Has anyone ever quit a job without anything lined up, and without notice? I’m in a hostile work environment situation and I’ve had enough, at this point it’s taken a serious toll on my mental health day to day. I’m in a highly desirable field with an in-demand skill set and broad network. I’ve been interviewing for a few jobs already, and have enough options for private consulting to tide me over until something lands.

Yes! I used to be a quitting queen. I did not know that I had a nearly debilitating chronic illness or a math-related learning disability. So my average tenure in part time jobs during college was 3 months.

I don’t come from money but getting a scholarship stipend did help. As an fully grown, graduated adult, I’ve slowly become less of a grasshopper. My current job I’m hoping to remain in for a decade because I understand the quirks of my health now AND I have a backbone so the girlbosses and yuppies cannot push me around and dump their jobs on me. It is TOUGH to be a grasshopper in the adult world, plus you tend to stay stuck in a certain wage range that way.

My advice if a job is causing you mental fatigue and anguish is to just quit. Try to give notice so you don’t have dirt on you when employers research you, but if it is toxic and hostile, POLITELY indicate the dysfunctional work environment in your resignation letter and quit without notice. The reason why us that you are never going to have the energy to look for something else while being browbeaten. That energy will NEVER come. Make searching for a job your next job and hit up temp agencies to help you find something else faster.

*Note: I have no spouse, kids or pets, and some of my friends are willing to help me with smaller bills. Unfortunately especially if you have young children, this is an unwise decision. Either save up 50% of your annual income’s worth before quitting or job hunt intensely on weekends, but the babies gotta eat.

I’ve done this a couple times and regretted it both times!
There really is something to quiet-quitting and not punishing yourself bc of a bad employer - but finding a way to achieve your own peace while you search for something better.
It’s a really bad time to be unemployed. The job market is rough!

I definitely, HIGHLY suggest you stick it out but search for something better.

But, if you do have solid consulting opportunities, that’s something.

As long as you can financially cover the bills for a long time, you keep health coverage, and you are comfortable with the story your resume will tell.

I have consulted between jobs, then the next job was a bust (1.5 years) then consulted, then another bust! Now my resume scares some employers, and it’s completely unfair.

Just make a decision after a lot of thought. Don’t do anything rash or in frustration.

Good luck!

This is a risky thing to do in this market, even with an in-demand skill set. I would land the new job before quitting. Companies are interviewing but not pulling the trigger for long periods of time. Could you use some PTO while you job search?

A bit of an update- I decided to use the rest of my FMLA (which gets me through the end of the year) and I get a little bit of joy from the idea that they can’t backfill me— my boss will be screwed and I’m getting intel that he’s panicking already. I have several meaty consulting gigs lined up and have been interviewing like crazy already for permanent roles (I am an AI/ML specialist), but it’s nice having the FMLA cushion to have a breather and some space to heal from burnout. My kids are both grown and out of the house so having the extra time to spend with them given their busy lives has been an added perk. I guess what I need to do now is figure out how much of a breather I want and what comes next. I appreciate everyone’s insight!

I have….my mental health takes priority over a job!

Request stress leave and use that time to double up your job hunt. My brother once did this and got a job before the end of his stress leave.

Try taking FMLA on mental health basis and use all of that time to find a full time job or at least to buy you some time.

Do you work for my company? Because, SAME. I'm giving it a couple more weeks before doing anything rash. But I just can't anymore.

I have done it early in my career and do not recommend it. It felt really good to walk out but it was hard to explain to potential employers (they all assumed I was fired). Line something up first…

Go on loa if you are able to and find another job while on loa. Toxic work environments only get worse if you stay.

Don’t quit request leave.

Yes I did it, was in a similar situation to you and lucky enough to have a supportive husband. I picked up a hobby that can now make me 6 figures only working 3 times a week, I’m not even sure I will ever go back to a 9-5. I’m happier than ever too :)

Yes and my husband has done so too. At the director level+ you can expect a job search to take up to a year, particularly in these market conditions. There is a big difference between the interviews and actual landing and there is significant volatility in the gulf between them right now. If it becomes bad enough, I'd recommend as others have said and take a leave of absence first.

Go on leave. Discuss with your doctor and get papers completed to go on FMLA while you figure things out.

When these situations occur I remind myself it is just a job, I focus on writing a to do list and focus on getting tasks done, I connect more oftencwith those at work Ihave a good relationship with and then continue to focus on the things outside thr job that makes me happy, so refocus the mind.

Yes. I did it. I ended up taking an entire year off before looking for a new role because I was so burnt out. I was lucky to be able to that. Protect yourself. As long as you can afford to take the time do it. Your physical and mental health are the most important things.

Yes. A friend and I both left around the same time from a company but I had a job lined up and she didn’t. It was stressful but if you can do it economically AND manage the job application process then I say go for it. She could handle a few months funemployment, my household could not. She was stressed but tbh our jobs are very stressful so what was the difference? Stress with no toxicity or stress with it.

Is there any way you can navigate this without quitting?

For us to keep a seat at the table, we have to play the boys' game and beat them at it.
Keep your seat at the table, recruit more diversity hires if you can, women minorities etc.

Allow the boys to have a feel that they are winning while you steer the boat in the direction you want. Don't put too much heart to what he does or say. It is nothing personal. He probably treats his wife the same.

Stay and be an example for the next female leader that doesn't have your options, then leave with a bang, hand off to another female leader.

I know my ask is not easy, but you can truly dominate if you play along.

If you caneave and support yourself, go for it. Otherwise invest this time in finding a job. Take some PTO and spend a week searching. The market is too crazy to just leave without financial support.

I did years ago. I started Uber right after I quit till I got a new job.