a level of ethic and discipline to make you thrive. Get into a pharma company as a contractor for a while and see how it goes

nearby_cheetah

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623524#Comment_122623524

Stop lying to yourself would be a help to your state of mind. The pay is not shite. Get that notion out of your head anyway.

cmc35

I myself was a mule for a short length of time and left for all the reasons most young mules leave for today.

The bureaucracy, endless paperwork, Drew Harris, code of ethics this, human rights that, being grilled by management and or GSOC for pulling out baton or using cs spray, shite pay and pension (2013). God I wish I could have been a mule in the 80's.

However, for some reason, I regretted leaving after a while and enquired about rejoining. Having spoken to numerous mules who have either left or are thinking about leaving, it hit home that I am far better off out. That job is fucked. Policing in this day and age is truly fucked.

Fair play Prospect for leaving. Don't regret it, you made the right decision. You've a good job now.