One of the main goals of a career-oriented individual is to rise professionally in their respective fields and companies. It can be frightening and almost nerve-wracking to have your boss display apathetic behavior toward you.
This lack of direct communication can leave you wondering what could be wrong and the imminent question of “Will I be sacked?” looms in the air.
As much as we all wish to attain promotions, remember that being called off is almost an inevitable part of working in the corporate world.
Knowing the signs to look out for when you suspect your boss might want you out of the company will help you prepare mentally and emotionally for whatever happens eventually.
In this article, I have provided signs that may indicate your boss wants you to quit even when he doesn’t want to reveal it to you. So, without much ado, let’s dive in!
Also Read: Tips For Dealing With A Difficult Female Boss
Signs Your Boss Wants You to Quit Your Job
If you think the working atmosphere at your company seems different than before, it could indicate a hidden message.
Here are 15 telltale signs that communicate clearly that your boss wants you to quit your job even without saying a word:
1. Your Boss Avoids You
If you used to have a friendly rapport with your boss and suddenly things seem to have changed, it could be a sign your boss wants you to quit. You may notice that they no longer respond to your work emails directly or assign your emails to their assistants.
Another clear indication is when they stop by your colleagues’ workspace but somehow don’t visit yours. It may also be that they no longer respond to your calls or are evasive when you make important inquiries.
Another obvious sign that they’re avoiding you is when they suddenly seem in a hurry to leave when you both find yourself in the same space.
If they seem to avoid just you and you notice this happening almost every time, it could indicate that your boss is trying to push you to feel unwanted and opt to quit.
Explore: How To Apologize To Your Boss For A Mistake At Work?
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
2. Your Boss Shows Sudden Interest in Your Personal Affairs
Most times, your employer might want you to quit, but due to fear of negative reactions might start to act in a way that leaves you with assumptions and fears.
One of the signs that your boss wants you to quit is when they start to show a sudden interest in your personal affairs.
If your boss is naturally a friendly person, it may mean nothing. However, if you notice that they start to show unusual interest focused specifically on just you, it may mean that you are no longer needed.
They may ask questions about your plans and if you plan on venturing into your own business. At this point, they may occasionally chip in a seemingly harmless question like “what is your backup plan if you ever get laid off?”
As ordinary as it appears at first, this is often a result of them feeling guilty about the decision they’re about to make.
3. Your Tasks/Responsibilities Become Fewer
If you used to be a busy employee with numerous tasks to complete and suddenly you barely have tasks assigned to you, it may connote hidden communication.
When you are no longer needed at the company, you may notice that you don’t get enough projects or responsibilities, even when everyone else seems busy.
Once you detect a growing decline in the number of projects assigned to you, it may mean your boss wants you to quit.
This lack of responsibility may indicate that your boss doesn’t think you may be needed in the future. It may also be a tactic to make you create negative assumptions and choose to quit on your own.
In this case, you’ll be assigned little to no tasks, so they don’t get stuck when you eventually leave. If you communicate this and notice no improvement, the company no longer requires your services.
Also Read: Things That Will Get You Fired Immediately
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
4. Your Workload Increases
On the other hand, your boss might decide to increase your workload if he wants you to quit. The plan is to get you frustrated and burnt out that you don’t have any other option than to tender your resignation.
Sure, at first you may feel flattered and think these tasks are being assigned to you because of your competence, but that’s not quite true.
You may find yourself carrying out tasks outside your jurisdiction or doing the work naturally meant for more than two people all by yourself. Over time, you will surely feel overwhelmed and frustrated by the never-ending list of tasks on your to-do list.
When you feel this way, you become unhappy with your job, and it is only natural to want to quit. It is easy to believe that you’re quitting for your good but more frequently than not; it is not true.
When your workload starts to increase unnecessarily, it is simply a tactic used by most bosses to get their employees to quit instead of telling them directly.
Also Read: Simple Resignation Letter Examples
5. Your Tasks Get Reassigned
If you notice that all the tasks you work on keep getting reassigned to other people, it could be a sign that your boss wants you to quit. It can be very insulting and annoying when you put your time and effort into a task, and it gets reassigned to a colleague.
This feeling of embarrassment is worse, especially when you know that you performed well on those tasks.
The worst part is that this frustration will likely get to you when you discover that the reassigned tasks are applauded, even when it is glaring to everyone that you did a better job. A common tactic among employers.
Getting your tasks reassigned is a way to chip away at your confidence and question your expertise. If you detect this is happening more than usual, it simply means that your boss is trying to get you to quit your job.
Also Read: Exit Interview Tips To Talk Out Bad Boss & Toxic Workplace
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
6. Your Tasks Get Overanalyzed
A clear indication that your boss is tired of having you around and wants you out of his organization is when he begins to overanalyze your tasks for no good reason.
In most organizations, it is normal to have the boss analyze each task and ensure they are up to the company’s standards. However, this becomes a problem when your tasks are being overanalyzed.
When your boss starts to scrutinize everything and constantly asks questions about your next move, it can become frustrating. Having your boss micro-manage your work when he doesn’t do it to other employees will surely leave you wondering what is up.
Aside from being an insult to your expertise, it can start to make you doubt your ability or knowledge of the task being assigned to you.
If you notice that your boss suddenly starts to scrutinize your work going over insignificant details, seemingly looking for lapses or mistakes, it simply means they want you to quit. It can also be in the form of wanting you to document everything you do, especially if it is solely focused on you.
This is because, by overanalyzing your tasks, they are indirectly looking for reasons to fire you.
Also Read: Thank You Messages For Your Boss
Photo by Nicola Barts via Pexels
7. You Don’t Get Feedback Anymore
To grow professionally, constructive feedback is needed, especially from those with more experience. If you used to get constructive feedback on all of your tasks but suddenly stopped getting them, it is not a cause for relaxation.
Sometimes, a lack of feedback doesn’t necessarily mean you are great at your work. It may be that your boss is no longer interested in helping you grow and succeed in your role.
This lack of constructive feedback could also mean that your boss is purposely setting you up for more criticism or simply looking for an excuse to terminate your contract.
That is, without correction, it becomes difficult to know what you may be doing wrong, so it is easy to keep repeating the same mistakes until it becomes a problem.
Lack of feedback is a sign that you are no longer needed at the company because you will eventually start to underperform, which could cause severe damage to your career in the long run.
Explore: Things You Should Never Say In An Exit Interview
8. Their Criticism Becomes Harsh
You would agree with me that harsh criticism is one of the surest ways to diminish one’s confidence and eliminate passion for something. As much as criticism is required for career growth, there’s a thin line between being constructive and unnecessarily harsh.
If you notice that your boss no longer offers constructive feedback but only points out your flaws in a demeaning way, it may be a sign that you are no longer needed in the company.
When this criticism no longer identifies the solution to the mistakes in your work, you should know that there’s an underlying motive behind such responses.
Once this harsh criticism starts to come in way too much, is done behind your back or even publicly, your boss may be indirectly trying to get you to quit.
It is another manipulative tactic many employers use to get you upset and send in your resignation letter instead of simply firing you.
Check Out: Best Resignation Email Subject Line Examples
Photo by Yan Krukov via Pexels
9. They Don’t Acknowledge Your Wins
Recognizing and rewarding your accomplishments is one of the best feelings. It not only boosts your confidence but also inspires you to do more and become a better version of yourself.
When you notice that you no longer get the recognition you deserve when you perform well on tasks, it can be heartbreaking. If you notice that your boss no longer praises your hard work, it could signify that they want you out of the organization.
By withholding compliments, they diminish your motivation to do better. Another strategy is when they acknowledge your team despite knowing full-well that your contribution led to the team’s success.
Sometimes they may even take the credit for themselves to demoralize you. When this happens recurrently, it simply means that you are purposely not being recognized and, therefore, no longer welcome in the organization.
Check Out: Good Reasons To Call Out Of Work
Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA production via Pexels
10. They Speak To You In A Condescending Manner
As part of a healthy working environment, most company executives try to create cordial and respectful relationships with their employees. This is to facilitate easy communication and foster a generally conducive environment for everyone.
If for some reason, your boss suddenly starts to speak to you in a condescending or derogatory manner, it may mean that they want you out of the company. They may stop responding to your greetings or reply in an uninterested manner.
If you also notice that they constantly try to talk down on you or reply rudely when you make a statement, it is an obvious sign that you are no longer valued as a staff member of the organization.
No one would like to tolerate disrespect in the workplace, especially as it may be an avenue for junior colleagues to also talk down on you. With constant disrespect comes a feeling of worthlessness and anger, so it is only natural that you want to quit.
However, your boss may start acting this way to trigger you so that you leave without having to spell it out.
Also Read: Best Testimonial Examples For Employees
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich via Pexels
11. Your Input Is No Longer Required On Important Decisions
If you notice that your input is no longer needed on important decisions, especially when you’re a high-ranking staff member, it may indicate your presence is no longer needed.
Many top organizations always ensure they gather feedback and input from their staff to learn where and how to improve the working conditions for employees.
If you discover that your opinion or suggestions on certain organizational discussions are no longer requested, it may be a sign that your boss wants you to quit.
Sometimes you may also discover that you are no longer invited to important meetings and know nothing about current developments in the company.
If you also notice that your boss purposely ignores your input during meetings or discussions, it may indicate trouble regarding your future involvement in the company.
Check Out: Best Teamwork Examples At The Workplace
12. You Both Have Constant Disagreements
If you notice that you are starting to argue with your boss over insignificant issues constantly, it may be a sign that you are no longer welcome at the company.
When it comes to sharing input or brainstorming and every one of your ideas is met with constant opposition, it is another telltale sign that your boss wants you to quit.
When your input is always deemed negative or not needed, it is human to try to defend your line of thought.
However, in the process of doing this, it is easy to create contempt and resentment in your boss, and the result could be a full-blown argument if care isn’t taken.
If you notice that conversations with your boss always lead to arguments, especially in the presence of your colleagues, it’s often not a good sign.
It could mean that your boss is on a short fuse and looking for an excuse to terminate your contract with the excuse of insubordination.
Also Read: Best Self Evaluation Examples For Performance Reviews
Photo by Mikhail Nilov via Pexels
13. Your Colleagues Start Acting Distant
In any workplace, it’s normal for colleagues to build more personal relationships within themselves than with the executive. For some people, this working relationship even extends outside of the company.
Hence, it isn’t hard to find people excited to go to work because they know they’d be meeting their favorite colleagues.
If you notice that your work buddies suddenly start to act distant or give reasons why they can’t be around you, it’s a sign that something might be up.
There are several reasons why your colleagues may start to act distant toward you, and one of these is that they’re scared of associating with you. This may be because it is glaring that your boss has some grievance and they don’t want to get involved by association.
It may also be because your boss is starting to say negative things about you to them secretly. Most times, this apathetic attitude isn’t entirely their fault especially if it is influenced by someone in a higher position of authority.
Explore: Professional Development Goal Examples
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
14. They Reduce Your Work Benefits
Most jobs come with benefits and perks aside from the usual salary. It could be free medical, club membership, or even travel privileges. Whatever it is, these are part of the things that make the job more rewarding.
When you detect that your benefits or the perks that come with your role drastically decrease or are taken away, it could indicate a problem with your job.
If you reach out to the head of Human Resources or your manager and there’s no tangible explanation for the reduction, it is a sign that you are not needed in the company anymore.
Knowing fully well that most employees are usually ‘indebted’ to the company based on the perks they get, it becomes easy for executives to use this as bait.
This happens more when they want you to quit but can’t get the notice out themselves, so they take away your privileges till you’re forced to look for another job with a better offer.
Also Read: Most Common Leadership Styles
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
15. They Delay Your Payment
As much as passion is a huge part of your career, the payment received is the main motivation to continue. If you notice that delays become more frequent regarding your payment, it is a sign that your boss wants you to get discouraged and quit your job.
Sometimes they may make you work overtime and deliver within the deadline but delay your payment.
Even when they eventually pay, you may notice that you are not paid for the extra work, or unnecessary deductions have been made reducing the amount you get at the end of the month.
When this becomes recurrent, especially when you are the only one who seems to have this problem, it may be that your boss is indirectly trying to shut the door in your face.
Check Out: Personal Mission Statement Examples
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing one or several of these signs, it simply means that your job at that particular organization isn’t guaranteed.
However, discovering that your boss may want you to quit can be very sad, especially when you’ve invested time and effort into growing the company.
Identifying these signs will help you prepare for whatever comes, and moving on will be much easier since you’ve been aware of what was happening. As the saying goes, “Go where you are appreciated and celebrated not where you are tolerated.”
So, if you notice that your boss and the entire workplace are becoming too toxic simply because your boss wants you to quit, resign and move on to better opportunities.
