UPDATE to original post: Thank you all for your encouragement and caution alike. I quit and have been unemployed for one month. Happily so as the work stress was causing me physical ailments that have nearly all disappeared. My attention has been mostly on my job search which preliminarily I expect to be about two to four months. I have yet to file for Unemployment but obtained Medicaid in the meantime in case of emergency. Wishing us all wellness in these difficult times.

I just stumbled across this thread but I'm so glad I did. Like the OP and many commenters, I'm struggling with a toxic work environment and seriously considering quitting without a new job lined up. I've been applying for jobs, but I'm mentally and emotionally depleted. I've had a couple of interviews but my heart just isn't into preparing for them, due to depression and fatigue. I haven't bombed an interview or anything, but I couldn't muster up the energy to prep like I have in the past, and I haven't made it past a first round yet. I'm seriously considering quitting my current job after bonuses are paid early next year, so I can take a little time to focus on rest, and restore my mental/physical wellbeing, then commence a job search with the energy, enthusiasm, and preparedness that I know I'm capable of. I'm working on a financial plan to live on the bonus and my savings, and I could afford several months of not working. I do worry that my job search could outlast my savings, but reading about all of your experiences and successes inspires me to have faith in myself and heed what my intuition is telling me. Best wishes to the OP and everyone struggling in toxic work environments!

I have never left a job without another job lined up. I wouldn't be opposed to leaving without a job lined up if I had a husband with a good job or someone else I could fall back on for up to a year while I search for a better job. As a singleton either I work or I could lose a lot. Years ago I worked in a toxic environment and I made job searching my second job. I had a co-worker who also wanted to leave and we made a secret pact to start searching for jobs daily. It took both of us approximately six months to find new jobs and we both left within two weeks of each other. Boy, were our managers upset! We were very crucial to their operation. Whenever I had the time I would send out resumes and apply for jobs. When I finally got an in-person interview, it was perfect timing that lined up with a holiday period for my employer. When my team asked everyone what we were doing during the break, I said I would be spending a week with family when in actuality I was flying thousands of miles away for an interview. I got the job and started a new chapter without having to go through the stress of being unemployed. In a pandemic, I don't know if it would be worth the wait if you cannot bear your current work environment. It could take a long time before you get the job you want. I still recommend to most people who cannot afford to be unemployed to just keep looking while you have your toxic job. Make it a priority to focus on your job search whenever you can, and apply to something daily if the situation is dire.

All of this advice is spot on! I am sorry to hear you are struggling. You need to prioritize your mental and physical health. If it is really taking a toll on you and you have the means to sacrifice a paycheck for a few weeks or months, I would leave. Life is too short to be that unhappy. There are always opportunities to find work and you will have a clearer head interviewing without sneaking around. In the meantime while you look for other full time opportunities, consider freelancing. There are so many ways to provide services online to make some extra cash in the interim. Good luck and be positive!

I agree with many of the above comments. I have left a job without another one in the past. Thinking about doing it again. I’d like to add my two cents on a few things: •Having a financial cushion to fall back on is important. Things can go either way. You can find a job in 2 days or 2 years. My experience was closer to the 2 years, which is why I’m hesitant to do it a second time. I also don’t have the financial cushion I had the first time and now have more responsibilities. The first time, I was young, no kids, no real responsibilities, etc, so it was easier. •Having supportive family and friends is also paramount—whether it’s financial, emotional, physical, intellectual, etc. I wouldn’t have made it through without my family. On the other end of that, I also lost a lot of friends, because they didn’t know how to support me at a slower financial, occupational, social pace. • I initially quit with the intention of taking time to recharge for one year. I couldn’t stand the slow pace, and so, I jumped back in too soon (2 months). That then led to even more burnout and put me in an even worse position mentally, which ultimately prolonged my “bounce back.” With that being said, don’t jump back in too soon. As others have said, take time to relax, recharge, really think about those things that are important to you, learn new hobbies, skills, or trades, etc. • After enough time for you, make sure you use your network. I didn’t start using my network until the latter end of my search. I was somewhat embarrassed to reach out to people in my circles (for more nuanced reasons than quitting my job), but I finally did. I got a number of contacts and even a few interviews this way. Finally after two years, I got my current role through the referral of an ex coworker (turned new coworker) at the company I initially quit. This is not my dream career, and I’m nowhere near 20 years in, but it is an industry I had been interested in for a long time. I eventually want to pivot out but am personally waiting awhile this time around. • Finally, you always have to be loyal to you. Not a company. When faced with a choice between the two, I always remember this scenario: as a teenager, I worked for a small grocery chain. The assistant manager died on the clock one Saturday during my shift. He had worked there for over 20+ years. I had worked with him two years and watched him work himself to the bone. On the day he died, they didn’t close the store temporarily. They didn’t give people time to grieve or process. They didn’t do anything but make room for his body to be taken out. When it came time for his funeral, none of the leadership nor many associates attended, because they had to work. I understand that business has to keep going, but after 20+ years, no one could make the decision to close the store for a couple of hours on the day of his death and funeral? No one was loyal to him in the end. Choose you first. I wish you all the best on your new journey and pray that your search isn’t one of the longer ones. Godspeed.

I have not, but I'm considering it. Best of luck and congratulations on taking the leap of faith!

Hi All, I have done the same thing. I resigned from a job that took away my physical and mental health and that too during the pandemic. While I am searching for a job and have not got one yet, I must admit this period (in between jobs) has given me time to introspect on my career, to decide my future direction and learn new skills as well. I can relate with almost everyone who has posted comments on this article. Regards.

This is the reason why I prefer to work as a contractor - but a W2 contractor, not 1099 one, where there's no unemployment benefits when the buck stops. If the company culture is hostile and not inclusive, then just wait for a while until the contract ends (hopefully soon), and then file for unemployment (only valid if your contract is a W2 one). I think that this has saved me from headaches like overworking, putting up with bullies and a hostile environment, and combination (that's not good for the health - both overworking and hostile environment!). Yes, there are risks of going the contracting route as well - some companies are very cheap and all they have are short-term low-paid contracts. Don't take up those. I used to be desperate in the past and only go for any contract I could get, but that was a mistake now I realize. Not saying that contracting is the best way to go since there are so many uncertainties of income, and you have to actively look for a new job when your current one ends, but it's better for me mentally. Plus many companies are now looking for contractors than investing in full time permanent employees.

I did, but it was when the job market was more favorable. As a 54 year old woman mid pandemic I am grateful to have work. That being said, my job for now is quite toxic and sometimes downright scary the culture is incredibly volatile. I have an interview in 15 minutes. I'm playing it safe for now. When I did it before I had a new position within two weeks. I do absolutely understand the need to be safe and emotionally healthy. Best of luck to you.

I made this very jump at the end of October. Searched in fits and starts for a new role for years, and finally realized that the best way for me to find my next role was to be transparent in my search, tap into my current network for references and referrals, and really research each company I'm considering for my next role. I have enough money saved up to be comfortable for several months, and worked with a career coach last year to update my resume. I recently signed up for JobScan in an attempt to defeat the ATS bots!