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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Courtney Pochin

Psychologist shares two key questions that will tell you if you need to quit your job

It's a sad truth that we spend most of our time at work, so it's important that we have a good work environment for our health and motivation.

However, many people find themselves in jobs that aren't quite right for them and can end up miserable or even ill, according to an expert.

Professor Sir Cary Cooper, an organisational psychologist from the University of Manchester, has spoken to The Mirror about the dos and don'ts of the workplace and explained how to know when it is time to quit your job.

It's something many people will deliberate over for a while and if you find yourself in this situation, Professor Cooper, who is chair of The National Forum for Health and Wellbeing at Work, claims there are two questions you need to ask yourself in order to make the big decision.

Professor Sir Cary Cooper shared his expert advice (Supplied)

According to the expert, it all comes down to your boss and how they are making you feel at work - if they are controlling and not giving you any autonomy over your work and constantly looking over your shoulder, this is a bad sign.

He explains that the relationship you have with your boss is fundamental and if it's not a good one, the stress of it all can make you unwell.

So if this sounds eerily familiar you need to first ask yourself if you think your boss is changeable. This is step number one.

The professor says: "You ask yourself this question and consider whether you can give them feedback at an appropriate time, what the impact of this feedback will be, and what their behaviour will be like towards you after you give this feedback."

If you don't think your boss is capable of change, then the second key question you need to consider is where should you work - if you like your company/job, then you might consider moving into a different department under a new line manager, or if not completely changing things up and leaving the place altogether.

Professor Cooper adds: "If they are not changeable look for another job.

"A bad boss is a killer, they will make you ill and they can damage your outside life with your family, kids, and other relationships because you're so worried about your boss all the time. You don't need that.

"There's that old euphemism, people do not leave an organisation they leave a boss, and it's true.

"This relationship between you and your boss is so fundamental in the workplace as that person can make you feel good about your performance and motivate you or make you feel lousy and undermine your self-confidence.

"The evidence is clear on bullying at work, it really does damage people."

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear all about it. Email courtney.pochin@mirror.co.uk

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