I Dream of Rage-Quitting My Job Daily

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If 2021 had a slogan, it would undoubtedly be the Great Resignation. Not familiar with the term? It refers to the large-scale departure of individuals from the workforce, fed up with toxic work conditions. When we hear “toxic,” we often think of unhealthy romantic relationships or problematic friends. However, the same negativity and emotional manipulation can easily seep into our workplaces.

Let me introduce a more blunt concept: rage quitting. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. I’ve never actually hurled my laptop out the window, but I won’t deny that it crosses my mind frequently. To be honest, the only regular daydream I have (besides hoping for an end to Covid) is quitting my job. I’ve experienced the consequences of staying too long in a harmful environment. After nearly four years, I had few complaints until early this year. Initially, I was genuinely impressed with how my company managed the Covid crisis.

While many were losing jobs or facing the risk of in-person work, I can’t dismiss the privilege of working from home. However, just because my employer provided this advantage didn’t mean it prevented our team atmosphere from deteriorating into a chaotic nightmare. Sound overly dramatic? I assure you, it’s not. That’s precisely how logging in feels every weekday for eight hours. Allowing most employees to work remotely shouldn’t be an issue since we’re all adults, right? Unfortunately, the individuals I work with are the reason we can’t enjoy the perks of remote work.

Toxic Work Environments Are Real

Some of my colleagues have completely disengaged, while others are overly focused on proving that working from home can still yield results. While this isn’t inherently bad, it becomes problematic when management expects those of us in the middle to juggle everything.

During a recent check-in with my supervisor, I made the decision to be completely open about the challenges I was facing. Admitting I’m not a superwoman is something I hate, but I had reached my limit. I knew that if I wanted to remain in this position, changes needed to happen. When we started our call, things proceeded as usual until I was asked, “So, where is your head at?” It was a mix of sarcasm and a rhetorical question.

When I started this job, I was a high achiever, the one who annoyingly seemed to be two steps ahead. I made it look effortless, but in reality, I was driven by untreated mental health issues, particularly high-functioning anxiety. So, I opened up about it. I didn’t owe my manager an explanation for my decreased workload, but I felt it was necessary. I was still meeting the job’s expectations, just at a more realistic pace.

When I decided to prioritize my well-being, I began to meet the bare minimum. What’s wrong with that? Nothing at all. I didn’t know what kind of response to expect, maybe some empathy? Instead, I received irritation. “Well, you set the bar high for yourself, and that expectation isn’t changing.” What can you say to that? I tried to clarify, “I used to operate at an 11, but that was due to being unwell. Now, I’m trying for balance, which means I’m running at a 7 or 8. I still perform well, just more realistically.”

Clearly, that wasn’t the answer she wanted. But it’s the truth, and I refuse to compromise my sleep, health, and family commitments to meet unrealistic demands. This isn’t a one-time issue; I’ve had numerous conversations like this. If your workplace values productivity over people, it’s toxic. Companies often forget that without the employees who keep your business running, there would be no business at all.

I’m not suggesting that every employee should be coddled, but it’s essential to respect the fact that we are human too. The days of fearing replacement to remain in toxic environments are over. Let’s eliminate the power struggle—if I provide my time and meet expectations, I deserve fair treatment and compensation. If that’s not feasible, be prepared for people to start prioritizing themselves.

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Summary:

In today’s work culture, many individuals are feeling the weight of toxic environments, leading to increased fantasies of quitting. This piece discusses the struggles of managing expectations while prioritizing mental health, revealing the harsh realities of workplace dynamics. The importance of recognizing employees as human beings rather than mere cogs in a machine cannot be overstated.

Keyphrase: workplace toxicity
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]

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