January has become one of the most predictable months for employee turnover. This year, the risk is amplified by widespread burnout, with 28% of US employees reporting they felt exhausted even before the holidays began. As employees return to work post-Christmas, many are using Reddit as an outlet to voice frustrations they may not feel safe raising internally.
An analysis by Online DISC Profile of subreddits such as r/hatemyjob, r/coworkerstories and r/managers shows that the post-holiday ‘blues’ are less about seasonal fatigue and more about unresolved workplace issues that resurface in January.
What employees are really complaining about
Across hundreds of Reddit posts, a consistent set of complaints emerged. Employees and managers alike described workplaces where poor behaviour is tolerated and communication breaks down.
The most common issues raised include:
- Favouritism and unequal treatment
- Lack of trust between managers and teams
- Gaslighting and dismissive leadership behaviour
- Disorganisation and unclear expectations
- Persistently toxic workplace cultures
These patterns suggest that January resignations are often the result of long-standing frustrations reaching a tipping point.
Overlooking bad behaviour fuels toxicity
In 2024, 38.5% of US employees voluntarily quit their jobs, with 32.4% citing toxic workplaces as the primary reason. Workplace psychologist Jeannie Bril explains that managers often overlook toxic behaviour to avoid confrontation or preserve short-term stability.
When problematic employees are protected because they appear loyal or politically useful, it reinforces unhealthy group dynamics. Over time, this signals to others that bullying, manipulation or exclusion will go unchecked, accelerating disengagement and exit decisions.
Favouritism destroys trust faster than managers realise
Burnout data from Gallup shows that stress is widespread across industries, but favouritism remains a key accelerant. According to Bril, favouring certain employees is not a minor grievance but a serious psychological stressor that undermines motivation, morale and well-being.
Adam Stamm of Online DISC Profile notes that different personality types require different forms of recognition. When managers fail to adapt their approach, some employees feel invisible while others feel unfairly scrutinised, eroding trust across the team.
Feedback failures and the PIP problem
One frequently discussed Reddit post involved an employee threatening legal action after being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan by a manager only three months into the role. Bril says this timeframe is rarely enough to understand an employee’s working style or challenges.
Research shows that resistance to feedback is often linked to:
- Low confidence or self-efficacy
- Unclear goals and expectations
- Fear of failure or public embarrassment
Stamm adds that managers with a strong task-first mindset may default to a command-and-control approach. Asking employees how they prefer to receive feedback can reduce defensiveness and prevent escalation.
Communication gaps drive disengagement
Many Reddit threads highlight managers who interpret disengagement as laziness, while employees describe feeling overwhelmed or unsupported. Bril points to motivation research showing that when people feel under-skilled or isolated, withdrawal can be a psychological defence rather than a lack of effort.
Clear communication around priorities, support and working styles is critical to preventing these misunderstandings from hardening into exit decisions.
Microaggressions and gaslighting push people out
Subtle leadership behaviours also play a role in January turnover. Public contradictions, dismissive comments and reframing concerns as overreactions are common examples of microaggressions raised on Reddit.
Bril warns that these behaviours are especially damaging in group settings, as they undermine credibility and psychological safety. Understanding one’s own leadership traits, including how they are perceived by others, is essential to preventing unintentional harm.
January is delayed feedback, not a surprise
The surge in resignations after the holidays reflects months of accumulated frustration. Reddit has simply become the place where employees speak freely. For managers, the message is clear: addressing trust, communication and fairness is not optional if retention is a priority in the year ahead.