Dealing with difficult manager - go on leave or wait for internal transfer?
I’ve been dealing with an extremely difficult manager for the past 3 years. No one else can work with them so they put me with her since she likes me (because I’ve learned to play her games and not rock the boat). It’s started to affect my physical health (mental health crashed a long time ago) so my doctor is ready to sign leave forms for up to 6 weeks paid by my employer.
The thing is that they recently brought back an ex employee to turn my department around. They are a legend in the industry and constantly head hunted and so far they really are amazing in how they have treated me. We met and they are aware of my situation, they are motivated to keep me and promised they will try but that it may take some time. The c suite is also motivated and say I have a stellar rep and they want to keep me as well. Unfortunately though, they are still reorganizing at the top level and redefining their own roles before they can create a new role for me or change things up.
I can’t take anymore of this so I’m tempted to quit, remain on good terms and keep the door open when they are ready. This would be to hit the reset button on my life, recover from this borderline narc manager, and then do some side gigs (already have opportunities ready). I have to get away from this manager asap.
The alternative is to go on medical leave. I’m worried about doing this as I’d be leaving my manager with my workload during high season, and I don’t want that to reflect poorly on me (even though she created her own mess). And I refuse to come back and do the same job underneath her, so if that doesn’t change I’d be quitting at the end and that wouldn’t look good either.
TLDR: I’m looking for advice on making a clean break but leaving the door open OR going on medical leave for 6 weeks while they HOPEFULLY get things together and approve a new role or transfer but risking my reputation in the process by leaving during busy season.