Change jobs: Should I or shouldn't I??

Posted by ruc38 @ruc38, May 9 12:57pm

I'm a 56 year old healthy, active women who works in healthcare. I do homecare as an Aide for a large non-profit organization where I reside. I worked for this company for 3 years now and while I LOVED my job. I'm starting to not like it so much now.
I used to get raving reviews from all my patients who loved my work ethic and my company recognizes it sometimes. But it's all my manager does now never gives me accolades on my achievements but nothing but badger me However, lately I've had a few (3) complaints in the last year. It was brought to my attention in a meeting with my manager and her manager, and quite frankly, was caught off guard. Apparently, this "incidences occurred" over 6 months ago and when I brought up why are you mentioning this to me now? My manager stated that she was too busy. (yeah,ok) Anyhow, I'm thinking that maybe I should leave and look for another opportunity.
My concern is, I'm getting older, 56, thought I'd retire from here but I don't think I can hang in anymore. I'm not as happy as I was working here. I'm stressed and tired of the abuse by this manager.

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I would suggest putting out “feelers” to see what other opportunities are out there. Home care companies are starting up more frequently now.
I wonder if there’s anyone that you can report your experience to…if so, start keeping written, dated notes each time you feel your manager has “crossed the line”, made your workplace uncomfortable. They might be trying to “age you out” which is discriminatory and I believe, illegal. Are you a member of AARP? They offer help.
I am sad that you are having to experience this. It’s not fair.

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Could you work for yourself somehow and be your own boss?

There seems to be intense demand for home healthcare aides, and widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of the aides.
If you are competent, and have a good work ethic, then I think a lot of people would be happy to hire you.

Two complaints I hear over and over are that the aide just sits around doing nothing but looking at her phone all day, and that the aide has limited ability to communicate in English.

I found a good aide once (not part of an agency) at care.com. If you have a non-compete agreement, be aware that the FTC has issued a rule forbidding them in many cases. The new rule does not take effect immediately, but it is something to be aware of.

I am getting to the point where I need some home health care aide help. Do you have any suggestions about how to find a good aide (and pay for it)?

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@tfolger

I would suggest putting out “feelers” to see what other opportunities are out there. Home care companies are starting up more frequently now.
I wonder if there’s anyone that you can report your experience to…if so, start keeping written, dated notes each time you feel your manager has “crossed the line”, made your workplace uncomfortable. They might be trying to “age you out” which is discriminatory and I believe, illegal. Are you a member of AARP? They offer help.
I am sad that you are having to experience this. It’s not fair.

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Thank you for your response. Yes I do document every time I have a "talking to" with her. Yes I am a member of AARP.

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@captboat

I’ll start by saying I’m 80, retired, and out of the market. So take my word and all others with a grain of salt. There’s a brave “new” world out there and a place for you in it. You may be in the right place and you may not. You have been given a lot of opinions and I agree that with most of them.
Let me add my last words,
“ When you find the courage to look up HE will give you the strength to carry on”!
God bless you.

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God Bless
I'm 84 retired worked for the largest health insurance companies in the US- came from the area of work ethic respect finishing what task you started- as simple minded as it might seem to any reasonable team working company jealously pettiness play a role beyond adult comprehention- which I was floored by when it was ran by me buy several much younger co-workers I thought how juvenile ridiculous- then the company nurse said to me ( there are people born who's only contribution is to see how much misery they can cause there fellow man everyday-) I changed companies until I finally came to the realization this kind of very unhappy soul pops up everywhere- stucked it out with two companies long enough to earn two modest pensions all a big help with SS which never really entered my mind back in the day- weight your options with in mind how long you have to leave in your favor- always remember a good worked shows up lax ones any time of the day- starting with management- best of luck

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I think you should do what you need to do to protect your mental health. When God closes a door, He will also open a window. The right job opportunity won't care about your age. They will see you as a person with wisdom.

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Complaints and performance issues have to be addressed immediately. An employee could be unaware of the need to make changes and continue repeating what they did. Waiting for 6 months to address complaints is failure on the part of a manager to do their job. I’m sure you will be able to find another job in your field and hopefully have a proactive manager!

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Good Home health aides are in demand. Can you investigate other local companies for opportunities ? If you need to work for insurance benefits, working for a company rather than as an independent contractor might be the way to go. If you don’t need the insurance and possible retirement benefits, then you could look into being a private contractor. Going the route of private contractor, will require you to pay more in social security taxes and you will need personal liability insurance. Good luck with your decision. Life is too short to be miserable at work.

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Hi Ruc 38
Lots of excellent advice I see here. The free councilling ext.
I owned a large placement company for 27 years.
The number one reason people leave jobs is they don’t feel appreciated or loved.
I think this matters most to you.
I like the idea of going direct and working one on one privately. That’s how we handled mom. A friend does this as well.
I would see where and how to do your own thing especially because you are considering retiring.
Retiring is a very big step and you a too young; boredom. Try to find a private gig. When asked why your leaving don’t criticize your current company, just say the are great but too many changes in assignments and you enjoy establishing relationships and continuity. You don’t like constant assignment changes.
Probably much better $.
Don’t be afraid they need you more than you need them.
Time for a fresh start.
Tony

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@tony1946

Hi Ruc 38
Lots of excellent advice I see here. The free councilling ext.
I owned a large placement company for 27 years.
The number one reason people leave jobs is they don’t feel appreciated or loved.
I think this matters most to you.
I like the idea of going direct and working one on one privately. That’s how we handled mom. A friend does this as well.
I would see where and how to do your own thing especially because you are considering retiring.
Retiring is a very big step and you a too young; boredom. Try to find a private gig. When asked why your leaving don’t criticize your current company, just say the are great but too many changes in assignments and you enjoy establishing relationships and continuity. You don’t like constant assignment changes.
Probably much better $.
Don’t be afraid they need you more than you need them.
Time for a fresh start.
Tony

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I've set up flyers in my community clubhouse advertising my services and on all social's. I'll still keep my current job. (For now) Will see how this goes. Thanks, Tony!

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@ruc38

I've set up flyers in my community clubhouse advertising my services and on all social's. I'll still keep my current job. (For now) Will see how this goes. Thanks, Tony!

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Excellent:
Sounds like a great start.
You may also find your local community has a web site or blog that can be very helpful. .
Good luck you are on your way to a happier life which you control.
Tony

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