Negotiate or leave? 10 signs it's time to leave your job

Sometimes in your career, negotiating new pay and conditions just isn’t going to satisfy you. If you know in your heart of hearts that negotiating better pay and conditions isn’t going to help you to become re-energised with your current employer - don’t negotiate a pay rise!  Instead you may be facing the decision to leave.

Deciding when to leave a job is a highly personal decision that is heavily influenced by individual circumstances and priorities. However, there are several common signs and behavioural changes that can indicate it might be time to seek a new opportunity or a new employer.

Here are ten signs that it may be time to leave your current employer:

Toxic work environment: If your workplace is characterized by excessive stress, poor communication, frequent conflicts, lack of support from management or colleagues, humiliation or bullying, it can have a significant impact on your well-being and job satisfaction. You probably dread going into work and approach each day with a sense of foreboding.

Personal values misalignment: If your job requires you to compromise your personal values or engage in activities that conflict with your principles, or are unethical, it can create a significant level of discomfort and dissatisfaction.

Remuneration and conditions: If you feel that you are not being fairly compensated for your skills and experience, or you are aware of pay inequity within your organisation, or if another organisation offers significantly better pay and conditions it may be time to explore other opportunities that offer better financial rewards or benefits.

Lack of career growth: If you feel stagnant in your current role and there appear to be no opportunities for advancement or professional development, it may be time to consider moving on. Your conclusions here should be informed by a career conversation with your boss, and your own creative thoughts about your next best step.

Unfulfilling work: If you consistently feel unchallenged, bored, or uninterested in the work you're doing, it can be a sign that you need a change.

Negative or nonconstructive company culture: If the culture of the organisation is not managed, and is unsupportive or exhibits values that do not align with your own, it can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction and a lack of motivation. Unproductive culture can also encourage us to create bad habits and dull our own performance in order to “get along”.

Unreasonable workload or burnout: If you consistently find yourself overwhelmed with an unmanageable workload, and your mental or physical health is suffering as a result, it may be a signal that you need to find a job with a healthier balance.

Lack of recognition or appreciation: If your efforts and achievements go unnoticed or unappreciated, over time it can erode personal motivation and job satisfaction.

Changes in management or organisation direction: Significant changes within the organisation, such as a new management team, restructuring, or a shift in strategic direction, can impact your job security, work dynamics, and overall job satisfaction.

Intuition and overall happiness: Sometimes, a general feeling of unhappiness, persistent stress, or a gut feeling that it's time to move on can be a valid reason to start considering a job change.

Life is just too short and you spend far too much time at work for it not to be something that has a sense of purpose for you. So if you start to see any of these points regularly cropping up, it is worth taking a moment to pause and check in on how it is going for you.

Here is your bonus point on leaving an employer. Sometimes it’s time to leave when you have achieved what you set out to achieve. It might feel to you that you have reached the end of an era. That your work is finished and it’s time for something new. It’s time for a new beginning.