I love this community. I'm a relative newbie here, but I come here every day and laugh at least once. I'm at a bit of a crossroads in life and am hoping for some advice. It is a serious request...I want to make sure I've thought through everything. I appreciate your indulgence. I apologize for the length in advance. I'm a 21 year Houston resident but don't necessarily love it here. I'm single with no kids. I'm an apartment dweller, with the only debt being my vehicle which has about $15,000 left. I have 4 months living expenses in my checking account, access to a fairly substantial sum in stock I could sell if I need it and if I REALLY get desperate, my 401k account I could potentially borrow from. In other words, i'm not rich by any means, but I have no ties in Houston (other than my job) and I'm not broke either. I could legitimately live in my current lifestyle for another 3 years without a penny coming in...longer if I move in with friends/family...but naturally that would wipe out my life savings and naturally don't want to touch it if possible. Here's the deal. Recently, I've come under fire from my new Regional Director for not performing up to her standards. I've received my first ever in my career 30-60-90 day corrective action. I'm very concerned I won't make it. Even if I DID make it, I'm not sure I want to work for this woman. I do like working for the company...and after 16 years there I have some things built up that would be a shame to lose. On the other hand, leaving wouldn't break my heart either...just the the idea of losing the paycheck is obviously weighing on my mind. Nevertheless, she isn't going anywhere and I just don't know whether I have any chance of staying on or not. I feel I'll have a better idea at the 30 day mark so for now, I'm trying to do the things I've been asked to do while contemplating what to do next. Obviously, if things work out and I get off the plan thats one option. But game planning for the worst here I need to be prepared. Here's my options if things go badly. First: Quit. If I do this, my lease ends in several months and I could move with several options...friends/family in either Dallas, Denver or Connecticut and obviously reconnect there, start over and drastically cut my expenses but still would be unemployed for a while. Also, I could leave on better terms than being fired, potentially leave a backdoor to enter another division in a lower postion down the road and get started on the next phase of my life. Second: Wait to be fired. Move as in option 1 above. If I do this, and I end up moving out of state, I'm not sure I would get unemployment in another state PLUS I would have to figure out how to explain to new employers my situation. Obviously unemployment money is a huge inducement to go this route. Any advice guys?
Are you a 21 year old Houston resident or are you a 21 year Houston, resident because how old you are is important on how hard is to start over, not that it's ever impossible. Life is too short to do something you don't like everyday, but its also not long enough to live without planning. If you're going to quit, do it wisely. I would would try looking for a job now and bear with your current one as long as you can, or until you find a new job. You may have enough money, but what if something unexpected happens? Do you have health insurance?
My wife was recently in kind of the same predicament. She was at a job for 6 years that had great benefits but the quality of the job was declining at a pace that was beyond insane. She had physical pain from the stress it put on her. Even though we have little back up, financially, it wasn't worth it to me to have her like this. It was bad for her health, for our kids, and for our relationship. She luckily found a new job fairly quickly and has been extremely happy ever since. The pain is gone and everything else is much better. In other words, don't be unhappy. It makes your life suck. If you don't see a future there and don't really want to be in Houston...especially with little tying you to the area...go. Enjoy your life.
He's obviously a 21-year Houston resident, not a 21-year old, since he's been at his job for 16 years. I would just start looking for another job, in an area that suits you better. I would also stay away from Dallas. I had a similar situation where my boss was an asshat and I quit and got a job in Dallas. Seven months later, I moved on to a different city and job.
I'm 48. Shoulda made that more plain. Yes I have health insurance currently with the job. Obviously I would lose that too. Another factor that I have also considered. My health currently is ok, but of course that could change overnight. Under normal circumstances, I would look for work now but I have already determined I am not staying in Houston if I leave this job so it makes it problematic to job search while not in the city I would eventually end up in.
If you think you can get another gig easily go for it. I feel like I'm marketable, recently got laid off, and was still sweating it for a bit before I landed my current gig (I was being a little picky). Not sure what line of work you are in, but I imagine being at once place for so long, pigeon holes you in for certain jobs on the open market. But if you want out, start looking. The whole, get a hold of the next branch before you let go of the current one. No need to be wreckless. I don't know what I'd do in your position. I have family and ties here, so I would think your options are far more wide open.
Look for a new job. Don't quit unless you're really starting to go insane. Not worth the monetary hit, if you can help it. Once you get a new job...then quit.
Look for a new job then quit when you find one. In the mean time, do your best at your current job even if you don't like it, knowing that you have 1 foot out the door. Oh, and don't move to dallas. Don't do that to yourself. Moving to dallas is never the answer.
So you're good financially with no kids or wife. I feel your pain. Hang in there man, remember suicide is a selfish act.
Is her gripe legitimate? If not then I would let HR know so at least it's documented. Perhaps other people have complained too and she might end up getting booted before you. Also, if you quit or get fired you won't get unemployment. Lastly, don't quit until you've found another job.
This. Not sure what field you're in, but Houston should have plenty of job opportunities if you start seriously looking. I was in somewhat similar predicament 6 months ago, and moving onto a new job and not having to worrying about job security on a daily basis made my life a lot less stressful.
Start looking for a new job now rather than quitting/getting fired and then looking. You are a lot more marketable when you currently have a job.
I love it when folks ask for advice and do what they were going to do anyway. So with that in mind my prediction is he is going to quit and start looking when he gets to the new place. I would say to remember what 16 years is and the fact that you don't know what something is until you lose it. That is unless you have enough operating cash to go about 2 to 3 years with little or no income. Even then you will need to go to ramen mode and be prepared for the long nuclear winter of moving, ramp up, and getting that job at 48. I am 36 and am feeling old trying to find a job. Calm down the lady does suck, handle your business and find another job. You can still look for jobs in other cities. In fact that is what you need to be doing is getting your resume in order and be applying now. Don't quit but be proactive. or do whatever it is you 'already determined' just don't make it hard on yourself. If you need a vacation even do that but be deliberate so you can make the next place/town work. good luck
