Quitting due to health reasons

I’m about to quit my IB job due to health reasons and wondering if anyone has done the same themselves. Do I go to HR first? My staffer? My rabbi MD?

What can I expect? How do I best handle this? I’m quitting without anything lined up next and just need time to decompress and reassess things. I have savings to last me a decent amount of time so not worried about how to survive.

 

sorry never heard of a rabbi md what is this?

Also I am so close to being in your shoes. I never get to excercise and being really unhealthy as a result of intense live deal process over 6 months + COVID. Problem is I have a buy side role lined up for next year that might be in jeopardy...

 

Just an MD that you trust and has come to be something close to a mentor or champion of yours.

I feel you though. I’m at my end with everything. The health issues that have been exacerbated since starting have finally come to a breaking point and I need to make my exit. I know I don’t want to continue at these hours or this pace of work long term so leaving was a no brainer for me. If you know you enjoy some aspects of the work itself and truly look forward to continuing on the buyside, I wouldn’t burn the bridge by quitting now and potentially risking your upcoming role. Best of luck with the dilemma.

 

Dudes, go to your staffer tell them you are BRUTALLY EXHAUSTED AND BARELY SLEEPING and they will get the idea. Sound angry enough that they know you are basically threatening to leave.

If you are any good, they will try to make you stay by double-staffing your deals, removing you from some, and telling you to take a true vacation ("mandating" it, if helpful) etc.

It's a better option than just peacing out.

EDIT: Source -- saw it happen twice. also saw someone just snap and stop showing up.

 

Hey dude I don't work FT so take what I say with a grain a salt. But if you're about quit what do you have to lose by bringing it up with your staffer first?

 

i would recommend going to the rabbi MD (or non-rabbi MD, think better to stay within the chain of command before going to HR) and let them know about the issues that you are dealing with. if they don't work with you (take some work off your plate, mandate some time off) then you can always leave.

I came close to quitting due to mental health issues (assuming similar for you?) and am very happy I took the steps noted above rather than jumping straight to quitting... as noted above, the option of quitting is always yours, but see what they can do for you first.

 

Thanks. Yes - related to mental health issues which have manifested into physical health issues.

What ended up changing when you spoke to your group vs. quitting outright? My concern is it won’t be received well, and that’s really because I know if I was a senior I likely wouldn’t take it well because everyone is busy up the ass and battling the same pressure and hours. I’m not special. I also know any relief of pressure will be only temporary and given that I don’t want to continue in IB or PE or really anything in the real space long term because I want to be a present father / husband / son, I don’t know that there’s much point to continuing at all.

I do appreciate that my exhaustion may be clouding my judgment so appreciate your feedback and look forward to any other comments you have.

 

edit: this is real, so apologies for sounding rude earlier.

If you have actual facts from your doctor, I would consider your options and what you want to do. If you have nothing else lined up - how will this affect your life?

This is an HR issue, I would say. It would help to brief your MD beforehand, but you can't give him any medical information in writing, ideally. Only HR can ask you limited things in this regard. And they are trained professionals. Just don't forget that they work for the company and not for you.

Do not share medical information you don't have to disclose legally.

do you know any legal professionals in employment law? wouldn't hurt to talk to them initially.

 

Has any doctor diagnosed you with any condition, formally?

Without an actual diagnosis performed by a medical professional, what exactly is the problem (without divulging anything personal/confidential).

Googling symptoms isn't enough, in my opinion. I know people can feel weird, sick, and not healthy. But we aren't doctors. Neither are people on reddit.

Just trying to help and figure out what's wrong.

nb: I come from a medical family and could be biased. I just believe doctors are there for a purpose.

 

I have spoken to a psychiatric doctor in the past who quickly wanted to move to meds. I chose not to just given skepticism around efficacy and long term effects. I don’t know that there was a formal diagnosis recorded but the suggestion of meds may mean there was.

Are you recommending that I get some formal record of the issue in-hand prior to citing it as a reason for leaving?

 
Analyst 2 in IB-M&A:
I have spoken to a psychiatric doctor in the past who quickly wanted to move to meds. I chose not to just given skepticism around efficacy and long term effects. I don’t know that there was a formal diagnosis recorded but the suggestion of meds may mean there was.

Are you recommending that I get some formal record of the issue in-hand prior to citing it as a reason for leaving?

I recommend you go on disability instead of surrendering your income.

Medicine can help. Maybe in a month you feel up to going back.

 
Most Helpful

I think you need to speak to a legal professional before making significant changes in your life.

Nobody here is a medical or legal professional (assuming that, I don't know everyone on here). But even if they were, you need to talk to professionals regarding this situation.

For your own protection, please consider all options, opportunities and legal rights before you do anything on this.

If your own health, physical safety, or financial future is at risk - I wouldn't trust internet advice enough to base any decisions on that. not saying WSO is not a great place (it is!), but we can't really diagnose health conditions, unfortunately, and we are most likely not experienced enough to see the legal ramifications at your workplace that would come as a result.

you need to find out 1) what is wrong 2) what can be done to treat this effectively 3) how does this influence your personal and professional life and 4) how does the LAW protect you in this situation?

please do not disclose anything to your employer without knowing your rights. in your own interest

just an example: in some cases a health condition is classified as a disability. by law, an employer can not let you go because of a medical condition that is a result of a disability. this is illegal. The employee also does not have to disclose a disability until the employer has to accommodate for it officially .

 

I knew someone that quit due to health reasons and the person never regretted it at all. They took some time off, re-thought what they wanted to do, got themselves to a healthier spot and now are much happier in a different job. If banking is affecting your health substantially (aside from a lack of sleep) then it's not worth continuing, in my opinion.

I'd talk to your MD first (you can be as open as you want, but don't have to) and then you can communicate with HR. But give your MD the heads up before telling others. He / She should be sympathetic and wish you the best.

 

You wrote that you are speaking with a psychiatrist. Have you brought this situation up with them? I am sure they would be able to write a note stating that you have a disability (even a mental one is a disability) and that you are on suicide watch, or whatever issue you're having that is making your current work environment unbearable. (it doesn't have to be that drastic but it seems like the job is taking a heavy toll on you).

No one will know the nuances of the disability except for HR, and they won't be allowed to speak about it for fear of the bank being sued, negative publicity, and losing their jobs. You can tell other people in the team whatever you want about your disability, they won't be able to get this info from HR or anywhere else.

I heard a story from a friend about a firm that hired a PHD. The PHD was really lazy and wanted to fire him, however, he was seeing a psychiatrist and used some note written by the psychiatrist to register as a disabled person. As a consequence, the firm could not fire him.

Hope this helps.

 

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