5 Reasons To Quit Your Job

Realizing when to throw in the towel might not come easily for many workers. So often, we’re hopeful that by showing loyalty to a company, we’ll be rewarded in our career. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, it’s important to realize when to call it quits.

1. You Are Underpaid

There are few people out there who don’t wish they were paid more for their work. But there’s a difference in wanting more pay and knowing you deserve more pay. Companies need to take market equity into consideration when hiring and retaining employees. While salaries may differ from company to company within a region due to benefits, bonus structures or other financial incentives, you should be paid within the average based on your geographic location.

If you’ve been in your position or with your company for a longer period of time, you may also have experienced only slight cost of living increases or lower salary increases, compounding the issue.

While money isn’t the only reason to stay at a job, your employer refusing to pay you the going market rate may be a reason to start looking elsewhere. Sometimes offers from competitive businesses in the same area might push your current employer to counter offer and provide the increase you’ve been looking for. But, if you’re employer simply refuses to acknowledge what your skills, education and qualifications should be compensated, it’s time to seek greener pastures.

2. You Don’t Get The Support You Need

Work can be challenging and the right support is needed to be successful. When you’re faced with issues at work, you should feel comfortable having discussions with your supervisor and with your colleagues.

If you find that you’re constantly experiencing problems with your manager and aren’t able to find solutions, it may be time to consider leaving. While a manager may hold you to high expectations, they should be fair and open with all employees. Experiencing vindictive behavior or favoritism from a manager is not acceptable.

If you’re waking up every morning and dreading going to work with this person, it’s time to update the resume.

3. There’s No Advancement

When you’re considering accepting an offer with a company, it’s always important to ask questions surrounding potential advancement. You want to be sure there’s a future with the company that grows your skills (and salary).

Occasionally, a company or department changes direction or you may have just accepted a position within a smaller organization that didn’t see the growth they expected. If you’ve hit a ceiling and see no change in the near future, it may be time to move on.

While there’s more than one way to experience advancement (new titles, new skills, new certifications, etc.), feeling stagnant in your job and company won’t lead to your feeling satisfied. Be open with your supervisors about your desire to advance. If you’ve proven yourself to be a solid employee and they aren’t able to help advance your career, start networking to see who can.

4. Your Role Unexpectedly Changed

It’s not uncommon to find that our roles within our companies evolve over time. As we acquire new skills and certifications, it’s feasible to think that our positions become more complex or are given additional duties. Typically, any significant role change is an organic shift and one that you’re likely talking with your supervisor about as an active participant in the change.

If you’re hired for a manufacturing technician role and suddenly find yourself doing the work of a shift leader, you need to ask yourself why. Is it because there’s an additional need for more roles to be covered? Are you filling a short term void? If you’re not being given the work you were hired to do and can find no justifiable reason the shift occurred, talk to your supervisor.

If a manager can’t provide a solid reason why you were hired for one job and have instead been told to do another, you need to put your foot down – especially if this new role isn’t within your realm of expertise. Completing a few additional unexpected duties for an employer is far different than being hired under false pretenses.

If you feel like you’ve been duped and your employer makes no corrective action, find a position where you get to do what you’re good at and the role is clarified.

5. You See Unethical Behavior

Employers should never ask you to engage in illegal behavior, nor should they themselves. If the behavior of a company is blatantly unethical, remove yourself from that situation as soon as possible. It’s important to find an employer that respects you.

Document what you see and experience and consider blowing the whistle. Companies that engage in unethical behavior at this level are unlikely to turn over a new leaf on their own. You have to assume that this behavior will not correct itself and will possibly hurt you in the future. It’s your career and reputation – only you can protect it.