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Ask HN: Am I crazy to take a career break?

6 points by emthrowaway123 ↗ HN
I started a new gig ~6mo ago and I'm basically getting bullied out by people below/beside me. I'm not happy with how my manager or the execs have handled it and while it's technically resolved, I don't want to stay in an org that allows such behavior.

I going to trash about 400k in equity to leave and that's acceptable to me (nothing is vested), but with hiring and salaries being crazy right now, is it insane to take a 6mo-1yr career break? I have savings, but I've only been making 150k for the last few years and I'm worried the opportunity cost here is too high to ignore.

7 comments

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Minor49er
Wait, so you were being bullied at a new job, and even though it wasn't handled the best way, the issues were resolved? And the response to this is that you should take a career break rather than talk to the management/offenders, or even take another job somewhere else? More context or details would be really helpful in giving you the right kind of advice.
emthrowaway123
I'm trying to keep details light in order to stay anonymous. The take away is that I want to leave and sooner rather than later.

I've already talked with management and the offending behavior has been flagged as "not ok", but I was the one punished. The offenders are on the list to be promoted. Thus, I'm leaving.

The career break isn't necessarily related to the workplace issues, but the drama has burnt me out. Taking 6mo-1yr to recharge and work on random stuff would be great mentally.

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Minor49er
Since you're already set on leaving, you could maybe even compromise: leave the job now, then look for new jobs at a casual pace while you take things easy and recharge. That way, you're not missing opportunities at places that appeal to you and that will treat you better. Plus, ~6 months from now is pretty close to the end of the year, which will affect the number of new job opportunities that come up. Most companies don't hire around the end of the year.

Future employers will question a 6-12 month long gap and may read things the wrong way if they see it next to a short time at your most recent job. Granted, that's not to say that it would be a dealbreaker for a future employer, but it will be something that comes up.

Whatever the case, it sounds like the decision you make will be the right one. Good luck in your endeavors.

w4llstr33t
You don't want to stay in an org that allows such behavior, or you're wanting to take a career break? Maybe it could be good to decide which of those it is?

If you just don't want to stay at that company, maybe find a new job first, before quitting? 400k in equity is a pretty decent amount. Also, although hiring and salaries are crazy right now, so are the interview processes.

kowlo
From someone who has just done the same thing - do it.

Life is too short to imprison yourself.

muzani
Is it really an opportunity if you don't enjoy it? Bad jobs also lead to bad teams, no matter how well paid. In other fields, you might have to just slog through it. But there's abundant opportunities in tech.

You might not even need a career break. It sounds like a notable company that's a good resume item. Why not just move on to another company? There are plenty of well paid tech companies that value their staff. The good one will usually have very long interview processes though, as a lot of them will look for trust (i.e. you're not toxic) so it might be better to search while employed.