Entering thejob marketcan be daunting. And you probably don’t want to give up your current employment unless you’re absolutely sure that you can’t take it anymore. But if you’ve been suffering for years, feeling overworked and undervalued, there’s nothing wrong with burning some bridges on your way out…
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“Working with 50,000 women over the past decade, and coaching more than 6,000 job seekers, the trend I’m seeing for why people quit their jobs these days is mainly around underearning and underlearning,” Claire shared with Bored Panda.
“There is a lack of growth, whether it’s in their role or their paycheck (or both) and they believe they can find something better - or create it themselves! The other big reason is a lack of work-life balance, both in terms of hours and emotional toll, and they’re simply not willing to sacrifice themselves in service of a job,” she explained.
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“Employees frequently cite limited growth opportunities and unclear career pathways as key drivers of dissatisfaction,” the CEO explained. “The demand for flexibility and wellness support has risen, with employees leaving roles that fail to accommodate personal and professional balance.”
Caregiving responsibilities, mental health challenges, and a growing focus on well-being are also significant factors prompting turnover, Danny continued. “[And] ineffective leadership and lack of managerial support directly contribute to employee dissatisfaction.“The expert pointed out that it might surprise many readers to not see pay listed as a top reason. “But our research shows less than 10% of employees cite pay as the root cause,” he noted. “Instead, pay concerns often signal deeper, unresolved issues within an organization’s culture, management practices, or opportunities for growth.”
Caregiving responsibilities, mental health challenges, and a growing focus on well-being are also significant factors prompting turnover, Danny continued. “[And] ineffective leadership and lack of managerial support directly contribute to employee dissatisfaction.”
The expert pointed out that it might surprise many readers to not see pay listed as a top reason. “But our research shows less than 10% of employees cite pay as the root cause,” he noted. “Instead, pay concerns often signal deeper, unresolved issues within an organization’s culture, management practices, or opportunities for growth.”
So what is the best way to go about quitting a job? “Relationships are everything,” Claire shared. “So even if your job might not give you the consideration of a two-week grace period, you should extend the courtesy to them (or if you’ve been there a long time, give them more time. Though, be prepared that if you give too much notice, they may have you leave sooner than you were ready).““Document your work and create transition plans for ongoing projects, express gratitude for the opportunities and learning experiences so you can keep the door open for future professional connections,” the expert says. “The only time maybe it’s okay to quit abruptly is if you’re in an unsafe situation.”
So what is the best way to go about quitting a job? “Relationships are everything,” Claire shared. “So even if your job might not give you the consideration of a two-week grace period, you should extend the courtesy to them (or if you’ve been there a long time, give them more time. Though, be prepared that if you give too much notice, they may have you leave sooner than you were ready).”
“Document your work and create transition plans for ongoing projects, express gratitude for the opportunities and learning experiences so you can keep the door open for future professional connections,” the expert says. “The only time maybe it’s okay to quit abruptly is if you’re in an unsafe situation.”
Danny also says that the best way to quit a job is thoughtfully and professionally, because how you leave can shape your future opportunities. He first recommends making sure that you give proper notice. “Two weeks is standard, but more notice may be appreciated for high-level or critical roles,” the CEO explained. “Always review your employment contract for specific requirements.“Make sure that you also explain thoughtfully why you’re leaving. “While you’re not obligated to provide detailed reasons, a respectful and constructive explanation can leave a positive impression,” Danny continued. And avoid burning bridges. “Express gratitude for the opportunities you had even if the experience wasn’t perfect. You never know when paths may cross again.”
Danny also says that the best way to quit a job is thoughtfully and professionally, because how you leave can shape your future opportunities. He first recommends making sure that you give proper notice. “Two weeks is standard, but more notice may be appreciated for high-level or critical roles,” the CEO explained. “Always review your employment contract for specific requirements.”
Make sure that you also explain thoughtfully why you’re leaving. “While you’re not obligated to provide detailed reasons, a respectful and constructive explanation can leave a positive impression,” Danny continued. And avoid burning bridges. “Express gratitude for the opportunities you had even if the experience wasn’t perfect. You never know when paths may cross again.”
Finally, participate in your company’s exit interview. “It is important for companies to better understand why employees quit and this information helps employers improve employee experience,” Danny shared. “Quitting abruptly should be a last resort and reserved for situations where remaining in the role poses immediate harm to your health, safety, or well-being.”
Next, we asked the experts what the most important things to consider before quitting a job are. “It takes on average six months to find a new job, so unless you have another one lined up, make sure you have all your safety nets in order: finances, relationships, and a roadmap for the job search, including your materials like resume and LinkedIn profile,” Claire told Bored Panda.
Danny also says it’s best to reflect on these key factors before making any decisions: your reason for leaving, opportunities for resolution, your financial readiness, your future goals and your workplace relationships.“Are you leaving to escape a problem or pursue a better opportunity? The latter tends to lead to more satisfaction long-term,” he noted. “Have you tried addressing your concerns with your manager or HR? Sometimes, changes can be made to improve your situation.”
Danny also says it’s best to reflect on these key factors before making any decisions: your reason for leaving, opportunities for resolution, your financial readiness, your future goals and your workplace relationships.
“Are you leaving to escape a problem or pursue a better opportunity? The latter tends to lead to more satisfaction long-term,” he noted. “Have you tried addressing your concerns with your manager or HR? Sometimes, changes can be made to improve your situation.”
“Ensure you have a safety net or a solid plan in place, especially if you don’t have another job lined up,” Danny continued. And when it comes to your future goals, will leaving this job bring you closer to your career aspirations? “Be intentional about your next steps,” the expert says. “[Finally], consider the professional relationships you’ve built and how they might support or influence your next chapter.”
When it comes to finding a new position, Claire shared three areas that she believes are critical to consider when job searching. “Know yourself: what lights you up, the problems you like to solve, the strengths you use when solving them, and the environments in which you thrive,” the expert says.“Create a filter: so you know what opportunities to look for and which ones to pass on, identify your values, your goals for the next 3-5 years, and any dealbreakers,” Claire continued. “[And] understand the market: What companies and roles are out there that are a good fit, are they in a growing industry? What kind of compensation can you expect?”
When it comes to finding a new position, Claire shared three areas that she believes are critical to consider when job searching. “Know yourself: what lights you up, the problems you like to solve, the strengths you use when solving them, and the environments in which you thrive,” the expert says.
“Create a filter: so you know what opportunities to look for and which ones to pass on, identify your values, your goals for the next 3-5 years, and any dealbreakers,” Claire continued. “[And] understand the market: What companies and roles are out there that are a good fit, are they in a growing industry? What kind of compensation can you expect?”
This was from a friend who lived in Alabama. I blurred out the city name for what I thought may be safety reasons. The staff all quit this locations because of sh*t working conditions and bad pay.
Danny also says it’s important to consider company culture, opportunities for growth, work-life balance, management quality and mission and vision alignment before taking a new job. “Look for a workplace where employees feel respected, valued, and supported,” he shared. “Employee reviews and asking questions during interviews can give insight.”
“Seek employers who invest in professional development and career progression,” he continued. “Explore policies on flexibility, remote work, or wellness initiatives to ensure alignment with your priorities.““A great manager can make or break your experience. Try to gauge the leadership style of your potential boss during the interview process,” Danny added. “Choose a company whose values resonate with your own for a more fulfilling experience.”
“Seek employers who invest in professional development and career progression,” he continued. “Explore policies on flexibility, remote work, or wellness initiatives to ensure alignment with your priorities.”
“A great manager can make or break your experience. Try to gauge the leadership style of your potential boss during the interview process,” Danny added. “Choose a company whose values resonate with your own for a more fulfilling experience.”
Finally, Claire says, “There’s always a sacrifice to every choice we make. What’s critical is to get clear on your goals and values for this season of your life (which I define in 3-5 year chunks), and find an opportunity that is aligned.”
“Try to look at your career holistically,” Claire continued. “What’s the life you want and how does your job fit into that? It’s also okay for a job to just be a job. Sometimes we just need a paycheck and there’s no shame in that! Nor is there any shame in asking for help; in fact, seeking outside perspective is critical to finding new ways to see the world and ourselves.“If you’d like to learn more about Ladies Get Paid, be sure to visit theirwebsiteor check out Claire’sfree webinar on career clarity!
“Try to look at your career holistically,” Claire continued. “What’s the life you want and how does your job fit into that? It’s also okay for a job to just be a job. Sometimes we just need a paycheck and there’s no shame in that! Nor is there any shame in asking for help; in fact, seeking outside perspective is critical to finding new ways to see the world and ourselves.”
If you’d like to learn more about Ladies Get Paid, be sure to visit theirwebsiteor check out Claire’sfree webinar on career clarity!
“One important takeaway is that quitting a job is a natural part of career progression, but how and why you leave matters,” Danny shared with Bored Panda. “Employers also have a responsibility in this equation. Organizations that hold themselves accountable for being great places to work retain their best talent and reduce the need for employees to consider leaving in the first place.““Job seekers should remember that you’re interviewing the company as much as they’re interviewing you,” he added. “Aim for a role where you feel empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive.“And if you’d like to find out more about why employees are quitting, be sure to visitWork Institute!
“One important takeaway is that quitting a job is a natural part of career progression, but how and why you leave matters,” Danny shared with Bored Panda. “Employers also have a responsibility in this equation. Organizations that hold themselves accountable for being great places to work retain their best talent and reduce the need for employees to consider leaving in the first place.”
“Job seekers should remember that you’re interviewing the company as much as they’re interviewing you,” he added. “Aim for a role where you feel empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive.”
And if you’d like to find out more about why employees are quitting, be sure to visitWork Institute!
It’s currently past 11 here. I’ve been so sick I’ve only gotten out of bed twice, not even well enough to go to the Walgreens across from my apartment to buy a COVID test. Since sending this, my manager has sent me the contact numbers of 3 staff who I know are as worn out of our manager as I am. I make minimum wage as a Senior Rep at GameStop.
Left my keys on the chair in the office after everyone left. 6 years of being mistreated and giving my all to the store, working 6 days a week for the store.
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We were down to 4 employees at a company where a full staff would have been 9-12, I was the most senior employee and I had only been there 6 months. The manager and regional manager continued to push for shorter service times per customer while also increasing the number of tasks that had to be completed per customer and expecting a literal 100% accuracy rate. After I was written up and reminded I could still be fired even though I had given my 2 weeks I decided me finishing those days was a waste od everyone’s time.
My last paycheck didn’t deposit this morning! I texted my coworkers and I know at least one of them got paid. But this is a common occurrence.
Some background - I work an entry level minimum wage position at the vans store. I keep telling them I’m going to quit and my sales lead said “will you can’t leave we’re going to miss your drawings” so I thought id leave one for old times sake.
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Got a new job but want to use my 2 weeks to relax/vacation before the next job starts. How does this email sound? Mind you this job doesn’t deserve a 2 week notice because they treat everyone so badly, I’ve been there for years and no mention of a raise at all, and I only get 5 days of PTO a year and only a few holidays.
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Gabija Saveiskyte
Indrė Lukošiūtė
Justinas Keturka
Work & Money
