Ask HN: Have you left a high paying gig because you hated the day-to-day work?

I left a job just before the first day because they shoved in a stupid image rights clause in the contract.

I left a promising interview in the middle because they pretended the process was more bureaucratic than it was.

I left a job that was good because my manager was starting his own company and making us do his work.

It's more about honesty, really. I'd rather be unemployed than take bullshit.

The last place which had interesting problems had issues with management both near and upper to the point where they'd schedule multiple meetings to understand the most simplistic of issues where they'd suffer from amnesia a few days later regardless of the severity of it.

Loved working with the on-site team as we could drive projects to completion from plannning to implementation in a more natural way. A group of work-friends reaching for the same goal if that makes sense rather than a strict 9-5. Wish I could take them with me to the new place.

I don't think working with external US management really works due to the culture clash of "go fast and break things" and "process above all else" rather than spending 10 minutes to plan ahead and adjusting process to fit the team. There's also the focus on titles and promotion rather than being comfortable with a role enough to do a good job.

That said, if you're asking such questions it might be the time to look for greener grass elsewhere before the current job affects your health. The pay is not worth it if you don't feel well as a result of it as you deserve to have an enjoyable balance and even fun at work. You might already know but ask those close to you if you've been stressed lately as outside perspective might be that you need to decide.

I did. Left sales to become a software engineer. Sometimes I regret it, most times I don't.

Yes, my last job. I even liked and respected my manager but had to always act as chew toy for moron upper management.

Yep. I loved working with almost all people. Those I hated working - though minor - made it horrible. They had some ‘title’ to throw around and made everyone’s work and life miserable.

And how much ever feedback you provide and how much ever ‘culture’ talk goes on, as the saying goes ‘one bad apple spoils the whole damn bunch’.

There is lot of truth in ‘you join a good company, but leave a bad manager’ - or bad people, I would say.