It seems like everywhere you turn, people are talking about “The Great Resignation.” Simply, “The Great Resignation” refers to the economic trend where people are voluntarily resigning from their respective jobs. Therefore, the subject of quitting has never been more popular. While there are many reasons why people may quit their jobs, the most common causes we are seeing are that the job fails to meet the employee’s needs or the job negatively impacts the employee’s mental health.
Safeguarding your mental health at work is undeniably important; however, it has become increasingly hard to do. With electronic devices that provide immediate connection, it is easy to feel like you must always be on the clock. As it already is, we spend a considerable amount of time at work, and the emotional effects of working can transfer into our personal lives. It is crucial to know when to quit your job to protect your mental health.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with psychotherapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and life transitions. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and telehealth (video/phone) sessions to residents of New Jersey and New York.
While there may be clear signs that your mental health is in jeopardy, it is by no means easy to leave a job. It may be difficult to notice the signs that you are working in a toxic environment when you are in the middle of the stress of each day. Additionally, it can be understandably scary to leave a stable job behind, particularly if you do not have another job offer or opportunity lined up.
Before quitting your job, you should know that it is rare to find a work environment that is going to be perfect 100 percent of the time. However, there is a difference between a few minor flaws and a toxic environment.
Ideally, you will want to scope out your potential new company’s culture during the interview phase. For instance, you can read employer reviews and ask open-ended questions during your interview. If you are at the phase where you have been working in a job for some time, you may notice several symptoms that can reveal you are working in a toxic environment.
What are some examples of a toxic work environment?
Lack of Enthusiasm:
It may be helpful to analyze the energy and enthusiasm of both the company culture and the employees. If you see a lot of employees who look unhappy or like they do not want to be doing their job, it can be a good sign that they are not enjoying their workplace.
Professional Responsibilities Are Prioritized Over Emotional Welfare:
Unfortunately, it is extremely common to see companies prioritize results over the well-being of their employees. By making this mindset the standard, employees can begin to feel like they are not respected and are disposable. This blatantly disregards employees’ emotional needs. This can interfere with a normal work-life balance and can even lack sensitivity towards certain personal situations. Employers who fail to show sympathy with their employees can easily curate a negative work environment.
Growth Is Halted:
Many people seek certain jobs to grow their skillset. It can be an amazing learning opportunity to take on new responsibilities or exercise new skills, but if you are repeatedly being turned down for growth opportunities, it may be time to move on from your job and join a more supportive workplace. When you are constantly denied any opportunities for advancement, it can be hard to feel engaged. If you cannot fulfill your goals, you can become dissatisfied with your job and even create unhealthy work behaviors.
High Employee Turnover/Absenteeism:
If your company has a high employee turnover rate, that is a sure sign that things are not good. People tend to not stay at a job very long if they are unhappy. People may decide to leave a job for many reasons; however, if this is a pattern, it can be a red flag. Additionally, working in a stressful workplace can cause stress which makes you vulnerable to illness. Employees may take off work to de-stress or they may even be getting physically sick.
Conflict With Your Values:
If you feel like your values or ethics are being avoided, it is recommended to talk to personnel in human resources. If things do not change after you have taken this step, you may feel like you have no other choice but to quit. Poor leadership may be triggering this breach, but it can easily spill over into the employees. It is not easy to produce your best work when you feel like your values and ethics are being ignored.
Deep Fear of Failure:
If many employees feel stifled and are afraid to take risks, this may be a sign that they were reprimanded in the past for doing so. Many work cultures may see failure as a flaw instead of an opportunity for growth. There may be little to no incentive for employees to take risks and be bold in their work.
Now that you understand what a toxic work environment is, you can learn when it is time to take a leap of faith and quit your job to strengthen your mental health.
What are the signs when it is time to quit your job?
While the signs may vary, some common signs that it may be time to walk away from your job include:
Everything Feels Overwhelming
Work stress is an inevitable part of life- it happens at one point or another. However, if you are constantly feeling overwhelmed or anxious, it may be signaling that you are on the path to burnout. Another sign can be that previously enjoyable work tasks are now feeling burdensome.
2. You Dread Going to Work
It is completely normal to want some vacation days or to look forward to the weekend, but if you have visible signs of work stress, it is time to rethink your situation. For instance, you may get a pit in your stomach during your morning commute or lose sleep at night thinking of the stressful workday ahead. Work will not always feel fun, but you should always feel comfortable. You spend a large portion of your day at work and, if you are in an unsupportive environment, it will impact your physical and mental health.
3. You Need More Work-Life Balance
Having a strong work ethic is a positive attribute, but it is equally as important to make time for yourself to practice self-care. Certain professions, like finance, law, or healthcare, may make achieving a work-life balance more difficult. Overworking yourself without any balance can be detrimental to your health, work quality, and productivity in the long run. If you cannot agree with your manager for better boundaries, you can begin to research opportunities that offer more work-life balance.
4. You Are Under-Compensated
There may be some cases where you do not mind being paid less. For instance, you may not have much work experience or you stumble upon a unique opportunity; however, in cases where you are significantly underpaid, it may be time to quit. Being underpaid may signal a difference in how you and the company view you. You may see yourself as a value to the team and someone determined to grow while your employer has a different picture painted. This mismatch can manifest as responsibility implications or your longevity in the company.
5. You Are Not Following Your Passion
When you have a passion for your job, you feel fulfilled and are working towards a purpose. Also, when you work in a field you enjoy, you may experience higher rates of productivity and you may feel like you are not even working at all. When you are not passionate, work can feel like an annoying task instead of a meaningful career. Lastly, you may feel like you are wasting your potential by not accomplishing what you are passionate about. If you do not look forward to work, you can start to research positions in your area of interest.
Before abruptly quitting your job, you should speak to management and see if there is any way that you can resolve the issues at hand. If you want to keep working at your company, you need to address the toxicity since continuing to live with it will only worsen your mental and physical health. No matter what your level of authority is, you have the right to speak up to ensure that you are working in a comfortable setting. And if you already tried to talk to management and things are not changing in your work environment then it is likely time to quit. A licensed professional mental health counselor can help you with a big life decision such as quitting a job.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is currently an undergraduate student at the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark, looking to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. As a Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy, Victoria is committed to producing content for and managing the office’s social media presence and blog.
