Kündigung: „Ich langweile mich zu Tode in meinem Job“ – Die Gefahr der inneren Kündigung

Johanna Kohler, a 36-year-old marketing manager, feels bored and unmotivated at her job, despite having a good work history and experience. She spends her mornings checking emails and finding ways to keep herself occupied, as talking about her situation would make her feel disadvantaged. Johanna has been considering changing jobs since the beginning of the year but hasn't found the right opportunity yet.

Staying in her current position, despite growing dissatisfaction, is financially unfeasible for her because she can't afford to quit without a new job lined up.

Many employees across Germany are experiencing a similar issue, even though job-hopping is common in the country. According to a survey by Xing Job Portal, over a third of the 3,400 respondents considered leaving their employer, but only eight percent plan to take such a step. Job security is the primary reason for staying with their current employer, with only 39 percent valuing appreciation from their employer.

Career expert Stefanie Bickert, from Indeed, notes that security has become a more significant factor for many people, as the job market has become significantly more challenging due to fewer job offers and a shrinking number of vacancies.

For Johanna, this situation marks a new chapter in her career. She has previously changed jobs, not out of necessity but to seek new challenges. She took on leadership roles early in her career and managed a 20-person team. However, her current employer underwent a takeover, leading to changes in company culture, mobile work policies, and a reduction in her responsibilities.

Johanna, who used to be highly dedicated, now faces a void of tasks to perform and wonders if her qualifications and past achievements mean anything at all.

Maria Bergler, a coach who now encounters many similar cases, mentions that many of her clients are increasingly looking for opportunities. However, in the middle management sector, particularly in the industrial sector, job options are limited. The number of positions in management positions has decreased by 40 percent in the last twelve months, according to a market research study by Civey for the Handelsblatt.

This scarcity of opportunities contributes to the anxiety surrounding job loss, causing many individuals to remain in unsatisfactory positions out of fear of unemployment.

The psychological impact of feeling trapped in an unfulfilling job is significant. Thomas Rigotti, an organizational psychologist and director of the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, refers to this phenomenon as the "Workplace Log-in." He emphasizes that the issue is not just about staying in a job but the feeling of having no choice.

Boredom, lack of motivation, and decreased self-esteem can result from this situation. Moreover, studies have shown that people who wish to change jobs but cannot experience a decline in their overall well-being.