during these times, is it realistic to leave your job if it makes you unhappy?

I don't think it's ever wise to leave a secure job unless you already have another to walk into. You're likely to fall on your backside whether there's an economy crisis or not. So my answer would have to be know. One needs to earn a living, put food on the table and pay the bills. If they're unhappy in their work, then they're harbouring negatives and won't ever get on. If they can forget the negatives and go about their work in a more positive, happy manner, then they themselves, will enjoy the job. Goodness knows, it's hard enough to get work these days so when you have it, with a regular income, it's best to hold onto it and make it a happy place to be. Brightest Blessings, my friend.

I am not sure if I have the right to answer that question because I am at this time unemployed. I am a full time mom and wife and my husband is the sole provider. Our son is now six months old. The last time I got work is last July 2008. I gave birth last October 2008. My first job was in a call center and I resigned first week of January 2008 moving to another call center of the same month but end of January 2008. Basing it on my experience crisis was not as hard as this year. I know a lot of companies are closing and some are downsizing. That results to a lot of workers being unemployed. So many people who are still working may consider themselves very blessed because they still have their source of living. Now the topic here is about staying or leaving if you aren't happy with your job. There are really a lot of things to consider. My reason when I left my previous company is because I am no longer happy. Works were increased but the salary remained almost the same after a year and a half of my loyalty to the company. My performance is better than others, it is just that the company is poor and the management as well. I have realized after few months of pondering on the idea of resigning that it takes a huge courage to face the outside world and look for a greener pasture. So when I decided to resign, I was left with the money I got as the 13th month pay for December 2007. Then the problem that time is where to apply. I was lucky enough to be hired immediately after failing twice in the first two call centers where I applied. But my faith never brought me down. If that situation has happened this year and not last year, let's say I resigned just last January 2009, I will still resigned if I am not happy. The reason why you are working is not only because of money but it is more of sense of self-worth and enjoying what you are doing. So if you are no longer happy go and look for another job. Never be negative, stay positive and believe you will be hired. Problem with most of employees nowadays is that they are afraid of CHANGE. I have been there and I admit it is not easy to START AGAIN. But once you are adjusted it is worth the effort. I am a practical person but I never sacrifice myself to stay in a job I do not like. And the best tip I could give is that apply to other company first, do not resign first and apply. I just did the other way around because during that time of my resignation I really went to the point where I could no longer bear the way the management handles us especially my supervisor who unluckily was a gay. Anyway I have nothing against gays. My supervisor is just the exemption. So just to be on the sure side if you are not confident enough that you will not get a job easily, apply first. You need to involve a little lie with your current employer. Again if there is a will there are a lot of ways.

NO. You know, like millions the world over, both hubby and me hate our jobs. There are so many things we would have wanted to do if we just had the money with us. For one, I would have given up this full-time slavery to be with my son and earned something part-time and my hubby would have liked to start his own business. But, we know we never can afford to give up the stability of a check at the end of the month. Apart from the stability factor, we all know that money is not really appreciating over the years…what looks affordable today would very much be beyond our means a few years back if we don’t really have the inflow of cash. We need to save for the rainy day too! So if we are not really inheritors, I would not give up the job right now!

I ask myself that question every month. For me, its not a good time to leave my job and others are depending on my paycheck. I just come up with creative ways for me to enjoy my job. Like wearing an ipod, taking breaks every 2 hours and most important leaving work on time. Whatever does not get done that day I leave it at work. I try not to think about work at all when at home. If no one is dying, its not important and can wait until the next day.

You might be miserable and beleave me I feel sorry for anyone in that position .Beleave me you will be even worse if you are hungry as well,so really my advise is unless you have a job to go to stay where you are.Unless you have rich parents or have savings, lucky ones.

I think the only way to do it safely is to look for a job while you are still at the job just in case you can't actually get another job straight away. I left a job last year because it was actually making me ill where I was so depressed and unhappy with the job. I thought that I would be able to get a job straight away but it took me 3 months to get another job. Instead of just leaving, I should have really stayed there and looked for another job at the same time because I ended up in a lot of trouble money wise.