I am seriously considering going back to my old job and ditching the vet job. Am I crazy? I've only been working 11 weeks.
I felt stressed at my last job. But it pales in comparison to the new job. At the old job I had a lot of responsibilities, and they constantly stretched me thin. I felt overworked and undervalued, but they were nice to me and I had a lot of privileges.
The new job, the boss is literately crazy and down right mean. It's constant eggshells of worrying about making a mistake and getting fired. I like working with animals, but the coworkers on my shift are short with me, and don't like to chat or really have anything to do with me. I pretty much just try to stay out of the way, and keep my mouth shut. I am a super sensitive person, and do NOT take well to harsh criticism.
It's tough learning a new job, I know that sounds kind of petty but at the vet I am constantly scolded and made to feel like I am stupid. I am quite intelligent, and really I was VERY good at my last job. So it's a hard pill to swallow going from the top to the bottom.
Maybe I didn't have it as bad as I thought previously. I wonder if I would truly be happy anywhere, or if I'm always going to want something else. Maybe it's me who sabotages my work because I take things too personally, and because I try too hard to please everyone.
My current way of thinking is that it has been over a year now that I quit. They would happily take me back, and I feel like I've grown and matured enough that I could stand up for myself, and not let people take advantage of me anymore. I could pick how much I'm willing to work, and how many duties I would take on, and I believe they would agree to anything at this point. I think they have realized how valuable I was, now that they are over a barrel. I think I could handle the stress better, because now I can actually see that I was worth something, and I don't feel like I have to make everyone happy or owe them anything.
But I am worried I am looking at it with rose colored glasses, because it has been a while and I am forgetting the things that made me crazy.
At the old job, I was mostly frustrated and overworked. At the new job, I am treated like crap. If I can make it through a day without being yelled at, and feeling hurt and upset then it's a success. I wasn't excited to go to my old work (it was boring and tedious), but at least I didn't feel anxious about making mistakes. Frustrated is starting to sound better than upset. The vet owner has actually told me and the rest of the workers that she is our master and that we have to do anything she says because we are nothing. She took away our breaks, and then said we could have them back if we begged and groveled. I mean really, who says that?
The other issue is that my web design business just lost our biggest client. And I am beginning to worry about the future of the company. That combined with the fact that I could get fired at a moments notice at the vet it beginning to make me feel unstable. Especially since we couldn't live on husband's income alone, and we are wanting to take on more payments.
I am making minimum wage at the vet. They promised I would get a raise after my 90 days. But after seeing how stingy and self centered the owner is, I'm not counting on much. I'm starting to wonder if minimum wage is worth being constantly anxious and treated poorly.
On the other hand, if I stuck it out and learned more and got better maybe I would feel more relaxed and not make as many mistakes.
I'm just not sure anymore. For some reason I am feeling the pull back to my old job. Not because anyone is forcing me to. (They have stopped asking) But just looking at the pros and cons. I can take off whenever, come in late if I have an emergency, stay home if I'm sick, etc. As compared to being fired if I'm over 5 minutes later for any reason. (weather, flat tire, anything)
I would miss getting to talk to people, and I am learning a lot of animal stuff. But I've been super sick lately and I am wondering if it isn't stress related from the job.
Please, knock some sense into me.
Am I Crazy?
January 6th, 2016 at 05:29 pm
January 6th, 2016 at 08:08 pm 1452110932
if you've got something else to go back to, then i would.
January 6th, 2016 at 08:16 pm 1452111387
Quit. And when you quit you should tell her why you are quiting, everything you mentioned above. Don't make up some other excuses to soften it for her. If you can't tell her then put it in a letter.
Quit. Since you've only been there a short time I don't see you needing to ever put this experience on your resume or need them for a reference.
Good luck...
January 6th, 2016 at 08:18 pm 1452111492
Best of luck to you, Klarose.
January 6th, 2016 at 08:31 pm 1452112298
I would most definitely quit the vet job. Sounds like a very toxic work environment. I can't imagine sticking around even one day in a place like that. If you were really desperate we'd maybe encourage you to stick it out a wee bit until you found another job, but I get the feeling you could walk away today and will be better for it.
As to the other job, I think your absence has probably bought you some well earned appreciation. My overall feeling is kind of "meh" on the whole thing though. People will promise you anything when they have pushed you too far. Employers grovel all the time when their employees quit but rarely follow through. That said, maybe you have changed and they have changed and you can reach some common ground. I'd maybe consider it on more of a trial basis and then be seeking out other employment opportunities. Just so you have some income in the interim while you get away from the psycho job.
Good Luck!
January 6th, 2016 at 08:35 pm 1452112514
How does that work with resumes? I was under the assumption it was required to put all of your recent jobs on there. Can I leave it off? Every other job I've worked loved me and was very sad to see me go. I'm upset that they don't value me as a worker, and definitely don't want it to ruin job opportunities in the future.
January 6th, 2016 at 08:38 pm 1452112709
January 6th, 2016 at 08:56 pm 1452113799
I also agree that an 11 week job doesn't NEED to be put on a resume. However, you may get asked about that period of unemployment. I sure don't know that I'd want anyone call the vet for a reference!
January 6th, 2016 at 09:18 pm 1452115125
The customers do not see or interact with the crazy owner very often. I didn't even know she existed until I started working. I think if more people knew her, they would start loosing business. Which is sad because they are a very good vet clinic. I still enjoy them, and will continue to take my animals there. It's just not a good place of employment.
My close friends are encouraging me not to go back to the old job. I'm going to see if I can find anything else. But the fact remains that I can't go without pay, so I will have to go back to the old job if I can't find another option.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:14 pm 1452118496
January 6th, 2016 at 10:39 pm 1452119951
January 6th, 2016 at 11:30 pm 1452123034
January 6th, 2016 at 11:49 pm 1452124145
January 7th, 2016 at 01:23 am 1452129820
And yes, there was a job or two I held for such a brief time that I didn't bother putting it on my resume. There are no gaps; for me as a writer, it's easy to say I was doing my own freelancing during that time. You could do the same with web design work. I'd start looking for a new job entirely. Going back to an old sucky job is like trying to make it work with an ex-boyfriend. It just doesn't work.
January 7th, 2016 at 01:29 am 1452130152
You also may want to try to document the worst of what was said/done. For the life of me I can't think of the name/term for it - but I would check with the people who cover fair employment practices / laws and see if any action could be taken against your employer.
January 7th, 2016 at 01:32 am 1452130346
In my opinion your previous employer's demands were unreasonable, borne out by their inability to retain staff. You will need to be strong to keep them from taking over your life for modest pay but you may feel differently.
I hope the economy in your area has become stronger and you quickly find more agreeable work at a reasonable pay. Have you started telling everyone you know that you're looking for work? Most jobs are never advertised but filled by personal referral.
January 7th, 2016 at 01:37 am 1452130641
January 7th, 2016 at 02:26 am 1452133581
Find another job. It not be simple but find another job where they value you, and appreciate you and do not Harris you (or do illegal things like not giving you breaks or paying you for an error). And when I left the vet office I would call your department of fair employment and report her. Also, to the vet board. They have ethical standards to uphold.
You can find another job!!
January 7th, 2016 at 10:02 am 1452160956
January 7th, 2016 at 01:04 pm 1452171865
I am guessing you are in a rural environment, where jobs are not plentiful? Don't be afraid to commute to an area where professionalism is the norm. Small towns are notorious for bad employment options and bad employers. IMHO!
January 8th, 2016 at 02:05 pm 1452261923
I do live in a rural community, and job choices are limited to fast food, retail, or full-time. Or I can drive an hour plus away to a bigger city, which is not worth it at this point. Especially with snow coming soon. I guess I'm looking at the old job because it's easy. I don't have to relearn anything. I'm good at it, and I know what to expect. Also, I can quit the vet job ASAP and not have to wait until I can find something else.
I did approach my previous boss and said I might be interested. I laid down my demands, that I would only work 3 days a week instead of 5 or 6, and I wouldn't being doing split shifts anymore. I also said I wouldn't be staying over to finish things up due to missed deadlines by other people. Before that he actually offered that the person who is handling things now would be willing to pick up any work that I don't have time to finish.
He told me to think about it some more before I decided. I felt no pressure. He did tell me he has mellowed down some, which I do believe and have seen in the last year. But actions are different then words. It sounds like we have came to a good compromise, but I guess there is no way of telling if it would stick or not without giving it a try.
Lots to think about.