I've worked in IT for nearly 31 years, including the past nine as a senior systems administrator. My current employer has become extremely toxic, and leadership seems convinced that AI will eventually replace much of the workforce. Several months ago, an executive assistant showed me an email suggesting my position would be eliminated. More recently, I saw another message indicating that my manager may have chosen a last day for me in the first week of October.
I already knew my manager disliked me, but the emails also suggested that a junior coworker has been working behind my back and giving management misleading information. Since learning that my job may be ending, my anxiety and stress have become overwhelming. I have an autoimmune condition, and the stress appears to be affecting my health. I'm sleeping poorly, having night sweats, and experiencing intense dread before each workweek. My anxiety usually improves after I leave work.
I've also started drinking more because it briefly helps me relax, although I know it is making things worse in the long run. Friends and family tell me to stay until I'm laid off so I don't lose possible severance or unemployment eligibility. Others suggest developing a detached attitude, doing my job, collecting my paycheck, and refusing to emotionally invest in a company that may already have decided to eliminate my role.
For now, I'm doing the minimum professionally while applying for other IT jobs. I've had several interviews but no offer, and the job market has been difficult. I'm unsure whether I should remain in IT at all. Should I stay until the company makes an official decision, consider medical leave, resign for my health, or try to move into another field?
5 Answers
Unless your health makes it impossible, don’t resign before you understand the consequences. Quitting could affect severance and unemployment, and medical exceptions are not automatic. Speak with your doctor about the anxiety and autoimmune flare-ups, and consult an employment or benefits professional about leave, documentation, and your rights in your location. Meanwhile, keep applying, save money, update your resume, and continue doing your job professionally without going above and beyond.
You don’t have to decide today whether you’ll spend the rest of your life in IT. First protect your health and income, then explore options. Your experience could transfer into consulting, training, vendor work, project coordination, security, cloud administration, or a completely different trade. A less prestigious or lower-paying role may still be worthwhile if it gives you a healthier life.
Treat this as a temporary transition, not a referendum on your career. Show up, meet your obligations, avoid workplace drama, and mentally disconnect when the workday ends. Use the advance warning to tailor your resume, collect non-confidential records of your accomplishments, secure references, and prepare for unemployment or severance if the layoff happens. Leave as soon as you have a firm offer, but don’t give the company a reason to characterize the departure as misconduct.
The alcohol is an urgent issue to address. It can worsen anxiety, sleep, night sweats, and autoimmune symptoms even if it feels calming for a few hours. Talk honestly with a doctor or therapist and replace the habit with something practical such as walking, exercise, social time, or a structured evening routine. If you’re drinking heavily or daily, get medical guidance before stopping abruptly.
Poor sleep creates its own anxiety feedback loop. Cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, and energy drinks while adding regular movement helped me more than trying to force myself into a carefree attitude.
The situation is already giving you useful information: leadership doesn’t appear to value the role, trust has broken down, and the environment is damaging your health. Don’t waste energy trying to fix a culture that is unlikely to change. Make a plan, set boundaries, get professional support, and focus your effort on the next chapter rather than on the coworker or manager’s motives.
A medical leave may take paperwork and planning, so don’t wait until the last minute. Get medical advice and documentation now rather than trying to assemble everything after the termination date.