ALT-16 Good Reasons for Quitting your Job
In an economy where jobs are hard to come by, it sounds incredible that there are people who are looking for the escape route from the employment they are currently in. Still, it is a known fact that people will find one or a number of reasons that makes a valid choice for quitting their jobs. Some reasons are little more than excuses. Other reasons are grounded in sound logic and practical decisions. In the case of the latter reasons, it will indicate that a person has carefully thought out their plans before acting.
Stuck in a Dead End Job?
A sensible reason for quitting your job could be down to the fact that you have exhausted all employment paths. In a small company, it is very probable that there are only a small handful of promotion opportunities available to you. Once you have explored all the different work tasks, the company will slowly drive you into a dead end, where the only way forward is with another company. Small companies can suffer from employee favouritism. Even if you are able to excel in your work responsibilities, it may be that priority is still offered to the employee who has been with the company longer but cannot perform as well. Family companies often have this same limitation because - despite employment laws - the natural preference leans towards family members receiving the promotions.
New Career Opportunities
Sometimes quitting your job will come as a direct result of being headhunted. When a company goes out of their way to entice you with offers of new responsibilities, a better position and a higher salary, most people don't think twice before agreeing. All it takes after that point is to quit your existing job and wrap up the outstanding business. Taking up the offer of a new job will be like opening the door to wonderful and exciting possibilities that you may have always dreamed of - in this situation, you should be seizing it with both hands.
Cross-Country Relocation
If, for some reason, the entire family is being forced to move to the other side of the country (or another significant distance), keeping your job will be unrealistic, given the massive commute you would be expected to do. Perhaps your partner has accepted a new job or has been promoted. Choices will have to be made and if your decision is to keep the family together, the only available solution is to quit your job and start the job hunt process. It may be daunting to pack up and leave without any certainty of finding a job but if it is the only choice you have then you must accept it with courage.
Lust & Workplace Drama
The other people in the workplace can be a cause for concern. Over time, you may discover that your immediate colleagues irritate just about every second of your time in work. Situations where an affair with a co-worker has gone disastrously wrong can make the workplace an uncomfortable place or when platonic relations with a superior have gone stale. In small companies with only one central department, there will be no opportunity to transfer within the company and if you really can't tolerate the idea of spending more time in your existing job with the existing colleagues, it may be that the only potential escape is to find work elsewhere.
Workplace Gossip Gone Bad
It is easy to make yourself or someone else the source or target of workplace gossip, even without meaning to. Amongst the instigators, workplace gossip is often seen as a light-hearted way of passing the time. For the people or groups that are affected by the rumour mill, there can be long-reaching consequences that can harm or disrupt the workplace environment. When you carry this reputation around with you, it can be hard to shake off. Much like the workplace tattler, the gossip will also be shunned and you will find your job an uncomfortable place to spend time.
It might not be the best reason but wanting a fresh start may be a good enough reason for quitting your job. Either way, you should carefully consider what options you will have once you leave your job. Can you line somewhere else up immediately? Will you risk a long stay in the unemployment sector? It would be advisable to source a replacement job before putting in your notice at your existing job but if you have had enough then there is probably nothing else that can be said once your mind is made up.
