I’m looking for some advice from people who’ve been in a similar position.
I’ve been with my current employer for 11 years. Started at the bottom on pretty low pay and worked my way up to a site manager role earning a solid wage. About 4 years ago, the company was bought out and since then the culture and direction have gone downhill badly.
The business strategy feels completely backwards—constant bottlenecks, decisions made purely to “protect assets” that they’re also selling off anyway, and a really toxic environment overall. There’s a lot of backstabbing, dishonesty, no accountability, and zero sense of teamwork. It goes against pretty much everything I value.
Over time I’ve noticed it starting to affect me as well. My attitude has become a lot more negative, which isn’t who I want to be. I’ve held onto my core values, but I don’t like the direction it’s pushing me in.
The problem is I’ve wanted to leave for around 3 years now, but I can’t seem to commit to it. Walking away would likely mean taking a huge pay cut (potentially half), and I’d probably end up living paycheck to paycheck again, which I’ve worked really hard to avoid.
For context, I’m 29, own my home, and have been with my partner for 13 years. We don’t have kids yet, but that’s something she wants within the next couple of years, which adds another layer of pressure.
I’m a qualified driller, but the industry in New Zealand has been pretty rough the last 5–6 years and jobs are scarce unless I relocate—and even then it’d likely be for less money in a place I don’t really want to live.
So I guess my question is:
Have others been in a similar situation? Did you stick it out for the financial security, or take the hit and leave for something better long term?
Appreciate any thoughts or experiences.