Sometimes, a job you took with even the highest of expectations can morph into a completely untenable situation. Leaving that job might be the best idea for both your career and your health. But how can you tell a bad situation from just a really bad day? Below, workplace experts share five signs that it might finally be time to quit your day job.
1. You take the stress home.
Long work hours are one thing, but constant stress is another. If you’re living with work stress at night and during the weekends, it might be time to give yourself a break.
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“When you feel depressed or like your stomach is in knots on Sunday night as you prepare for the work week, this is a sure sign you need a new direction,” says Tiffani Murray, an HR consultant and author of Stuck on Stupid: A Guide for Today’s Professional Stuck in a Rut. “Any job that’s a detriment to your health is not a job to hold on to.”
Temporary fix: Keep work at the office by turning off the iPhone when at home, and not working weekends unless it’s a requirement. While you’re at it, use your vacation, personal days and lunch breaks, too. Sometimes, just giving your brain a break will do the trick.
2. You’ve hit a professional ceiling.
Not having opportunities for future advancement should make you think twice about the job you have now. “It’s time to move on whenever you find you’re doing the same thing in your role as you were doing two years ago, with no opportunity to challenge yourself,” says Mary Lee Gannon, president of StartingOverNow.com.
Lauren Still, founder of the consulting firm Careerevolution, agrees. “It’s time to quit when you’ve outgrown your role and there’s no opportunity for additional professional learning and development.”
Temporary fix: If you’re stuck in neutral at a small company, consider the growth path at a larger company, or ask yourself why you feel so stuck. Have you asked for more challenging duties or just expected them to be given to you? If it’s the latter, it might be time to schedule that performance review with your boss. Having realistic professional aspirations is key to staying motivated.
3. You’re in a toxic work environment.
How do you know when a work situation is truly toxic? “I would define a toxic environment as one that is highly political, where deception, back stabbing and un-merited favoritism become the norm rather than the exception,” says Caroline McClure, a veteran recruiter and principal at ScoutRock. “This can become the culture of an entire company, or simply within your own department.”
Bottom line: This is a job, not Survivor: Office Space. If you’re being abused or unfairly disregarded, it may be time to hit the high road.
Temporary fix: If the problem is just with a single co-worker and not the entire corporate culture, keep a good record of what the offensive colleague did and when. Then, bring it up to your direct supervisor or human resources department, offering specific examples. If you’re wondering about your legal options, know that a “hostile work environment” only occurs in very specific cases to very specific kinds of people. But, if you’ve got nowhere to turn, it may be best to at least start looking at opportunities in other departments or companies.
4. The company’s in trouble.
In short: Don’t be the last sailor on a sinking ship. Mary Hladio, a veteran HR consultant and president of Ember Carriers, says, “If you’re worried about layoffs, it’s a good idea to begin on an exit strategy.” Hladio’s warning signs of corporate failure include hiring freezes, budget cuts, missed financial projections and multiple restructures.
Basically, the moment you start seeing leaks, begin looking at other boats.
Temporary fix: If your industry is known for its ups and downs (ahem, media pros), it could just be that the company is struggling through a transition. So, keep things in perspective before you bolt.
5. You think you might get fired.
Whether it’s your fault or out of your control, a tarnished reputation means you should be looking for clean slates elsewhere. There are usually hints your job’s in jeopardy—recognize them to get out first.
For example, be on alert if your boss asks you to train a back-up person. “This is frequently code for, ‘I need to make sure someone can do your job before I fire you,'” says Roberta Chinsky Matuson, author of Suddenly in Charge: Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All Around.
Other signs things are not looking so swell for you: bad performance reviews, being relieved of responsibilities, a sharp decrease in interactions with your boss and new job postings that sound suspiciously familiar.
Temporary fix: Unfortunately, there isn’t one for this situation. Once the boss has warned you multiple times or you spot the above signs of a pink slip, it’s best to just start heading for the door. Whether you leave a bad situation immediately or wait to have another job in hand, always keep your eyes open, your hopes high and your resume fresh. You deserve a job that’s right for you.
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