'Rage-applying': Why employees are angry and seeking new jobs

(Source: 1News)

An employment survey has found two out of three professional job applicants admit to seeking out a new role out of frustration with their current employer — commonly known as "rage-applying".

The causes varied from being overlooked for promotion, having their opinions ignored, or not finding the work challenging or saisfying.

But a survey of more than 2000 professional job applicants conducted by recruitment specialist Robert Walters, indicated 65% of workers say a "toxic culture" was the leading reason for them rage applying.

Twenty per cent cited a lack of work life balance as a reason for rage-applying, while 13% were concerned about an unmanageable workload.

Career EQ's Kaye Avery told Breakfast the rage-applying trend is "not a new thing".

"I remember back in Covid days, people were really cross. There was a lot of isolation, lack of communication and that triggered a lot, and the frustration and insecurity about their jobs.

"When those things come into play, people will get angry. We're human beings after all, we need to have processes in place around emotions, even in the workplace."

She said rage-applying is usually a "build-up of frustrations" and doesn't happen in an instant.

"It's usually a build-up of being overlooked, not being heard, ideas overridden, all those sorts of things that frustrate people and challenge their sense of place and challenge their sense of place and importance. And show lack of respect, if you like."

"We need to feel that we're contributing, and if we're overlooked or there is conflict about our ideas we are going to get frustrated."

Sixty-five per cent of workers say a "toxic culture" is the leading reason for them rage applying. (Source: istock.com)

Seeking happiness or taking control?

One Breakfast viewer wrote in to say they were "so unhappy [and] had such bad anxiety" at their previous job before rage-applying to secure their dream job.

"Been here a year and never been more happy and financially stable. I have no regrets at all rage applying, it was the best thing to happen to me!"

Another said: "I personally apply for jobs when I am unhappy at work, after a bad day. I find doing this makes me feel like I am taking charge of my situation. Taking some action to improve life."

Avery said when people weren't relaxed, it could be "really hard to make good decisions".

"It's really important to calm yourself down, self-regulation is key.

"If you're feeling angry, it's not good for you. It can become very toxic for you and people in the workplace."