Maybe the workload just isn’t something you expected, or you aren’t well-suited to your boss’s managerial style. Whatever the reason, you want to quit your job and start applying to new positions.
But you feel bad about it! Perhaps it’s a busy season and you don’t want to leave your boss or teammates swamped, or you’re worried quitting now will make it look like you’re trying to get revenge for something your boss did. If you haven’t been at the job very long, you might also be concerned what a short-term position would look like on your resume.
In a situation like this, is it better to wait to quit, or should you just rip off the Band-Aid now and be done with it? Here are some suggestions.
- Quit: If it’s affecting your mental health.
Unless you’re in dire financial straits, your mental health is the most important thing. If you spend every day worrying about your job and trying to juggle responsibilities you can’t handle, it’s probably time to quit regardless of how that might affect your team. In the long run, companies can get over losing an employee. But it’s much more difficult for an individual to recover from a mentally draining position.
- Stay: If you have an exit strategy.
If you can mentally handle staying a bit longer, and you have a plan on how and when you’re going to quit, then it might be beneficial to stay in the position for a little longer. For example, if you know the busy season is ending in a month or so, and you think you’ll be able to have a job lined up, you can stick around. But only do this if you are sure you will be able to quit later; it’s very easy to tell ourselves we’ll quit when things calm down, and then find that things never actually calm down.
- Quit: If your situation is toxic.
A heavy workload and a picky boss are one thing. Toxic co-workers that talk about you behind your back or a boss who speaks down to you or lies about your responsibilities is another thing. If you’re company is just not a safe place to work, you don’t need to feel badly about getting out as soon as possible.
At the end of the day, your career is your career. Not your boss’s career or your co-worker’s career. If you want to leave and that’s the best thing for you, don’t let anything stop you.
Have you ever felt guilty after leaving a job ? How did things turn out? Let us know in the comments section below!
