4 reasons you’re likely to regret quitting your job

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Feel like you’re one bad day away from quitting your job? Before you take the leap and move on, ask yourself whether it’s a decision you’re likely to regret.

Unhappiness or dissatisfaction at work has many causes, some of which are easily remedied when tackled in the right way. Here are some reasons you might regret leaving your old job and ways to resolve the pain points which have you drafting up your resignation letter.

1. A good cultural fit is hard to come by

Are you a professional who counts their colleagues as friends? It’s no coincidence that you love the people you work with. A truly effective hiring strategy involves finding candidates who are a great fit for company culture—something which can take time and patience to get right.

Research by Robert Half has shown that being a good fit for company culture is one of the six factors which determine how happy you are at work. Salaries, benefits and career development can always be negotiated, so try being upfront with your employer about why you’re thinking of resigning and open up negotiations which allow you to stay with the colleagues you like.

2. You may throw your career plan off-course

Each job you take should be part of a larger plan which takes you closer toward your ultimate career goal. Quitting your job without another job lined up can throw everything off course and ruin any opportunities you had for faster advancement within your current company.

If you find that your current role is no longer keeping you engaged or has moved too far away from the path you’d like to be on, try reassessing your growth plan with your manager. You may be able to request training, take on new responsibilities or make a career sidestep within your role to keep your career aspirations on track.

3. Salaries and benefits don’t equal workplace happiness

It’s not uncommon for professionals to be approached by other companies offering what looks like a far better remuneration package. Before you know it, you’re starting from scratch with a new team, new office and new role, when all you wanted was a more competitive salary and benefits.

Before you decide to quit, you could consider approaching your current employer to negotiate better benefits or a salary increase. Many businesses are happy to make changes to reward and retain top performing professionals. They’re also likely to appreciate your honesty and loyalty.

4. Bad management can be solved

Dealing with poor management each day can wear down your team morale and leach the satisfaction from your job. Research into happiness at work has shown that a sense of empowerment is one of the main drivers of happiness and when you feel micro managed or unable to progress, your engagement levels could easily dwindle.

Instead of making a quick escape, think of the good opportunities and relationships you’ll be sacrificing. An easy get-out isn’t always worth the reputation and career you’ve spent time building in your current role. Try requesting a meeting and sitting down to discuss the situation—you may be surprised at the result.

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