10 Clear Signs It’s Time to Break Up with Your Employer and Find a New Job

Time to break it off.

If the pandemic has prompted you to re-evaluate many aspects of your life and face some harsh facts about your working situation, you’re not alone. According to the Canadian Centre for the Purpose Corporation’s poll, 42% of Canadians are thinking about making a job change or even a complete career transition. Robert Half’s survey indicates that workers are feeling stuck in terms of career advancement, skills development, and 28% want to pursue more meaningful and fulfilling work.

Making a big life change at any time can be daunting, and during a period of economic and life instability, it can be even more nerve-wracking to contemplate.

But just like in a romantic relationship, sometimes the writing is on the wall, and the consequences of staying are too stark to ignore. If you’re miserable and quite sure your job is the primary cause, you have cut your losses and believe in yourself so you can move on to a better job – maybe even a new career.

Here are the signs that it’s time to consider making a move so you can get your career – and your wellbeing back on track:

1.     You hit snooze 5 times each morning.

This might be a clue that you are dreading going to work each day, and there isn’t anything to look forward to anymore. And let’s face it; if you’re not passionate about what you do, you aren’t giving your best to your work. You deserve to get excited about going to work – even on Mondays.

2.     There’s nowhere to go.

If you’re longing for a promotion or a transfer, but you’re doing the same things day in and out without any professional growth, it may be time to consider your options. Does the organization have the size and structure to support your longer-term goals? Are you being passed up for opportunities you feel you’re ready to take on? You have two options: 1) Express your interest in progressing and developing there; or, 2) Explore new horizons. Somebody else might have the perfect opportunity for you instead!

3.     You’ve realized your boss is a narcissist.

When you read an article about narcissists that describes your backstabbing, life-sucking boss to a “T,” it’s time to run as far away as you can. Of course, you can stay and attempt to deal with the situation, which is commendable. But, if you don’t have allies in high places or a long track record with the organization, you could end up a casualty. You are worthy of better.

Related article:  8 Ways to Handle a Narcissistic Boss (And Get Ahead In Spite of Them)

4.     You seem to be invisible.

Feeling unappreciated is a key reason for employee departures (79%), and this proves true in an OC Tanner Global Culture Report. If your boss, colleagues, and critical decision-makers are largely forgetting about you, it’s a problem for your career progression. You can try to dial up your visibility and make your contributions known, or you can find an organization that values your talents. There are plenty of companies still hiring for hot skills – not to mention behavioural competencies such as adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

5.     You feel like a failure.

Sometimes there is a feeling of failure, and other times, you might be not actually be meeting performance standards for your role. This can be from lack of feedback, unrealistic expectations, or lack of job fit. Regardless of the reason, you can be left hitting your head against a wall and feeling unworthy. Everyone has a unique gift to offer the world and you are meant for more. Staying in a job that doesn’t feel good, in alignment, or on purpose is doing yourself (and others) a huge disservice.

6.     Your family doesn’t recognize you.

If you’re spending all your time in your home office, hospital, or other work locations and the people in your life tell you you’ve become a stranger to them, it’s time to reassess your priorities and work schedule. Even though you may be working from home, you’re likely working more hours, and this is detrimental to your health according to the UN World Health Organization.  Can you keep up this pace? Will things change after the pandemic? Is it worth the continued sacrifice to your relationships and your well-being?

7.     You find yourself getting angry.

Often when your values are affronted, emotions flare. This can take the form of anger at inaction, perceived wrongs, or daily nuisances.

Are you feeling like your organization is not doing enough, taking advantage, or leaving people behind? It’s one thing to preach about diversity, inclusion, and equality for all and post a policy, but it’s another to provide a lived experience day in and out. Many employees are figuring out that their employers are all talk and no action or there is an undercurrent of bias, discrimination, and unethical behaviour.

If you find yourself venting more than smiling, it may be time to talk with your feet. Plenty of employers are stepping up and implementing significant changes to create a culture where everyone can flourish.

8.     You feel unsafe.

Get in tune with your body and notice how you feel when you’re working. Do you feel physically and emotionally safe? Has your organization protected you during the pandemic, and put your health above all else? If no, get help internally from a human resource professional, health and safety rep, or union steward. Call the Ministry of Labour if you need to voice your concerns. You have the right to refuse unsafe work. And then you can decide to leave.

9.     The job is making you physically sick.

From physical exhaustion to mental anguish, a bad job fit, or inconceivable stressful conditions can take a heavy toll on a person. Take the nursing field for example, where burnout is leading many to exit the profession. If your situation is too far gone to solve, you need to put your wellbeing ahead of all else. Talk to your doctor and stay on top of any issues and get professional as needed to increase your resilience while you decide if you can persevere.

10. Your employer doesn’t care about you.

As restrictions lift in your area, your company might be signaling that they want to get you back to the office full-time. If the thought of commuting on a packed train, sitting 2 feet away from colleagues, and having your boss looking over your shoulder again is giving you a pit in your stomach, you might look to other progressive employers. These organizations get what employees need and are actively planning to offer work-from-home options, staggered work schedules, fewer in-person meetings, innovative floor layouts, and increased safety protocols.

If your employer isn’t talking about how to engage you in your post-pandemic workplace or seems unwilling to meet your requests for greater flexibility, know that many other employers recognize the value in doing so.  You need to believe that your employer cares about you, and according to the CCPC survey, this is the number one issue right now for employees in deciding whether to stay or go.

If any of the above is true for you – and especially if multiple signs are showing up, it’s time to get a plan together to move on. You deserve to be happy at work and find a new environment in which you can thrive.

Lisa Petsinis is a former HR leader turned certified life and career transformation coach who works with women to get unstuck, design their dream life, and go after their ideal work so they can live with more joy, meaning, and success.  Sign up for her newsletter to get her free resources including 10 Steps to Making a Career Change, or contact Lisa on her website and jumpstart the changes you want in your life, starting today.