Should I Quit My Job? (2015)
Chapter 1: Real Reasons For Quitting
Behind the common excuses that people use for quitting their jobs lie real and legitimate reasons that stem not from personal problems, but from issues concerning management or company policy.
The following reasons are not things you would want to write about in your resignation letter, but they are definitely excellent reasons for quitting your job.
Low pay
Not all people will admit it openly, but this is often one of the primary reasons why employees quit their jobs. Salary and compensation, after all, are the reasons why people need a job in the first place.
Being underpaid is a legitimate reason for quitting, especially if you are always saddled with a lot of work in exchange for a measly hourly wage. It’s also one of the top reasons why people seek greener pastures elsewhere, somewhere the same workload will get them better pay.
Under-compensation goes hand-in-hand with feeling undervalued, which could in turn lead to a form of personal crisis. When you feel you are not being adequately rewarded for your efforts, you begin to question your worth to the company and whether or not you deserve such shabby treatment.
This can be particularly frustrating if you’ve been with the company for years. If you feel that you are being paid less than what you deserve, especially after being such a loyal employee, then your reasons for quitting are fully justified.
It’s normal to ask for recognition and praise, both in terms of monetary compensation and morale-boosting. When you don’t get both (or either) of those things, it only increases your dissatisfaction with your current workplace, and might snowball into bigger issues as time passes.
If this is one of the primary factors affecting your decision, it might be the right time to accept that your current job has hit a dead end. If you have been asking for promotions or better compensation, but your requests have fallen on deaf ears, it’s probably time to hit the job-hunting road again.
Lack of challenge
This is actually one of the top reasons people quit their jobs: a job has become monotonous and there are no real challenges to face.
It happens when you become accustomed to the current “drill” at your workplace, and nothing new comes along. Any job opportunity should provide you with a chance to grow professionally, so if you’ve been a temp for a year or so with no prospect of getting promoted in sight, you begin to feel more than a little frustrated.
Remember, your job should always make you feel a bit challenged, enough so that you can find enjoyment in doing it. If this is not the case with your current job, and there are no imminent opportunities to change things within the company, you should definitely consider bailing out.
Boredom and lack of challenge may sound like personal problems, but often, there is an issue with company policy as well. It’s normal to seek professional growth and development, particularly if you are set on a career that you love.
So, if you’ve been feeling this lack of challenge for some time, you should probably notify your employer and see what can be done —i.e., ascertain whether a promotion or a change of position is possible.
However, if you have already done all that you can and you still feel the issue of adequate challenge is unresolved, it’s time to move on, before things take a turn for the worst. If left unaddressed, boredom can result in bigger problems, to the point where you no longer enjoy your work and end up hitting a midlife crisis.
Stress and depression are serious psychological problems that could eventually result from job dissatisfaction. So, if you’re no longer happy with your work or you feel bored and think you deserve something better, don’t be afraid to let go instead of holding on to a job that no longer works for you.
No enjoyment
The last, but no less real, reason people quit their jobs is because they are no longer happy with their current job. A number of factors can cause this predicament:
Work-life imbalance. When a job becomes so demanding that it takes away your personal quality time, or when you find yourself taking your work home, it can result in being overworked and stressed. You are challenged to the brink of a breaking point, which can be very unhealthy for many people.
Lack of security. Stress can result from your current position being unstable, or if the company you work for has been hit by the difficult economic situation and layoffs are being made. You cannot be happy if you are constantly worrying about losing your job.
General dissatisfaction. Menial jobs tend to become wearing as time passes. Even when there is adequate compensation, if the job isn’t really something you enjoy doing, it becomes more of a burden just to get ready for work in the morning.
Workplace issues. An overly competitive atmosphere with your colleagues, and lack of support from management, can quickly lead to an unhealthy working relationship with your peers.
Having a healthy working environment is vital to increasing your productivity, but if you cannot find that at your current workplace, it can lead to personal dissatisfaction.
These are only some of the reasons you might not find your work as enjoyable as you once did. If you feel you can no longer find happiness with your current employer, then it would probably the best for both of you, and the company, if you hand in your resignation now.
Staying on when you no longer feel satisfied can only be destructive—both for your personal welfare and the company’s productivity levels. It’s best to resign early rather than do it too late.
So, if you have decided to quit, you need to prepare yourself while waiting for the right time to hand in your resignation. Make sure you clear out your desk and leave no loose ends hanging. Draft your resignation letter ahead of time, keeping it brief and simple — you don’t need to explain your decision extensively.
If you’re still unsure, however, and you feel you need time to think, you definitely have options you can act on while still deciding. These steps should help you figure out what the final step you should take is.