r/work • u/kimmbot • 23h ago

Workplace Challenges and Conflicts Quitting a toxic environment

I think I know the answer to this, but I need to get it out.

My job is toxic. Overwork, micromanagement, impossible deadlines, gaslighting, you name it. I am supposed to have a counterpart in my role - I'm currently training the tenth person in that role since I started in March 2024.

My mental health is absolutely the worst it's ever been. I don't recognize myself. I have had actual nightmares about my job. I'm actually a little scared for myself, because I've never been this depressed. Not to be dramatic, but I think leaving this job might actually be life or death.

My skill set is a little narrow although I do have some transferable skills like sales (sadly no tech sales experience otherwise I'd be employed by now). If I raided my savings account, I could survive for 8-9 months on a tight budget.

I do technically have a contract for a new job - however the corporation needs to get registered with the industry regulatory board so I don't have a start date yet (and the lawyer handling it is dragging her feet, long story), and the long-term viability of the business model worries me a little so I'm not sure if it's a great long term plan but it's something.

I'm a super risk-averse person, I like to be safe. I support myself completely. The thought of quitting with nothing lined up terrifies me, but I think that it's the only way forward.

Is this crazy? I know the job market is nuts right now, but a lot of the info out there is American-based and I'm in a major city in Canada. It's not that much better here but I think it's a little better?

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u/finematerial33 23h ago

You already have a potential new role waiting, even if the timeline is messy. That's more security than most people have when they quit a toxic place

1

u/kimmbot 22h ago

I guess I don't believe that it's actually going to happen? Or that, if it happens, it won't last. Thanks for the reality check though, that's what I needed.

1

u/outspokens 22h ago

Could playing the sick system be an option? Not sure how things work in Canada but I know of people who have had a prolonged sickness just so they didn't have to sign on for benefits. They then got hired at a competitors work place and done something similar.