Even if your work is not family, your reasons to not quit your toxic job might be many—the fear of not getting another job thanks to the looming recession, crushing self-esteem issues, not being able to speak up for yourself, or a mountain of debt that might not get cleared anytime soon.
In a toxic work culture, employees are often subjected to harassment and discrimination. Such behavior negatively impacts their work performance and mental and emotional health. Therefore, taking a stand and resigning from a position can help you regain yourself and preserve your mental stability.
Avoiding conflict is why some people will stay in a toxic work environment, hoping against hope it will get better. If the organization is toxic, such as tolerating the hazing of new employees (or any employee for that matter), it doesn't generally get better.
Moving on from a job — toxic or not — is a loss, so give yourself space to grieve. Consider a releasing ritual, such as writing a “goodbye” letter (that you don't send), archiving or deleting your work files, or shredding old documents.
Leaving a job can be an emotional experience for you and your boss. When you tell your supervisor you're quitting, you are essentially stating that you are firing him as your boss. He may feel shocked, angry, or defensive. He may have to answer to a superior about why you decided to leave.
The impact of workplace trauma can vary from person to person, depending on the nature of the trauma, the individual's coping mechanisms, and their support system. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for employees to experience PTSD due to dealing with terrible bosses or toxic work environments.
If you decide to fully disclose burnout as a cause, frame it as a strength. For example, if your burnout was due to a values mismatch, explain the steps you've taken to get clear about your values and how the new position is a better fit.
It's time to quit when you hit a point of no return. A point where you realize that there's no to pour so much of yourself into the work you're doing because, ultimately, it's not the right work for you anyway. If that's where you're at, then, by all means, quit.
When someone is thinking, “I want to leave my job but I'm scared,” the prospect of a different and unpredictable future is often a significant source of that fear. Social circumstances, varying levels of support, and peer pressure can also contribute to someone's hesitancy to leave a cushy gig.
If an employee is unwilling to work on their negativity or is otherwise incapable of doing so, then termination should be an option. Some employees will remain negative no matter how much counseling or mentoring they receive. As Vaynerchuk says, a toxic attitude can be like a cancer.
If you quit your position or employer due to such hostility, you may also still be able to collect unemployment benefits. Generally a person who quits forfeits their right to unemployment benefit payments, but are exceptions that allow you to pursue other legal rights through the EEOC and Federal Court.
Yes, doing something you hate every day can take a toll on your body, but a dislike of your job is less likely to manifest itself in your body the same way true burnout would. If symptoms like headaches, backaches, panic attacks, or stomach issues are weighing you down, it's likely burnout that you're dealing with.
Two types of people, however, are at a greater risk of burning out than everyone else: women and workers under 30. Nearly half (48%) of 18-to-29-year-olds said they feel drained compared with 40% of their peers aged 30 and up, while women (46%) reported higher levels of burnout than men (37%).
People who experience trauma at work may become increasingly withdrawn and isolated. For example, an employee with a lot of friends at work may pull back from their work relationships. (They may also pull back from relationships outside of work, including family and friends.)
Sometimes leaving the toxic workplace can be enough to fix the problem. For most of us, however, it can take weeks or months to recover. A toxic workplace can leave wounds and scars on our self-esteem and confidence.
Common behaviors include bullying, yelling, manipulating and belittling. Employees in a toxic work environment may be nervous to speak their minds, raise concerns or share thoughts because they are worried about being rejected or reprimanded.
And, bosses all too often take quitting quite personally. Many bosses will interpret quitting as you abandoning them. In fact, many of my clients have experienced this very occurrence and find it quite traumatic.
Depending on their emotional state at the time of your conversation, your manager may become immediately upset, or even furious that you are resigning. They may feel a sense of betrayal, as well as anxiety about how they will manage the workload without you.
Why you may regret quitting. You may regret quitting a previous job because factors that led to you leaving your position no longer are important. Finding a better opportunity, pursuing a college degree, relocating or dealing with a personal or family matter may no longer influence your career decisions.
Often times they don't even realize they're being toxic in the first place. Many factors can cause an employee's toxic behavior. They can be related to past experiences or trauma, the lack of appreciation from colleagues or the organization, or ego.