Quitting your job on impulse

[Matt UK]

OK, you have a new job and for various reasons now realise it was the wrong option. But no point dwelling..
This is not a saturday job, this is your proper career with mortgages / kids / outgoings waiting for you outside the office gates.

Have you ever just thought, feck it, I'm off and I'll find something soon enough and acted upon it there and then?

Or has it always been planned decision with no actions taken until a new job has been secured.

With the few numbers of job moves I've made, I've always worked with the latter.
But today I am considering the former

Edited by Matt UK on Tuesday 17th May 14:06

[dmitsi]

Guess it depends on who you're responsible for. As the sole earner for a wife and kids you'd be very foolish to do it. If it's you and you need to escape, just do whatever you want. Tricky time to do it, but your life is what you make it.

[PoleDriver]

Don't tempt me!
You wouldn't believe how close I am to doing just that right now!

[ZOLLAR]

I've always made sure I have a new job lined up even before I had a family to feed.
Did get fired once but as I left the previous job on good grounds the owner gave me a job till I could find something else which I was eternally grateful for!.

[itsnotarace]

Yeah about 3 times now in my working life - twice when IT contracting and once when I sensed I was about to be fired. Called my boss a very rude name and told him to stick his job where the sun doesn't shine. Yeah, it felt good - even when I was being escorted from the premises.

[Hippycake]

PoleDriver said:

Don't tempt me!
You wouldn't believe how close I am to doing just that right now!

Im in a similar boat myself and have been for a few months, do you find yourself scheming elaborate exit strategies too?

[Chicken Chaser]

I've only ever walked out on a job once, and fortunately it was before I had mortgage commitments. I decided I'd had enough being treated like a child so walked out at lunchtime and never went back. Very liberating and was lucky to be employed within a fortnight in a job which could have provided a good springboard into Sales & Marketing. I then changed careers totally

[Matt UK]

Hippycake said:

Im in a similar boat myself and have been for a few months, do you find yourself scheming elaborate exit strategies too?

Not really.

I'm just tempted to shake hands, says thanks for the opportunity and ps off home for a jog followed by a quiet pint in the evening to re-think what I actually want.

[CurvaParabolica]

PoleDriver said:

Don't tempt me!
You wouldn't believe how close I am to doing just that right now!

Same here. In the process of selling my flat as well so the time seems right; sell everything, pocket the cash and get outta here.

But then I go back to the pile of work sitting on my desk....

[skoff]

Yes done it once. Though this was after about a year of the job going down hill and the excessive travel getting me down (train and tube aaarrrgh never again, ever)

I just walked in one morning and something clicked in my head as I opened the office door. I walked straight into the Partners office and quit. It felt great to do that.

It felt less great when it became clear they were going to make me work my 3 months notice, though this gave me time to find something else to do. It actually took about 2.5 months to find something suitable, so I had lots of doubts along the way, but it worked out ok in the end - slightly lower salary but a huge improvement in quality of life and what turned out to be a lower cost of living away from the London commuter belt.

Having responsibilities is one thing, but being ~really~ unhappy in a job can affect you at the deepest level, relationships suffer, your sanity suffers, and even your health can take a nosedive - a job just isn't worth it in those circumstances.

[sleep envy]

have done it on two occasions for different reasons - very liberating but I had enough reserves to hold out for a while whilst I found a new job

would I do it in the current climate? not likely

[V8mate]

Have done it several times. No drama or slammed doors, just reach a point where you know that the job isn't for you, so you leave.

Have never felt that 'obligations' should stand in the way either. If you want a job, you'll find one.

[Hippycake]

sleep envy said:

have done it on two occasions for different reasons - very liberating but I had enough reserves to hold out for a while whilst I found a new job

would I do it in the current climate? not likely

Every person i have asked for advice has said the same thing, hence here i am underpaid and unfulfilled. At least its money though i spose.

[fido]

Thought about it a few times but i'd only do it if work was affecting my health, otherwise it's a cop out. There may be other ways to go about it which don't involve handing in your notice immediately - might be worth having a chat to your manager?

[V8mate]

fido said:

Thought about it a few times but i'd only do it if work was affecting my health, otherwise it's a cop out. There may be other ways to go about it which don't involve handing in your notice immediately - might be worth having a chat to your manager?

They are usually the catalyst, IME.

[fido]

Yes, and they usually don't change their ways .. but sometimes the leopard changes it's spots or at least pretends to while you spend the next 6 months looking for your next role.

[londonagent]

Have felt like it in the past, came close, then was offered voluntary redundancy as my employer(BT) decided to close the business unit down as it didn't fit within the company's strategic direction. Have no choice anymore as I run my own business.

A friend has a F U Fund, basically enough money saved that should he ever wish to say F U and leave, he has enough in the pot to cover the mortgage and bills for 6 months, the time he figures that it could take to get another job.

[PoleDriver]

Hippycake said:

PoleDriver said:

Don't tempt me!
You wouldn't believe how close I am to doing just that right now!

Im in a similar boat myself and have been for a few months, do you find yourself scheming elaborate exit strategies too?

Although I'd love to I have to be practical!
Need to line something else up.
I will need a reference.
I will probably stay in the same industry, and everyone knows everyone.
Don't want to burn bridges... Just in case!

[chunkymonkey71]

About 6 years I go I worte my resignation at my desk, put it in an envelope and was about to head in to my boss's office when one of my workmates stopped me, told me to put the letter in my drawer and think about it later.

I'm still in the same bloody job now.

[Hippycake]

PoleDriver said:

Although I'd love to I have to be practical!
Need to line something else up.
I will need a reference.
I will probably stay in the same industry, and everyone knows everyone.
Don't want to burn bridges... Just in case!

Thoughts right out of my mind poley! I do like the idea of a 'F U fund' i have savings for such an event.. So i think ill steal that term