Quit That Job! Entry #3 - The Insecurity of Security

This is the third part of a series I will return to occasionally as I prepare to quit my job in July, on my 10 year anniversary with the company. Check out the previous entries if you have not already:

1. Quit That Job! Entry #1 - The Office Space Effect
2. Quit That Job! Entry #2 - Change Things Up!

People will often say they can’t quit a job because they don’t want to give up the security. With random layoffs at least once a year at my work, I’m wondering what they think security looks like. I’ve been working there almost 10 years. When I look around the office, I notice that a lot of faces have changed over the years. Besides layoffs, many quit to move on to other jobs. Even the people who were laid off say they are much better off now. But there are a handful of people who have been there longer than me. Sure, some are managers or vice presidents, but even they could have better opportunities. But why have these people stayed? As I try to put it all together, something they all have in common becomes apparent. They all have families to support.

I guess I get that greater responsibilities mean even more dire need for security. But that security is illusory. At any day any one of us can be asked to “have a seat and close the door.” At any moment an HR person could appear with a box to clear out the desk.

People live in fear of losing their job, and in this country that can also mean their health insurance (depending on the state I guess). They live in so much fear that they will continue going to the same desk with no fulfilling work. I have often looked at the owners, vice presidents and managers busy at meetings and generally thinking of ways to screw things up. I just want to ask, “is this work fulfilling?” Of course not. It’s something else they are fulfilling, something they are building. It could be a family that motivates them, or just growing the business in the case of the owners of the company. Of course there is that one guy, my original manager, who does not have family and will never leave this company. But I think he may just be a sociopath.

So as I prepare to quit this job, I ask myself whether I have to be worried about giving up this security. If there is no guarantee that I will have my job on Monday, why should I be scared to just make that decision myself? And believe me I’ve thought of just putting in my notice now and not waiting. But I would like to save some money and at least be set for the summer. Plus I have a couple doctor's visits lined up and would not like to suddenly be without insurance.

It’s an easy job as far as the effort goes. That doesn’t mean I can continue being micromanaged and stuck at a desk for yet another 10 years or more. There are so many other job possibilities that I might pass over if I remain at the "secure" job. One of my biggest issues is that they have taken vacation time away from me. In my tenth year they are only giving 6 PTO days, which includes vacation and sick time. What's the point of giving so much of my time to company if I have little time to travel and enjoy life? I have so much I want to see in this world and I can't wait until retirement. I'd rather give up security for a chance to live my life to the fullest.

Every once in awhile it is good to reflect on your past and future, then focus right in on the present. Have I ever felt secure in my job the last 10 years? I lived in fear of layoffs for years then eventually began to get jealous of the people who were let go. I recently ran into a couple of them as well as one of the guys who left on his own. They all said the same thing, “get out!” One guy called it a soul-sucking company. He’s right. I say that all the time. Sometimes you need to just stop complaining and do it. Quit that job!