After many years of working in a toxic and high-pressure environment, Ms. Tran Thi Dung (42 years old, Ninh Binh) decided to quit her job to find a job that is more suitable for her health.
Previously, Ms. Dung worked at a leather shoe company with the main job of grinding and gluing shoe soles. The job caused her to frequently be exposed to the unpleasant smell of glue, and at the same time had to work in shifts, 2 weeks a day and 2 weeks a night.
After a long time of attachment, the female worker said that her body often falls into a state of fatigue, weakness and headache.
Although she repeatedly asked to transfer to the daytime department but was not approved, in March 2026, she decided to quit her job to switch to sewing and picking threads.
I can still tolerate the smell, but working many nights, the rest time is not fixed, causing me to continuously have stomach reflux and headaches. If I work for a long time, I am afraid I won't be able to stand up, which will make my condition worse," Ms. Dung shared.
According to Ms. Dung, when passing the age of 40, health needs to be put first. If not cared for and maintained early, workers may have to trade it off with future treatment costs.
Therefore, even though the new job does not have much experience and the income is lower, she is still willing to change.
Not only health issues, the working environment is also one of the reasons why Ms. Dung left her old company.
According to the female worker, the previous workplace often had overtime and few activities for workers. Meanwhile, the new company has partly overcome these limitations.
“In a new place, work is also stressful, but working hours are shorter, only about 9.5 hours a day instead of nearly 11 hours as before. Therefore, when I get home, I don't feel too tired and have more time for my family,” Ms. Dung said.
Ms. Dung also highly appreciates the internal activities organized at the new business on holidays, Tet or company birthdays. According to her, these are "spiritual dishes" that help employees reduce pressure, create more joy and motivation in the working process.
Sharing the same view of putting health above income, Ms. Pham Thi Hoan (43 years old, Ninh Binh) also decided to quit her job after more than 4 years working as a plasterer, polishing aluminum casting products even though her income reached more than 400,000 VND/day for 8.5 hours of work.
Ms. Hoan said that at her age, finding a job with a similar income level is not easy at all. However, health effects prevent her from continuing to stick with the profession for a long time.
Every day when I go to work, even though I wear a mask, only my eyes are exposed, but when I come home, people are still full of aluminum dust," Ms. Hoan said.
The nature of the job makes female workers often have dry coughs. During a recent health check-up, she was diagnosed with bronchitis by doctors.
According to Ms. Hoan, if she continues to work, she can still pursue the profession for many more years, but the worry of her health being seriously affected in her old age makes her decide to find a new direction.
Currently, Ms. Hoan's top criterion when looking for a job is a clean working environment in a factory, with little smoke, dust, noise and chemical odors. The desired income ranges from 7-9 million VND/month.
When I am older, I often prioritize health over income, and at the same time, I must balance my life. Only then can I feel valuable, comfortable and secure for the future every day I go to work," Ms. Hoan shared.
