Can a sabbatical cure work misery?
April 13, 2015 2:04 AM Subscribe
I'm a newly-tenured faculty member in a very toxic department in a US university. I'm pretty miserable at my workplace, but it's difficult to find a job in my field. I am also interested in taking a sabbatical for the 2016-2017 academic year, or perhaps later, but that would commit me to staying at my university for another year past that. Is it possible a sabbatical would make things much better for me at work? Or should I go ahead and focus on finding a new job?
My department is pretty toxic (as agreed upon by just about everyone who works there, and those lucky few who have fled to new jobs). I've dealt with some bullying and other interpersonal conflicts and I've experienced some pretty significant depression (I'm seeing a therapist, who's been helpful and who also agrees my department is awful). Because of a strong portfolio, I managed to get tenure despite a rough process that demonstrated quite clearly (in writing!) how much some of my colleagues dislike me. Before this job, I worked in similar departments at other universities, so I know this place is especially bad.
I've applied for a few other positions, including a bit beyond my home department but still mostly in higher ed, but it's a rough job market for academics. I did get one interview but not an offer. I'm a pretty good employee, though, the longer I stay at my current job, the worse I feel about myself. (I also understand that having a job with tenure makes me pretty lucky overall.)
If I can't find a new job, a sabbatical seems like a good option. I've got some research projects I can pursue.
However, taking a sabbatical means I'd be committing to staying at my institution for another year after that (they're quite rigid about this). My kids are in middle school now. If I'm going to move them, it'd be better to do it sooner. If I take the sabbatical and stay at my university, my kids will start high school in our town. I'd rather not disrupt them after that, which means that taking a sabbatical will likely have me at my current job for many more years. At this point, I can't conceive of managing that emotionally.
Can a sabbatical make a big difference in my long-term happiness at my job? Will the break help me stay a few more years? I would be disappointed to give up a semi-paid sabbatical, but getting away from my horrible workplace might be worth it.
I'd welcome insight from folks who have taken sabbaticals, and I'd also welcome advice on how to go about making a decision.
My department is pretty toxic (as agreed upon by just about everyone who works there, and those lucky few who have fled to new jobs). I've dealt with some bullying and other interpersonal conflicts and I've experienced some pretty significant depression (I'm seeing a therapist, who's been helpful and who also agrees my department is awful). Because of a strong portfolio, I managed to get tenure despite a rough process that demonstrated quite clearly (in writing!) how much some of my colleagues dislike me. Before this job, I worked in similar departments at other universities, so I know this place is especially bad.
I've applied for a few other positions, including a bit beyond my home department but still mostly in higher ed, but it's a rough job market for academics. I did get one interview but not an offer. I'm a pretty good employee, though, the longer I stay at my current job, the worse I feel about myself. (I also understand that having a job with tenure makes me pretty lucky overall.)
If I can't find a new job, a sabbatical seems like a good option. I've got some research projects I can pursue.
However, taking a sabbatical means I'd be committing to staying at my institution for another year after that (they're quite rigid about this). My kids are in middle school now. If I'm going to move them, it'd be better to do it sooner. If I take the sabbatical and stay at my university, my kids will start high school in our town. I'd rather not disrupt them after that, which means that taking a sabbatical will likely have me at my current job for many more years. At this point, I can't conceive of managing that emotionally.
Can a sabbatical make a big difference in my long-term happiness at my job? Will the break help me stay a few more years? I would be disappointed to give up a semi-paid sabbatical, but getting away from my horrible workplace might be worth it.
I'd welcome insight from folks who have taken sabbaticals, and I'd also welcome advice on how to go about making a decision.
A sabbatical will not cure your toxic workplace. It'll get you away from it for a while, but when you return to it, you'll be back in the same toxic workplace. Only this time, you'll be knowingly putting yourself back into a bad situation, for a much longer period than it seems you really want to. Do you really want to do that to yourself?
Life is too short to make yourself miserable. Use the chance you have now to find yourself a new job. You'll thank yourself for years later.
posted by Solomon at 2:49 AM on April 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
Life is too short to make yourself miserable. Use the chance you have now to find yourself a new job. You'll thank yourself for years later.
posted by Solomon at 2:49 AM on April 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
A sabbatical is a great way to take time to do your thing and return renewed and refreshed, but it seems like you know you'll be returning to a toxic work environment. It would be one thing if the department was changing and things would be different upon your return, but that's not the case.
Don't take a sabbatical knowing you have to go back to the suckhole that drained the life from you. Keep looking for another position.
posted by kinetic at 3:24 AM on April 13, 2015 [3 favorites]
Don't take a sabbatical knowing you have to go back to the suckhole that drained the life from you. Keep looking for another position.
posted by kinetic at 3:24 AM on April 13, 2015 [3 favorites]
What is the penalty for leaving less than a year after returning from sabbatical? Or for just not returning at all if you find a better job? They can't literally force you to work for them for a year. So find out what the penalty is, and decide whether you're willing to pay it. (Maybe even consult an employment attorney to find out if the penalty is enforceable.) Then, if you can, take your sabbatical and use it to look for new jobs.
posted by decathecting at 5:39 AM on April 13, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by decathecting at 5:39 AM on April 13, 2015 [3 favorites]
I know a faculty member who had a similar deal and then got a new job anyway the year after her sabbatical. She said her previous department never forgive her, but there are more important things in life.
You should take the sabbatical and use it to do things that will make it easier for you to find another job (such as increasing your research output).
posted by grouse at 5:50 AM on April 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
You should take the sabbatical and use it to do things that will make it easier for you to find another job (such as increasing your research output).
posted by grouse at 5:50 AM on April 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
If the job market is tight in Academia, and you manage to get a job offer while you're on sabbatical or in the year following, it means that the institution offering you the job really wants you. Seriously, no one is hiring warm bodies anymore. They want the best of the best, and if that's you, you're in a position to request that they remunerate your current institution for the privilege of poaching you, so as not to burn bridges. If you'd face a financial penalty for moving on without putting in your one year post-Sabbatical, it's not unheard of to have the new school pay out the old one.
posted by juniperesque at 7:51 AM on April 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by juniperesque at 7:51 AM on April 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
So, what's the downside of going on sabbatical? You can job hunt, you don't have to deal with your colleagues... And suppose you get a job that wants you to start right after your sabbatical is done.
(1) you can be upfront with the new job, and see if they'll delay a year, during which time all you have to do is teach your classes. So that extra year, no worries. 'cause you'll be done with there.
(2) if they don't and you leave anyway, what happens? You have to repay your salary from the sabbatical? That would suck. Maybe the new place could help?
(3) so maybe, the idea should be to go on sabbatical, with the idea that the year back, you're really on the market.
Your kids can adapt---they'll be happier if you're not a huge ball of cranky all the time, even if it means changing schools in high school.
(Is there a second parent for the kids in the picture? If so, what does that person say?)
You're really, really clear you've checked out of this job. So, go search!
(I changed jobs after getting tenure. My new job is better (although my old job was not toxic like you're describing.))
posted by leahwrenn at 9:13 AM on April 13, 2015
(1) you can be upfront with the new job, and see if they'll delay a year, during which time all you have to do is teach your classes. So that extra year, no worries. 'cause you'll be done with there.
(2) if they don't and you leave anyway, what happens? You have to repay your salary from the sabbatical? That would suck. Maybe the new place could help?
(3) so maybe, the idea should be to go on sabbatical, with the idea that the year back, you're really on the market.
Your kids can adapt---they'll be happier if you're not a huge ball of cranky all the time, even if it means changing schools in high school.
(Is there a second parent for the kids in the picture? If so, what does that person say?)
You're really, really clear you've checked out of this job. So, go search!
(I changed jobs after getting tenure. My new job is better (although my old job was not toxic like you're describing.))
posted by leahwrenn at 9:13 AM on April 13, 2015
Consider laying this question out for your kids and ask for their input. My mom did this when my parents were thinking of moving when I was in high school. In retrospect she was probably unhappy living in Salt Lake City, but she framed it as "get residency for you in a state with lots of good colleges and move to live near family" rather than make it about her unhappiness. The move was hard for me, but I felt that I had participated in the decision, and that helped.
In my opinion, moving is hard, but it's harder to live with an unhappy parent. If you need to move your children during early high school, they will be okay.
posted by aniola at 9:50 AM on April 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
In my opinion, moving is hard, but it's harder to live with an unhappy parent. If you need to move your children during early high school, they will be okay.
posted by aniola at 9:50 AM on April 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
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I think you should try and get a new job instead.
posted by lollusc at 2:23 AM on April 13, 2015 [11 favorites]