Why People Quit Without Another Job (And Why Some Don't)
I recently conducted a poll on LinkedIn asking if the individual had ever quit a job without having another one lined up, excluding times they quit to go back to school, take care of others, illness, etc. The results were interesting. Out of over 7,000 votes cast, the groups were almost evenly split. 49% had quit without another job, 51% had not.
Why People Quit Without Another Job
I invited people to comment on the poll, especially if they had quit without another job. The themes around why were interesting. Here is what people had to say.
Toxic Work Environment
I lost count of the number of times “toxic” was used to describe a work environment. Portia O. even put “toxic” in all caps to emphasize how bad it was. So when people described a toxic work environment, these were the circumstances in which they found themselves.
Verbal abuse
The people they were working with were not ethical
Micromanagement
Inappropriate behavior my managers
Constant finger-pointing
Too much into others’ personal business
Mental Health
Many people talked about the decline in their mental health due to the work environment. Karen S. said she had panic attacks due to job stress. Colette B. said that constant changes, lack of communication, and turnover were causing her a lot of stress. Since these types of stresses often then bleed into one’s home life, she decided to make herself and her family a priority. Safety was paramount over a paycheck.
Physical Health
Several people who were front-line workers during the pandemic quit because they feared for their health. One contracted COVID and was convalescing at home but was getting pressured to come back to work early. That person decided to quit instead.
Changed Priorities
Especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and time to reevaluate their current roles and careers, many people decided that their current role was no longer a fit. This is true especially for those who liked working from home and the flexibility it allowed. Many have said no. They were not willing to return to the office and quit without something already lined up.
Disengaged
Some cited being in an industry or role that was not a good fit. They didn’t see a future with the employer, and they decided to take their chances and try something new. Sonia B. quit her job, sold her house, and relocated to a new city without a job in hand. She believed that something better was out there for her, and she needed to pursue it. She did find something better.
Mismatch Between What They Were Told About The Job And The Reality
Others said that what they were told about the company and role was misleading, and it was only after discovering this that they decided that the best alternative was to leave.
One theme in many of the responses was that the act of quitting without another position was very liberating. People felt very positively about taking care of themselves and doing what they felt was right for them.
Those That Would Not Leave A Job Without Another One
The majority (51%) of those surveyed had not ever left a job without another one lined up. Some expressed that they would never dream of doing so. So here are the reasons why they would not consider this as an option.
Risk Adverse
Many of those that responded n indicated that they were risk-averse. They felt that not having something lined up was way too risky. They would prefer to plan for their job switch and have something in hand before giving notice.
Financial Impact
Some talked about the financial impact that not having income would have on them and their families. It appears many did not have sufficient resources to be able to withstand a period without an income.
Take-Aways
It has been the traditional advice that you should never quit a job without another one in hand. Yet, at least a good percentage of those that responded to my survey do not ascribe to this notion. They did not regret the decision. While the period of unemployment was stressful for some, most agreed it was the right decision, and they found a job that was a better fit.
While never leaving a job without having another position will not be the right strategy for many people, you can do a few things to make that option one that you are more comfortable with if the situation arose where you felt you needed to do so.
Having a Cash Reserve
Having a cash reserve or what is sometimes called FU money is a great way to have more options open to you. I am a big believer in striving for financial independence. When you have a cash cushion in the bank, you can consider more options for yourself and your career. One of those might be to leaving an employer that is not providing a healthy work environment.
An Additional Stream of Income to Make It Easier
Having additional streams of income can also provide you an opportunity to make the leap to being unemployed while minimizing financial harm. Having a side hustle that you can focus more time on or picking up consulting or freelance gigs can bridge the earnings gap between jobs. A few people surveyed said that they ended up turning their side gig into a full-time job.
Having an Exit Strategy
While some people make an emotional decision to leave on the spot after some sort of incident, the need to leave builds up for many people. It becomes a decision of not if but when. Before you write that resignation letter, it is good to start planning your next move. Here are some things to consider before you say goodbye to your company.
Think through what “good fit” means for you in your next role. You won’t find yourself in the same situation if you are clear about what the next position must have, or you won’t take it, and additionally, what you want but would trade for a “must-have.”
Gather important information now - performance reviews, awards and recognition, project work, or work samples. Don’t wait. Find this information and make sure you retain a copy of what you might need for a job search.
Update your resume.
Start networking now. Reconnect with those you have not spoken with in a while. Start adding to your network people in the companies and roles of interest.
Conclusion
Whether you quit without having another position is an individual decision, and the choice has to be the right one for you, based upon your circumstances. Even from the people who have not quit a job without another lined up, a common sentiment is that taking care of oneself is crucial. If someone’s physical or mental health is in jeopardy, it likely is a good idea to extricate oneself from the situation. I agree. We only get one life, and nothing should be more precious to us than our health. If we do not have that, we truly have nothing.
Shelley Piedmont is a Career Coach who wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. I help job seekers prepare for interviews. You can engage me to help you prep for any type of interview. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.