Bad day or bad job?

Before you storm out of your office in a dramatic huff, take the quiz below to get to the true source of frustration

"Many people jump ship too soon without asking the right questions,” says Gallup’s Allan Watkinson. Here’s how to tell whether it’s a tough few weeks – or a dud job.

Do you know what is expected of you at work?
YES
NO

Do you have the materials and equipment you need to do your work right?
YES
NO

At work do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?
YES
NO

In the past seven days have you received recognition or praise for doing good work?
YES
NO

Does your supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about you as a person?
YES
NO

Is there someone at work who encourages your development?
YES
NO

At work do your opinions seem to count?
YES
NO

Does the mission/purpose of your company make you feel your job is important?
YES
NO

Are your fellow employees committed to doing quality work?
YES
NO

Do you have a best friend at work?
YES
NO

In the past six months, has someone at work talked to you about your progress?
YES
NO

In the last year, have you had opportunities at work to learn and grow?
YES
NO

7 OR MORE “YES” ANSWERS? IT’S A BAD DAY

“You need five positive experiences for every negative one in the workplace to make it worth staying put,” says Sinclair. If you rack up this ratio most of the time, it’s likely you’re just having a bad day.

“To get through a rocky patch, define your personal purpose for being at work. Do you love that you’re helping a good cause? Get a kick-arse satisfaction from achieving a project? Enjoy talking to your colleagues? If you’re able to remind yourself of why you’re there, you’re probably just experiencing some work down time – which is completely normal.”

Think about what’s making you unhappy and whether it’s possible to change it, says Watkinson. “If there are things within your control that you can alter, then it’s a bad day not a bad job. There’s a lot to be said for making your current role better instead of ditching it.”

7 OR MORE “NO” ANSWERS? IT’S A BAD JOB

If more than 60 per cent of your working day is taken up by things you don’t enjoy, you’ll run in to motivation and wellbeing issues, says Fuller. “When the bad outweighs the good, it’s very hard to stay positive.”

If your personal values don’t match the company’s or there are several issues out of your control that aren’t going to change, it could be time for a new role. But your work wellbeing shouldn’t be dictated by cold hard cash, warns Sinclair.

“While a good salary can add to the satisfaction of your job, your career wellbeing doesn’t centre around money. As long as you have enough money to pay the bills, salary doesn’t greatly contribute to your happiness. If you’re happy in every other aspect of the job, weigh up whether it’s worth trading good colleagues and a work-life balance for a larger salary elsewhere.”