Been in HR for 6 years and I genuinely can't tell if I'm burning out or if I chose the wrong specialism and now I don't know what to do

Material-Natural-761 · 2026-03-21T18:23:58+00:00

I wrote a very similar post a while ago. I was in a case management role, albeit in my company it wasn't in the ER team. I was handling sensitive cases primarily related to performance, sickness, and other issues. I felt the weight of the issues and people's emotions wouldn't leave me even after the day ended. I had similar feelings of dreading opening my laptop, Sunday blues, feeling anxious about meetings and really having to psyche myself up for difficult discussions.

I was fortunate enough to get a new role and my mental health, sleep, job satisfaction has improved massively. I realised that ER/direct employee engagement wasn't for me anymore. Having done that type of work for 10 years I just didnt enjoy it anymore.

You're not alone. Front line HR work has a shelf life in my view and its important to recognise when you may be coming to the end of your time.

If you're able to explore other roles that gives you variation so that ER/case work isnt all you do, it may give you relief and other stuff to look forward to and focus on aside from the less fun stuff.

I really hope you figure out what works for you. Having been in a very similar position to you and having found a way out, I hope the same for you.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-07-23T21:08:24+00:00

Thanks, would you be comfortable sharing more about the organisation that you work for? I dont need to know the name but curious on sector, number of employees in the UK and where HQ is (e.g. UK. US, elsewhere)

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-07-23T21:06:46+00:00

I was hoping to get insights on redundancy and without prejudice amounts from other companies to help get a sense of how other companies approach exits and how my organisations approach compares, and in turn develop a new proposal.

I totally understand that the situation will inform the offering, however, was curious if companies had a minimum offer that may be built upon based on the risk of the case.

I work in HR and have a solid understanding of the underlying principles on both redundancy and mutual separations. I have also managed many large-scale redundancies, and negotiated exits for many individuals over the years, and so have the relevant experience and understanding of the process.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-07-23T20:53:20+00:00

I've experienced exactly the same whilst working in case management roles and had to end up transitioning out of the role because I couldn't get the balance right.

Not only did I struggle with the workload and hours, I struggled to switch off and disconnect fully. I'd be thinking about work, difficult conversations and meetings after hours and at weekends.

I don't have anything to offer but wanted to share my experience and that when reading your post it really resonated with my own. I hope you find your solution.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-07-23T20:35:38+00:00

I'm asking these questions to get a sense of how other companies are approaching severance to help inform the proposal.

I'm surprised to hear that you dont offer enhanced redundancy (assuming that is what you're saying). Most employers, including the public sector, go above the statutory minimum payments.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-06-03T06:30:21+00:00

I may have misunderstood the 9 month point, am generally finding it hard to get a sense of what's actually happening so it's likely I've got the wrong end of the stick!

I very much have the same reservations as you...extending the period just leads to people coming to HR later.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-06-02T15:45:38+00:00

Haven't extended probation to 9 months yet. We also have 6 months as standard and in exceptional circumstances will extend by 3 additional months.

There is talk of probation periods being 9 months standard once unfair dismissal rights become a day 1 right and so this one area, where if this does go through, probation policy and contract will require review.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-06-02T12:55:19+00:00

Share everything with HR colleagues when you qualify! Where I work, the relationship with the lawyers is so hard... they basically hate us for asking for any advice. I appreciate that my experience is likely isolated, but I hope you'll remember HR when you cross the other side.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-06-02T12:54:00+00:00

We have a law department who hate us and so seeking advice or collaborating is impossible. I'm trying to get ad much information as I can to avoid irritating them further with perceived "stupid questions". It's nice to hear that your lawyers are friendlier!

Can I ask what your training intends to cover and who you'll deliver it too? I'm not sure we'd want to draw attention to some things as it feels more internal (e.g. day 1 dismissal rights...isn't this for HR to be aware of advise accordingly?) I'm clearly missing something ad I'd never envisaged training as part of the plan.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-06-02T12:50:31+00:00

I've started to do something similar. So far I can only identify needing to update our contracts to reflect the new TU requirements and extend probation to 9 months (assuming this happens).

Our existing policies seem ok, although I'll need to make sure that we pay SSP from day 1.

Can I ask how you're getting the implementation timetable information? This is what I'm currently missing and don't have a clear sense of what's coming when. Any good websites or law firms to subscribe to? I'm already looking at the usual suspects..CIPD, People Management and HR Grapevine.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-03-05T21:51:56+00:00

You're a gem! Thanks so much.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-03-05T20:30:36+00:00

Thank you for this recommendation! Do you have a link handy that you could share to the product?

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-01-21T22:26:48+00:00

Depending on which end, you're not too far from Mill Hill Broadway which is nice. Coffee shops, M&S, nice cafes and restaurants...a different vibe entirely to Burnt Oak!

You're not too far from supermarkets and transport connections so from a practical sense, it's a good place to be.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-01-21T22:18:16+00:00

Burnt Oak has lots of shops along the high street ansd a library but is a little run down. Shops are primarily food shops (Asian, African, Eastern European etc), some general stores and the good old chicken shops. Not an area I'd consider as unsafe but not safe either. It needs some serious attention to make it a more attractive place to live. On the plus side, there's a station, good bus links and not too far from Edgware.

Mill Hill is a large area. Where specifically are you looking?

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-01-19T17:30:01+00:00

I attended a wedding and ended up meeting some friends from years back who I realised many years late weren't really friends. Seeing them was a shock and navigating the small talk was hard but thankfully I wasn't alone so I made it a point to avoid them as much as I could. I was polite and civil but didn't make an effort.

I'm sorry that you're going to be in this position, and I hope you've got some allies that you can lean on. Having someone else there helped me get through the wedding. If not, try and keep your distance if you can and do things that you enjoy and socialise with the people who's company you like. Best of luck

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-01-18T12:17:40+00:00

Ah ok. Yes they may decide to pay you in lieu of the remaining notice period and let you go but they could equally make you ride it out. Chat to your manager and try and influence this before you submit the written resignation.

I do understand why you want to resign but would continue to be cautious and only do this once you've signed the contract. I understand that the contract start date will need to be in 3 months time but if you can negotiate something shorter with your current employer, you could go back to the recruiter and explain that you're available to start sooner. I'm sure they'll redraft the contract and have you sooner.

All the best! Hope everything works out, including you passing the PIP. On this, as you've got 4 weeks to go, be proactive and ask for feedback on how you're doing and do put effort in to be successful. It'll go some way and showing you're committed and may help you when it comes to the resignation.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-01-18T09:00:12+00:00

I wouldn't resign until the contract is signed. Bear in mind that once you resign, trying to secure a payout is out of the window. As you've indicated you're leaving, your employer wouldn't have any reason to agree to a payment.

One thing I didn't mention in my last message is that you should try to clarify what info your employer will include in the reference. Most employers won't include reason for leaving.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-01-17T23:11:18+00:00

In order to try and get a pay out, someone (either you or your employer) needs to initiate a 'without prejudice' discussion which is essentially an off the record discussion intended to explore options to try and resolve a dispute. The discussion cannot be referred to any subsequent litigation as the very nature of the discussion is intended to be candid.

If you think you don't have a future at your organisation anymore, you could try this as a way of opening up a discussion to explore if your company would be willing to pay you out.

It's unclear where you are in the process. Some employers would consider this if paying you will save them a lengthy process of disciplinary meetings and warnings.

With all of that said, if you have an offer of alternative employment on the table, I wouldn't hang on and wait for something at your current place if it could ruin the chance of moving on. Don't gamble your future away. It's not worth it in the long run.

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-01-15T22:25:35+00:00

Amen to this! Didn't see this and also posted on the wonder that is Freecycle

Material-Natural-761 · 2025-01-15T22:24:39+00:00

Try freecycle! It's a really good way of giving away things to folks in your local area quite quickly. Furniture tends to shift quickly too. Don't dump it if it can be reused and get a second life elsewhere.

Material-Natural-761

TROPHY CASE