Quit your job or stay?

One in three employees in Europe is considering quitting their job. However, deciding to quit is not easy, and many of us struggle with the question, "Should I quit or stay?" This article aims to explore this topic more closely to help you make a clear decision.

Quitting: The Most Common Reasons

According to a 2022 research conducted by McKinsey, the three most common reasons for quitting are:

• Inadequate compensation
• Lack of prospects
• Dissatisfaction with managers

The study, titled "Great Attrition," involved around 16,000 employees from nine European countries, with 1,286 participants from Germany. Despite this, there are several other factors to consider that may favor termination. In the following sections, we will explain when quitting is the best option.

When Should You Quit?

If any of these five points apply to you, it is advisable to quit your job and explore new professional opportunities.

#1: Health Reasons

While many factors may influence the decision to quit, perhaps the most crucial aspect is your health. An unhealthy work environment caused by high stress levels, chronic overwork, or a lack of work-life balance can have significant long-term consequences, both physical and psychological.

Do you regularly experience sleep disorders, headaches, or burnout symptoms due to your work? Then it's time to consider quitting. Staying in such a situation is not a viable option.

#2: Personal Reasons

Money isn't everything. Perhaps you want to spend more time with your family, or you no longer have the drive to climb the career ladder. Many people quit their jobs for personal reasons. If you feel that your job no longer suits you, it is advisable to resign directly. This will provide you with the opportunity to find a job that fits your current priorities.

#3: Lack of Prospects

Do you have great tasks and a nice boss, but you still have the desire to quit? Many people leave their jobs because they find themselves in a dead-end position. Limited opportunities for further development can negatively affect their career in the long run. In this case, quitting is often the best option.

#4: Lack of appreciation

Likewise, the lack of appreciation at work is a major factor in the "Quit or stay?" question. Those who regularly do a good job also want to receive appropriate recognition. If this is lacking, workers are often frustrated and dissatisfied. Conversely, their willingness to work is reduced, which in turn has a negative impact on their career. Appreciation at the workplace takes many forms: fair pay, freedom, and opportunities for further training, or the way employees are treated.

Staying instead of quitting - That speaks for itself

Previously, we clarified when it is really better to quit. There are also many bogus arguments. Here you can find out when it is better to stay instead of quitting.

#1: After rain comes sunshine

Everyone has a bad day at work sometimes, and that's perfectly normal. However, it can happen that you feel unhappy for a long period of time. Then it can be tempting to quit your job and look for something new. At the same time, there are difficult periods in almost every job. It's important to look at the big picture over the year and not let short-term frustrations get the best of you.

💡 Tip: There are many ways to improve the situation in your current job. The best thing to do is to seek a conversation with your supervisors. Likewise, changing the focus of your work will increase satisfaction.

#2: Are you capable of criticism?

Who hasn't experienced it? As soon as we encounter criticism at work, doubts and even frustration spread. Out of spite, thoughts like "Then I'll quit!" come to mind. But do we really want to quit, or are we playing a trick on ourselves? Criticism, especially in the workplace, should always be constructive. Accordingly, workers should take it as such, even if it is sometimes difficult not to take negative feedback personally right away. In that case, you should not simply quit. However, if superiors express criticism on a permanent and unjustified basis, you should question whether you should stay.

#3: Don't grope in the dark

Feeling dissatisfied at work? Communicate with your supervisors. Many workers tend to suppress their complaints and frustrations or simply ignore them. In the end, quitting seems like the only solution. If you don't communicate, you remain in the dark. After a discussion, you can work together to bring about changes to restore your motivation and satisfaction.

Quit or stay - 4 questions that help

You should ask yourself these four questions before you decide: 1. Where is the dissatisfaction coming from? → Identify why you are considering quitting. This will help you understand what needs to change for you. 2. What might be keeping you from quitting? → Think about whether you can eliminate the reasons for quitting. Is there anything that might keep you from quitting? If so, how can you address it 3. What do you hope to accomplish by changing jobs? → Consider what aspects are important to you in a new job, such as training opportunities, working methods, and corporate culture. The previous questions will help you answer this question. 4. How can the job change be reconciled? → Ask yourself what will happen after you leave your job. Do you already have a new job lined up? If not, you should be financially secure. Quitting your job without any reserves comes with a risk.

💡 Tip: Can't decide whether to quit or stay? Take a break. Take some time off (unpaid) and actively think about your situation.

Quit or stay? Decide wisely.

If you choose to quit, figure out what made you unhappy and what you're looking for in the future. Do you want to stay with the company? Then talk openly about problems and initiate changes. In any case, it is important not to act impulsively but thoughtfully.