12 Signs Your Coworker Is About to Quit (And How to Predict It)

You've seen it before.

The coworker who used to complain about everything suddenly has nothing bad to say. The one who never missed a meeting starts "having conflicts." Someone you've worked with for three years just asked how to export their contacts from Outlook.

You know what's happening. You just can't prove it yet.

Here are 12 signs that your coworker is about to quit — ranked from "hmm, interesting" to "they're already gone."

---

1. The LinkedIn Photo Update

Suspicion level: Moderate

Nothing says "I'm on the market" like a fresh professional headshot on a Tuesday afternoon. Bonus points if they also updated their headline from "Marketing Manager at [Your Company]" to "Marketing Leader | Strategic Thinker | Open to Opportunities."

They might as well send an all-company email.

2. The Wardrobe Shift

Suspicion level: Moderate

When the person who's worn the same three polos for two years shows up in a blazer, they didn't suddenly discover fashion. They discovered interviews. Especially suspicious on days with unexplained "doctor's appointments."

3. The Mysterious Calendar Blocks

Suspicion level: Moderate

Two-hour blocks labeled "Personal" or "Busy" appearing in the middle of the workday. Phone interviews are 30-45 minutes. On-sites are 2-4 hours. The calendar doesn't lie — it just doesn't explain.

4. The Long Lunches

Suspicion level: Rising

Lunch used to be a sad desk salad. Now it's a 90-minute disappearance three times a week. Either they've discovered an incredible restaurant or they're interviewing at companies within driving distance. The restaurant theory is more fun but less likely.

5. The Sudden Boundary-Setter

Suspicion level: Rising

They used to answer Slack at 10 PM. Now they log off at 5:01. They used to volunteer for extra projects. Now everything is "not really my area." This isn't burnout — this is someone who's already mentally checked out and is saving their energy for the job they're about to accept.

6. The Knowledge Dump

Suspicion level: High

When someone starts documenting everything they do, writing process guides nobody asked for, and training others on their responsibilities — that's not initiative. That's a two-week notice countdown. They're building their replacement manual.

7. The Suspicious Positivity

Suspicion level: High

The chronic complainer stops complaining. The person who hated Monday meetings starts smiling through them. This is the most counterintuitive sign and the most reliable one. People get happy when they have an exit plan. They can afford to be pleasant when they know it's temporary.

8. The Disengagement Drift

Suspicion level: High

They stop volunteering ideas in meetings. They do exactly what's asked and nothing more. They don't argue about decisions they used to fight over. The fire is gone. Not because they've given up — because they've moved on emotionally. Their brain is already at the next job.

9. The Relationship Pullback

Suspicion level: High

The person who used to grab coffee with everyone starts eating alone. They skip the happy hours. They're polite but distant. This is someone who's already grieving the workplace friendships they know are about to change — or someone who doesn't want to get too sentimental before they leave.

10. The Phone Walker

Suspicion level: Very High

Stepping outside to take calls. Going to the car for "quick breaks." Walking laps around the parking lot while talking animatedly. If your coworker has suddenly become a fitness enthusiast who only exercises while talking on the phone, those aren't personal calls. Those are recruiter calls.

11. The PTO Drain

Suspicion level: Very High

Burning through vacation days fast — especially if they've been hoarding them all year. At most companies, unused PTO doesn't transfer to a new employer. Someone cashing out their days is someone who knows they won't be here to use them later.

12. The Already-Gone Eyes

Suspicion level: Certain

You know this one when you see it. They're physically present but mentally somewhere else. They smile at things that aren't funny. They agree to things they'd normally push back on. They look at the office like they're already nostalgic for it.

They haven't quit yet. But they will. Probably within two weeks.

---

So You Called It. Now What?

Here's the thing about predicting coworker departures: everyone does it, nobody tracks it, and when you're right, there's no proof.

Unless you're playing Office Dead Pool.

Nominate the coworker. Pick the date. When they actually leave, the company votes to confirm — and if you called it, you earn points. Nail the exact date and that's 50 points. Get close and you still score.

The person who's best at reading these signs? They become The Gossip King.

You already know who's next. Might as well get credit for it.

Sign up free — it takes 30 seconds.

---

Office Dead Pool is a workplace prediction game where your instincts earn you points. No real harm, no real malice — just the game everyone's already playing, with a scoreboard. Learn more | See the rules