Hi! I'm looking for some advice. This is my first job since the pandemic hit. Due to health issues and other concerns I didn't work for about a year and a half.
I got a decent 8-5 office job back in January. It's a friendly environment, the pay is pretty average for this sort of job, they pay for health benefits, offer sick time and pto, along with holidays off. There's a high turn over rate and the department I work in is extremely stressful. On paper the job seems pretty great, but because of external circumstances I want to go part time.
Last month I spoke with my manager and our HR team to see if a part time position was possible. They said it isn't and would let me know if something comes up. Basically “if you go part time we need to hire another person, so we would just replace you.” I understand that work is conditional and I don't expect them to cater to me, but knowing if there's a mutally beneficial solution is important to me. They're trying to work with me by checking in and want me to communicate when I need to step away if I'm overwhelmed.
Even so, the stress of these outside circumstances along with work are still weighing me down significantly to the point of depression, exhaustion, and a very steep decline of my mental health.
Prior to the pandemic I was very much involved in work. I would work 40-60hrs a week and it didn't really take a toll on me even if I was going through difficult times, hated my job, or felt burnt out. I just kept going, and if I didn't want to anymore I'd find something different and it would usually quell any desire to stop working. I've maintained full time jobs with a few breaks inbetween for nearly 10 years and I've working in general for about 15…I just don't know what changed or why it changed so drastically.
Most of my friends and relatives think I'll regret leaving. In their eyes it's basically a miracle I got this job or something. They think I could stay and retire eventually, just live a normal life and be some ideal version of a person. I feel like other jobs like this are available, but maybe I'm being naive. It's a really difficult decision to make. Finances would he tight if I found part time work, but I'd get by.
TLDR: Had some unfortunate events take place and want to move to part time to handle my mental health but am unable to due to availability. Do I try to keep with my current job it or move on?
Any insight, advice, or similar stories would be greatly appreciated!