How to Know When it's Time to Resign
With the New Year officially here, many people are looking for a change whether it be professional or personal. It can be hard to make those big life changes without knowing for sure if they’re the best move for you. Sometimes, the grass isn’t always greener and where you are in life really isn’t that bad...so it’s probably best that you wait until the newness of 2020 wears off before you start quitting your job. However, there are a multitude of circumstances that are grounds for resignation at work and we’re giving you all of them in today’s blog.
No Upward Trajectory- Okay, this first one only really applies to people who have been working for more than a year…If you’re a good, hard worker and you never take time, you always complete deadlines and you’re on task and you haven’t been recognized, promoted, or given a raise, it may be time to consider leaving. A major red flag at any company is the potential for little to no upward trajectory. If you’ve been at a company for 5 years with no movement in your salary or position - there’s a good chance you’re too comfortable and the company knows it and they’re going to keep you in that same stagnant position forever. There must have some sort of growth or it’s time to move on to something better.
Abuse- This may seem obvious but many people who are dealing with abuse typically feel stuck or are so manipulated they don’t even realize it’s happening. Abuse is more than just physical altercations, it’s discrimination, force, fear, etc. If you feel you’re being discriminated against, your pay is being negatively affected for abusive reasons, you’re forced to do things you don’t want to, or you’re constantly afraid of those in power - it’s time to cut the cord. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself - you’re worth the respect that you deserve. Never settle for abuse for any reason.
Your Health is Being Affected- When you start working, stress at some point is inevitable. There’s always people you don’t love working with, last minute needs, impending deadlines, and pressure. That’s going to occur at any job, at some point. Whether it’s due to your own workaholic tendencies or it’s coming from those above you - if you feel like your mental health or physical health is suffering - you may consider a career change.
You Hate Coming to Work - We know that there are days where work sounds like the last thing you want to do...however, there’s a difference between not wanting to get out of bed and that dark, looming, tear-inducing dread. If you feel sick to your stomach, ready to cry, or irritated about having to come into work - first figure out why you feel that way and if it’s anything other than just being lazy and not wanting to get out of bed then you need to understand the real issue and determine if it’s something you can change. If you can’t, and you’re miserable every single day - moving on could be a fix for you. Just make sure you that your reasons are valid and your decisions aren’t rash.
A Toxic Culture- Most of these issues that would warrant a resignation stem from a toxic work culture. Whether it’s something that will be addressed or not you need to weigh out your options and find out what matters the most to you. If the culture where you are currently isn’t a great fit, the chances of it changing anytime soon are slim to none so don’t hold out expecting a miracle.
It’s Affecting Your Home Life- A healthy work-life-balance is one that allows the worker to unplug at 5 p.m., go home, and not worry about work until 9 a.m. the next day. If you’re coming home angry, starting arguments, feeling moody, depressed, or anxious, it’s time to consider the culprit. Like we said before, work will stress you out and you certainly will bring it home at some point in your career. BUT, if this is a daily thing, you really should consider first how you can combat this issue and if it never subsides and work is just way out of hand - find something else that satisfies you and fulfills you in a more positive way.
You Don’t Have a Voice- If you’re in a positive environment, you’re welcome to speak out and be heard. If you’re in a toxic environment you’re definitely not going to have the chance to speak out and voice your opinion. Your voice matters no matter your experience. If you find that you don’t have a voice and this is because of management or the C-Level employees, perhaps you should consider a new place of work. If your voice is not wanted or not valuable then what’s the point? They will never hear your ideas, listen to your needs, or take your concerns seriously. These issues are all valid and should be heard always.
What would have to happen for you to resign? We know it’s not an easy decision to make but sometimes it’s the most important decision you can make for yourself in the moment. Before you make any decisions, give it 24 hours and see if you still feel the same way. If you find yourself without a job, apply to our Talent Network to see if we have an awesome client that we can place you with at an A+ company!