We have read or heard numerous quotes on the act of quitting. “It’s never okay to quit.” “Quitters don’t quit.” “Quitting is for the weak.” – Most of these quotes hold the same sentiment that you can only succeed if you suffer through hard times.
But these conceptions are outdated. Sometimes, quitting is the best decision you can make for yourself. Although quitting isn’t as easy as it seems, there is no point in continuing with toxicity around you. Deciding whether or not to quit your job is not a decision to be made lightly.
There is a point in everyone’s career when staying with your current employer isn’t feasible. Maybe your job is not a good fit for your talents and skills or maybe you really dislike your boss. It might even be because of your gut feeling that your career will never grow in the role you’re in now.
Whatever the reason, you may be realizing that it’s time to resign from your job and move on to greener pastures. Or have you been feeling like maybe it’s time to ditch your toxic employer and take back control of your career? If you are experiencing any of these dilemmas, maybe this is the year to move on. Here are a few signs that you must notice if you’re feeling such a dilemma.
1.) You’re unsatisfied with your current job
Sometimes your unhappiness on the job has very little to do with your employer or your job profile. When you find yourself browsing social media or listening to podcasts during the workday, it’s possible you’re bored with your work. Once boredom sets in, it usually only gets worse. With numerous administrative tasks, timelines, goals to meet, a demanding boss with his own goals and timelines, and a hundred competing things you need to do to be successful, your job is normal, necessary, and serves a customer. But if your career goals and vision lie elsewhere, there is nothing that your poor job can do. Losing focus on the task at hand is another subtle sign that your job is no longer bringing you joy. If you find yourself being pulled away from your desk by office chatter or you’re even daydreaming about a project at home pay attention, these are clues that something is missing in your work experience.
2.) You’re not being valued
Every individual wish to be respected at his workplace. If you feel that your employer doesn’t respect you, your time, or your contributions, or permits an environment where others are allowed to engage in a pattern of disrespect, it may be time to move on. There may be clearer indications of whether you’re being valued or not. There may be signs that your employer uses harmful, bias-riddled language, indicating they hold certain workers in higher esteem than others. Or maybe, your employer harps on alleged weaknesses without ever praising strengths. If all these things are happening with you at your workplace, you might want to look for other jobs. No one expects a workday to be a day at the fair, but if your employer appears hell-bent on keeping you at a certain “level,” they probably are.
3.) You’re being underpaid
Many people would argue that there are people out there who don’t wish they were paid more for their work. But let’s be honest, there is a difference in wanting more pay and knowing you deserve more pay. While money isn’t the only reason to stay at a job, your employer refusing to pay you the going market rate may be a reason to start looking elsewhere. Another sign would be if your employer routinely breaks wage and hour laws. This might not seem like a big deal, and sometimes you may not even realize you’re being shortchanged, but you should never tolerate working for an employer that does not fairly pay its workers. Even when your employer simply refuses to acknowledge what your skills, education, and qualifications should be compensated, it’s time to seek greener pastures.
4.) You’re constantly looking at other jobs
There’s no harm in looking at what else is out there. Actually, it is a great way to determine what you’re worth in the market. You may also feel as if opportunities are passing by. When you’re being sidelined during appraisals or promotions and your boss doesn’t provide the feedback required for improvement is a clear signal that you’ve made yourself too valuable where you are. Whatever the problem—and often, despite asking, you are unlikely ever to know—it seems as if opportunities are continually passing you by. These lost opportunities are signs that you may want to think about quitting your job. Looking for other jobs while being lazy at your own job has its own demerits.
If you’re seriously thinking about moving on, sometimes the only way to make a fresh start is to pluck up enough courage to take the plunge.
Sandeep is a journalism and mass communication graduate with a keen interest in politics and business. He is a part of Research & Content team at HrNxt.com.