All my life I worked hard to get ahead. I did my undergrad and masters in engineering and fully applied myself. I started as a designer, moved to a developer, then product engineer and finally and engineering manager. Recently about 6 months ago I got the role of Plant Manager and reluctantly accepted. The company needed someone to lead, and I was the “new gen” plant manager. Everyone reporting to me is over 55, and will be retiring soon. They all have been with the company 20+ years and will need to hire or promote replacements. They all work over 55 hours every week, and I am pressured into doing the same. I am in my early 30s and can't afford to take time away from my young family. I want to spend time with my baby and wife, but my manager just does not understand. I excelled at my job in a young age and they want me to dedicate my life to the work, but I want to dedicate my time to my family. Every time I ask for vacation I am made to feel guilty. I have two weeks as year, while the rest of my team have 4-5 weeks.
This is why I am quietly quitting. No matter how much I tell my manager I will be burnt out by the end of the year, he ignores me and keeps telling me young people don't want to work. You're right: we want to live. I am saving up to find the next job that will respect my time and value. I am a damn good engineer, and I will not be devalued by spending tens of hours above my pay to make my manager happy. If I don't find something I will be happy flipping burgers. My daughter deserves to have her dad, and my wife her husband. I work to live, I don't live to work.