Should I Quit my job? 9 Reasons to Know when it’s time to leave

At some point in our careers, we all encounter moments that prompt us to question whether it's time for a change. Because staying at a job is different today than it was ten years ago. Employees are seeking greater flexibility, a job with more meaningful purpose, to make more money, or simply empowering oneself to escape a toxic workplace. And while not every job will be a perfect match for you, you want to consider what’s would be you’re next best move.

Recognizing the signs indicating it might be time to part ways with your current job is crucial for your professional and personal growth. In this blog, we'll explore the signs that often signal it could be the right moment to consider a change, helping you navigate the complexities of deciding whether it's time to move on to new opportunities.

Now, let's explore the key signs so you know when it might be time to quit your job and find a new job.

1) You Have a Toxic Boss

A toxic boss or company with bad leadership impacts your day-to-day experience and ultimately impacts your work and life and can impact your confidence.  

A toxic boss can be:

· Controlling

· Condescending

· Arrogant

· Dismissive

· Cruel

· Unkind

· Discriminatory

· Dismissive

· You don’t feel appreciated

· Passive Aggressive

· Lacking ownership and blaming others for mistakes

· Taking credit for work or ideas of their employees

I’ve been in those positions where you’re constantly trying to figure out how to jump through hoops with a bad boss spending so much time stressing.  Your well-being is more important, so it might be time to move on to a company and better boss that will appreciate and support you!

2) The job no longer fits with your life/lifestyle

Your current job may not align with your current lifestyle. Maybe there’s been changes in your personal life that require a re-assessment of the job's compatibility.

Maybe your current job involves travel you can’t do anymore, or you just had a child, and the hours won’t work anymore. You might even want to scale from back full-time to part-time. 

Discuss with your supervisor to explore any possibilities for accommodating the changes.  If they can’t accommodate, it might be time to move on. 

3) The Company Lacks Career Growth Opportunities

Taking on new responsibilities helps you advance and grow in your career.  These advancement opportunities can be taking on new projects, learning different aspects of the business, being mentored, or getting a promotion. 

Before deciding if professional growth is limited at your current job, have conversations with your supervisor about your career goals and how the company could support that. 

4) Your Company or Industry is Struggling Financially

You definitely don’t want to be caught off-guard by a sudden layoff  or find out the company is going under. Stay informed about the economy, its potential effects on your organization's financial health, and your company's current financial status.

Financial items to look at, is the company:

·        Receiving cutbacks on funding from (government or federal funding, donors, etc.)

·        Experiencing layoffs

·        Declining client numbers

·        Office closures

·        Implementation of salary freezes

Notice if the year-end financials is showing a decline, as any of these might be signs of financial trouble for the company.  If this is the case, you might want to consider leaving or keeping your options open.

5) You Don’t Agree with Changes in the Company or Leadership

At times, new leadership may transform a company's culture, mission, vision, values, policies, or even your position. Some of these alterations might not align with your personal beliefs, or perhaps recent shifts have affected aspects you once appreciated about the organization.

If you no longer are connected to the company, the culture, etc., or don’t see any new changes happening, it might be the time to find a new job.

6) The Work Environment is Toxic

When your work has become unhealthy it might be because it’s a toxic work environment that impacts your life, well-being, and confidence.

A toxic environment can have:

· Gossip Culture

· No Work-life balance

· Cliques and exclusion

· Bad leadership

· Poor communication

· Lack of positive feedback

· Gossip culture

· Lack of trust and blame culture

· High employee turnover

· Un-motivated employees

· Hostile work environment

· Lack of growth opportunities

Being part of a toxic workplace takes a toll on your well-being as well as mental health. Before making the decision to leave, consider discussing any issues with your supervisor or Human Resources (HR) department that could be resolved. If you lack trust in your supervisor, HR, or believe that change is unlikely, you may want to explore new opportunities.

7) You’re Not Being Paid Fairly

Research indicates that switching jobs can result in an average salary increase of 11-14%, making a low salary a significant factor in considering whether to stay or move on.

Salary increases can be justified by:

·        Taking on more responsibilities 

·        Do more than the job requires

·        Show initiative

·        Mentor other employees,

·        Contribute to the company’s success 

If you haven’t done so already, research your current position to find out what you should be making and have a conversation with your supervisor about a promotion or higher salary.  If they aren’t willing to provide the compensation you deserve, it may be time to seek new opportunities. 

8) No Work-Life Balance

Are you constantly thinking about work even when you’re out of the office?  Feeling constantly worried or overthinking can lead to work-burnout and not having a good work-life balance. 

It’s important you have time to pursue your passions, and can have a life outside of work, with work not impacting every aspect of your life.  

Some of the common signs of burnout can include:

· Feeling exhausted

· Reduced productivity

· Low confidence

· Feeling overwhelmed

· Dreading the upcoming day

· Physical Issues (low energy, insomnia, headaches)

· Feeling like nothing is going right

· Lack of motivation

9) You’re Uninspired or Un-engaged

In a LinkedIn survey, 35% of professionals said one of the top reason they don’t like their job is that they don’t feel a sense of purpose.  This could be you’re not connecting to your position anymore, the company has changed, or you’ve outgrown your role.   

When your job becomes a dread and fails to inspire you, it can lead to diminished productivity and unhappiness, leaving you feeling stuck and demotivated.

If you're not passionate or excited about your work or your company's mission, it might be time to seek a new position.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made the decision to quit, make sure to give enough notice and write a letter of resignation.  This might be 2 weeks in some situations, shorter in some or longer in others to train your replacement.   

And, if you're still unsure whether to leave or stay in your current job, take some time to reflect, listing the pros and cons while considering how the job aligns with your goals. Evaluate if staying is worthwhile or if searching for a new job is the next step.

Better opportunities are within your reach. Imagine having a job where you feel valued, supported, inspired, appreciated, and work in a positive, collaborative environment, living a life that truly lights you up. 

 I know this decision isn't easy, but you've got this!

 - Melody Joy