Author Topic: Work advice needed, major change this year and I am so unhappy.  (Read 1776 times)

yogagirl95

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Work advice needed, major change this year and I am so unhappy.
« on: December 09, 2019, 02:04:01 PM »
In 2012 I was laid off from a job that I wasn’t happy with.  I took that opportunity to figure out what I wanted to do, etc.  I had severance pay and 60 days of pay, plus unemployment for 2 years.  I started teaching part time, and slowly added more classes. Didn’t make much money doing that, but eventually obtained a non-tenured position in my town 3 miles from home.  I was an 11 credit hour employee, so pay was comped somewhat. I was good for 5 years, so 7 and half years teaching.  In this time I got my masters (paid for myself mostly, but my pay went up following year so it is paid for). 
My hours were cut and were not offered a schedule this fall.  So I took a full time job 32 miles away.  I decided to stay on part time because I had a feeling the other teacher would retire as it is too much work for one person. 2 weeks after accepting part time, she did retire and will in May of 2020.
So now I am working full time which is causing a major health issue with my back. I have had a back issue for years and it’s not an easy fix, my doctor told me moving around and not being restricted helps with the numbness which is my main problem. Not to mention I miss teaching immensely. I never thought of it as work, it was fun and I enjoyed helping others.
I am part time again in the spring.  I have applied for the position. I just don’t think I can last much longer in my current cubicle job.  I am of course hoping to get the tenured position, but I know I can’t count on it since the let me go (technically twice, I fought it with the union once). I am wondering if I should stick it out or not. I cannot find a position with benefits in my home time that pays decent. The area is depressed still economically and  I think I am being passed over for jobs since I taught so long and my age ( 48).

terran

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Re: Work advice needed, major change this year and I am so unhappy.
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2019, 06:14:09 AM »
So the cubicle job is what's hurting your back and the teaching job is fine for that and is what you want to do? Are you willing to move? If so, I would be applying for jobs everywhere you're licensed, and even looking in to licensing other places.

Daisyedwards800

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Re: Work advice needed, major change this year and I am so unhappy.
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2019, 11:17:30 AM »
What about moving to a less economically depressed location for teaching?

Ready2Save27

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Re: Work advice needed, major change this year and I am so unhappy.
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2019, 06:15:42 PM »
If the only issue with your current cubicle job is back issues, is there a different ergonomic position you can work in to help alleviate this pain (such as a standing desk)? If you qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (assuming those is the US), your employer would even be required to pay for reasonable accommodations. But applying for other jobs in the interim seems like a good idea. Maybe you can talk with your employer about other options (such as taking more breaks and walking around, working from home where you can move around more, etc.).

I wish you the best of luck and hope your situation improves!