The rise of naked resignations and whether you should consider it

A dream job can easily turn into a nightmare, reaching a point where things get so toxic that you just want to leave. You might not know where you’ll work next, but you sure know where you won’t be working. What follows next is that you put in your papers without having a job lined up. Welcome to the world of naked resignations.

Originating in China, the term refers to a situation where a person quits their job without having anything else in hand. For some people, the wait can be endless because finding something you really want to do can take time. But how long can you go without a job? Do you have enough money saved to sustain this decision? It is a risk, but it needs to be calculated. So here are a couple of factors to weigh in should you decide to quit your job. 

Pros

Mental break

People often take breaks because they are tired of the rat race where they are constantly expected to perform. When overwhelmed by a toxic or high-stress work environment, that’s filled with office politics and prejudice, taking a break can be crucial for one's mental health. At the end of the day, it all boils down to how much one can endure and their ability to tackle difficulties. The stress and anxiety caused by a negative work atmosphere can also lead to burnout and other health-related issues, making quitting seem like the best way to deal with it. If you’re not in the right mind space, you’re never going to be able to resolve your mental and emotional issues—personal and professional. 

Refreshed state of mind

Taking time away from work gives you clarity and focus. This time can be spent reassessing career goals and personal aspirations, allowing a deeper understanding of what you really want to do. You can also enhance your overall decision-making capabilities instead of being someone who just switches from one job to another. Using this time to learn useful skills and discover your passion can help you enter a new workplace with a clearer purpose and direction, leading to higher job satisfaction and productivity. 

Cons

Financial stress

The lack of income and its absence can lead to financial stress. That can overshadow the benefits of taking a break. Knowing that you have a job gives a sense of security and a sense of satisfaction that will always play into your mind as you hunt for a job being completely in the dark. 

For many professionals, their sense of self-worth is closely linked to their success at work. Unemployment or lack of a backup plan can be challenging as they might end up thinking they’re a failure. Things could also worsen as the extended period without a job can be viewed as unfavourable by the future employer, making for an uncomfortable conversation. 

Atrophy of skills

Not seeing themselves work for a lengthy period could lead to their skills getting rusty. They aren’t in touch with what’s happening and could face a situation where they return to the workplace and find out that a lot has changed. Add to that, the feeling of isolation and not having the chance to network like they did could be equally stressful. 

Other factors

The risks of quitting a job without another offer, also depend on what juncture the person is at. If they’re just starting their career and don’t have any financial commitments, then not having a job isn’t much of a priority as compared to the stress. On the other hand, being the sole breadwinner of the house could just make this decision tougher as you don’t know when your next job is coming.

A good way to go about dealing with the situation is to pause, take a deep breath, and analyse what’s happening instead of reacting by doing something drastic. Stay calm and respond. By doing so, a resignation will be at the back of your mind, but you won’t end up doing it. Should you reach that point, ensure that you have a good support system, a financial safety net and clear goals which will help mitigate these risks. 

Inputs by Sherene Aftab, Psychologist and founder at Serene Hour Counselling & Career Advice Consultancy, and Mehezabin Dordi, clinical psychologist, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai

Image credits: Netflix

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