Should I leave to pursue my dreams?

LegacyUser

Ok a bit of background, im working for a small callcentre which pays ok. my role has changed since i started over a year ago, I have a lot of extra work to do now which should really be handled by my manager who see's me as an unofficial team leader. I have raised this issue many times over the year and have asked for a new contract outlining my new role or a pay rise and it was acknowledged at first but is not being addressed any more, even though the company is quite well to do (fact).
I have recently had a sort of awakening and now feel like I am being taken for a ride and I feel that my hours of labour are a waste of my precious time. Money was my main motivator for doing the job but now that I know im not going to get what my work is worth ( I know what I do is worth more because others on the same salary and role as me are not made do anything extra,or asked to put in more hours etc.) money has taken a back seat and I'm know thinking about my quality of life.
There are so many things I want to do that I dont have time for because of the extra duty and I feel like I want to quit and follow my dreams, get a skill or trade and employ myself eventually. However, it is 2009 and deep in recession and Im worried that it might be a bad idea to quit. But every day I am in work being exploited feels like another day of my life wasted. I have very few debts, car is almost paid, no mortgage (renting), etc. I have some savings should I ever need to fall abck on them so this is not a worry.

So the question is, should I just take the plunge, quit, apply for jobseekers and see what happens down the road or should I try to work something out with employer (have a feeling I will be ignored) and continue on working begrudgingly as I have done the last few months? Also if I raised how I felt with my manager would I be let go?

I would appreciate any advice from anyone in a similar situation, and general opinions.

wmpdd3

Important to remember that job seekers is just for people who have lost their job and are seeking a new one. If you leave your job you will have to wait a minimum of 12 weeks and you may be means tested.

I say get trained to the same standard as the manager then apply for their job.

LegacyUser

Hey,

Was in the same situation recently where I felt I was being treated badly in work. I felt I was one of the best workers in the company and was being walked all over.

Decided to apply for jobs that I thought I would be really qualified for. After about 20 applications I realized how bad it is out there. I didn't get a single interview and just one phone call.

In the end I decided to hand in my notice and get a visa for Canada and will be leaving soon.
I am really glad I left the place but I really think you should have a plan before you hand in your notice. If you are planning on going on the dole you have to accept that you may be on it for a very long time. As the other poster said you will be disqualified for the first few weeks (nine I think).

I think you should apply for a few jobs and see how you get on before taking the plunge. Was out of work for a few weeks a while back and it really is boring. Going on the dole should be a last resort in my experience.

Best of luck with it.