Did you know that a third of American workers are considering quitting their jobs? According to a survey of 2400 workers, 32% are given serious thought to leaving their current positions. Another 21% do not view their employers favorably and don’t feel engaged at work.
Today’s workers are feeling less attached to their respective organizations or companies emotionally and psychologically. Given the current economic conditions, and depending on whose unemployment figures you follow, between nine and 17% of American workers are out of work altogether. Given those statistics, most would be better off keeping their present jobs. However, there are circumstances and situations when you must quit your job. Let’s take a look at a few reasons it is okay to quit your job
Ethical Issues
Years ago I was involved in a successful service agency business with a family member. Business was good, we were profitable, and the future looked bright. However, there was one problem that I could not overcome. My business partner became increasingly unethical in his business practices. At some point in time all of us must decide which direction we will take. He chose a direction that made it impossible for me to stay involved in the business. I sold my interest in the company, and moved on. Leaving your job because of ethical issues is a legitimate reason to move on.
Job Related Stress
Do you ever arrive at work and from the moment you step in the door you are truly miserable? Often, people will hold on to a job, even though they are not happy. Many workers simply are in a position where they do not feel like they are having an impact, or they are simply in the wrong job for their skill set. Stress is bad for you physically in any environment. Job related stress can lead to more serious issues. You must remind yourself that no matter the position or the compensation, your emotional and physical well-being is more important. If you find yourself stressed because of work, it is time to move on.
Your Company Is Failing
Many times we are put in the position where we know the ins and outs of our companies finances. You may overhear company executives in a conversation that confirms what you already know. The company you work for is in dire straits financially. Do not wait to make a decision to find a new job. It makes no sense to go down with a sinking ship that you knew was thinking all along. Begin to prepare a resume. Use your connections to find a new employer as soon as possible.
Planning to Quit your Job
I talked with a successful business woman the other day. She related a story to me about when she decided to leave her job. She earns a six-figure income and by her own admission had to do very little work. She had no issues with the company ethically, in fact she admired the way the company went about their business. The company was successful and she felt no stress. What she did feel, was unfulfilled.
Does being unfulfilled in your job give you a reason to quit? Yes it does, however you should plan your departure when you have an opportunity to do so. She told me that she began to her exit strategy two years I had of her actual resignation. She began to save money. She started a business in the hours that she was not working her day job.
The business established itself and was making a little money and she eventually resigned her job. The bottom line is she had a plan to leave her job and she executed her plan. She is now the CEO of her own company and is quite fulfilled and happy.
Conclusions
So there are reasons to leave your job and there are more reasons than the ones we have listed here. Always look towards the future before you make a hasty decision today about your employment. Finding new jobs that fit your criteria for income and your skill set are not easy in today’s economy. I like the idea of being able to plan an exit strategy with your present employer. What do you think?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
All too true and valid points to leave your job. Unfortunately, morals these days play a far lesser role than it used to it seems. I wish it were true that ethical practices would keep ethical employee’s, unfortunately it seems there’s more news everyday of unethical business practices, yet people still stay connected with that employer. I think if more people carried their ethics into the workplace that it could hold detrimental effects on employers and they would have to change to survive.
Agree wholeheartedly with your point of being unfulfilled. You only get one time around here and if you are wasting it, shame on you. Find the things you are good at and go for it. The only problem that sets in is that sometimes what you like to do doesn’t pay the bills so you’ve got to figure some things out.
I would also like to point out something from the failing company aspect. We live in a different time now. Used to, companies, small and large rewarded loyalty. Those days unfortunately are gone and gone for good. You are nothing more than a bottom line figure now and if you don’t see yourself that way and are in that position, it’s time to make some choices. The first signs of trouble you’ll start seeing are the paycuts. That’s the first hit. No raise, 3% cut. If you are in that situation you should sincerely start to consider your options. You are on a sinking ship.
Chris ultimately all we can control when it comes to personal responsibility and morals is ourselves. Although it may not seem fashionable to practice ethics it is still a desired quality in terms of your character.
Concerning yourself over what something pays is the death nail when it comes to finding something that fulfills you. I would rather be fulfilled then be paid for doing something that I do not want to do..
With a number of businesses and companies failing these days, it should be pretty easy to figure out when the company that you work for is in trouble
I sometimes struggle with insecurity, so quitting my job is a step or two outside my comfort zone, although I could probably add a few more reasons when it is okay to quit your job
Darlene and others feel free to leave your ideas and thoughts about when its ok to leave you job, I would be curious to know