Quit job w/o backup? - UPDATE

[swasat]

How many on here have quit a job and left toxic workplace without having another job lined up?

I am contemplating if I should. Have never quit a job before till I had another offer letter in hand. I am not at all worried about finances or about finding another one. I'll be able to find one pretty quickly. But I am uncertain, and scared if it will be the right decision to quit and THEN look for a job


Any stories? Support words? Been there done that? 

[hoops902]

Feb 3, 2016 13:55:15 GMT -5 swasat said:

How many on here have quit a job and left toxic workplace without having another job lined up?

I am contemplating if I should. Have never quit a job before till I had another offer letter in hand. I am not at all worried about finances or about finding another one. I'll be able to find one pretty quickly. But I am uncertain, and scared if it will be the right decision to quit and THEN look for a job


Any stories? Support words? Been there done that?

Not as an "adult". I quit one job right after college when it wasn't as advertised, but I knew for a fact I could go back to my previous job anytime I wanted (and did).  The only other times I've done it was when I was still in school and just didn't really need to get another job if I didn't want to...that obviously makes it a lot easier to just up and quit.

Can't say I wouldn't still do it.  I don't have kids, I have money saved up...but it would have to be something pretty jolting at work for me to do it (like if they told me to leave my cubicle and that my new job was scrubbing toilets I'd probably just up and leave, but it would have to be a sudden change of direction for me to quit without another job). 

[yogiii]

Feb 3, 2016 14:14:43 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Feb 3, 2016 13:55:15 GMT -5 swasat said:

If I was getting paid the same, I'd do that.  Seems there would be a lot less BS!

ETA - Was referring to scrubbing toilets

[yogiii]

Well I've probably never been in a situation as bad as you're in but if you think you can quickly get a new job I'd just start applying now and stay put in the meantime. I have problems with guilt, so quitting would just eat me up (even if I didn't need the money) until I was settled somewhere new.

[kittensaver]

I did. As a professional adult. To get away from a very toxic environment brought on by new management (very long story).

I actually quit ahead of being fired for not keeping my mouth shut when I observed some iffy and outright illegal stuff (outrageous firing and hiring practices; I worked in HR).

I quit so I would not have a "fired" or "dismissed" on my job record. They (the company) weren't worth fighting. I was young (just under 30) and married with a mortgage but with no children.

I just wanted to turn around, face forward and get on with my career. And I did. I didn't want to muck around with anger, recriminations and drawn-out lawsuits (which would have happened if I didn't choose to "let it go"). I think I was out of work for about 2 months.

In the end it was absolutely the right decision for me, but I can understand why it would be really scary and/or financially impossible for some folks - especially single folks.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[busymom]

I normally don't recommend quitting a job without having another one lined up. But, before the kids were born I was working at a company with a VERY toxic work environment, & finally told DH I didn't think I could take much more. So, I circled a day on the calendar, which DH agreed with, & decided if I didn't have a job lined up by then, I would just put in my notice. You can call it being blessed, or whatever, but I actually got a job offer just days before I put in my notice. (I was SO glad to leave that job!)

[TheHaitian]

I have never done it and would not recommend it but you know your skills and the job market for your skills better than anyone else.

I contemplating quitting my last job but they fired me before I could. I knew there was something in the air and I needed to jump ship but I got comfortable and was not as passionate about finding a new job as I should be.

Lesson learned: listen to your gut!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Feb 3, 2016 14:28:23 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

I did. As a professional adult. To get away from a very toxic environment brought on by new management (very long story).

I actually quit ahead of being fired for not keeping my mouth shut when I observed some iffy and outright illegal stuff (outrageous firing and hiring practices; I worked in HR).

I quit so I would not have a "fired" or "dismissed" on my job record. They (the company) weren't worth fighting. I was young (just under 30) and married with a mortgage but with no children.

I just wanted to turn around, face forward and get on with my career. And I did. I didn't want to muck around with anger, recriminations and drawn-out lawsuits (which would have happened if I didn't choose to "let it go"). I think I was out of work for about 2 months.

In the end it was absolutely the right decision for me, but I can understand why it would be really scary and/or financially impossible for some folks - especially single folks.

Good luck whatever you decide.

This.....my first job out of college.  I was single too.  It was scary as shit, but fortunately I got a job offer my last day working.

[ArchietheDragon]

I quit without having a job.  I was three year in working at a public CPA firm.  I was a little burned out and was having some issues on one of my jobs.  Working there just wasn't my thing anymore.  So I quit.   I was nervous as all get out.   This was prior to kids.   I was unemployed for about 2 months.  I finally got a hold of a head hunter and got a job. I ended up getting my current position through a partner I had worked for at the CPA firm.

[MJ2.0]

no, but it is one of those days where I am THISCLOSE....

[haapai]

No, I've never done it, but I frequently wonder if I should have.  Toxic environments take an incredible toll but there's definitely a price associated with what you are contemplating.  It is always easier to find a job when you are still employed but there are also times when leaping off the side of a ship at sea and swimming for shore is exactly the right thing to do. 

I'm not sure what price you'll pay for going overboard instead of jumping ship while in port.  That price varies a lot by job and career and quite frankly, by gender.  Women are much more successful than men at explaining gaps in employment with care-giving obligations and spousal relocations.  Do you have any such cards in your pocket?  Are you willing to bluff? 

All that I can really say is that you're not crazy for thinking about this. 

[Deleted]

Never have left a job without another one lined up but I sure did want to at one point in my career, I stuck it out while searching for another job and had one lined up after 4 months.

I understand there are reasons where a person would quit without having anything lined up but I would strongly advise to hold onto your existing job if at all possible until you have that firm offer in hand for a new one. 

Personally I am not worried about finding another job nor with having money to last until I do, but I still wouldn't quit without having another offer.  It really is a strike against a person when they are interviewing for a job when they don't currently have one.  The longer it goes between jobs the more impact that strike carries.

[emma1420]

I quit one job before i had another one lined up.  I was so incredibly lucky that I started another job only two weeks after I quit the one I left.  But, those two weeks, while I was interviewing was super stressful.  I don't think I'd do it now (but then I'm also not in a toxic environment).

I think if you feel pretty confident that you can find another job, and you don't need to worry about the money side of things to do it.  At least I would.  No point in being miserable somewhere if you don't need to be.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

DH just did that, would not recommend it.   Fortunately for us the job was only two weeks old so it's not something we ever have to mention.

I would not quit a job I have held for a long time without having another one.  Employers and applications are going to ask why you left your previous job.  Can you come up with an answer that doesn't sound like bashing your current company?

It's a lot easier to wait until you have another job offer in hand.  Leaving your current job for a better position/pay is reasonable and easy to understand.

[techguy]

If you can find a job "pretty quickly", then do it.  Then quit your toxic job.

Employees have a lot more power than people realize.

Just in hang in there and START finding a new job.

Keep us posted.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

I quit my job almost exactly a year ago without having another job lined up. It was a toxic work environment, and I had plenty of savings. I had been laid off two years earlier and found another job within two weeks, so I thought it was a fairly safe decision.
Since then I have had dozens of job interviews and only one job offer. I turned that offer down because the interview process was really unprofessional, and I was worried about ending up in another bad work situation. After a year, I have pretty much given up on finding a job in my field that pays as well as my last job. Quitting may have been a really bad move in terms of my career. However, I still don't regret quitting.

My fiance and I are getting ready to move to an area with a much lower COL and lower unemployment. Financially, we should still be alright unless we both can't find jobs for at least another year. This last year has been stressful for our relationship, but we are happier now than ever.
Also, I work in a field where there has been a lot of off-shoring, so I wouldn't necessarily assume that it will take 1+ years to find a new job.
I still remember the feeling when I finally decided to give my notice.

[Deleted]

I have several times.  I think probably I should not have a few times, but who knows.  Some places are crappy to work for and best to leave and figure it out afterwards.  But I think that would not work for a lot of people.

Whatever happens, good luck.

[Tiny]

I didn't quit before I had another job - but it was close. this was back in the mid90's when IT jobs were plentiful. I was interviewing and had 2 companies I was interested in and felt they were interested in me... the Bitch Manager from Hell pushed me just alittle too hard and I had my letter of resignation filled out and signed for that Friday - even though I didn't have an offer yet. I also told to of my closest co-workers I was resigning on Friday. That Thursday I got an offer I couldn't refuse from one of the 2 companies... and accepted. The other company also made me an offer on Friday - but Company #1 was too sweet to pass up.    (FWIW: the two coworkers also resigned within the next 3 weeks - as they had found other employment.)   


I'm old. I've seen a lot. I'd recommend/advise that you should NOT quit until you've lined up another job. You should start and carry thru on your job search while still employed.
Unless you are fearing for your life or are being set up to take some dreadful fall by your coworkers - I suspect that some of the 'toxicity' at work can be handled with a little "mental manipulation" on your part. People are a lot less annoying and toxic when you aren't totally invested in whatever they are being snotty about - AND knowing that you are working on your escape can help "disengage" yourself from some of the drama/toxicity. That means you don't need to quit right this minute.

[Tiny]

Feb 3, 2016 13:55:15 GMT -5 swasat said:

How many on here have quit a job and left toxic workplace without having another job lined up?

I am contemplating if I should. Have never quit a job before till I had another offer letter in hand. I am not at all worried about finances or about finding another one. I'll be able to find one pretty quickly. But I am uncertain, and scared if it will be the right decision to quit and THEN look for a job


Any stories? Support words? Been there done that?

What's your insurance situation?   If you don't need your employers insurance - that's a plus.

Another thing to consider - if you do your job search while still employed - perhaps you can negotiate a start date with your new employer so that you have a week or two off between jobs.     That would give you some time to 'detox' from your previous job.   

I  did that when escaping from the Bitch Manager from Hell... had a week off between jobs. (ok, I probably didn't have health insurance for that week... but it all worked out).

[Tiny]

Feb 3, 2016 13:55:15 GMT -5 swasat said:

How many on here have quit a job and left toxic workplace without having another job lined up?

I am contemplating if I should. Have never quit a job before till I had another offer letter in hand. I am not at all worried about finances or about finding another one. I'll be able to find one pretty quickly. But I am uncertain, and scared if it will be the right decision to quit and THEN look for a job


Any stories? Support words? Been there done that?

Then why not keep your current job and look for the next one?   Will spending another few weeks (with the new knowledge that you are out of there) really be that bad? 

 

[debthaven]

I'm with those who say it's better to find a new job now and then give your notice.

I did once, but the company had moved too far (a 3.5 hr round trip commute). Once they announced they were moving I knew I would leave, because I knew I'd be entitled to a great payout. But I had to stick it out for 6 months to get the payout.

I got a great payout, took (too much) time off and then got another job. But I changed fields and it took a while to get back to my old salary. I don't regret the change, I'm much happier now. But I DO regret taking too much time off and not rebuilding my career sooner.

If you're at the point when you're ready to quit, could you take a day a week off (to help with your mental health and to be more available for interviews)? Or schedule whatever vacation you're due?

It's not like you say you want a break, because you say you're sure you'll find a new job quickly. In that case I'd find that new job first.

I firmly believe that employers can smell desperation. I'm certainly NOT saying you're desperate, but I think most people would be more worried when interviewing without a job than with one.

Good luck! I hope you get a great offer soon!

[Lizard Queen]

I quit my job to go back to school. Monetarily, I probably should have negotiated part-time hours instead, but I can't express how much I don't miss going to that place...at all. So glad to be done with it altogether.

[swasat]

Yes, I am pretty confident I'll get a job fairly soon, in the next few weeks. I have already started job applications since this past Monday and had 2 interviews today, have another one on Friday and potentially 3 next week.

I am in IT management. The job interviews are multi level. And even if I get an offer say next week, by the time the paperwork is all done and I start at the new place, it'll be 2-3 weeks. So my issue here is patience, and getting at least the same salary I get . Husband covers my health insurance, so no worries there. Lots of savings, so no worries there either.

I guess my biggest problem is being patient and waiting the few weeks till I get an offer, give my notice and start at the new place. Just the thought of continuing here for even 2-3 weeks makes me want to cry!


I just need to take a deep breath and coast along till I have a solid job in my hand.

I love my company, I still do! But we had a management change a month ago and there is some serious politics that played. Unknowingly, unwittingly, our whole team got mired in the filth. From a dream job it has turned into a job from hell in just 4 weeks. I can't even digest how quickly we went from such a happy work team to what we are now. The worst part is, due to all the politics that played in, none of us who got moved due to the reorganization can find internal positions with other LOBs in the company for another year. And it's a Fortune 20 company with 200K+ employees!

Shit hit the fan pretty quickly and now we at drenched.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

In that case I would suggest looking and waiting for the next few months. If you are still ready to pull your hair out after that, then thing about giving your notice.

[TheHaitian]

Feb 3, 2016 18:03:50 GMT -5 swasat said:

Yes, I am pretty confident I'll get a job fairly soon, in the next few weeks. I have already started job applications since this past Monday and had 2 interviews today, have another one on Friday and potentially 3 next week.

I am in IT management. The job interviews are multi level. And even if I get an offer say next week, by the time the paperwork is all done and I start at the new place, it'll be 2-3 weeks. So my issue here is patience, and getting at least the same salary I get . Husband covers my health insurance, so no worries there. Lots of savings, so no worries there either.

I guess my biggest problem is being patient and waiting the few weeks till I get an offer, give my notice and start at the new place. Just the thought of continuing here for even 2-3 weeks makes me want to cry!


I just need to take a deep breath and coast along till I have a solid job in my hand.

I love my company, I still do! But we had a management change a month ago and there is some serious politics that played. Unknowingly, unwittingly, our whole team got mired in the filth. From a dream job it has turned into a job from hell in just 4 weeks. I can't even digest how quickly we went from such a happy work team to what we are now. The worst part is, due to all the politics that played in, none of us who got moved due to the reorganization can find internal positions with other LOBs in the company for another year. And it's a Fortune 20 company with 200K+ employees!

Shit hit the fan pretty quickly and now we at drenched.

Stick around till an offer is made, I think you have the upper hand and most likely to get your current salary or higher if you still have a job!

Fingers crossed an offer comes quickly! I want to be like you when I grow up

[wvugurl26]

Quit a gig as a restaurant hostess after a month right after I'd graduated with my bachelor's. Hours weren't as promised. Went to the temp agency, signed up and got a $2/hour raise. Entered the masters program a couple months later.

[whoisjohngalt]

So, the money is not an issue, the health insurance is not an issue and after job hunting for 5 min you already have 4 interviews.   But you still won't quit the job that makes you miserable?  I don't get that, I would have been gone.

I also don't get the "you have an upper hand if you are employed" thing - I've never had a potential employer contacting my current one, so whoever you are interviewing with doesn't need to know that you quit.

[Shooby]

    It depends on your situation whether to quit without a back up job.  Are you planning to quit and take some time off?  If you have other sources of income such as working spouse and can manage your bills and your spouse is in favor of that then maybe that is an option.  However, if you are planning to just change jobs, then just change jobs.  Cast your net and stick it out for a bit and find a new job.  Gritting it out for a couple more weeks or months is something most people can do. 
  However, I did actually quit one job.  One of the supervisors was so miserable that i just had to leave.  I finished work one day and then as soon as I got home, i called and quit.  That is the only job that i had quit without notice.  But, it wasn't a full time job but more a part time fill in type extra job that i had was doing on the side.  So, not sure i would have done that with my main job.

[happyhoix]

It would depend on whether the toxic work environment might blow up in your face and you could get fired. If I was in that situation, I would probably leave before I had a new job, but I'm married and DH could have picked up the slack for a while, if needed. Better to leave then have to explain a termination on your resume, IMHO.

I was in one very toxic situation but not in the position where I could get fired. Just on the sidelines watching the ship go down in flames. I waited that one out until I found another job, because I think it is easier to find a job if you're currently employed, IMHO.

Sorry you're in a bad company right now. It's amazing how one really bad manager with no one there to curb his behavior can really demoralize and trash a company. In my case, the manager eventually got terminated, but it took waaaay too long for HR to get to that point.  

[geenamercile]

I have quit and walked out once due to a toxic environment, illegal practices, and had a paper trail showing changes that were not made which were suppose too.  I won my unemployment claim from that too when they challenged it.   I have also decided not to sign a teaching contract which I would think is similar to quitting without a new teaching job lined up.  I had wanted to make it one more year at that school since I was only on my second year of teaching before looking, but when I got the contract I knew I couldn't work for that principal anymore.  My whole team quit that year, and I think a whole team at another grade level too.  Over all that was the second year with that principal, and the second year the school lost over a third of the staff due to non renewal.  I heard from a friend that did stay the next year wasn't any better..... she left then.  

First time I was 20, and my grandmother floated me for a bit.  It was also just a summer job between college years.

2nd time my paychecks were over a 12 month period so I still got paid for the summer months, and we had savings.  It was easier to find a job being off, but it wasn't a good time to look for a teaching job since most contracts were already handed out.