When to leave a workplace and when to stay

When is it time to go? Sometimes you can answer this question without flinching – you can feel it in your bones, and you know that it’s time to pack up your desk, turn in your uniform, and start saying your goodbyes.

Other times, it’s not that simple.

It’s normal to get the jitters, and it’s normal – and okay – to have a bad day at work now and again. But if you find yourself umming about the decision, living for the weekend, and dreading every Monday – it might be time to start fixing up that resume (or investing in a professional resume writer) and scouring the job boards.

And if you haven’t thought about it – here’s your opportunity to consider what your career is doing for you.

There is a perception that it’s normal to slave away at your job, that spending each minute of the day counting down the hours till the clock strikes five is the norm.

It isn’t – or at least, it shouldn’t be.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to be stuck in a cycle of toxicity in the workplace. Maybe one day you stay back an hour, and then the next day you stay back again, repeating this until it’s an expected part of your day. Or maybe one day you help one of your co-workers with a task and it spirals in to help every day of the week – pushing your work down the priority list and forcing you to stay back late or fall behind.

If these situations sound familiar, or you are feeling undervalued in the workplace, it's important to look into why and ask yourself: Is it me? Or is it the toxic environment?

Often the answer is the second one.

But sometimes, it's the first.

Now – if there are no doubts your workplace is toxic, stop reading this and get out of there (we can help you!). But if you can't pin your finger on the problem, it may be more complicated.

Being human can be a tricky art, you need to make a conscious effort to receive appreciation and validation. This means thinking about what you need to be happy at work – maybe it's working on leaving work at work, spending more meaningful time with your family, improving your mental health, or starting the morning a little later.

Whatever it is – find it and see if you can incorporate it into your working environment, this means communicating with your boss and if necessary your team.

If what you need can't be accommodated, it may be time to look for a new workplace, ask for a promotion, or start working from home when possible.

Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and make decisions – even scary ones! – about your future. Careers play a large part in our lives, so finding a role and workplace where you can be happy and grow professionally and personally (whatever that looks like for you) is important for your wellbeing. Remember, you have the power to improve your current outlook and the power to move on when you need to.

If your career is feeling stagnated and you can't pinpoint the reason, a career coaching chat may be the right answer for you. Our team offers 1:1 online video chats that are designed to help you determine what step to take next and how you can achieve – and find – your goals.