18 Reasons Why Quitting without Another Job May Be Beneficial

Updated 9 November 2022

Quitting your job without another job can be a practical decision or a beneficial move for your health. You may have many reasons for quitting your job, but it's important to consider future opportunities and your financial situation before leaving your position.

Learning about the factors to consider and examples of reasons people leave their jobs may help you make an informed decision. In this article, we discuss considerations you may have before quitting without another job and provide plausible reasons to leave your position.

Factors to consider when quitting without another job

Before turning in your letter of resignation or quitting without another job, consider these factors:

Financial security: Ensure that you have savings or another form of income to support yourself before quitting your job.
Career path options: It's helpful to consider other employment options before leaving your current position to ensure that there are opportunities available to you.
Improvements to current position: Before leaving, you may consider if your employer could make any improvements to retain you at their company. Considering what improvements you require to stay can also help inform your future job search.

18 reasons for quitting your job without another job

You may have many or just a few valid reasons to quit your current job and search for new employment. Here are 18 examples of reasons you may quit your job:

1. Becoming an entrepreneur

Becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own business has many benefits, including becoming the sole decision-maker, creating your own schedule and pursuing your special interests. If you have a business venture idea, it may be useful to quit your job so that you can focus on starting your business. Consider waiting to quit your job until you complete the planning stages of your business plan and acquire funding.

2. Taking a sabbatical

A sabbatical is when professionals receive paid or unpaid leave to take a break from work to study and travel. While some employers offer sabbatical leave, others may not have extended leave arrangements. If the company has no extended leave policy, quitting may be the only way you can take a sabbatical. Spending extended time travelling or volunteering, for example, can help you feel refreshed and make you more productive when you're ready to rejoin the workforce.

3. Taking personal time

You may need time off from work to reassess your career choice and determine a new direction for yourself in the future. Considering big decisions about your life may be easier when you're away from the distractions of work. You may also need time away from work to address other personal issues.

4. Making time for your job search

Finding a new job requires a substantial investment in time. While you can research and apply for new roles outside business hours, attending interviews may require time during the regular workday. If taking time off during business hours isn't possible, you may decide to quit your job before finding a new one.

5. Requiring more flexibility

Job flexibility is a factor that many professionals may consider when searching for a job. This is a benefit that employers may not offer, but for employees who are students or parents, flexibility might be a necessity. If your job doesn't provide flexibility enabling you to leave early and pick up your kids from school, complete shifts at other businesses or complete coursework, you can choose to quit before finding a better employment option.

6. Prioritising your mental health

Your mental health has a significant effect on your job performance and overall wellness. If work is becoming stressful or you're handling challenging situations outside of work, you can quit your job to prioritise your mental health. After taking care of your mental health, you can return to the workforce. You may find that your mental improvements help strengthen your abilities and give you more confidence for career development.

7. Protecting your physical health

Diseases and age-related health issues can make some jobs, such as roles in mining, agriculture and fire-fighting, challenging. If you feel your job is compromising your physical health, it may be time to quit. If there's a direct link between your health and your work duties, you may qualify for compensation that can help you financially while searching for another role.

8. Protecting your relationships

Work can sometimes have a negative impact on your relationships. For example, if you work long hours or work far from home, this can cause a strain on your family. Relationships often have a higher priority than your career. If you determine that it's beneficial for the relationships in your life if you quit, then this may be a good option for you.

9. Protecting your own safety

Everyone has the right to feel safe at work. Company rules may protect employees from sexual harassment, physical harassment and bullying. While reporting these problems is often effective, they may persist in some situations. If you feel unsafe even after making reports, quitting before finding a new job may be your best option.

10. Maintaining your professional relationships

Quitting your job without new employment can help preserve professional relationships with current employers and colleagues. When you apply for another job, you may require references from these professionals, so it's important to maintain positive relationships with them. If you're looking for a change in employment while at your current job, your job performance may decline if you're not focusing on it. If you leave your position while you have a reputation for outstanding work, your employer may be a better reference for you in the future.

11. Studying for a career change

Staying employed makes sense for many people who work within the same industry throughout their careers, but people changing careers sometimes need additional qualifications before pursuing work in a new sector. Some people study online or part-time during work hours, but this may require a substantial time commitment. You might prefer to reduce your workload and gain your new qualifications faster by leaving the workforce for full-time study.

12. Moving to a residence in a different country

It's ideal to find employment before moving, but sometimes it's easier to apply and interview for jobs after relocating. Other situational factors such as selling your house or a partner starting a new job in another city may require you to relocate and quit before finding another job. In these circumstances, leaving your job before finding another one may be the most practical solution.

13. Reducing your commute

If you travel a distance to get to work, you may consider other employment opportunities. Some prefer shorter commutes, which save not only time but also money. If your commute to work becomes inconvenient, you may quit before finding a job closer to your home, as time and money might be more important to you.

14. Leaving before the company closes

If the company closes due to bankruptcy, you may not receive proper compensation for your work. If you sense the company you work with is having financial difficulties, it could be beneficial to leave before the business shuts down and terminates your employment. Quitting early allows you to collect your benefits and find employment elsewhere, rather than having the company terminate your employment unexpectedly.

15. Leaving before termination of employment

Often, professionals may have an idea that their employer is going to terminate their employment before they receive notice from management. If you feel your job is in jeopardy, resigning first can be a good idea. When you resign, you can tell employers you left your past position on your own terms, which can make you seem like a more dependable candidate.

16. Leaving because compensation is irregular

Receiving regular paychecks is one of the key advantages of regular employment. If your employer doesn't pay you regularly, you may consider quitting to ensure you're not spending time completing work you're not paid for. While irregular pay can sometimes occur when a business is having cash flow problems, it can also happen in financially strong businesses. Either way, consider whether you're able or willing to work in those conditions.

17. Needing compensation that reflects your efforts

It's important that your employer values your hard work, efforts, skills and experience. Consider if your wages represent the level of education and experience you have and if you feel your employer is undervaluing you, it may be time to look for a new job. Some may discover this inequity in their compensation and quit immediately without another job because the employer is receiving more benefits from the employees' labour than they are.

18. Receiving offers from other employers

If recruiters contact you with employment opportunities, you may feel confident enough in these opportunities to quit your job before accepting a job offer. This can allow you more time to write outstanding job applications and prepare for interviews. If recruiters show interest in your abilities, it's likely that you can find employment soon after quitting.