Top signs to call it quits at work

A few signs to tell if the current work position you are in, is a good fit or not and if you should get out while you can.

You might be wondering how I got onto this topic... well, let’s say... I did some research and I saw the signs and had to make a move before it was too late.

However, for some of us, when it’s time to leave a job, it can be quite clear; whereas for others, it might not be so obvious.

For some of us, It’s the topic that keeps us up at night thinking, what should I do? We consult with friends and family, seeking advice, to validate our thinking, situation and reasoning. We know the answer, which always involves change, but the difficult part is making the change itself. It’ s hard and very scary!

As for others, they don’t realize they’re unhappy with their job until someone points it out to them or they realize they spend too much time at work being unhappy about their position and with what all they must keep doing.

But first, you’ll also want to consider your options. Can you quit and then find a new job, or do you need to job search while you’re still holding down your current one? Also, ask yourself whether you want to stay in your current field or if you’re interested in exploring a career change. I admit, I have changed careers a few times, to find what I love the most.

So, let me ask you a few questions:

Do you feel as though you don’t fit in at the office? Are you constantly stressed about and at work? Are you being denied leave to rest or are you even having your leave revoked while attending important family matters? Have you experienced verbal abuse on the job? Have you or are you being cursed in vulgar language? Are you doing more than one person's work?

If multiple of these signs apply to your situation, then it’s likely time to leave as soon as possible. In fact, according to the experts, these below signs are just a few of the signs that it’s time to consider how you can either improve the issues or think about leaving right away.

Some friendly advice: once you realize it might be time to leave your job, you’ll first want to set goals for yourself detailing what you are looking for in terms of responsibilities, company culture, compensation, and benefits. Experts advised to create timelines for yourself of finding another opportunity and a timeline for making your exit.

Before we dive right into the signs, the key is realizing if you are happy at work.

Do you know the difference between acute and chronic unhappiness?

Recognize that there's a difference between moments of happiness and ongoing unhappiness. Are you truly unhappy at work or are you just having a bad week? Be honest with yourself and remember to look at the circumstances objectively. If you feel confident that your unhappiness is chronic and tied to this particular job, and if none of your attempts at making positive changes are succeeding, you only have one option: find a new job. It can be intimidating at first, but no job is worth your unhappiness.

If you're truly unhappy at work, there's no reason to allow that unhappiness to continue. It's entirely within your power to make positive changes in your own life, even if that means leaving this job for another opportunity. Just know that every job is going to come with unhappy moments and unpleasant circumstances; the key is finding work rewarding enough to make up for it.

So, here are a few signs and please, do let me know in the comments section below if any of these make sense to you.

How do you recognize this? Well, you are not waking up most mornings with a feeling of excitement towards your job. That feeling you had when you first started working there; thinking about all the possibilities and contributions you can make ahead of time and with a sense of jollity... is gone.

If you're not doing what you love, you will never tap into your true potential. Experts warn that it will just continue to be ‘a job’, and eventually, each day will seem more of a grind.

This is simple. You dread going into work. Work sucks and everyone can see it. You will find every excuse in the book to either stay at home, work remotely and/or be sick. There is nothing worse when you HAVE to do something, right?

Experts say there is no need to go down with this ship. Put on your life preserver and get in the water. My advice: reputation is everything! Don’ t damage your reputation while the company is sinking and taking you down along with them.

You recognize this by seeing that the work, the people, or the culture is unhealthy... and it has a negative impact on you physically and mentally.

Experts warn when the stress is present both inside and outside of work; it’s consuming. Your family and friends are affected by this, too. And, if you get anxious or unhappy just thinking about work, that’s a good sign that it’s time to move on.

When work starts affecting your health; physically, mentally, or both... it’s time to get out.

You feel you have work ethic clashes, you believe the firm should operate in a certain way around certain tasks and results, you have cultural differences, moral differences and so on.

Whatever the issue, you're morally misaligned with your employer, and it's an uncomfortable workplace setting. You need to believe in your brand to be your brand. #JustSaying

Are you being productive? Or was it a bad five minutes that you milked all day? If you are no longer productive at work... even if you can perform the tasks, you might want to start looking for your next work adventure.

Also, if you're not growing or learning anything new, it might be time to leave and move on.

Are your skills not being tapped into? Management doesn't acknowledge that you have more to offer than what you've been contributing for a significant amount of time, you've been passed over for promotion, or attempts to take on more challenging assignments have failed? Experts say that if no one has said anything, you are no longer getting the plum assignments, you are no longer asked to attend key meetings, or your proposals and projects are met with silence or denial... then this is also a sign that you should be looking for a new opportunity.

Experts say when you’ve outgrown the position and there is no opportunity for advancement - or you seem to work the same job day in, day out without any opportunity for growth, even though you crave more... it’s time to get out.

You can try to work out the problems you're having with colleagues or your manager, but you know... sometimes, they are not fixable.

Don’t find yourself in a situation where you get called into an unscheduled/unplanned board room or office meeting, get yelled at, crucified and constantly and rudely interrupted while you TRY defend yourself from someone else’s finger pointing... and no one wants to hear or is interested in what you have to say.

This is just damaging for you and your relationship with the company. Move on before things get ugly and disrespectful.

Experts warn that when you find that you’re spending less time with your family because of work, or you cannot commit the necessary time to your job, or you MUST do work after hours on a send of a sms, you should consider looking elsewhere for work.

I believe that no one should feel guilty for spending time with their family after hours.

What happened to me is that I started feeling anxious and guilty if I did not keep my phone on me or check my phone after hours while I was with my family, for that work sms or phone call to do something... and if it wasn’t done, the anxious and fearful thoughts of getting into trouble the next day in front of two line-managers. This sucks and robs you!

Sometimes there’s a good reason for this, experts warn. It’s usually a sign you should go.

For example, a team member leaves or the team is down sized and this has moved you into double time, but certainly nowhere near double compensation. This may be time to move on. That’s especially true if the company is performing well, but it’s not reflected in your salary or some kind of reward.

Do you feel your ideas are no longer heard or valued; you can't seem to get time with the ‘powers that be’; or you cannot get approvals for things you requested or acknowledgment for great work, do yourself a favor and think about finding a new job.

If you're the victim of bullying, vulgar outbursts, sexual harassment or other egregious behavior, you should certainly keep an eye out for other positions, regardless of what corrective measures you're taking, warns experts.

Being in a culture where swearing one another and breaking each other down is the norm, will effect your health too, so be careful. The last place you want to be is in a place where you doubt yourself and your skills.

Some friendly advice if you do decide to jump ship:

Create a game plan for yourself. Come up with two to-do lists: one focused on how you can best leave your job, including things like officially giving notice, how much time you’ll continue working (two-weeks is standard but in my case it was/is two months), who else you need to tell and when, whether you want to offer transitional help in training your replacement, and whether you’ll want to be accessible at all after you’re gone for lingering questions. The second list should be focused on what you need to do to find your next better job.

What also works is if you write down the pros and cons of leaving your job so you can get a broader perspective. Examine what's right with your current position, instead of focusing on the wrongs.

Make sure that you’ve confronted problems directly and uncovered every possible communications avenue, with everyone involved; prepare a ‘solutions’ document to consider all the steps that could improve your current job; and take a hard look at the risks involved with leaving. I don’t want you to be sorry you left and blame me and my advice. #JustSaying

Lastly, don’t let emotions get in the way of your critical decision. Look at it from a business perspective. Is there a compelling financial, career-building or emotional return on investment for such a move? If so, don't let inertia hurt your chances of career fulfillment.

So, with that all in mind, If you decide that leaving your job is the right decision, please have options ready. It’s always better to at least have offers on the table before you leave. You’ll not only enhance your financial standing, but unfortunately, hiring managers prefer to hire someone who is already employed.

THEN, please, don’t forget the GOLDEN RULE!! Never burn your bridges. With my experience in the digital world, the communities you are in could be well connected and people talk with each other... seeking recommendations while you are looking for work is very important. Always make it your job to be professional and do your part and take the high road in every situation.