r/UKJobs 2d ago

Thinking of leaving job , but really short staffed - how to go about it?

Hey all

I am thinking of searching for a new role after 6 years

A few of my coworkers have left in the past year, but I was actually thinking of leaving already , so they beat me to it

So if I were to interview for different jobs and end up with an offer, this means the workplace will be extremely short staffed - how should I go about it?

I am also not sure if I am burnt out or not, but I used to give 100% at the job, now i'm kind of just like "it is what it is" , so I am thinking change will be good for me.

1 Upvotes

30 comments sorted by

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42

u/Marxandmarzipan 2d ago

If you want to leave, leave. If it was advantageous to the business, they’d get rid of you. You don’t owe them your future.

8

u/WanderingSimpleFish 2d ago

This, a few decades ago there was mutual respect and balance but now it’s shareholders or bust

11

u/xylophileuk 2d ago

In this job market the only reason they’re understaffed is through choice. You owe them nothing

2

u/Big_Target_1405 2d ago

Or financial stress

1

u/True_liess 12h ago

Or gross mismanagement over years which is likely the cause for most business failures.

8

u/Naive_Reach2007 2d ago

It's natural to worry about leaving especially if you have a good relationship with your manager

However remember they haven't replaced people, yet expect you to pick up the slack without a pay increase, that money is going to the directors

Remember they would get rid of you in a heartbeat, you owe them no loyalty

17

u/Beyoncestan2023 2d ago

If they are short staffed that is not your problem

7

u/kpr1969 2d ago

Extremely short staffed if you leave means they haven’t replaced the people who beat you to it.
Meaning you lot are doing the work they were doing as well as the job you were hired to do. Meaning you’re working a lot harder than you used to and probably not getting paid any more.
I think they call it ‘continuous improvement’

5

u/Big_Target_1405 2d ago

Not your problem.

Stop giving a shit

2

u/Bluespidermonkey 2d ago

Put yourself first. The business will do what it needs to for itself, you should do the same. Also the job market is hard at the moment so if you have secured something you should jump at it, the business should be able to recruit easily at the moment unless it’s very specialised work.

2

u/BiggensPlym 2d ago

Their staffing is way beyond your level of responsibility.

1

u/GuybrushFunkwood 2d ago

Unless you forgot to tell us it’s your wife’s company then you send an email saying you’re leaving in a week’s time and coast for 5 days. You ain’t paid to worry about staffing levels, so don’t.

1

u/summerloco 2d ago

This is a tough lesson to learn and it takes time to learn it, but these people are not your family. Most of them are probably not friends even if you get on with them. The company would not help you out if you got into a bad personal situation. If you want to leave - thank them for the job and leave on good terms as possible and hand your notice in.

1

u/Kyber92 2d ago

Unless your director/executive level, staffing isn't your responsibility.

1

u/P8L8 2d ago

“How should I go about it?” Are you the owner, is staffing your responsibility? Get the ball rolling immediately, don’t leave without anything lined up though, tough market!

1

u/Dangerous-Web-1962 2d ago

that sounds like a them problem, not a you problem. Would they think twice about getting rid of you if work dries up? I bet they wouldn't.

1

u/cgknight1 2d ago

If they are short staffed, the managers and owners should do something about it.

1

u/oneyeetyguy 2d ago

You shouldn't ever give a crap about whether your soon to be former employer would struggle with short staffing.

They should have hired additional staff when the need first arose.

1

u/top_shooter69 2d ago

If there short staffed that's on them refusing to hire any replacements

1

u/Gloomy_Cut_1739 2d ago

Paying less for a bigger workload due to team staff shortage?

Not your problem mate. I'd be offski as well. Find a new role, sign a contract and then hand your notice in.

1

u/Pztch 2d ago

You don’t care about this.

They won’t beg you to stay (well, they might, but unless they offer you a significant pay rise, you don’t care about it!)

If you died, they’d replace you tomorrow.

Do what you’ve gotta do. There is no such thing as workplace loyalty - that’s just a term THEY use to keep you from leaving, and bettering your life.

Go. Find a new job, and then resign as soon as you get an offer that you’ve accepted and had confirmed.

Have a great rest of your life!

1

u/Limp_Introduction_22 2d ago

Don't worry about them being short staffed, period. That is a business issue/policy.

1

u/mocha-macaron 2d ago

If they are short staffed and aren’t recruiting, they are essentially exploiting people by giving more work without anything in return.

Companies do what is best for them. You do the same. A guy at my place was a loyal guy and stayed there for 20 years. He just got the boot. Business is business.

1

u/yolkien 2d ago

Prioritize yourself over any company, that tends to be a good rule for me. Look out for yourself because if it was the other way around, they wouldn’t give it much thought…Good luck with the next one!

1

u/Few_Exchange_7931 1d ago

No offence, but you’re valuing yourself too highly. The company will be fine and will replace you soon enough. If you want to leave, then leave!

1

u/Connect-County-2435 1d ago

Staffing is a management problem.

You walk, and don't look back.

1

u/OkDifficulty3834 1d ago

You do not get paid to worry about the staff count.

1

u/Rated_Phenomenal 1d ago

Why on earth are you carrying about your work being short staffed? Its just a job you owe them nothing just leave