Workplace experts have compiled a list of ten giveaway signs that employees may need a new job – from recognising that their productivity has taken a hit, to acknowledging that work related stress has far exceeded levels that could be deemed healthy.
Chris Meredith, CEO of LondonOffices.com said:
“Chances are, if you’re even contemplating whether or not it’s time to find a new job, you probably should”.
- You dread Mondays
If you regularly suffer from the ‘Sunday Afternoon Blues’ – when the weekend festivities begin to die down and you’re struck with the unavoidable reality of having to get up and go back to work the next day – then it might be time to start looking for a new position. It’s normal to occasionally feel sad that your weekend is over, particularly if it’s been filled with friends, family and laughter, but if the thought of Monday morning is consistently pulling down your moods then this should signal that something’s not quite right in your professional life.
- Your productivity has taken a hit
Do you find that you have to force yourself to sit at your desk and trudge your way through mundane to-do lists? We can all admit that we have days where work feels like an insurmountable task, but if you’re consistently struggling to focus on and complete jobs and your procrastination and/or boredom levels are slowly rising by the day, you might need to look for a more mentally stimulating role.
- You really dislike the people you work with
When you’re spending around eight hours of each day with a particular group of people, it’s imperative to ensure that you get on well or at the very least can be civil with each other – for the sake of your own sanity, as well as your company’s success. Often, simply addressing any problems you have with your colleagues or manager can be enough to diffuse any tensions, but sometimes the issues aren’t fixable – and that’s ok! It just means you’re going to have to look for a better fit, whether that be in terms of a different team in the same company, or a different business altogether.
- You’re not being challenged
If you’re not being asked to take on new assignments or additional responsibilities and your working day looks pretty much identical to the day you arrived in this role, it’s probably time to broaden your horizons.
- Your stress levels are through the roof
A certain amount of stress is normal in any job, and many people thrive in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, but if your stomach is always in knots and you can’t seem to even take a two-minute bathroom break without checking your inbox, your stress – and unhappiness – probably surpassed healthy levels a while ago. If you’re constantly feeling like a tangled bunch of nerves and this is dragging you down both inside the office and out, it’s time to start exploring other opportunities.
- You have nightmares about your job
If you spend so much time in one particular place, like your office, that place will naturally seep into your dreams from time to time, but if the dreams you’re having about your workplace are increasingly more frequent – and terrifying – your subconscious might be trying to tell you something.
- Your boss or co-workers undermine your work
You might find that projects you’re approving and decisions you’re making are constantly being challenged and overturned by others, and particular members of your team are being overly critical of the work you’re producing without fair reason to do so. This might lead you to thinking that you’re being undermined, and people aren’t respecting so your work – and if this is the case, it’s time to start looking for somewhere new!
- Your sleep pattern is disrupted
Whether you have difficulty getting to sleep, or you frequently wake up during the night with worries about job-related problems, your tiredness is only going to exacerbate a difficult situation and make your position seem even worse. Your work shouldn’t be affecting the way you sleep anyway, so perhaps it’s time to address the root of the problem.
- The company bleeds talent
If award-winning managers and the most hardworking of your peers are being lured away from your company with better positions and more money, and your company isn’t making any effort to try and keep them, this should raise some alarm bells. This isn’t a sign of a company with a bright future, and do you really want to be taken down with the sinking ship?
- You’re reading this article
Chances are you wouldn’t have committed to reading this piece if you didn’t feel like you’d be able to relate in some way – so quit dilly-dallying and get job searching!
Laura Bamford