Calling it quits: 5 telltale signs it could be time to leave your job
If you are teetering on the brink of leaving your job but can’t make up your mind, this may help you seal the deal.
Think you might be ready to leave your job?
Perhaps you feel overworked and underpaid, or you love your team but hate the boss?
Here, experts share the top signs it might be time to write that letter of resignation.
1. Your stomach is constantly in knots over work
It’s natural to get worn down by work pressures from time to time.
But if that stress creates symptoms such as headaches, stomach knots and tightness in the chest, your body is sending an SOS.
Psychologist Carly Dober says it’s wise to listen if these symptoms persist for a month or longer. “Stress can show up in physical ways such as bowel issues, a racing mind, catastrophising situations at work,” Carly, a director with the Australian Association of Psychologists, says.
Before quitting, she suggests talking to a trusted manager or colleague, and accessing counselling through your Employee Assistance Program.
2. You don’t feel valued at work
You may love your job but don’t feel your efforts are rewarded or acknowledged.
Sadly, it’s all too common.
In fact, Seek research has found poor management is one of the leading reasons Aussies quit.
A good manager is like winning the employment lottery, according to HR advisor Gemma Dowling-Sinclair.
“A manager who respects and invests in you is a valuable ally and strong influence in your happiness,” Gemma says.
“A bad manager may criticise you in front of co-workers, disregard unrealistic workloads, refuse to give constructive feedback, or use you as a scapegoat for their own mistakes – or all of the above.”
3. You’re actively disengaged at work
Worse than Mondayitis, your care factor is at rock bottom – and it shows.
“Almost every employee can relate to not engaging with their work sometimes – when motivation is low or fatigue is high,” Gemma says.
However, active disengagement shows up in ways such as absenteeism, a bad attitude, lack of initiative and enthusiasm, and low energy levels – all obvious to managers and co-workers.
4. You’re bored at work
Feel like you are just going through the motions?
It’s time for a new challenge, Ignite Purpose founder and performance coach Christina Foxwell says.
She says boredom indicates you need challenges and opportunities to grow.
“If you stay in this environment, your perspective will be negative,” Christina says.
“You’ll also become a voice of negativity in the team and derail efforts by others to learn, grow and enjoy the environment.”
5. You don’t feel safe at work
Bullying. Harassment. Gaslighting.
These are classic red flags of a toxic workplace, which Get Mentally Fit co-founder and psychologist Emily Johnson says can be exhausting to navigate.
“If you are experiencing a toxic or psychologically unsafe work environment, where, for example, harassment, bullying, micromanaging and inequity are condoned, it will inevitably impact your mental health and productivity, giving you no alternative but to leave,” Emily says.
She advises to first identify the toxic behaviour that is causing distress, and to keep a journal to build a bank of evidence in case you decide to raise the issues more formally.
An unsafe workplace can cause both short- and long-term health issues, such as stress, self-doubt, loss of confidence, sleep deprivation, anxiety and burnout.
Read more on career success and being happy at work:
- 6 common career mistakes – and what to do instead
- How to network like a champ (even if you’re an introvert)
- Why you may have lost your mojo at work
- Support crew: 7 people you need to succeed
- Could a four-day work week make you happier and healthier?
Written by Elissa Doherty.
