Should you quit rather than keep pushing yourself?

Stress at work

17 years without a holiday, then a complete breakdown. At the start of the year, the story of a Swiss doctor who had worked himself to death made the headlines. Although this was an extreme case, recent studies reveal a trend: mental stress is on the rise, and the workplace is often the cause.

Difficulty concentrating, reduced performance, withdrawal from the team: these are not isolated cases, but a trend. This is demonstrated by a WorkMed study on the relationship between work and mental health: a large proportion of those surveyed suffer from mental health issues that have a direct impact on their work. And the reasons are disturbing. In many cases, work is to blame. According to the study, a heavy team atmosphere, unresolved conflicts and a toxic corporate culture are the main factors contributing to mental health issues. In other words: it is not only events in one’s private life, but also the workplace that undermines mental health.*

Work-related stress is also reflected in the results of a very recent survey we conducted: one in four people are worried about their job; one in ten believe it is very likely they will soon lose their job. This uncertainty is attributed in particular to companies’ strategic decisions. Conversely, this means that there is a lack of trust in management, that motivation suffers and that conflicts may increase.**

Multiple stress factors

Work-related pressures are, of course, not solely to blame. Often, unconscious patterns also play a role. Our society continues to prioritise performance and perfection, both at work and in our private lives: these expectations and beliefs, instilled in the workplace, remain with us throughout our lives.

Added to this is a new burden: in recent years, constant availability in the digital age and geopolitical crises have created additional pressure. Even those who have long viewed their stress as a positive stimulus sometimes eventually reach a tipping point. At that point, switching off is no longer possible and burnout becomes a permanent state.

Self-care

The causes of stress and tension can therefore be manifold. One possible way to address this is through self-care.

In the specialist literature, self-care means valuing oneself, taking one’s needs seriously and thereby contributing to one’s own well-being.

But what can be done when a healthy work-life balance is no longer possible in a stressful job?

It is not uncommon for employees to consult a psychologist for professional help. This is the case for Martin M. (53): “My psychologist advised me to be aware of my values and to decide for myself whether I can identify with them. She told me that I had enough professional experience and that I no longer needed to prove myself to everyone. So I need to focus on my expectations and decide whether this suits me or not – love it, leave it or change it, that’s her motto.”

Waiting – not always a strategy

But when nothing else works, the urge to resign often arises, without having a new job or plans for the future.

To avoid making impulsive decisions, it is therefore useful to draw up a checklist and answer these questions:

What are the arguments in favour of resigning without having a new job?

1. Unable to recover your health: You must take physical and mental warning signs seriously. In some cases, it may be wise to resign and focus on your recovery. If an illness is indeed confirmed, examine the situation carefully, weigh up the pros and cons, and do not terminate the contract.
2. Lack of safety: A secure job, but precarious conditions: if your workplace poses a risk of accidents and your employer does nothing to remedy this, resigning immediately may be justified.
3. Feeling exploited: Constant unpaid overtime, no prospect of a lighter workload, requests for compensation ignored or postponed: anyone working under these conditions is being exploited. Seek advice from an employees’ association. In such cases, you should seriously consider resigning.
4. Have a plan for the future: Have you planned further training, a clearly structured sabbatical, part-time self-employment or something similar? In that case, you are not jumping ‘into the void’, but into a planned transitional phase. This reduces the risk of ending up in a state of passive, burdensome unemployment.

What arguments might lead you to decide against resigning?

1. A complicated financial situation: if you resign, you usually have to wait three months before receiving your first unemployment benefit payments. You therefore need to find financial solutions to cope with this period without an income. There are, however, exceptions: the waiting period may be waived even in the case of resignation, for example if a medical certificate states that continuing the employment relationship is not medically feasible.
2. The stigma of unemployment: unemployment is experienced by many as a threat to their identity or as a source of shame. This can also be reflected in job applications: your negotiating position is then less favourable with a new employer, who might think, “the candidate absolutely needs a job”. On the other hand: in sectors facing a shortage of skilled labour and experiencing strong growth, availability is seen as an asset; the effect therefore depends on the sector and your profile.
3. Other options still available: if you haven’t exhausted your options yet, now is the time: there are sometimes internal solutions, adjustments to working hours, a medical certificate, or advice from an association or the ORP.
4. The need to justify your choice: gaps in your CV must be explained. Although this is more common nowadays, they require a clear and credible explanation. You should therefore expect to have to do this in the event of a future interview.

More information on the WorkMed study: Mental health at work | Employés Suisse

More information on the survey on job insecurity: Job insecurity is on the rise – particularly among young people | Employés Suisse