Millennials and Gen Z Will Quit Their Jobs Over Politics — 5 Reasons It’s a Bad Financial Move

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Many people prefer not to discuss politics at work. However, a recent Harris poll commissioned by Indeed found that more than one-third of respondents engage in such conversations, and 44% overhear their coworkers’ political discussions. Those discussions can alienate workers to the point that they leave their jobs.

The Indeed study found that men are more likely than women to leave their jobs over political views, but age plays an even bigger role. Among employees who’d quit because of political views, 78% are Gen Z and millennials ages 18 to 43. All told, 40% of workers in this age group say they’d quit their jobs over political differences, and the same percentage would leave if they disagreed with their CEO’s political views.

Granted, political discussions can turn contentious very quickly. No worker should tolerate a toxic workplace — i.e., one where you’re being harassed, are experiencing discrimination and/or are required to do work that compromises your integrity. But short of that, the potential financial consequences should make you think twice about quitting your job because of politics.

You’ll Lose Income

Loss of income can have a profound effect on your finances, now and in the future. In the short term, it can leave you having to either scramble for the first thing that comes along because you need the cash or skip bill payments until you find a new job.

While it might be possible to collect unemployment if your reason for quitting meets your state’s definition of “good cause,” there’s no guarantee that you’ll qualify. And even if you do, the benefits only cover a portion of your salary. The average benefit is $451.27 as of Sept. 30, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

You Could Miss Out on Valuable Benefits

Leaving your current job might cost you benefits and perks. You could miss out on a year-end bonus, for example. Or worse, lose matching contributions to your 401(k).

Your health insurance and access to your flexible spending account would also end, unless you continue your coverage with COBRA coverage — which would leave you paying 100% of the costs vs. the 20% employees pay on average, according to Fidelity.

If You Have a Contract, Your Employer Could Sue You

If you signed a contract when you went to work for your employer, you might be obligated to stay for a certain length of time or provide a specific amount of notice before you leave. Failing to honor the contract could result in penalties. In Ohio, for example, employers can seek damages from employees who’ve breached their contracts, according to the Friedmann Firm, an Ohio-based law firm.

Note, too, that if your contract has a noncompete clause, it may prevent you from going to work for a competitor for a certain period.

Resigning Could Leave an Employment Gap on Your Resume

A gap in employment could make it more difficult to get a new job. A 2021 study by Indeed revealed that 70% of individuals in hiring roles believe that unemployment might mean that a job applicant will be less productive if hired.

But difficulty landing a new job isn’t the only potential consequence of a gap in employment. It also could hamper your ability to get a major loan, such as a mortgage. That’s especially true if you take a new job in a different field, which may prompt the lender to question your financial stability.

It Won’t Solve the Problem

Leaving a job over politics probably won’t prevent you from being exposed to political views you disagree with. Granted, you may find a company where the leadership aligns with your party and views. Among the Indeed survey respondents, 42% work in companies where the entire leadership is aligned with a single party, and that figure is even higher for Gen Z and millennials.

But that degree of consistency is unlikely to spill into the workplace itself. You’ll still have to work alongside people who don’t share your views. Rather than quit, consider how you might make the situation more tolerable.

One approach suggested by the Society for Human Resource Management is to use the discussions as opportunities to learn about other people’s views rather than as challenges to change their minds. If that doesn’t work, consider talking to your employer about implementing guidelines to help foster a respectful company culture.

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