Should You Quit Your Job in a Bad Economy?
Should a Person Quit a Job Because He or She Is Unhappy or Hates Their Job?
This article is inspired by a question asked by fellow hubber Sarah Anderson. Her specific question was: “How do I know when a job is bad and I should quit vs life is tough and I should just knuckle under? Like many college grads I can't get a job in my field so I'm stuck doing jobs that don't exactly suit my abilities. And people are mean to me.”
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Current Job Statistics
Between 60 and 70 percent of college graduates never get a job in their field (Forbes). Only 27% of college grads get jobs that are even related to their college majors (Washington Post). The New York Daily News reports that more than 40% of recent college grads are underemployed, taking part-time jobs, and jobs that do not require a college degree at all.
Huffington Post reports that at least 7.9% of recent college grads (not all college grads but only recent ones) are jobless. I personally know many college graduates who are doing minimum pay jobs (often more than one minimum pay job) just to scrape by because that is all they can find in the current job climate.
The current job market is very tough no matter how some people want to paint the economic picture in rosy shades of pink. There are also those people who believe anyone who truly wants a job can find a job – but they did not say you would find a job in your field; just a job.
People who are generally settled in their jobs and have not ever had to find a job in an economic climate such as we are experiencing right now have no clue about what it is like to try and find a job when there are none to be found. Some of these people have been lucky and assume everyone has their good luck, which is far from reality.
Currently, it is not only lazy slothful people who are finding it hard to get a job in this job climate, but even ambitious pure God-fearing people are having a hard time getting a job too.
So think hard about what you will do if you quit your current job and cannot find another one within a month, or even 6 months. Sometimes being homeless, not just living with relatives or friends and mooching off them, but being truly homeless, living in your car or under a bridge with other homeless people, can be harder on a day to day basis than working with surly coworkers and/or difficult bosses.
The New York Daily News reports that 70% of U.S. workers hate their jobs. A lot of the people included in those statistics have been doing the same job for 10 to 20 years or more. Both Huffington Post and USA Today also report the same thing as the New York Daily News -- that most people hate their jobs. This has been so for a long time. Anyone lucky enough to find a job they really love is a very lucky person indeed.
Given the current economic situation here in the United States and around the world, what do you think your chances are of moving from the job you now have (presumably in that 70% group of job haters) into the 30% group that find their jobs somewhere between tolerable and fabulous? You do not have to share your answer with anyone else, but at least be honest with yourself.
Finding a new job may not be so easy in our current economy.
Should You Quit Your Job Before Getting A New Job?
Just Common Sense
Most people agree that if at all possible a person should have their next job lined up before they quit the one they have. The rent does not stop coming due because you have quit your job and have no paycheck, so try to limit the time you are without income as much as possible.
Always be looking for your next job, especially if you are not satisfied with the job you have or know when you take a job that you expect to do it only as long as it takes to get a better or more desirable job.
Possible Solutions Leading to Freedom From the Workforce
Think about self-employment possibilities. Could you make and market a needed and uniquely designed product? Sell it online, door-to-door, or at parties?
Could you offer a specialty service like art classes, computer classes, or individual tutoring to children or adults, or both? Tutors get pretty good hourly rates, and there are businesses that do nothing else.
Determine your strengths, skills, and talents. Could you create a self-employment situation out of one or more of them? Do you have a hobby that could make you money through giving lessons, putting craft kits together, or by selling finished handcrafted items?
Do you have special knowledge of business practices? Could you market a resumé kit, for example, or a kit for people who want to start a new business but do not know where to begin? What marketable skills and talents might you have that are unrelated to your college degree?
Sometimes working at something you love that you have been doing as a hobby is better than working in an area where you have a college degree. I was told 20 years ago that 80 some percent of college graduates never get a job in their field. Today’s statistics seem to be better, but not by much. A lot of degrees are earned in fields where there really is not a lot of demand.
Just the same, most universities and colleges have a lot o requirements in order to earn a degree so that your education will be “well rounded.” What have you learned at college that will help you find a job more to your liking even if it does not seem to relate directly to your field of major?
Searching for a New Job
More from Au Fait About Employment
- Working 2 or More Jobs – Is This the New Normal?
More and more people are having to work 2 or more jobs just to survive. Will the economy ever improve or is this the new normal? - Understanding How Unemployment Insurance Benefits Work: This explains Unemployment for both employee
I've been an employer who has had to pay unemployment benefits, and I have been a worker who collected them. This is what I learned from being on both situations at different times. - Do You Know What Qualifies As a Job Search While Collecting Unemployment Benefits?
Applying for jobs is not the only way to meet job search requirements. This is a list of the many different activities that count towards meeting the number of job searches you are required to make each week to continue receiving unemployment benefit - How To Keep a Good Record of Your Job Search Activities for Unemployment Benefits Purposes
A list of the information you will need to keep for when your state unemployment office asks for verification of your job searches, and examples of job search forms.
Your Employer's Responsibility
Keep in mind that it is an employer’s responsibility to maintain a good work environment. It is not only sexual harassment that can cost an employer big. Allowing a hostile work environment to exist is against the law too.
It is the responsibility of employers to know what kind of environment they have in their workplace, and it is their responsibility to make changes when it is not a healthy environment for everyone to do their jobs without fear of ridicule or bullying of any kind. If they fire someone in a hostile situation they want to be sure they did not fire the victim(s) of that situation lest it come back to bite them you know where.
If you are experiencing a hostile work environment, I recommend that you keep a journal of everything negative that happens, and that you inform your employer that people are nasty and making it difficult for you to do your job. You should not dread going to work from the moment you leave your workplace until you arrive again the next day.
My husband, an employment attorney, handled a case where a person was experiencing both a hostile work environment and sexual harassment as part of that hostility. He won.
Keep a record of the names of people who do or say nasty things as well as exactly what they did or said, the circumstances under which each incident occurred, and be sure to include the date and time. Your journal, ideally hand written, will stand up in court just like a first hand witness account.
Lawsuits are lengthy and should always be seen as retirement funds, not money that will pay the bills right now. Lawsuits take time, but if you think you will need the money 10 years from now just as you do today, then teach them how to run their business better by making sure their work environment encourages a pleasant atmosphere for all workers.
Lawsuits should be a last resort when employers refuse to make necessary changes for the benefit of all of their employees. A good employment attorney will first attempt to come to a solution that satisfies all parties before filing a complaint with the courts.
You have 2 years from the time of the first incident to file a complaint, so be sure to contact an employment lawyer at least 6 months prior to the end of that 2 year period. Keep in mind that even if you do quit because coworkers, a supervisor, or a manager is making it difficult to do your job, you can often still sue. Bullying and demeaning you need not include sexual innuendo or worse.
There are instances where an employer can be sued even when an employee brought no complaint to their attention, but generally your chances of a win are much better if you did inform your employer so that they have a reasonable opportunity to correct the situation before proceeding to legal solutions. Depending on the nature of the complaint, it is often best to seek a solution outside of court because it avoids bad publicity and less expense.
Hopefully both you and your employer want the same thing – a pleasant work environment for everyone. That should be attainable without legal action, but if an employer is unreasonable or unwilling to work for that end, there are other solutions.
Reader's Opinion
Comments
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on December 12, 2020:
Peggy Woods, thank you for stopping by. Jobs are sort of a double edged sword these days. Those people who have one are lucky to have some money coming in, but at the same time must risk being out and about with Covid-19 stalking everyone. One of those situations where every choice is difficult.
Merry Christmas! Stay safe.
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on December 06, 2020:
Lucky are those who still have jobs in this pandemic. Far too many of the lost jobs will not easily come back.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on June 27, 2020:
Peggy Woods, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Agree with you 100%. Stay well.
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on June 20, 2020:
Now with COVID-19 causing upheaval with illnesses and deaths, the economy is in full recession mode. Many of the jobs lost will never come back. Anyone that has a job in this current climate is fortunate. I fear that it is going to be a long time before we approach full employment statistics again. We need strong leadership and innovative ways of thinking to help people survive this crisis. Voting in the upcoming elections has never been more important!
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on January 04, 2020:
Peggy Woods, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue. Good paying jobs with full-time hours are getting harder and harder to find, which is a big reason so many people are having to work more than one job. Wages have stagnated, too.
Technology and automation are taking a lot of jobs from people, not migrant workers like so many people want to blame. The jobs being taken by automation and technology won't be coming back and will continue to disappear even if we don't have even one migrant worker come into the country.
You can't stop progress. The Green New Deal would create 30 million new jobs and they would be 'clean' jobs as well as making us more independent energywise.
Otherwise people are going to have to get imaginative and create their own jobs. "They" have been trying for a while now, to think of ways for people who can't find jobs to be supported. That is the reason for the idea of an automatic government paid monthly allowance.
Job are literally disappearing and they're not coming back. People need to start wrapping their minds around this fact and start thinking of ways to fix the problem of thousands of unemployed people. Calling people lazy won't cut it. Automation and technology are here to stay. Best to find ways to live with it.
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on December 31, 2019:
This article of yours is an eye-opener for some who may not have read it. In 2019, although unemployment is at an all-time low and the stock market is at an all-time high, many people are still underemployed or having to work several jobs just to make ends meet. In the next Presidential election, many of the candidates have ideas of how to address some of these issues. Time will tell if they are successful.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on September 29, 2017:
Thank you for stopping by Shyron. It seems like more jobs are now available, but the minimum pay hasn't risen in at least 23 years. It takes 3 or more of those jobs that are now available just to scrape by. Of course one can save by living in their car rather than renting an apartment, because with 3 or more jobs one only needs to stop in at the gym's bathroom and get a quick shower, etc., before going to their next gig. No time for sleep or anything but work, so no need for an apartment.
Blessings to you and John also . . .
Shyron E Shenko from Texas on September 09, 2017:
Au fait, I too am glad I don't have to hunt for a job, although the income would make things a little less stressful.
Interesting hub you have here.
Blessings my dear friend
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on June 13, 2016:
Glenda, so glad to see you again! Yes, I think it would be so nice not to have to worry about jobs and all the baggage that goes with them. Thank you for taking time to stop by and comment!
Glenda on June 11, 2016:
I am so glad I don't have to worry about jobs any more. Retired and glad, interesting hub.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on October 15, 2015:
Brakel2, thank you for taking time to come by, and for your high praise. Hope you found the info here useful. Most of my hubs are basically research papers and rarely about opinion. Blessings to you also . . .
Audrey Selig from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on October 14, 2015:
Hi again - I wanted to stop by again to tell you what a fantastic a job you did on this article, especially on the research. It gives numbers and statistics which show a true picture of employment, none of which were surprising, but at least verified. Aufait, you should be proud. Keep up the good work. Blessings, Audrey
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on October 14, 2015:
Peggy W., thank you for commenting on and sharing this article! Agree that the medical field will always need people who are well trained and skillful. Definitely something to think about when choosing a vocation.
Audrey Selig from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on October 13, 2015:
AuFait It is very difficult to find jobs these days in Oklahoma with the oil turndown. I agree that a large percentage of people never work in their field and work at part time or low paying jobs. My son is in his forties and works on contract, unable to get hired by the company. A friend with a masters in one field is now in teaching. Those who go into a medical field ex, nursing seem to stay in that field. Folks who are very intelligent are floundering, as the job competition is fierce. Don't quit a job you hate, because you may never find another one that pays as well.. It is so sad, but somehow people make the best of it. We must keep hope alive. Blessings, Audrey Pinning
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on October 13, 2015:
We now have new neighbors who moved in on Saturday. Have yet to take anything over to them welcoming them to the neighborhood...but will do so soon. We found out that our former neighbor has been assured that he will not lose his job and that he will be transferred soon to another assignment.
They are temporarily bunking in with her sister and family. The husband will have a long commute each day back and forth to work until the transfer does take place. The company must really value his skills when so many others are being let go.
They were simply making smart decisions ahead of time in case the worst happened.
I agree with you that some fields seem better assured of job stability...such as medical. Kids starting out should think seriously of training for the jobs of the future!
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on August 15, 2015:
Peggy W., thank you for sharing this article and for sharing your neighbor's story. I think if the agreement with Iran is passed by the Senate we will see lower gas and oil prices.
While life changes are seldom easy, I would be surprised if your neighbors didn't have savings for a rainy day. Most minimum pay workers don't even have enough to live from day to day, much less make a plan when they lose there jobs and must move on.
Agree that careers in medical care and closely related areas are wise choices, and science is too, if one has the aptitude.
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on August 12, 2015:
Excellent hub as usual coming from you. Sharing.
Slightly off topic, but I am so sad. Our good neighbors behind us have their home up for sale as of yesterday. I know it won't be long the way houses sell so quickly these days before they are gone. The husband works for a major oil and gas company. His company like so many others in that industry are laying off people in droves because of the lowered price of oil. All of his bosses are already gone and he can see the handwriting on the wall regarding his chances of staying.
So they are selling their home and scaling back and he is considering what his options are regarding future employment. Not likely to be hired right now in that same industry. He is a hard worker and obviously the company thought well of him since they paid for his entire family to live in another country for several years prior to his current assignment. But they cannot live on air!
Kids starting out today should have a well rounded education knowing that the odds are great that they will have several jobs...and not necessarily in their same field. The exception would be in some fields like medical where there will always be a need. Even there...one should study and be open to different areas of expertise and keep gaining knowledge through the years so as to be well rounded.
Am cooking dinner for them tonight while they are getting their home ready to show. So much for them to do! My heart goes out to them!
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on June 29, 2015:
Indian Chef, thank you for reading and commenting on this article, for the votes, the share, and the compliments!
Let me say, however, that this is not a blog. A blog is something that is added to regularly, daily or at least several times a week. I only update this perhaps one or twice a year as new information becomes available. Further, blogs are usually of a personal nature. This is not merely opinion, but includes facts. This is a magazine type article as are most of the 'hubs' on this site. Thank you again for taking time!
Indian Chef from New Delhi India on June 28, 2015:
What I can say is you put a lot of effort in your blogs. In our country most look forward to Government job because once you get it, you do not have to work and there is no job responsibility. As for work environment well that's totally missing. Loved your work here. sharing, voting up and interesting.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on May 02, 2015:
Besarien, thank you for sharing your thoughts and especially your experience on this issue. I think it's wonderful that you have had success, presumably doing something you love, and I hope your comments will encourage people also well able, and with many options, to do what you have done.
Not everyone has your advantages, or a supportive family, or in some cases, anyone at all. Some people, more than you might think, are lucky just to have a job, even a job they may hate. When times are hard as they have been in this country for quite some time now, quitting a job is for most people, generally something to think very carefully about before deciding what to do.
Besarien from South Florida on April 30, 2015:
I never feel comfy telling other people what to do with their lives. Everyone should do whatever they think is right for them.
When I found myself in this situation, I quit and started my own business. I had the benefits of business experience, a husband who loved his job, a family who said go for it, and some money in saving that quickly went to my business. I just thought that life was too short to spend the half of the time I was awake doing something that I hated. Selling my life for money- especially really crummy money- is something I promised myself years ago that I would never do.
I would not be as financially stable today and probably would not have a child now if I hadn't made this choice back then. I'm not even sure I'd be sane, quite frankly.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on April 02, 2015:
Peachpurple, thank you for sharing your wisdom here! ;)
peachy from Home Sweet Home on April 01, 2015:
no, never quit your current job unless you are a millionaire's wife!
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on March 11, 2015:
Tillsontitan, thank you for reading, voting on, and sharing your thoughts on this issue. Agree that there still are not enough jobs available for people who need and want a job.
Don't know if you are aware, but our government has for some time (B.O. -- before Obama ;) been recruiting people from overseas to come here and take various jobs. Learned this from a woman from Singapore who was recruited to take a librarian job here in town at one of our state universities.
So if they can't ship our jobs overseas, they bring people in to take them. I think that is unspeakably unfair to our own people who have spent time and money to become qualified for these jobs but end up taking something outside their field, something that pays less, and often something they could have had without a college degree, as a result -- and using our own tax dollars to screw us!
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on March 10, 2015:
Thank you Patricia (pstraubie48) for taking time to read and comment on this article. Also for the votes, the share, and the angels! :)
It's true that some jobs can become unbearable usually because of personalities, but the bills must be paid, and the landlord/bank doesn't care how you do it so long as you make those payments. Miss them (payments) and maybe that situation at work won't seem so bad after all . . .
Mary Craig from New York on March 08, 2015:
As with all your hubs, this one is packed with statistics and who can argue with statistics? Isn't it sad that college graduates today have little chance of working in their chosen field? What's worse is many can't find jobs at all.
No one can convince me things are better in this economy. I remember when you COULD quit a job and have another one in a day or two and in your chosen field. You wouldn't dare do that today. Always make sure you have a job before leaving the one you've got.
Voted up, useful, and interesting.
Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on March 08, 2015:
AuFait This is very sound advice. Sometimes a job and the circumstances surrounding it become so untenable that getting up every morning and going to it is drudgery.
But worse than facing drudgery would be having NO job. Definitely having a job before leaving a current one is one of the most important statements you made.
Thankfully my job is to be Nini and Momma so I do not face this.
Know that Angels once again are on the way...voted up+++ and shared
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on January 16, 2015:
DeborahDian, thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this article. Yes, a lot of people are still struggling despite what some people are saying is considerable improvement to the economy. There are a lot of considerations to take into account before one just up and quits a job.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on January 16, 2015:
PegCole17, thank you for stopping by! I just now discovered your comment. I can't imagine why I wasn't informed when you wrote it. Hope all is well with you and that you've a great start to the New Year!
Deborah Carr from Orange County, California on January 15, 2015:
I read today that unemployment claims climbed a bit this week. I know many people are still struggling to find better jobs. I think this is a timely article that could help many people think through their options before they quit their current job. Definitely worth sharing.
Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on June 30, 2014:
"The more things change, the more they stay the same.." Bon Jovi
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on June 30, 2014:
PegCole17, thank you for sharing your experiences with sexism in the workplace. A lot of people, including women, believe we are in a post-feminist era, but nothing I have seen or heard suggests that is the case to me. I know you are speaking of past experiences, but in reality, not all that much has changed. Sometimes I think we're going backwards.
Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on June 29, 2014:
Au fait, I think you're right on this topic. We may have come a long way (baby) but not nearly far enough. Even when I did make it to a position in a professional field that was typically male dominated, my salary was at 75 percent of my male peers. Whenever a project came up that none of the men wanted to do, they gave it to me. They liked to joke, "Give it to the girl". Very funny.
At another position, I was promoted to do the same exact job as my male predecessor but was given the title of Supervisor rather than Manager as his title had been. My duties were exactly the same.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on June 29, 2014:
PegCole17, thank you for sharing your experience in the workplace. I think the reason you had to go through so much to move up the ladder was very likely the fact that you are a woman. Men often do not have to go through all that and many start fairly high up the ladder straight out of university. Sexism lives and will very probably continue to rear it ugly head for a long time to come. I realize you are speaking of a few years ago, but truthfully, I have not seen a lot of difference other than sexism is often under the surface while accepted excuses are used in the daylight.
Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on June 27, 2014:
This informative article sheds light on the question many of us ask ourselves when things at work get tough. I was one of those college grads who are underemployed even after all that schooling. It took starting off as an administrative assistant and working my way up the ladder to get ahead at a big company. That can sometimes be a long journey but worth the struggle.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on June 24, 2014:
Rebeccamealey, thank you for reading and commenting! Agree.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on June 23, 2014:
Thank you, Shyron, for coming by and commenting, voting on, and sharing this article. So true that even after all these years employers will often not even consider a person who isn't already employed.
As a result, people who lose their jobs are destined to be jobless for life and bear the recriminations of those who accuse them of being lazy and slothful, when in fact, they have no choice but to survive as best they can. They have committed the terrible, unforgivable sin of losing their job by some means and as a result they have been rendered unemployable.
Take care . .
Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on June 21, 2014:
Lots of interesting facts here, great research! I think stick it out until another job is lined up unless things are so made they are causing great stress. Also, if you are in a field that has lots of job openings, you wouldn't
have to worry as much.
Shyron E Shenko from Texas on June 20, 2014:
Au fait, I am back to read this again. No do not quit until you have another job. Employers do not hire people who are unemployed.
Great information, gave thumbs up UAI and shared.
I hope all is well with you
Shyron
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on March 13, 2014:
Vespawoolf, thank you for commenting. That is the reason I recommended keeping a journal from day one, so that your journal can stand as a witness for you if it becomes necessary to go to court regarding sexual harassment, hostile work environment, sex discrimination, and a variety of other workplace issues.
Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on March 11, 2014:
I agree that there are situations that are worse than a stressful work environment. I had no idea that allowing a hostile work environment is illegal! Of course, it would be hard to prove but it is something to consider. This is very interesting and well written and I like tour suggestions for creative self employment ideas.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on March 07, 2014:
Thank you kerlund74 for sharing your thoughts on this important subject.
kerlund74 from Sweden on March 05, 2014:
Objective and well-reasoned hub. I think a lot of things have to be considered before living a job. And the best option is to get another one first.
C E Clark (author) from North Texas on January 11, 2014:
Sam, capitalism is a very complicated subject and could and does easily fill a book.
Did you know that sharing your opinions on certain subjects, such as politics and religion, can be hazardous to your success? Especially when they are shared on an international bulletin board like the comments sections of all hubs?