In this difficult economy, with jobs as scarce as they are, most of us are relieved just to be employed.  But the fact is that sometimes even hard working people find themselves in unworkable employment situations.  Whatever the reason, whether it is a difficult supervisor, medical problems, discrimination in the workplace (employment discrimination), or some other problem that feels insurmountable there may come a point where you question whether you should stay at your current job.  Before you quit, make sure your decision to leave your job is an educated decision, rather than an emotional decision.

To assist you in making that choice, here are the top three reasons not to quit your job.

  1. You have no other job prospects.
    Be honest with yourself, it is a difficult market out there.  If you don’t have a clear job prospect, don’t pull the plug.  You will always be a more desirable candidate to prospective employers if you are applying from a current job rather than a position of unemployment.   In addition, you will likely be ineligible for unemployment benefits if you leave your job voluntarily.  Unless you have enough savings to support you while you look for employment, it is never a good idea to leave one job without first securing a new one.
  2. You have not tried to resolve the problem with your employer.
    Most employers really do care about keeping their employees happy.  This is true, in part, because a happy employee is a productive employee.  Whatever your problem, don’t be afraid to address it head on with your employer.  Remember, your employer cannot fix something that they don’t know is broken.  Your first step should be to make your employer aware of what is going on and see if you can find a way to resolve the problem.   Reach out to the Human Resources Department to discuss what is going on.  Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself, but be sure to listen as well.  If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, contact an employment attorney who can help guide you through the process and can work with your employer to find the best resolution to the problem.
  3. You lose the opportunity to negotiate the terms of your separation
    Saying the words “I Quit” can be cathartic, but they aren’t worth much more than that.  Once you quit your job, you leave with nothing (other than what your employer is legally and contractually obligated to give you).  If you are certain that you are going to leave your job, you may be in a position to negotiate the terms of your severance in a way that can be beneficial to both you and your employer.  Consider the reason you are leaving.  Is because of discrimination, sexual harassment, unfair wage practices, or other unlawful behavior?  If so, your employer likely wants to know about it and will work with you to make sure that you are leaving on terms that are satisfactory to you.

Or maybe you have worked for your company for many years and have dedicated a great deal of time and effort to the benefit of your employer?  If so, your employer may be willing to offer you benefits – including severance pay, extended health insurance, letters of recommendation, or others – as part of a severance package.  If you feel uncomfortable negotiating on your own, contact an employment attorney who can help you navigate the process and negotiate the terms of your separation from the company.

Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Greene and Hafer represents men and women who feel they have been victimized by wrongful termination. With more than 18 years of combined employment law experience, our attorneys are prepared to ensure your rights are recognized. To schedule an appointment with an experienced wrongful termination lawyer, contact our Boston law office .