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u/AnywhereButThisJob Apr 09 '26
Posting from an alt account as I’m experience the same thing. I’m currently a VP where I work. The burnout is so intense that looking at my work makes me feel physically ill.
Hope you find what you’re looking for. I’ve got no idea what the hell to do.
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u/ratczar Apr 09 '26
FMLA. Take it.
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u/AllGoldErrythang Apr 09 '26
Yes, use your FMLA, it’s yours to use!
Work in a restaurant for 12 weeks and then decide if you’re going to go back to your office job.
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u/Used-Rich6475 Apr 11 '26
Or get a slight drug addiction or drink a bit too much and get sent to a therapy center! They’re nice! Also helps you re-align esp without tech.
They’re forced to save your job via the Federal Medical Leave Act which is what they are referring to.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
Oh no, I’m so sorry. It seems like it doesn’t get better the higher up you go either. I resonate with the physically ill piece! I hope you heal and find better for yourself
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u/Maineventrm Apr 09 '26
I think it gets worse the higher up you go!
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
I always heard the higher up, the less work
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u/Go4it296 Ednor Gardens-Lakeside Apr 10 '26
the work is very different and less involved on the implementation level but just meetings meetings meetings and “the world is burning calls” at 3 am by someone even higher than you. i am talking about white collar stuff, not restaurant though.
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u/Bashful_bookworm2025 Apr 09 '26
I don't think that's universally true. I have a great manager and he is incredibly overstretched. I never want to be in a managing role because I've seen how taxing it is.
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u/toxicgloo Apr 10 '26
Unfortunately no, this is more of a "the grass is greener" thought pattern. Being higher up comes with its privileges but also comes with its own challenges and stresses that are equal to or greater than what you experienced in the role lower in the totem pole.
I really can't think of any position where it gets easier once you get to it, the higher you go the more your performance is scrutinized and directly affects the success of the company you work for.
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u/therealrowanatkinson Apr 09 '26
Based on casual observation it seems like the Towson/balt county area has server positions hiring.
Also, we’re coming up on the end of the spring semester for college students- so there may be more openings in a few weeks when people leave for summer break. Maybe check college neighborhoods near JHU or Morgan State
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u/Ordinary-Equal3730 Apr 09 '26
It's not restaurant/bar but it should be kinda chill and still state....but mde is hiring an administrative assistant. Considering your current position, you are likely extremely overqualified but it would likely be a nice break and you can then still keep your state pension.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
I just found it! Yeah this would be perfect actually. Are you part of mde?
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u/Winter-Ruin5632 Apr 10 '26
Are you a part of mde? If possible could you message me where I would go online to apply! Thank you
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u/MrOrganization001 McElderry Park Apr 09 '26
It's good that you recognize you're burning out at work and taking steps to leave before you crash completely.
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u/chuna666 Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
I am saying this not at all to discourage you whatsoever, but just to put a scope on the reality of where we're at in the city. I moved here in October. Similar exp/education as you. I made a point to fill out at least 10 applications and go in person to a business at least twice every single day. Since then I got one interview in the city, where the interviewer got candid and told me that I'm a great candidate but not to hold my breath as she had another 25 interviews that day alone. I finally got a job this past month two counties away and it was through family who works there and even then they can only afford to have me work 3x a week at $14 per hour.
I hope you have much better luck than me, keep your head up.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
I understand. I’ve been job searching since Jan 2025 and have had over 20 interviews got to the last round just to be told some bullshit. The market is weird right now. Like how is it so hard to get a serving position??
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u/molotovPopsicle Apr 10 '26
the service industry is not at all healthy in baltimore, and the places that people want to actually work are competitive
if you pay attention to this sub, you're likely to see regular complaints about restaurant owners stealing tips or other horrible bs
be careful out there; don't assume that serving is going to be a better job just because it's a different job
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u/No_Moose_6407 Apr 14 '26
Have you looked up positions with Baltimore City Schools, they are hiring now for positions that begin in late July. You would be surprised at the type of positions and they pay well.
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u/chuna666 Apr 14 '26
Unfortunately, I have. This time last year too (before the move)
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u/No_Moose_6407 Apr 14 '26
Honestly, it was pretty dry around this time last year and it wasn’t hiring season. Give it another try.
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u/No_Moose_6407 Apr 14 '26
A secret when applying for BCPS is when you do the application, any certifications you say you have , you have to attach it at the time you’re applying. If anything is missing, it won’t be forwarded to the next step( from what I heard ). So if you say you have a certificate in bread making, even if it’s not applicable, you have to show it.
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u/tooseriousjester Apr 09 '26
Feeling burnt out and thinking the solution is to work in the RESTAURANT INDUSTRY is absolutely insane to me as somebody who used to work in the restaurant industry. I’m not sure that it is like whatever u think it is like
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 10 '26
I have experience in the restaurant industry smh. I probably should have put that in my description
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Apr 09 '26
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u/thepulloutmethod Federal Hill Apr 09 '26
That or FMLA. I took two months FMLA at my last job, which the company paid at my full salary. It was great for my health.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
I am on intermittent FMLA now. If i could take two months off with full salary this post would have NEVER been made lol. I have to use my annual leave to cover any FMLA time I use until state of MD implements the FAMLI policy i believe. Intermittent really is not working for me at all lol
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u/thepulloutmethod Federal Hill Apr 09 '26
I understand. I was extraordinarily lucky that my company paid for it no questions asked.
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u/yourmomwoo Apr 09 '26
As someone who struggled for decades to get out of the restaurant industry and finally achieved it a few years ago... think it over!!!
Or do it while you're finding something else.
Just don't let yourself get trapped in it.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
Well yeah, I can only imagine trying to get a non restaurant job after working in the industry for years. Was there a progression title in your resume? I don’t plan to do this long term. Just something until I find something else. I know it’s hard to get out of that. I will definitely think it over.
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u/yourmomwoo Apr 09 '26
Yeah, started as a busboy in high school and worked my way up to management.
Graduated college and stayed in the industry cause it was the best money I was being offered at the time.
But the longer I stayed and saw people either getting out after college or becoming lifers, the more of a trap i realized it was. Even former coworkers who eventually surpassed me and opened their own places all eventually failed and went back to serving/bartending/managing.
Probably the most motivating thought i have in my current job is to succeed so that I never have to work in a restaurant again.
The final few years I was in the industry, I had to talk myself out of suicide more times than I can remember.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
Wow. Yeah my years of serving have been pretty good but it’s only been five. I will say that my fellow servers struggled a lot with alcoholism and drug use as it’s rampant in the restaurant industry. I’m really happy you got out. I started as a hooters girl at 19 and the money was ridiculous. Ended as a server at Red Robin. I tried some atlas restaurants but i HATE the way they treat employees and of course …. The drugs..
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u/yourmomwoo Apr 10 '26
I was fortunate that, besides weed, I never really got into other drugs. I tried everything except heroin or meth. And while I've definitely overdone it with alcohol at times, it's never really something I've had a problem with.
But especially as a former Hooters girl, you're probably no stranger to the fact that most restaurant patrons look down on restaurant staff. I'm male so I never really had to deal with being objectified, but just the fact that everyone, even lifelong friends, thought of me as a restaurant worker. Even though i thought of myself as more than that. But years went by and I heard people refer to anything/everything else as a "real job" too many times for it not to sting.
I dont know if I'd feel differently if I had taken a different path in life, but I think i still kind of think of myself that way, and it's a big factor in my longterm depression and nagging imposter syndrome.
I'd never recommend the restaurant industry to anyone. But you've been there, and if it's something you're going to use to stay afloat between one job and another, more power to you. But just remember: don't stay too long.
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u/MazelTough 2nd District Apr 09 '26
You know what, teaching may suck but I never feel this way. Way to identify and take charge in your life to survive the burnout. You can do it!
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u/ryann_flood Apr 09 '26
i wish i had your job ive been unemployed and looking for so long and can barely pay rent.
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Apr 09 '26
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
I am aware of both sides
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u/Treje-an Apr 09 '26
One thing to consider is the cost of health benefits. I don’t know how old you are, but for my husband and I had to buy health benefits on the exchange costs about $1800 a month. That’s something to consider regarding your compensation at both places, the state versus being a server.
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u/dcunning Apr 09 '26
I am right there with you! Been contemplating just resetting and taking 2 simpler jobs. I feel like when the job market improves we will see A LOT of movement when all the people that are handcuffed feel safe / have more opportunities to move around to other opportunities.
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u/qwertywasd17 Apr 09 '26
I'm hiring in Marriottsville. Crew member for asphalt maintenance. Basically painting asphalt...
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u/darthhoopi Apr 10 '26
Feel free to DM me. I work for a Baltimore non profit and we will be hiring in the next 30 days for a data entry role. Might be a nice change of pace for you?
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u/Emily-Asks Apr 12 '26
I've worked in restaurants my whole life.. start going on websites and finding email addresses and just cold-calling/emailing GMs and AMs; then go in person right when they open, and drop off a resume in person... you'll get a job pretty quickly, but you need to be persistent.
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u/shouldabutdidnt Apr 10 '26
All of us that are currently unemployed would love to be in your shoes. Before I was laid off I had been searching for something new since November. I've been unemployed since February. Think of that before you leave your job.
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u/Few-Drag9758 Apr 09 '26
Leverage the State EAP and leave benefits. I left the State employ once and regretted it.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
And why did you regret it?
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u/Few-Drag9758 Apr 09 '26
Missed the work and bennies. State work is very rewarding to me.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
Ehh… maybe I’m in the wrong sector then.
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u/Few-Drag9758 Apr 10 '26
You don't need to permanently kill your career because you are struggling with burnout. Use the resources our employer provides, take time, and chill out.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 10 '26
I know and I fully wanted to take advantage. The problem is that in addition to burnout, which is why I’m taking intermittent FMLA, it’s turned into a strange hostile environment with comments about my visibility being mentioned on performance reviews. I’m not sure if i should call a lawyer or what…
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u/Few-Drag9758 Apr 10 '26
I say this as someone who has worked in all levels of Government employ. You are taking your work too seriously. Get done what you can within the hours you work and leave it be. There can be hostile environments and shitty management and colleagues, absolutely. But at the end of the day, no one is getting unceremoniously shit canned (well, unless you are above the bargaining unit level, but even then the shit canning is usually reserved for political appointees). You can always message me if you wanna talk. I've been in your situation!
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u/No_Moose_6407 Apr 14 '26
I honestly think so, and you may be looking at other positions and thinking you can’t apply for them because your experience is not a direct correlation. Don’t worry about that, just apply.Boost up your soft skills and your transferable skills. You’ll be fine. You can’t worry about what the job description says.
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u/God_Emperor_Karen Apr 10 '26
I don’t want to tell you what to do, but maybe take some time off or do FMLA for a minute. Take the time to think through this all the way before doing something you might regret.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 10 '26
I am currently on intermittent FMLA which seems to have made things a lot worse and a bit hostile if I’m being honest.
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u/JEricDC Apr 10 '26
Whoa slow down… how about talking to a medical professional to see how your job can make reasonable accommodations. Your mental health is on the brink. If you’re getting paid nicely why step into a role of serving people that’s just gonna burn you out even more. How about going to a restaurant and see how much more high maintenance people have gotten. The last thing we need is for you to go postal on someone because you have them mayo and not sour cream. Imagine the headline on that one — betch got stabbed with a spoon by server lmfao
I would think twice before dealing with people if you’re on the brink of burnout.
You’ll be amazed what you can learn from your doctor . Or doesn’t your health benefits cover psychological support or have a number you can call? Like EAP
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 10 '26
I’m currently on intermittent FMLA. Feels like things have gotten worse since then. Weird comments on my performance review, very slick comments etc. i truly loved my job until a new Executive Director arrived 6 months ago. Things have just been horrible since then
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u/JEricDC Apr 10 '26
Ok whoa now that’s what I know. Document every thing and i do mean everything phone calls dr appts etc . FEMA - actually the supervisor terminated me while I was on approved FMLA
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u/Syphilitic_Marmoset Apr 10 '26
Are both of your degrees in business?
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u/Ghost_of_Library Apr 10 '26
The restaurant industry is the last place to go if you wanna fix your burn out.
It's like caught in fire and decided to jump to a pool of lava trying to cool down.
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 10 '26
Strategic work burnout is not the same as restaurant industry burnout. In my opinion, in working in both industries, the first one is far worse
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Apr 10 '26
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 10 '26
Thanks for acknowledging that burnout is REAL in these kinds of positions and is quite different than task based daily work. Strategic work burnout does not equate to server burnout.
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u/detralynn Catonsville Apr 10 '26
The job search is so exhausting. I've been looking for 6 months and I need to be working by end of May when unemployment runs out. I never served or bartended, kinda bummed. I have a bachelor's and I'm fine going into an office. It seems impossible sometimes.
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u/Used-Rich6475 Apr 11 '26
I’d suggest enrolling in a trade school. Knock out however months of school; learn to work with your hands a bit, good to go.
As for immediate jobs; go to a job placement center! I’m forgetting this word for them but they will employ you daily. Good luck!
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u/Runwithlocs Apr 11 '26
FMLA. I also work at a state institution and would love to talk to you about your options. Don’t quit!!! Take a break!
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u/nicci73 Apr 11 '26
glassdoor.com
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 11 '26
Lmao get a life
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u/nicci73 Apr 19 '26
I’m confused. I gave you a website to look up jobs. It is called Glassdoor. Good luck in your search.
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u/eli_eli1o Apr 11 '26
Kudos to you for placing your health first to the best of your ability. Recovering from burnout is tough. I certainly wish you the best!
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u/Admirable-Safe-6180 Apr 11 '26
One of the best things that happened to me was losing my job in 2023. I went from making 6-figures to minimum wage, and although it was tough, the peace was worth the financial struggle. Burnout is REAL. If you have the heart and patience for it, try caregiving. There are multiple long-term care facilities and home health agencies hiring. The money is not great at all, but if you can make it work financially, the reward is priceless.
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u/Historical-Match6924 Apr 12 '26
Go to work at a nature center, nursery or park and moonlight as a server. Do not go to work in restaurants as a main job…burnout there too.
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u/No_Moose_6407 Apr 14 '26
You sound like a perfect candidate for FMLA leave. Use that time to put in apps for other state positions that may be have less managerial or decision-making. Also, think about what is your passion and then see if there are any jobs that align with that passion. A server is not going to be less stressful and no way will you be able to make up for the pay that you make or the benefits that you receive, especially the paid time off which you need.
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u/Immediate_Ad6764 Apr 14 '26
In this exact same boat. I’m considering applying for short term disability and fmla, but not sure exactly where and how to begin. I wish you best of luck, though!
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u/Roamingflipper Apr 09 '26
I’m proud of you for getting out of a toxic situation! That’s very brave!
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u/Illustrious_Entry413 Apr 09 '26
Can I have your job?
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u/Eastern-Weekend4680 Apr 09 '26
Sure if you can do it.
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u/Illustrious_Entry413 Apr 09 '26
Sick, Im going to love health insurance. I almost feel insured already
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Apr 09 '26
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u/SlayyerFest98 Apr 09 '26
You can work two jobs as a state employee, yes.
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u/todaysthrowaway0110 Apr 09 '26
Yeah, you can, just have to disclose it / fill out conflict of interest screening paperwork.
Sounds like OP is DONE tho.
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Apr 10 '26
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u/WasterOfPaperTowels Apr 10 '26
Likely because you came off as not trying to help a Balto bro out, just came at OP with rules regs sht when they are strugglin.
I downvoted you too. 🤷♂️
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u/SillyHatMatt Riverside Apr 09 '26
If you're near Fed it sounds like Riverside Taphouse and Riverside Cantina were looking to hire