I just walked off an 8 year job tonight. Advice needed.

[BoringGuy45]

I left my job as a correctional officer last November. Had no job lined up, but I was miserable, in the worst physical shape of my life, constantly sick with respiratory ailments, and sick of working for people who, every time very legitimate complaints were raised, always responded with "If you don't like how we do things, there's the door!" People who stayed there either ended up getting fired for something stupid, or written up so many times for stupid things that no other job would hire them. Plus, this jail is notorious for badmouthing its employees to potential employers to ensure they can't go anywhere. I managed to stay a gray man: I was considered a solid CO and never got on anyone's radar in a bad way, and wasn't there long enough (about a year and a half) to get into that situation. Our rent had gone WAY up and we were unable to afford it anymore (and we were in one of the least expensive apartment complexes in the area) and my wife has a lot of student debt. Plus, we had a new baby and couldn't afford childcare for my wife to get a job (all of her paycheck would have gone to childcare, removing any benefit for her to work). The jail had no intention whatsoever of giving the officers a raise...in fact, they were demanding that we take a pay cut because, and I quote, "It doesn't take any more credentials to get your job than it does to get hired at Walmart. You're getting paid more than you're worth." So, we were left with the choice of me staying in this miserable shit hole and us moving in with my wife's parents, which we didn't want to do because they can be hard to live with, or me quitting the job and us moving out of state to live with my parents, who were already loaning us money to help us make ends meet (and who are very easy to live with). So, with my parents' encouragement, we did the latter.

Now I am SO much happier! I'm eating better, sleeping better, I've lost 25 pounds and counting, and there are so many more fulfilling job opportunities up here. Admittedly, I've yet to get full time employment, but unlike where I was, the opportunities are here. They weren't even available where I was. I would have been stuck in that God-forsaken jail forever.

You did the right thing. Life is too short for to have the attitude that "life sucks, so pick a miserable job and do it till you die with regret like a good American." Find something that makes you happy and fulfilled. Plus, miserable workplaces need to be sent a message that if they mistreat their employees, they're going to lose them.

[Firefly]

The only thing I would have done different is wait until the end of shift, look him in the eye and calmly state "I no longer offer my services and time to this company under your supervision", offer a letter of resignation, turn in whatever, and go.

Because somebody probably had to pick up your slack and walking off is poor form and creates drama.

Other than that, you do you. Don't let a day define you.

You have to look after yourself. A job is just to make money. Period. And like others say if you clear cost of living and can enjoy your downtime then do it.

I live like a king by being cheap, sticking to a budget, keeping slush funds, and not caring what people think.

I had some dude say "Man you needs a new car yo. You needs some new new"

okay, why?

"Because it 2019, my boy. I got my new new"

Aaand you got a car note.

I don't. I don't answer to anybody. You should have, by this point, gotten to where people may be able to name you but they cannot shame you.

[titsonritz]

I'll be 53 next month, my kids are long grown and gone, I'm divorced (thank God that bullshit is over too). I've flipped the bird and walk off a few jobs, not once have I regretted it, not once. You basically spend a third of your life at work, that is too much time to be miserable. I remember having dreams/nightmares about work and waking up pissed off just to go that hellhole. **** that shit, never again. So I say to you congratulations on your escape, I'm certain you'll not regret it either.

Maybe it is time for a straight 8 hour a day job, even an office job. Look into AutoCAD, CAD/CAM, often times you can find a job that your past work experience is a big plus. There can opportunity be to work remotely, on your own schedule.

Honu mentioned a tiny house, eight years ago I bought a little motorhome and have been cruising around in it seeing much of this beautiful country. Every time I think of getting a place and putting down roots, it always comes back to hell with that, I love how I live too much. Maybe someday I'll pick up a little piece of dirt, throw a tiny home on it and park the RV, but I'd bet I'll end buy another newer motorhome before that happens.

Best of wishes in your new life, that possibilities are truly endless.

[Firefly]

titsonritz

if you aren't bedding hippie chicks and solving crimes then you are doing it wrong

Thats the new American dream as I see it. Wandering around in an RV, bedding hippie chicks, and solving crimes.

......someday......

[Norseman]

Your in a good place OP, even if initially it looks otherwise.

To mirror what others have said, there is nothing, work wise, that is worth being miserable over. Fast track to an early grave and in my opinion our optics as a society are skewed on this topic.

I, like many here, have been where you are now.

Do yourself a favor, take as much time as you can physically and financially afford. Sleep late, go fishing, shoot some guns, take a road trip, or whatever. Get yourself "clean" from the baggage of what you walked away from. Then take a look at your next move.

Consolidate and trim the fat out of your life, even if you don't need to financially. There is a lot to be said for a simple life with less things and input. Volunteer at church, a hospital, or whatever, it's good for the soul and can open up possibilities that might not have been thought of otherwise.

Then when you are ready to jump back in the work force, you set the parameters. Pick something you want to go after, money be damned, and go after it. Would you rather make $30k a year and be happy or $100k a year and be miserable? Some of the most miserable people to be around in my life were the ones that put career ahead of living and only have a bunch of crap to show for it.

View this as an opportunity and not a set back.

[FlyingHunter]

Here's my advice my friend. Stop thinking about what's next and make no decisions x 2 weeks. Relax, travel, do something you've always wished you had the time to experience. After 2+ weeks, you will have a new perspective. Then get out the legal pad, pro on one side, con on the other, and weigh and balance your choices. Prayers up for you.

[BIGUGLY]

if funds get scarce and you still have your class A license then there is a lot of driving jobs that need filled. Would probably be able to pick and choose some that would get you home every night and more local than over the road. Would be decent short term fix.

[rero360]

if you have a rating with the VA, look into Vocational Rehab, they will pay you to attend training, college or a tech school to get started on a new path. They also help with starting businesses and offer a few other services.

[Rogue556]

I can definitely relate to your current circumstance. (Long post ahead).

Back in November I walked out on my job. Finished my shift, grabbed what few things I had at my desk, and walked out with no intention of returning.

My employer had screwed me over ten too many times, and much of what was happening there did not sit well with me morally.

I had been there two years. When I first started I had a child due in a couple months and had asked at least five different members of management, as well as our attendance manager what options were available for me to take time off for the birth. I was unable to find anything on the companies employee website. I was told by the attendance manager that at that time I was unavailable for FMLA as I hadn't been there a year (which I already knew) but was also told that I was unavailable for any unpaid time off. When my child was born I used sick days, which of course cost me attendance points.

Skip forward almost exactly a year later. I had returned from my lunch break three minutes late, two days in a row, unintentionally. This had put me at my final point and I approached my new manager about it, as I knew there was no way I had come back late (I'd never been late before the entire time I worked there). We ended up comparing my cell phone to the computer systems time and found my phone somehow had become four minutes off. My manager reversed the points, but asked why I had the other points and I explained I had taken time for the birth of my little girl. She looked at me puzzled and asked if I had enquired about time off and I explained I had but was told no.. She informed me that was incorrect and I was available for unpaid time off for the birth of the child at the point she was born.

Turns out the attendance manager knew this was the case, but lied to me. At the same time I had attempted to get time off for her birth, multiple others from my hire group were granted time off for much less important situations. Asking around I found out the attendance manager has a hatred of strait men (he's very obviously gay) and had been known to purposely misslead certain people. I took the issue to upper management and they did nothing. Turns out most of the upper management were also gay and covering for these actions. I ended up also finding out that one of the members of management had actually been accused of sexual harassment by strait members of his team, but the company closed the investigation and cleared the manager.. without ever interviewing the men harassed. These issues, as well as other shady business practices, put me past the edge and I walked out.

This isn't the only employer I've had these kinds of issues with either. I'd say 90% of the jobs I've had ended up being the same nonsense. The other 10% didn't pay enough or offer competitive benefits. My second to last job was was with one of the major three cell phone carriers as a corporate store manager. I never had time off, when I was at home I was answering phone calls from employees with questions, talking to district managers, marketing managers, etc about metrics and sales.. I had no life. I was given one day off when my wife and I were married. ONE DAY. No honeymoon, no congratulations from colleagues. I closed my store at 10 p.m. the night before, got married the next day, and was back at work the day after at 8 a.m.

Never again.


As I type this I sit at home with my wife and our three year old and one year old little girls. The three year old is working on her school work (she's not in school yet but we work hard with her to be ahead of the game) and the one year old is watching Frozen, mumbling along for what seems like the 1000th time, and simultaneously trying to remove her diaper. It's great. I have enough savings to keep all bills paid for the next year, so I'm not too worried. I've been looking for work, but only those that interest me. Life is too short and I seriously doubt I'll look back while on my death bed and regret this time.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[WillBrink]

I literally walked out of my job tonight, 4 hours into a 12hour shift. Eight years of hot hell with THE WORST co-workers, and the absolute most mis-managed company Ive ever worked for or heard of. Without going into details that would fill an ATLAS SHRUGGED sized book on how terrible this place is..let me say I simply had had enough, and literally almost ran out after saying goodbye to what few friends I had there.
So- now, Im gonna take a little while to try to rid myself of the utter hatred & rage I have in my heart & mind & soul for the place and most of the people there. Gonna take a short vacay..somewhere. Pull some triggers a few days. Then...get busy living again.
So- here is my situation:
Im 54. Former Marine. VA eligible for care. Served from '83 to '87. Ive got enough money to pay all bills for about 4-5 months IF needed.
Im recently single, no kids. No technical education...worked in factories for years and drove OTR for 13 years...WHICH ILL NEVER DO AGAIN...EVER.
Been continuously employed over 40 years...no lazy ass here. Everything Ive done as a young boy untill a couple hours ago has been hard, hot manual labor with long hours. Have NEVER worked an 8 hour job...hell I wouldnt know how to act on just 8 hours.
Im wanting to do something different. Something to maybe help others. Id like to learn a new trade in...something. Im so damned beat down I dont even know what would make me happy anymore. Id like to improve myself and make a difference and actually be proud of what I do for once.
What VA monetary aid is available to me for trade schools? Any other gov. help I could qualify for for aid whilst learning a new trade? What areas for someone my age would you guys recommend I look into. As of tonight- Im once again, for about the 4th time..starting my life over again...AND IM NOT SCARED. I feel the Lord has led me here and I know He will help me as long as I do my part-He always has.
Gents- Im open to your ideas. Im in Madison Al , an area EXPLODING with jobs, and I might indeed take one just to get some kinda income coming in..BUT I WANT BETTER THAN THAT..what I descibed above...to matter..to make a difference...to help others...to get better educated.
So, my brothers in arms: IM ALL EARS.
Thank yall for letting me vent.

I will only add that, for those willing/able to move, there's a lot of work of varying types out there. That seems to be the key in this modern economy as some areas are hurting for employees of all kinds, some have too many. Hell, maybe go outside the reservation and try another country for a year or so. You can teach English as a second language in a number of countries who will pay you to get certed to do it. A year in Colombia would be quite the adventure for example. Bunch of vets I know also in Panama, but it's not as cheap etc as it used to be. A few went to Colombia and have not looked back.