Quitting your job is never easy and can be a frightening thought at times. But it’s important to know when enough is enough. There is no reason to torment yourself for a company that you actually don’t really like. Remember that a healthy and friendly work environment is crucial for your productivity and overall well-being.
You don’t feel valued or fulfilled? Maybe you even dread going to work. Working for a long period of time in the same company, it can be hard to see the writing on the wall – here are a few signs that indicate it’s time for a change.
Toxic work environment
No matter if start-up or Fortune 500 company – there is friction at every workplace. However, if the environment at work is filled with toxicity, you might want to start thinking about quitting. Not every day is harmonious, but constant backstabbing, internal company politics, and leadership narcissism are hard to take over a long period of time.
Looking holistically at your work situation, you need to analyse whether it’s only that one person or the entire office that is intoxicated. Addressing the issue to your manager can sometimes resolve unnecessary friction, but if you really can’t initiate a change, you need to consider your options.
Stuck in the elevator
Everybody wants to be rewarded for their work. Getting ahead on the career ladder is a major motivation for all of us. But if you haven’t been able to advance for more than three years without despite your hard work, it might be time to look somewhere else. If you really want to further your career, you can’t be waiting for it, you need to be the decisive force.
Before quitting, it is advisable to talk to your superior. Address the issue and discuss your possibilities in the company. If you don’t like what they have to offer, you need to start looking for better opportunities.
No learning curve?
Depending on your job, there are different opportunities to learn and expand your set of skills. You might not be learning something every single day, but you should improve on your core set of skills. It is important to take on new experiences and challenges at work, as otherwise you won’t be able to grow and develop your career further.
No matter what title you hold, be it intern or manager, there is always the potential to explore more opportunities, ranging from attending conferences and leading projects to managing clients and business development. If your company doesn’t offer anything, you need to consider your options elsewhere.
Constant company restructuring
No matter the size of a company, restructuring is a normal process, especially if the business is growing and expanding into new industries. However, a constant reshuffling of workers and departments is not a characteristic of an organised company. It rather shows that the management is unsure about their methods and probably is desperately trying to find a solution to a problem.
Constant restructuring isn’t just unpleasant for you as an employee, but also prevents workers from being productive, which isn’t helping anyone. The usual result is that employees will start to leave, business will suffer, and effectiveness becomes a thing of the past. Be aware of the process, so you know when it is time to leave.
Counting hours
This might seem self-evident, but many people often ignore the signs. If you are a morning person, but can’t get out of bed anymore, it might not just be a lack of sleep. If you made it to work, but all you do is counting the hours until you can go home again, chances are high that you don’t really enjoy being there is the first place.
Both counting hours at work and not being able to get out of bed are actually very common signs of not enjoying your work. Be honest with yourself and assess whether you are really happy there. It is important for you to feel valued, both professionally and personally.
