We’ve all had those days when we dread going to work because of a difficult boss. But when does it become more than just a temporary inconvenience? When do you know it’s time to cut ties and move on?

Here are 3 real-life situations that people have had with their toxic bosses and how they managed to quit in a professional way:

1.

Sarah was working as a marketing assistant for a small firm in New York City when she realized that her boss, Tom, was a bully. Tom would regularly belittle Sarah in front of others, making sarcastic comments and insults, and even criticizing her in front of her coworkers.

Sarah felt embarrassed by Tom’s behavior, and she began to dread going to work. She started to feel anxious and depressed, and her self-confidence took a hit.

Sarah said to her friend, “I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around Tom. I’m always afraid of making a mistake or upsetting him, and it’s really taking a toll on my mental health. I don’t feel like I can be myself at work anymore.”

After 6 months of enduring Tom’s toxic behavior, Sarah knew that she couldn’t continue working in such a negative environment. She began looking for a new job, and after 3 months of searching, she found a new position at a company with a more supportive and respectful culture in San Francisco. When Sarah resigned, she told Tom, “I appreciate the opportunity to work here, but I can’t continue in this negative and toxic environment. I need to prioritize my own well-being and happiness.”

2.

Jake was a software developer at a startup in Austin when he began to feel frustrated with his boss, Lisa.

She would constantly change her mind about what she wanted him to work on, leading to inconsistency and a lack of progress. Jake found himself spinning his wheels because of Lisa’s changing priorities, and he was starting to feel burnt out and stressed. Jake said to his sister, “I feel like I’m never able to get into a good rhythm because of Lisa’s constantly changing plans. It’s really frustrating and demoralizing, and I’m starting to hate going to work. I know I need a change for my own mental health.”

After 2 years of dealing with Lisa’s inconsistency, Jake knew he needed to make a change. He began looking for new opportunities and eventually landed a job at a larger company with more stability and clear direction in Chicago.

When Jake resigned, he told Lisa, “I’ve enjoyed working here, but I can’t continue in this environment of constant change and uncertainty. I need a more stable and structured work environment for my own well-being.”

3.

Emily worked as a graphic designer at an agency in Los Angeles, but she struggled to get the support and tools she needed to do her job effectively. Her boss, David, was stingy with resources and seemed to be more interested in saving money than in helping Emily succeed.

Emily found herself constantly held back in her work, and she began to feel unfulfilled and unappreciated. Emily said to her mom, “I feel like I’m hitting a glass ceiling at the agency because David is always denying me the resources I need to do my job effectively. It’s really frustrating and makes me feel undervalued. I’m not able to grow and develop as a designer, and it’s really disheartening.”

After a year of feeling undervalued, Emily knew she needed to find a boss who was willing to invest in her growth. She began searching for a new position, and after 3 months, she found a job at a different agency with a boss who was supportive and understanding of her needs in Seattle.

When Emily resigned, she told David, “I’ve learned a lot from my time here, but I need a more supportive and empowering work environment to continue growing as a designer. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work here, but I need to move on for my own professional development.”

# Remember this:

In case you liked this article, share it with someone who would find it useful too.

[gs-fb-comments]