I cannot take the nonsense at work anymore, should I quit?

Firstly, as adults none of us can be truly idle. We all have to work hard every day. We can either choose to work for ourselves or for others but work we must. This is what differentiates a child from an adult - the ability to provide for themselves. The child can depend on others, but adults have none to lean on.

Of course, one can employ different strategies like working in lucrative jobs for a couple of years, and then taking some time off. However, these are exceptions rather than the rule. This advice is especially relevant for people early in career, one needs to find a way to keep working, not run away from the battleground. Quitting should happen when all options are exhausted. Let's not forget that quitting does not solve any problem.

Nietzsche had a grand idea of "eternal return" based on a misreading of Indian philosophy. That idea applies here - things one does not like will happen again and again till infinity, till one musters the courage to confront and neutralize the threat.

HR perspectives:

From a HR recruiter perspective, one cannot have gaps in their career, especially in the early years. There will be a barrage of questions as to why there are gaps of even a couple of months. One should be ready to answer them in any interview. HR is infamous for picking up and badgering applicants with such trivialities. If one is confident and has a good story, they can easily sail through the HR interview. If the person is not a good storyteller, HR would always prefer someone with a spotless resume and no gaps. So, learn to spin a good story. It is one of the most critical skills you will ever gain.

I have given the perspective of a HR recruiter, but now let me share some views as a HR business partner. HRBPs genuinely care about employees and wish for their welfare. The biggest lesson for employees after joining the workplace is to navigate office politics. 90% of people quit the company because they hate the manager or the team. Compensation and overwork may all seem to be big issues, but they are not. The truth is people are concerned more about culture and fairness more than compensation and working hard.

Most companies that work their employees to death are open about it. Everyone knows the names of these companies. Then why the heck did you accept the job offer from the company in the first place??Employees joining such companies know fully well that they can expect a brutal work culture and therefore, enter these gladiatorial workplaces willingly. Are there tips to help people who knowingly or unknowingly have entered into a bad situation? How does one work around a bad manager and terrible team?

Reclaiming your ground:

There are no simple answers. Most workplaces are indeed terrible. The only exceptions always come up in the Fortune Best workplaces and Great Places to Work rankings. Clearly, there are too few of them. I have worked in a couple of these top ranked companies, and even there the workplace cultures can be very questionable and downright hostile. I shudder to think what happens in other workplaces. Most managers have no idea how to be a manager and end up acting like slave drivers. Upskilling these managers is too expensive, and therefore companies do not care. Learn to push back against predatory managers.

• Push back firmly and strongly.
• Create a furor by sending emails to the manager's manager, HR and the CEO. No manager likes to be under the scanner.
• Even if nothing happens by your complaints, managers will know that they are picking fights with the wrong person.
• Do your work honestly and sincerely. You could find allies in HR and Employee Relations. In case that does not happen, do not lose hope.

If you have filed HR or ER cases, you cannot be placed under Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) for legal reasons. Atmost, you can be laid off. Layoffs comes with a generous severance package. You can then search for a new job.

Next time in the next job, you face a vindictive manager, which is bound to happen in another company, you will be better prepared. You will fight harder to preserve your space and autonomy, and not be reduced to being a crybaby.

Let us not forget that enmity is concomitant with professional success. As you get promoted, turf wars will increase, and more people will snipe at you because of professional and personal jealousy. They sadly think that pulling you down will improve their chances of getting promoted. So, you cannot run away from bad colleagues and terrible managers. You will have to find a way to tackle them and beat them at their own game. If you treat it as a game, it is fun. If you treat it too seriously, it can become a nightmare.

At the end, the person with more power, even if it be the CEO, is also another employee like you, with the same insecurity and fears. They have even more to lose than you if their job is impacted. In the modern workplace, women need to be like the ferocious Durga and men need to be like the fearless Arjuna, merciless but kind warriors to succeed.

Do not remember to treat your colleagues and underlings well. Reverse the cycle of negativity you experience by being the best manager you can be. You will be surprised by how much employees notice these things and spread the word around.

Unless one actively chases a company with good work life balance and reputation for culture, you will end up with a crap workplace. Changing jobs will only ensure that you leave one crap workplace and end up in another crappier workplace. Nothing will change by itself, unless you spend time and effort in pushing back strongly.

The modern workplace

Modern economics makes it appear as if one would face death if they do not work in a high paying MNC job. The high costs of living in expensive cities necessarily make people take up high paying jobs that will burn one out. We are the first couple of generations who think that life is all about work. This is a specious argument. We all had millions of human ancestors who did not depend on a company to live. They lived in simpler times. Chasing comfort and money, humans have entered into a tight corner where the noose around their neck tightens with every year.?

Rethink your contract with your employer every six months. Aim not to be in a super safe job with high pay and high work life balance. This will not last beyond a couple of months. If a job is too good to be true, then it indeed is.

• Instead, ask yourself are you learning something new at work every 2-3 months.
• Are you seeing a path to get to the next level?
• Are you seeing a good balance of work, personal and family goals?
• Are you self-motivated in the workplace and giving your best every day?

If you check these boxes, your workplace is worth it. If not, you have to consider moving. When you move, choose carefully. Do not just choose whichever company gives you the highest pay.

So, what are the options if one does not follow the herd and work. One could work for themselves in a space they can add a lot of value. There are innumerable opportunities everywhere. However, most office workers are obsessed with their monthly paychecks and hate any disruption to the monthly gravy train. This is their boon and bane. An inability to take any risk is what ultimately will spell the end of any office employee. The more comfortable they are with the present, the more the chances of one's future blowing up into smithereens. I have seen innumerable smart folks, brilliant PhDs, IITs and Ivy leaguers stuck in their careers forever because of an inability to navigate office politics. When employees stop learning and live on past glories, the closer they get to being laid off. Companies are no family or charity, they are out to make money at all costs, with you or without you.?

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