Should you hire someone to quit for you?

Having someone who can talk on your behalf, every now and then, is needed.

- Karen An De Guzman

Having someone who can talk on your behalf, every now and then, is needed, especially if you are to speak to a difficult person or people who don’t accept differing opinions and perspectives, especially at work. That person can communicate your desire to leave your job, negotiate more benefits or a pay rise. It is all about having to depend on someone who is well-informed about the laws and policy and can easily pressure the company to argue your side or provide what you ask for. However, hiring an expert to find the solution can have a lower chance of getting the desired solution. I would prefer to consult a company on employee rights.

Also, if you are unhappy with your work environment, quit! The reason we work abroad is for our bread and butter.

From Ms Karen An De Guzman

Office Manager working in Dubai

Values

You can’t run away from issues

You are going to face conflict, even at home. It doesn’t mean you run away from it. If you fight with your wife, you can’t outsource the fight!

- From Mr Shahran Bin Ahmad Bajrai

It is all about the values a company has set – if you have high values, which are regarded by your employees – but they are not being followed or monitored, people will face issues at work. Also, everyone has a different mindset, because to be honest the basic problem of any human being is the issue of contentment.

However, I do not think companies like these should exist because it will slow down business. You are going to face conflict, even at home. It doesn’t mean you run away from it. If you fight with your wife, you can’t outsource the fight! A company, similarly, gives you a place where you can earn a livelihood and people need to respect that as well. You will face conflicts, but a mature person faces them and grows from the experience.

Businesses should also focus on creating the right environment instead of needing such companies, which would need to handle the difficult conversations. If people get to know of companies like this, they would have the alternative constantly at the back of their mind, even before they join a company. Many might even misuse it.

From Mr Shahran Bin Ahmad Bajrai

Businessman living in Dubai

Face it

This epitomises the society we have become

[Companies like 'Exit'] represent what society today promotes: comfortable life with instant gratification and avoidance of the challenges, regardless of how many years you have worked for a company.

- Dr Valeria Risoli

Such companies are the representation of avoidance. They represent what society today promotes: comfortable life with instant gratification and avoidance of the challenges, regardless of how many years you have worked for a company.

This is inevitably contributing to a human and mental regression. People are taught or enabled to simply walk away from their responsibilities as someone else will take care of the problem for them. It’s like teaching our children that it is okay to not face difficulties and to simply delegate someone else for them. I do not see the benefits of doing this as it will increase fear and anxiety and promote lack of communication between individuals.

I am aware that this is commercial and that in certain situations people might need support - especially legal - to close professional relationships. However, as psychologist, I see this as avoidance. It is counter-productive for two reasons. It doesn’t look professional that a person is not capable to quit his job and communicate this to his employer and it reinforces the negative and distorted idea that quitting a job is always difficult and bad. In my opinion, changing jobs is an opportunity to grow. So, we should face these situation more proactively and with less fear.

From Dr Valeria Risoli

Clinical psychologist in Dubai

Gulf News asked: Have you ever stayed on in a job because quitting stresses you out?