Let’s face it, there’s no perfect job in the world. Even the people you deem as having the best jobs can have a bad day at work from time to time. Most of the time, bad days don’t last very long and normalcy prevails. A bad day at work is part and parcel of working life.
But what if the bad days seem frequent? You dread waking up every morning to go to work. Even when you make it work, you count the seconds till knock-off time. At night, you feel anxious about going to work again the next day.
If the above scenario sounds familiar to you, then you may already have asked yourself, “Should I quit my job?”.
But you’ve not taken the plunge because you’re in a dilemma: Should you stay and try to solve the work issues you’re facing, or seek greener pastures?
Read and recognise the signs
As every individual has a different tolerance threshold, belief systems and aspirations, no one can say that one reason for resignation is more valid than another. Nonetheless, here are some key indicators that you should watch out for:
1. Your job bores you out
Feeling bored with your work is normal. Even an exciting job may feel monotonous once you’ve got used to it. But if the boredom leads to you feeling down daily, you may want to consider exploring other opportunities within the company, before looking externally.
2. Your job affects your mental health
Stress is part and parcel of work life. However, if your job is constantly making you feel overwhelming stress and anxiety, it is not healthy for your well-being in the long run. It could be that the company has a toxic work culture that is not looking to improve any time soon. If you’re dragging your feet to work every day, it’s time to speak to your boss or to HR about your problems.
3. Your job clashes with your lifestyle
Our personal commitments change with time. You may be able to work irregular hours when you’re young and single a few years ago, but today you have family commitments to attend to. For example, shift work may no longer work for you because you need to take your children to school. If you’re unable to change your working hours, weigh out the pros and cons of taking a job that suits your lifestyle.
4. Your contributions are unappreciated
Feeling valued at work is a significant part of achieving job satisfaction. If your contributions are often overlooked by your boss, it would be good to have a chat with him or her to clarify if you’re missing the mark. If things don’t improve and you’re skipped for promotions, consider speaking to your boss to find out what are areas you may be lacking.
5. You can’t stand your boss
It goes without saying that a good working relationship with your boss is important. However, not all bosses are made equal and you may have the misfortune of working for one who micromanages and makes unreasonable demands. If this is the case, perhaps you could request to be transferred to a different department.
6. You got headhunted for a bigger role
Not all resignations are triggered by negative experiences at the workplace. With the digitalisation of recruitment, you may have been contacted by a recruiter who found your professional profile online for a job opportunity. Take the time to have a conversation about the offer and think about whether it’s the right direction you want to take your career.
Should you call it quits?
If you’re looking for a model answer to this question, there really isn’t any. In getting advice from friends and family, it’s likely that you would have received a bunch of conflicting opinions. Ultimately, only you will know what’s best for yourself.
In theory, quitting a job is easy – you simply draft up a resignation letter and submit it to your boss. However, in reality, it is not that simple, especially if you have been in your current job for a significant duration. You may have formed an attachment to your colleagues, your work environment and the job itself.
Resignation is a big step so it’s important to ensure that you’re not making a hasty decision driven by emotion. If you’re unhappy at work, always try to explore ways to improve the situation first.
Sometimes, leaving isn’t the most ideal approach to overcoming work issues. There’s a possibility that you may encounter the same problems at the new workplace. If you’re feeling overloaded with work or have problems working with a colleague, don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor.
Perhaps he or she may not be aware of the challenges you’re facing and may intervene to help you resolve the issue.
On the other hand, if leaving is the best option, always leave on a good note and don’t burn your bridges because you never know if you may end up wanting to work at the same company again.
