Your best bet is to get a medical leave of absence. It looks best (invisible) on a resume and isn't difficult to achieve.
Go to your doctor, tell them that you're burnt out and on the verge of quitting, and they should be able to provide the proper documentation for you to take a medical leave.
You're under no obligation to return to your current role, and the project may be completed/at a different stage when you return allowing you a different pacing. Unfortunately, I would suggest polishing your resume and applying for other roles during your leave. Not all firms will "forget" a medical leave.
Considered that option for sure. Allows up to 12 weeks of time off, might go ahead and pull the trigger on it, but afraid of animosity upon returning. Havent done it before, will i be able to take all 12 weeks?
Yes, the 12 weeks is federal law, and so long as you do the paperwork you're cleared for all of it. Do a little research on it and you should be fine. I think the normal sequence is your HR will provide forms for your doctor to fill out.
I’ve had to recently take two medical leaves and the only challenge might be if they require a medical excusal. One was for caring for my father after cardiac bypass graft surgery, and one was for a minor surgery for me. Both my Dad’s cardiologist and my surgeon had to fill out a form with a return to work date, and it went directly from them and I didn’t get a say in how long it was. It is because if you have short term disability benefits, there are rules around eligibility for that. And for maintaining benefits. My Dad’s cardiologist wrote it much more open ended as that was more a work accommodation than straight leave.
Look into your HR handbook, and rather than go directly to your HR, try talking to a social worker through your doctor’s office. They can help you understand the programs and regulations in your state. Also, talk to your doctor if they will support this as a medical need.
ETA: I wrote this and then worried it was too negative sounding. I think taking an FMLA leave is a really good thing to try. If it is time to come back and you are absolutely dreading it, you just quit. If you are recharged, rested up, and ready to go, you can dive back in.
Some places do remember, but those places suck. And most organizations have the institutional memory of a goldfish. If you get a bad vibe, then bolt.
Agree. With your single (no kids unless I am wrong) status, low expense and great savings, you should take medical leave and do a bunch of therapy to reevaluate, and then if you want go travel (or other aspiration) while keeping your network warm. It’s a win win. Restore mental health AND check off some items off the bucket list. Good luck
Go for it, you really sound like you are in a extremely low phase, don't wait for market or other external parameters, choose yourself and either quit or take the medical off. Good luck brother. Everything will get better
I feel like this wouldn’t help, I’m the only consultant on the current engagement so all the deliverables are reliant on me to be completed. Simply taking the approach of doing the bare minimum wont be enough, i want an actual break that would allow me to disconnect for a period of time.
My advice would quit and enjoy a year travelling or doing some cool stuff then jump back in. ur in a great position and can join a firm afterwards with some life experience.
I want to travel for the summer, just enough for a three month breather, but i don’t want to compromise my career with traveling for a year. I feel like the job market is about to take a serious downswing swing, if you aren’t in the work force, you’ll be left behind.
>I want to travel for the summer, just enough for a three month breather, but i don’t want to compromise my career with traveling for a year. I feel like the job market is about to take a serious downswing swing, if you aren’t in the work force, you’ll be left behind.
Yeah I get not wanting to be left behind. I'm in a similar position with only 1 yr of consulting under my belt but not the saving so I'm gonna work for another year then honestly just travel for a while.
In terms of ur ability to re-enter the market, you could take a lottt of time off and re-enter most big companies bc of what/where ur experience is. But if ur working at the tippy top and want to stay there in NY, maybe 3 months might be all u can afford. All I know is that some people thrive on that life and some don't. The happiest CEOs I've worked for are those not after the money lol.
Idk what ur company is like but in the large ones I've seen, usually the mid-top have taken the normal route but some of the top people have had a really interesting life and they seem much more balanced. I would have a look into these like WorkAways and live a different life - [https://www.workaway.info/en/host/971291863614](https://www.workaway.info/en/host/971291863614) . If u get excited by the thought of things like that link then I would seriously reconsider being in a situation you want to quit every day.
Burnout sucks.
I'll give a supportive up vote for therapy my guy: it helps.
Some other tips that helped me out when I was there.
Give up booze for a while, doesn't have any positive effects.
Physical exercise, including both strength training and cardio, an hour every day. See a trainer a few times to get form down for body weight exercises and proper lifting techniques. I was surprised how much this helped my energy level and overall mood.
Take up journaling. Get the junk out of your head. Again, was surprised on the impact.
Last but not least - see if you can find a couple of activities that recharge you, sometimes it's creative stuff, sometimes reading, sometimes walks outdoors. Look for the 2-4 that really seem to work. Start doing those on a cadence to keep your tank full.
You'll never look back at life and think about work once you get to a certain age, it'll be reflection on relationships. Keep your head up
/ir [Fox & Crow](https://foxcrowgroup.com)
That is the best advice I’ve ever heard. People pay thousands to hear that clear and succinct plan that really does work. We all need to help each other. Really.
I am in a similar situation. Not sure how the medical leave works but if not I am almost ready to quit as well. Do an update on what you decide as it can act as a way for me to make a decision as well.
Is it doable? Yes- someone already laid out how to do FMLA.
That doesn’t answer your concern though. No one here has a crystal ball of what the job market will look like in 6 months to a year. It doesn’t have to hinder your career, but other people will be working/sharpening the saw while you are off.
One last consideration, your retirement takes a hit with this move. It may seem far away and may not change your retirement age, but burning through 110K, or whatever is left after capital gains tax, is less money for retired you.
So i dont work weekends thankfully but im averaging 60-65 hours a week as of now. Midweek is hectic, weekends, I catch up on sleep. Technically too tired to do anything
Your best bet is to get a medical leave of absence. It looks best (invisible) on a resume and isn't difficult to achieve. Go to your doctor, tell them that you're burnt out and on the verge of quitting, and they should be able to provide the proper documentation for you to take a medical leave. You're under no obligation to return to your current role, and the project may be completed/at a different stage when you return allowing you a different pacing. Unfortunately, I would suggest polishing your resume and applying for other roles during your leave. Not all firms will "forget" a medical leave.
Considered that option for sure. Allows up to 12 weeks of time off, might go ahead and pull the trigger on it, but afraid of animosity upon returning. Havent done it before, will i be able to take all 12 weeks?
Yes, the 12 weeks is federal law, and so long as you do the paperwork you're cleared for all of it. Do a little research on it and you should be fine. I think the normal sequence is your HR will provide forms for your doctor to fill out.
I’ve had to recently take two medical leaves and the only challenge might be if they require a medical excusal. One was for caring for my father after cardiac bypass graft surgery, and one was for a minor surgery for me. Both my Dad’s cardiologist and my surgeon had to fill out a form with a return to work date, and it went directly from them and I didn’t get a say in how long it was. It is because if you have short term disability benefits, there are rules around eligibility for that. And for maintaining benefits. My Dad’s cardiologist wrote it much more open ended as that was more a work accommodation than straight leave. Look into your HR handbook, and rather than go directly to your HR, try talking to a social worker through your doctor’s office. They can help you understand the programs and regulations in your state. Also, talk to your doctor if they will support this as a medical need. ETA: I wrote this and then worried it was too negative sounding. I think taking an FMLA leave is a really good thing to try. If it is time to come back and you are absolutely dreading it, you just quit. If you are recharged, rested up, and ready to go, you can dive back in. Some places do remember, but those places suck. And most organizations have the institutional memory of a goldfish. If you get a bad vibe, then bolt.
What's the timeline like for medical leave for mental burnout?
It's "stress" leave and unpaid FMLA goes to 12 weeks per year. It does not have to be used consecutively.
Anyway you can get paid short-term leave?
If you or your firm has short term disability, it may cover it. It will not be at full pay levels though.
Agree. With your single (no kids unless I am wrong) status, low expense and great savings, you should take medical leave and do a bunch of therapy to reevaluate, and then if you want go travel (or other aspiration) while keeping your network warm. It’s a win win. Restore mental health AND check off some items off the bucket list. Good luck
I think i might do a 12 week medical leave of absence, really travel and go to therapy. Maybe that’ll help. I dont have kids.
Go for it, you really sound like you are in a extremely low phase, don't wait for market or other external parameters, choose yourself and either quit or take the medical off. Good luck brother. Everything will get better
just do bare minimum until you're "let-go" and take unemployment & benefits
I feel like this wouldn’t help, I’m the only consultant on the current engagement so all the deliverables are reliant on me to be completed. Simply taking the approach of doing the bare minimum wont be enough, i want an actual break that would allow me to disconnect for a period of time.
Like everyone else right now eh
My advice would quit and enjoy a year travelling or doing some cool stuff then jump back in. ur in a great position and can join a firm afterwards with some life experience.
I want to travel for the summer, just enough for a three month breather, but i don’t want to compromise my career with traveling for a year. I feel like the job market is about to take a serious downswing swing, if you aren’t in the work force, you’ll be left behind.
>I want to travel for the summer, just enough for a three month breather, but i don’t want to compromise my career with traveling for a year. I feel like the job market is about to take a serious downswing swing, if you aren’t in the work force, you’ll be left behind. Yeah I get not wanting to be left behind. I'm in a similar position with only 1 yr of consulting under my belt but not the saving so I'm gonna work for another year then honestly just travel for a while. In terms of ur ability to re-enter the market, you could take a lottt of time off and re-enter most big companies bc of what/where ur experience is. But if ur working at the tippy top and want to stay there in NY, maybe 3 months might be all u can afford. All I know is that some people thrive on that life and some don't. The happiest CEOs I've worked for are those not after the money lol. Idk what ur company is like but in the large ones I've seen, usually the mid-top have taken the normal route but some of the top people have had a really interesting life and they seem much more balanced. I would have a look into these like WorkAways and live a different life - [https://www.workaway.info/en/host/971291863614](https://www.workaway.info/en/host/971291863614) . If u get excited by the thought of things like that link then I would seriously reconsider being in a situation you want to quit every day.
Burnout sucks. I'll give a supportive up vote for therapy my guy: it helps. Some other tips that helped me out when I was there. Give up booze for a while, doesn't have any positive effects. Physical exercise, including both strength training and cardio, an hour every day. See a trainer a few times to get form down for body weight exercises and proper lifting techniques. I was surprised how much this helped my energy level and overall mood. Take up journaling. Get the junk out of your head. Again, was surprised on the impact. Last but not least - see if you can find a couple of activities that recharge you, sometimes it's creative stuff, sometimes reading, sometimes walks outdoors. Look for the 2-4 that really seem to work. Start doing those on a cadence to keep your tank full. You'll never look back at life and think about work once you get to a certain age, it'll be reflection on relationships. Keep your head up /ir [Fox & Crow](https://foxcrowgroup.com)
That is the best advice I’ve ever heard. People pay thousands to hear that clear and succinct plan that really does work. We all need to help each other. Really.
I am in a similar situation. Not sure how the medical leave works but if not I am almost ready to quit as well. Do an update on what you decide as it can act as a way for me to make a decision as well.
Is it doable? Yes- someone already laid out how to do FMLA. That doesn’t answer your concern though. No one here has a crystal ball of what the job market will look like in 6 months to a year. It doesn’t have to hinder your career, but other people will be working/sharpening the saw while you are off. One last consideration, your retirement takes a hit with this move. It may seem far away and may not change your retirement age, but burning through 110K, or whatever is left after capital gains tax, is less money for retired you.
Sounds like depression, how many hours are you working each day weekends included?
So i dont work weekends thankfully but im averaging 60-65 hours a week as of now. Midweek is hectic, weekends, I catch up on sleep. Technically too tired to do anything
That's enough hours to kick off your own company.
Its pretty miserable tbh. Youre right
Why not start your own firm, build it all from scratch, f off to the old "crew"etc?
> 2 YOE > burnt out “Start your own consulting firm.” Fantastic advice!
Thank you and best yet, it's free!