Not sure if this is the place for this post, if not then mods please delete.
I work for a county health department as a community health worker. Similar to social work, minus the degree. I get paid $22/hr, and since it's govt work I have a state pension plan, deferred compensation, and sick and vacation leave.
I have no leave saved at all because between my husband (disabled, he's a house husband) and myself we've had more “sick days” than my job has hours provided for. The last time I was able to work a full 40 hours was in August. I had FMLA leave at the time but it has run out, so I put in Absent Without Leave on my timesheet for time I spent not at work.
I enjoy my job sometimes, but it's become too much. I began a burnout discussion last year that ended with a supervisor being fired, our manager quitting, and a full third of our team quitting too.
The work has not decreased. We are no longer allowed to work from home. We have a couple of new employees, but taking the time to train them messes with our client services.
I want to work from home now I've moved and have a dedicated office space, but all the jobs I see that I qualify for are a significant pay cut, no higher than $17/hour and less benefits.
Is it worth it to switch jobs anyway? I'd have no more commute (50 miles/1 hour commute each day) and would be home with my husband in case he needs my support with something.
The job seems easier (211 call worker) than my current one, so I'd have less stress and a lot less burnout symptoms.
Am I looking in the wrong places? I'm scared to make a move that could leave me in a bad financial bind, and I can't move up in my current job because it's public sector.