Interesting article...

Here's the about.com Top 10 list on "when to quit", along with my comments:

Your company is experiencing a downward spiral, losing customers, losing money, and rumors of possible closure, bankruptcy and failure prevail.

Your relationship with your manager is damaged beyond repair. You have sought help to mend the relationship but you know it is too damaged for recovery. (Perhaps you were untrustworthy, missed work on too many days, or the manager acts like an untrustworthy jerk.) Whatever the reason, the relationship is irrecoverably damaged.

Your life situation has changed. Perhaps you have married or had a baby, and the salary and benefits no longer support your life needs.

Your values are at odds with the corporate culture. Perhaps your company is egalitarian and you believe in assigned parking spots for salaried employees. Your company does annual employee satisfaction surveys and you think these are a waste of time. Your company is hierarchical and you want to influence every aspect of your job. No matter where the clash is occurring, a lack of congruence with the corporate culture will destroy your attitude at work.


You've stopped having fun and enjoying your job. No matter what changed, when you dread going to work in the morning, it's time to quit your job.

Completely agree with this one. Even the fun things aren't fun.

Your company is ethically challenged. Perhaps the managers lie to customers about the quality of the products or the day on which the product will ship. You become aware that the company is stealing information from competitors. Whatever the issue, don't stay in an organization where your ethics are out of sync.

Again, I completely agree. It's disgusting that I work for Nevada for Health Care, a project of the world's largest health care union, and I still have not gotten my health insurance card yet and am asked to work these impossible hours without overtime. Incredible.

For whatever reason, you have behaved in ways that are considered improper at work. You've missed too many days of work, slacked off on the job, failed to maintain needed skills, and / or just generally developed the reputation of a loser. That reputation, once earned, is unlikely to change; you might as well quit your job, while you have the opportunity.


You've burned your bridges with your coworkers. Your group is not getting along in an environment that requires people to work together well. Again, at some point, the reasons don't matter; start fresh in a new job and resolve to not let this situation happen again.


Your stress level is so high at work that it is affecting your physical or mental health and your relationships with your friends and family. Watch for the signs of burnout and if they can't be cured, move on.

Again, agree... It's the ache... and the numb patch by my shoulderblade. Just constant

And the top ten reason to quit your job? You are unchallenged, need more responsibility, and seek opportunities that just don't exist for you in your current organization. You've explored the current and potential options, and they are limited. It's time to quit your job.


I think the biggest thing for me is the ethical challenge... They're really slimy. I came in today and thought, Why am I spending another minute at this place?

And the reason is I feel a. like I'm looking for an excuse to quit and feel guilty about that, b. that my parents would be disappointed in me if I quit and c. that I would feel ashamed if I quit.

I don't know how to weigh these pros and cons. Guess I'll take it one day at at time, and know that I have that resignation in my pocket.

In the end, I'm the only one who can make these decisions...