Many readers will remember the 1976 hit film Network and the statement “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” which became a national mantra in 2009.
At some point, almost all of us begin to feel this way about working at a paid job. There is a multitude of reasons why this happens, but the number one reason seems to be a poor or toxic workplace culture.
We get tired of working in the same regimented routine day after day, year after year. Some workers suffer from a lack of fulfillment, a lack of opportunity, a lack of stability, poor work-life balance, and work-related stress. To this list could also be added the potential lack of being respected and low pay.
As the years spent working mount and the stress level increases, the desire to leave the workforce increases.
Once the “I want to quit working” switch is flipped the focus changes to how to facilitate the process of leaving the workforce behind. But, it’s not always a clean and easy decision. Many factors determine whether someone can pull the plug on a work career.
Below is a list of the primary benefits of being employed or having your own business:
Steady Income
Insurance
Retirement plan
Paid time off
Increased social security benefits
Job advancement opportunities
Fixed schedule
Professional training opportunities
Professional relationships
Employee stock purchase plan
Office amenities
Personal fulfillment
Discounts on products
Social interaction
Probably the biggest factors in trying to decide whether to discontinue your working career are loss of income, loss of job-related health insurance, employer-paid retirement plan contributions, and employer-funded stock purchase plans.
THE BIG QUESTIONS TO ANSWER ARE:
How will lost salary and work income be replaced by other sources?
How will lost work-sponsored insurance be replaced?
How will twenty-four hours of each day be filled?
How will social interaction from work be replicated?
Future posts will further explore and discuss these important aspects of the decision to leave the paid workforce.
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