Deciding to quit a job can be a tough call especially when you don’t have another offer. It makes you question “am I giving up too easily”? As a woman, we have been excluded in many professions and have faced unequal pay in workplace historically. With less work opportunities available for us, the opportunity cost of leaving our jobs are even higher. Nonetheless, if you find yourself reading this article, chances are your job is not serving you in some ways. The questions is, when to draw the line? What are bad reasons and the right reasons to quit your job? Below are 6 red flags for you to consider if quitting is a risk worth taking, with the fifth and sixth point as the most severe!
First make sure you are not quitting for bad reasons.
Bad reasons to quit you job include:
- you know deep down you haven’t your best and you are giving up first sign of difficulties.
- you made a mistake and would rather avoid it than own it up
- you know your boss is giving constructive feedback but it bruised your ego
- you have a big rift with one coworker
- you are doing it out of impulsivity
6 signs you have enough and should quit your job:
- You’re not being paid what you’re worth. 💀
Are you being paid way lower than the market price? As a woman, you may be more susceptible to being underpaid or undervalued in the workplace. If you’ve been at your job for a while and you’re not seeing any increase in pay, it may be time to start looking for a new opportunity. Do your research, know your worth, and don’t be afraid to negotiate for better pay.
- There is no opportunity for growth 💀💀
Depending what stage you are in your life, if you ambitious and looking for promotions opportunities, a job that doesn’t challenge you anymore can leave you feeling really stuck. You will easily become bored and uninspired. If you’re not being given opportunities to learn new skills or take on new projects, it may be time to move on.
- ALL you have to say about work is negative 💀💀💀
You are not a negative person at all, but for the past few months, you find yourself venting about work at every occasion. And it’s not an one-off thing that happened, from company vision (or there-lack-of), bad management, your whole team has left, to the latest product, things are pretty bad at all front at work
- Your work-life balance is suffering for a prolonged period.💀💀💀💀
I must stress that your job is NOT your life.
While it’s ok to work overtime for one special project once or twice a year, it’s not sustainable to go over your physical limit every working day. You may have additional responsibilities outside of work, such as caring for children or elderly parents, especially as a woman.
If your job is taking up too much of your time and energy, you barely have time to eat away from desk or to exercise, it can have negative impacts on your personal life. It may be time to find a job that allows for more flexibility and understanding of your personal responsibilities.
- Your job environment is toxic and doesn’t not align with your personal ethical values.💀💀💀💀💀
Your workplace can be toxic in more than one way:
- Your ideas are not being valued or heard or worse, disrespected (Sadly, as a woman, you may have experienced this more than your male counterparts)
- Your boss took all credits for your contributions and put all the blame on you when things go wrong (and it’s not even your fault!) in public
- Is your company profiting over unethical practice
- Your workplace is unsafe with threats from insuffient health precautions during the pandemic to as serious as sexual harassment
- Your coworkers are not just unhelpful but bashing each other
6. It’s affecting your health 💀💀💀💀💀
Do you often find yourself on the verge of burning out?
Is your mental stress turning into physical pain like stiff neck and back, headache or gut problems?
Overworking, unrealistic deadlines and insufficient support can all lead to chronic stress, taking a toll on both your mental and physical health. Don’t wait till it’s too late!
Is it OK to quit a job immediately?
In general, it is not recommended to quit a job immediately without having another job lined up or without giving proper notice to your employer. Quitting a job suddenly can have negative consequences for both you and your employer.
Learn to quit “gradually”
If you quit a job without having another job lined up, you may face financial difficulties and uncertainty in the future. Before quitting, consider if it’s possible “give less f**ks” at work or not contribute 120% instead of quitting right away.
Begin with research of the job market out there, it’s important to have a plan in place before quitting a job to ensure that you have the financial resources to support yourself while you search for a new job.
Quitting a job without giving proper notice to your employer can also have negative consequences. It can strain relationships with your coworkers and employer, making it more difficult to find a new job in the future. Giving proper notice allows your employer time to prepare for your departure and to find a replacement.
However, as it point 6 above, there may be circumstances where quitting a job immediately is necessary, such us when your job is endangering your physical or mental health, or if you are experiencing harassment or discrimination. In these cases, it’s important to prioritize your own well-being and take immediate action to protect yourself.
In conclusion, it’s important to pay attention to the signs that it may be time to quit your job. If you’re not being paid what you’re worth, not being challenged, not being heard, your work-life balance is suffering, or you’re feeling undervalued and unfulfilled, it may be time to start exploring new career opportunities. Don’t be afraid to take the leap and find a job that brings you joy and fulfilment. Your career is an important part of your life, and it’s important to find a workplace that values and supports you.
