In a Gallup poll conducted only a couple years ago, researchers found that 70 percent of US employees were unengaged at work. And in an article published this year, Gallup claims that only 15 percent of employees across the world are engaged.
Traditional concepts of the workplace are no longer cutting it. The good news is that employers are catching on. The bad news? It might take a while before you feel the current shift in HR focus toward increasing employee satisfaction.
In the meantime, here’s how to gauge whether you should cut your losses and search for greener pastures.
- You have a toxic workplace culture.
A toxic workplace is one where the emphasis is on the rulebook and seeing who is stepping out of line. Compare that with management that focuses on those who are accomplishing a lot for the company. Is there too much red tape for any one initiative? Have you been denied overtime pay? Is there a loss of respect for coworkers and one’s boss? These might be signs of a toxic workplace.
- You have Monday morning blues all the time.
Do you watch the clock all day, counting the minutes until you can clock out? Have you begun to live for the weekends? Do you dread facing each day at work? And only the promise of a drink when the day is over keeps you at an even keel while at work? If all your moments at your place of work are spent fantasizing when you can leave, this is a pretty good sign you should move on.
- You can’t advance in your career.
Is there hope of advancing in your career at your current place of employment? If there is, sometimes it is worth toughing it out for a time to get that promotion or salary bump you have been waiting for. But, if your current role is a dead-end position. Or if you find out that management never promotes from the inside, then chances are slim you will be able to do much ladder climbing. And, the longer you stay in your current position, the longer you must wait to get to where you want to be a couple years down the line. If you do not see advancement opportunities for you, and if that is a make or break element, cut your losses now.
- Your health is suffering.
Being in a toxic environment and dealing with a high-handed boss who gives unrealistic deadlines take a toll. Job stress can lead to problems such as depression, insomnia, and heart disease. Has your health been suffering due to your work situation? Have you tried various breathing exercises, aromatherapy, and yoga to no avail? There is only so much you can personally do to mitigate job stress. The strain on your physical, mental, and emotional health may no longer be worth your monthly paycheck. Had enough? It might be time to look for a workplace where you are able to comfortably manage stress and emotional pressure from your job.
- You’ve received an offer that is better suited to you.
This one might seem like an obvious sign that it is time to move on. But there are still workers who fail to change ships when they should. Fear of failure can be a crippling mental block that can hold many back. If you know your workplace is less than ideal, then you should have the impetus to move forward. Of course, do your due diligence. Be discreet, but talk to those currently employed at your potential new workplace. Read reviews on Glassdoor and look at LinkedIn profiles. You do not want to make the same mistake you made with your current job, right? So, before making a move, do your research to find out if this next company culture will be right for you.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
