OT: Explaining why I'm leaving the company

[Red Tornado]

I've been at my current place of employment for a little over 18 years. My goal was to retire from here, however things have deteriorated to the point I may need to find something else.

I'm pulled away from my core duties so much, it has a serious negative impact on my ability to get them completed, or even started in some cases, even though I'm evaluated against them annually. My department is half the size of what is was this time last year, but expected to put out the same amount of work. Our current manager micromanages, randomly assigns work with no regard as to what we're already working on or how far behind we are, and he's on a major power trip since being hired back in. He worked at my employer once before in a different area, and was extremely disliked there, too. The last 1-2 years we've also had some turnover in our upper management and we're heading back to what I would call the 1950's/1960's style of management. Be glad you have a job, work as many hours as it takes to hit "our goals", get by with providing as little resources as possible, employee engagement or valuation - what's that? - and if you don't like it get out. We are continually amazed how things spiraled downwards so quickly, at what was once probably one of the top 25% employers in town.

I'm not looking to leave because I need a new challenge, my core job responsibilities provide that. I get along fine with my co-workers in my department, no personnel issues there. If we changed some managers, got our staffing back up to reasonable levels, and if I could spend more time on the job they hired me to do, it would all be good. There's nothing about my job itself that's a problem. The one and only reason I am considering leaving is I'm tired of working in a sh1thole.

It's been nearly 20 years since I've looked for a job, and last time around I seem to remember being told not to mention negative things about my current employer as reasons for leaving. That's understandable, but how do you handle that when that is your only reason for leaving? I can't outright lie at an interview, but I do understand being honest about my reasons could easily raise a red flag.

Hoping some in our group have successfully navigated these waters before and can provide some feedback. TIA