Most of us have days when we’d rather be anywhere than at work, but how do you know whether this is just a regular ‘Monday’ feeling or a sign that it’s time for you to look for a different role?

Here are five red flags that signal your job is no longer giving you the satisfaction you need.

You dread going in

If you frequently get up in the morning with a feeling of dread and an urge to take a ‘sickie’ then it’s probably a sign that this role is no longer suitable for you. 

A lot of people have bad days, but when that stretches into weeks or even months it can take a toll on your mental health, and even lead to depression, so before that happens you should start looking for something else to do.

No chance of promotion

A stagnant role with no chance for progression is another sure sign that you should seriously think about moving on.

No-one wants to be stuck in a rut, especially with no prospect of getting out. If you cannot see a clear path to advancement with the company then it’s time to find a role which offers promotion (and a salary rise) as an incentive.

Your health is deteriorating

If thoughts of Monday morning begin to impact you on Sunday night, increasing your anxiety and stress, then you’re probably not where you need to be. 

Any job which negatively impacts your physical or emotional well-being is not sustainable. 

There’s nothing more important than your health, and if thoughts of going into work are raising your blood pressure then you need to get out, before your symptoms escalate into a long-term problem. 

You don’t like your colleagues/ boss

Not everyone can have a good rapport with their work colleagues but if you’re unable to maintain a professional, working relationship with other people in the office, or your line manager, then you should definitely think about a change of scenery.

If you believe these issues can be worked out, you could request a meeting involving a HR or union representative, but if the situation cannot be salvaged and is causing you a considerable amount of distress, it’s probably best to try somewhere else.

Your skills are not being utilised

Many of us aren’t 100 per cent fulfilled at work, but if you’re in a role that’s not using most of the skills you’ve developed through education, further training and experience, then in a short amount of time your motivation will drop and you’ll become bored. 

When you’ve reached a plateau and don’t feel as if your position is using your skill set, or adding anything new, it’s probably time to look for a more challenging job where you can grow and be challenged and reach your full potential.