"When we're happy in our work and feel a sense of purpose there, we tend to do a good job," says Ms Avery. "The opposite is true when we're not engaged, or we're not growing in our work and it's only a matter of time before we start to make mistakes which get noticed by our superiors and that can have very serious consequences. It is possible to diminish your own standing and reputation in your workplace and your industry."
Similarly, psychologist Dr Helena Cooper Thomas, whose research at The University of Auckland focuses on occupational employee attitudes and behaviours, and employee-employer relations, says there's a danger of becoming inflexible if you stay in one job for too long.
"There are perils for either staying too long or looking too flighty, but overall, the risk that could ensue from staying too long is a lack of flexibility because you are used to doing things one 'right' way."
On a more personal level, senior budget advisor Frederick Church says feelings of resentment about "having" to go to a job one actively dislikes can seep into every area of life, particularly when those feelings are underpinned by financial issues.
"When you're living from pay cheque to pay cheque, from week to week, and you see no end in sight, it impacts on everything. It's especially bad if a family is dependent on one income and the main breadwinner is unhappy at work.
"A whole range of issues which affect families - family violence included - has some sort of financial basis. Add into the mix feelings of resentment about work, stress levels rise, relationships suffer and it's generally unhappy for everyone involved."
Money and fear of being out of work, especially when we're carrying household debt, are prime motivators in continuing on in a job long after it's passed its 'best before' date.
"When the unemployment rate in general or for their specific occupation is higher, and the cost of turnover (giving up current salary and benefits) is seen as high, people are less likely to leave," says Dr Cooper-Thomas.
Likewise, Mr Church says many people he works with are simply too afraid to look anew at family finances and consider the possibility of making do with less. In many cases, levels of household debt mean it doesn't seem like an option any way.
Ms Avery says dissatisfaction at work can foster feelings of insecurity about our abilities and ultimately lead to a loss of confidence which becomes so crippling we don't have the courage to look for something new.
The signs that it's time to consider a move include recognising frustration perhaps because we can't move up or utilise our skills fully; a deepening sense that we're not recognised or appreciated by superiors or that we don't have a supportive work environment. Being overburdened and experiencing the stress reactions that follow - sleep disturbances, headaches and other health niggles, mood swings - is also a reason to make changes.
"When you start to make a lot of mistakes or feel overwhelmed or bored because you're not working to your strengths, this is a sign something needs to change," says Ms Avery.
All acknowledge change can be scary, especially if there are financial pressures, and stress the importance of making a plan rather than declaring loudly and publically how much you dislike your job, what your employer can do with it and storming out.
Ms Avery says it's vital to look at the whole of your life and how career goals and aspirations fit with your core values and personal circumstances. Understandably, she advocates working with a career specialist who can help you to take stock.
"It's conscious career development," she says. "Unfortunately, many of the career choices we make are not made consciously but are reactive. This allows you to take more control of your circumstances."
Any plan will include a mixture of small, mid and longer term goals which can helpfully reassure us that our current job is time-limited and we are taking positive steps toward finding something else which we may enjoy more.
But Dr Cooper-Thomas says finances do have to be considered sooner rather than later.
"Don't bother feeling the fear [and doing it anyway] if the numbers are going to mean that your new job is so poorly paying that you are eating bread and water and sleeping on your parents' sofa for the foreseeable future."
Getting budgeting advice and considering what changes can be made to reduce debt or build up a fund that may see you through a couple of months out of work is advisable, says Mr Church.
"I suggest that people consider why they work - if it is just for the pay cheque, then focus on what the money can do for you and make the most of your time away from work. Break it down to chunks of time - it's four hours until lunchtime, three days until the weekend. That can help the time pass more quickly and manageably."
Even if you're making a plan to leave, shifting your own attitude to make the best of your current job can help immeasurably. Dr Cooper-Thomas says focusing on the positives and recognising that, as with everything in life, things are seldom perfect is helpful.
"If you are in a job that you have to stay in because the hours are particularly good or there is not much choice where you live or whatever, then focus on those elements of the job that you do enjoy. Perhaps you are really good at making customers feel valued, or you are technically skilled, or you contribute to a fun work atmosphere. Building on this, you might even be able to develop the job slightly over time to get more of the responsibilities you do enjoy and get rid of some responsibilities that you don't enjoy; especially if those parts you do enjoy you are also good at. This might be through explicit negotiation or just by developing demand yourself."
If you can't leave
• Consider making do with less
• Look at family finances
• Focus on parts of the job that you enjoy
• Keep your head down while you scope out new opportunities
