Toxic Work Vs No Work

[FauxLiz]

The place where I work (actually manage) has deteriorated into a horrible toxic environment not just for me but the employees that work for me. It is caused by the very public split of the presiding board of directors surrounding a possible legal misstep by one of the board members and the potential legal and financial implications if it is found to be true.

The situation is causing me significant distress at work and it has followed me into therapy. The toxic nature has been ongoing for me much longer than this current challenge but it was not like that for the other employees before this challenge. During our last session we were talking through the pro's and con's for me to continue working where I do. My reasons for not leaving probably sound silly, 1) I have a son that has 15 months left until he finishes high school. The work I do is specialized and there is little hope that I would not have to relocate to find another job. This brings me to my second reason 2) I don't want to have to find a new T if I move. A new job has the potential to require I relocate to a sparsely populated area which could make it near impossible to find a T and the one I have now I trust, have good chemistry with and before the holidays derailed things we were starting to get into the hard work.

Sorry this is all so long I am just really stressed and freaking out and confused. I am struggling with wanting to cut and S/I worse than I have in a long time. I can't afford not working unless the board would fire me because that would mean I receive a severance for 6 months but it would still require moving most likely for my next job which is not cheap and it wouldn't be long enough for my son to graduate from high school. I don't think I am here looking for answers I could really use some support over the next few weeks/months as this whole toxic work situation works out.

 

[Freedomfighter]

I think the best thing that can be done is to start researching job positions early. Your situation is difficult, no parent would want to rip their child out of school.
I always think too though: new workplaces are not necessarily better, can be worse too......

 

[FauxLiz]

@Freedomfighter thank you. You are correct about my not wanting to rip my son out of school. He has done very well where we are which I worried about when we moved here for my job. I am a single mom so he wouldn't have the ability to remain behind if I took another position outside of a commutable distance. For me that means an hour drive each way some directions shorter distance because of traffic than others.

I am researching new positions, a challenge though is what ever position possible that I would take I have to be willing to stay in and there for 2-4 years so I don't get labeled a job hopper.