Ok, so after spending all 3 years of my BA degree in design job hunting, I struck on a job in an off-liscence during my follow on course in an MA Degree. I've not been there for long, and it is my first job that's not been working in my dad's office or assisting my old martial arts club's kids classes. I thought I'd appreciate the part time work because of some back pocket cash for a few hours a week, but heres the thing... I hate it so much and its only been 2 weeks!

On the plus side:





• It's really close to home
• It's going on my CV as job experience
• It's not lots of hours

All good so far until I consider the following things




• My depression makes this hard for me to find the energy to go to work and study
• The store is in the roughest part of town, with drug addicted and very abusive customers
• My hours are the manic 'post work hour' shifts
• my stress levels have done nothing but skyrocket since I started, to the point of panic attacks
• The worsening depression is making me feel worse about myself, and the customers are such a rude bunch of shmuks when all I do is try my best
• I feel my confidence has taken a blow doing this
• Minimum wage does not feel enough to put up with this

It might seem like it shouldnt be a big deal but I've had a lot of stress lately and the job isnt helping me one bit. I only took it for some experience and trying to get some financial independence to give me a bit of a boost to my confidence but its done the opposite entirely.

I don't actually have to stay in this job.

I am fortunate enough that my family are willing to let me live with them and financially support me while I work on my MA. Depression has debilitated me for several years now and theyve been understanding of the fact I struggle with very basic things sometimes, and are trying to reduce the things I need to worry about. If I quit, they will still be willing to help me, they already know this job is getting me really upset.

Now, I'm not trying to rush into any reckless decisions. The owners who hired me knew I was doing an MA and have a history of depression and anxiety attacks, knew that before I even got the interview. I'm about to start my 3rd week, and I'm considering the fact it's impacting on my uni work and other areas of my life... I'm considering giving it another few weeks and if it doesn't improve, cutting my losses.

Thing is, since this is my first job, this is also my first time quitting if I do, so I need to know what to do. I'm not on a fixed term contract, I just have to make sure I give them a minimum of two weeks notice before I quit. I'm considering sticking it out for another few weeks before I hand any letters over or talk to the boss.

This was never going to be a long term gig really, but I feel my mental health and studies should come over a minimum wage job. Any advice would be great.

Jaybutterfly
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I'd say be courteous and do the two weeks notice. It doesn't seem like much, but your employer will remember that you were professional and didn't leave them scrambling to find a replacement. Little things like that get remembered, and it's a small world we live in, don't burn your bridges, yada, yada, yada.

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: jaybutterfly on February 12, 2015, 06:44:57 PM
it's impacting on my uni work and other areas of my life

Quit. Seriously.

I'd say that 2 weeks in most minimum wage positions is long enough to overcome that stress and start to get settled. If it hasn't gotten better for you at all over the last two weeks, and it's negatively impacting the more important parts of your life (specifically your studies), definitely give it up.

Just draft up a brief resignation letter. There are plenty of examples online. Put your last day on there as two weeks from the day you plan to turn the letter in. Then go speak to a manager. Tell them you're going to need to resign, and you'd like to give an appropriate amount of notice. Two weeks is standard, but if they haven't gotten around to creating a schedule for that second week, you may be able to shorten it.

Yes, give notice and leave. Otherwise you'll end up getting sick and that will be good for no one.

I've sent a message to my boss asking to talk to her and explain my situation. It would be a shame to leave without explaining first. I'm going to see if I can propose a different shift time (like lunch, or the morning delivery shift) so I can still work a few hours but be at a less busy period of the day. If I can't I'll give notice, and a letter thanking the for the oppertunity

just a heads up. They clocked my anxiety attacks and dismissed me today. I pick up my pay in a few days, but otherwise Im done

Thanks for the update. You can add the experience to your life story, you've had your first job and moved on.

Hugs, Devlyn