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.
Quitting may have its drawbacks, but this will be one form of immediate relief you can achieve right now. If you quit your position or employer due to such hostility, you may also still be able to collect unemployment benefits.
Leaving a job that is harmful can be a traumatic experience, and it's important to process that carefully so that you can move forward to better opportunities. Keep things in perspective as you move forward, and be gentle with yourself, remembering that your job does not determine your value as a person.
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.
Even if your boss annoys you, don't act on impulse. Take time to decide if you really want to leave. Your boss may make you feel like you're living a nightmare, but there may be good reasons to stick it out.
As the toxic workplace often drains all the energy one has, they feel so stressed, under pressure, and eager to leave, that they end up paralyzed, unable to take the next steps.
Absolutely, quitting a job due to excessive mental stress is justified. Prolonged exposure to high levels of stress can lead to serious physical and emotional consequences. It's important to prioritize self-care and find employment that aligns with personal values and promotes a healthier work-life balance.
Don't let a toxic work environment catch you off guard. All jobs have some level of stress — even on good days. However, if going to work (or just the thought of going to work) makes you tired, depressed, or even physically ill, that's more than just general work stress; these are the signs of a toxic work environment.
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.
Resigning from a toxic job in a decent way
It is important that you politely inform your employer of your decision to leave and give them time to think about it and arrange for a replacement. Therefore, follow these tips to separate yourself from your employer: Inform the employer at least two weeks in advance.
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.
A toxic workplace may lack clear goals or fail to communicate them effectively, leading to confusion and frustration among employees. Employees will then have difficulty understanding their career path and how to contribute to the company's success, leading to a negative work atmosphere.
Too many companies, especially in a good economy, do not want the bad morale and chatter that follows a termination. As a result, these toxic employees are often moved to a different team in hopes that they will do better.
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.
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.
The best-case scenario—and honestly, the most common reaction—is that your boss will accept your resignation with understanding and sincere congratulations. Your manager will be happy to see that you're advancing your career and moving on to something bigger and better.
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.
Assuming you manage your departure gracefully, you absolutely shouldn't feel guilty. But guilt is a natural feeling that many people have when leaving an employer, especially if the company's been great to you. And even though you shouldn't feel bad, our brains are great at coming up with reasons that you should.
Quiet quitting is when employees continue to put in the minimum amount of effort to keep their jobs, but don't go the extra mile for their employer. This might mean not speaking up in meetings, not volunteering for tasks, and refusing to work overtime. It might also result in greater absenteeism.
Still, when your mental health is suffering as a result of your job, quitting might feel like the only viable option. Get this: 44% of Gen Zers and 43% of millennials surveyed said people at their companies are quitting their jobs because of burnout, according to a global survey published in 2022.
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.