Walking Away

When is it alright to just walk away from a struggling organization? How long can someone stay sane in an organization which is dying or treats its employees in a negative way? When does an organization have time to hire a new employee or read the numerous resumes which will be sent? How can the nonprofit sector prepare to walk away from an employee or when can an employee feel comfortable to walk away from a position.

The answers to these questions are causing waves in the nonprofit sector. Many employees are staying longer in a position they do not desire because of the small job market out there. Others are afraid if they walk away they will remain unemployed. On the other hand, organizations are staying with the their employees even if some are under performing. Many organizations are worried about their bottom lines and when an employee leaves, they are refocusing the duties of that position to other employees.

How does any of this benefit the employee or the organization? The employee feels negative when entering the work place and then is not as effective as they need to be. The organization could accomplish more with a new employee but to go through the hiring process now is a nightmare. What executive director wants to sift through 50-100 applications for an entry position? Employees who stay with a sinking ship (either financial or leadership problems) feel resentment for the added work when an employee leaves.

In this economy, individuals are being forced to continue working in a job they don't like. Imagine how efficient organizations would be if they had employees who loved what they were doing. In no way is it easy for anyone in this economy to walk away from a position (in my own situation, it took a year and a half to leave my prior organization). As a professional in a negative situation, it is your responsibility to get out. Would you stay with a partner who was treating you poorly? So why do we stay in organizations which treat us badly? Is it for the paycheck or the benefits? In the long run, it is important for us to be happy and if it means finding a different job which pays less than we must do it.

Take a chance and apply for that position which you might think is out of your reach. What's the worst thing that happens to you? You don't get the job. There are other places where you will be happier.