Reasons for Leaving a Current Job
Familiarising yourself with a job takes around 3 to 4 weeks. At that stage you will know whether the environment is workable and if you're able to survive and thrive. As a general rule, the probation period is a chance to display a positive attitude or work ethic and to make assessments. Your gut feelings, past experience, amount of effort or overall ability to navigate through problems will make a speedy decision for you.
It's inspiring when there's a motivated team spirit, shared values and kind, supportive superiors. However we live in an imperfect world which includes toxic environments and disgruntled staff, due to any number of issues. I've experienced both good and bad and still learnt something from them. When staff and bosses are relaxed, communicative, positive and industrious the world is a better place. When they're controlling, egotistical, sleep deprived, insecure, unapproachable, uninterested, attitudinal, agitated, manipulative, redolent and requiring flattery from cronies, the job becomes an abject misery. Remember a job is just that. You're not enslaved to it with your life, soul or spirit.
Work environments can be smoothly efficient or unnecessarily disorganised with questionable staff practices adding to a stressful workload. The second scenario makes working life physically, mentally and emotionally taxing. Good work environments require fairness, open communication with continuing acknowledgement and increased participation of all staff. It's important to develop staff in their extended roles and to regularly show your appreciation for them. Cats are even happier when given prawn treats with a pat on the head. Their tails swish wider and higher, they walk with purpose and purr more loudly.
We all grew up believing that if you quit a job, you lost in some way, or were unable to cope with aspects of the work. It actually takes a strong character to walk away from a secure job to start again. There should be no embarrassment. It's like trying new food you don't like, that you've chewed on and ultimately spat out. Or relationships that don't work for some reason. Any job is awesome when first attempted. There's a honeymoon period when everything is idyllic and obscured in sheer joy. Daily reality soon creeps into the commitment with words like 'so this is what it's all about?' Look at health statistics of committed staff who stay in jobs until retirement - and well after. They've stayed there for the financial security and are too scared to leave because that's all they know. There's evidence to suggest they've been tremendously reliable and loyal. However, a good percentage suffer nervous breakdowns and contract terminal illnesses, being unable to enjoy the fruits of labour in twilight years. The body is a curious, finely tuned instrument.
If a job is satisfying and enables progression it would be foolish to leave. However, if it doesn't make you feel comfortable or good about yourself, you're simply going through the motions, so it's wise to consider alternatives. It's pointless to persevere if you're regularly experiencing the following boiler room symptoms: headaches, sleepless nights, a churning digestive system, rashes, racing pulse, increased blood pressure/respiratory rate and an exacerbation of personal ailments.
Your health isn't worth it. There are 2 simple options. The first is to change your approach or attitude towards certain work practices or staff. Participation in meetings can also bring about changes. The second choice is to move on where your values are more aligned with others, because the job isn't what you'd expected. Sadly, I've left environments that were ideal because I moved house or my goals changed. Both the bosses and staff were helpful, efficient, approachable and kind team players. Other environments weren't so conducive to a workable outcome. I couldn't ignore my gut instinct even though an inner voice pleaded with me to soldier on for permanency's sake. Reviewing the pros and cons helped shed light on my best course of action.
There are many reasons for leaving a job and most of them are justifiable. Before choosing to leave its good to make some assessments or adjustments to your own workplace strategies. Employer and employee traits such as being optimistic and looking for solutions rather than complaining, often results in increased job satisfaction and the will to persevere. A calm personality is pleasant for co-workers and bosses alike, reducing the need to tip-toe around stressed staff. An independent worker with a high work ethic and good team skills has the ability to make their job (and everyone's) easier, due to confidence in their own performance. Bottom line is, if numerous strategies have been applied unsuccessfully, it might be in your best interests to move on.
