Prince Harry criticised for encouraging people to quit jobs

Prince Harry has offered advice to people around the world struggling with their mental health – but it’s prompted plenty of backlash.

Prince Harry has caused fury online after saying that quitting your job can bring “joy” and should be “celebrated” – nearly two years after abandoning life as a working royal.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to step down as members of the royal Family in January 2020 and have begun carving out a new life in the US.

But now Harry, 37, claims that the rise in job resignations during the coronavirus pandemic isn’t “all bad” and he is pleased people are putting their mental health and happiness first, reports The Sun.

His “out of touch” comments have been criticised by people online – who claim he “really has no idea” about the struggles people face.

Prince Harry spoke about mental health at a BetterUp conference. Picture: Supplied

He was speaking as chief impact officer for professional coaching and mental health firm BetterUp – one of his many ventures since leaving the royals.

Talking at their event he said: “I’ve actually discovered recently, courtesy of a chat with Adam Grant, that a lot of the job resignations you mention aren’t all bad.

“In fact, it is a sign that with self-awareness comes the need for change.

“Many people around the world have been stuck in jobs that didn’t bring them joy, and now they’re putting their mental health and happiness first.

“This is something to be celebrated.

“While on the surface it looks like these last couple of years brought all these issues to the foreground, the reality is these struggles and issues have been brewing for quite some time.

“We’re just at the beginning of the mental health awakening.”

But people online were quick to slam Harry’s advice about resigning.

Royal expert Robert Jobson, responding to Harry’s words, said: “How would he know?”

Another person said: “You don’t get any more privileged than telling people to quit their jobs when they weren’t born into wealth and need to pay bills.”

A third quipped: “Obviously speaking to the privileged few who wouldn’t have to worry about bills/mortgage/feeding the kids if they quit their jobs!

“Most people are glad to have jobs after lockdown was lifted!”

Harry and Meghan quit their frontline royal jobs last year. Picture: Phil Harris/Pool/AFP

Another user added: “Prince Harry has never had to worry about keeping a roof over his head, paying bills, not having food in the cupboard.

“Most people have to work longer than 9-5 these days to make a liveable wage.”

‘Spoiled entitlement’

And another person was quick to call the Prince’s comments “out of touch”.

They said: “Prince Harry telling people to simply quit their job for their mental health if they aren’t happy may be the most out of touch thing he’s ever said.

“He’s right, it would. But he’s forgotten most of us don’t inherit millions or have the luxury to stash millions fronting brands.”

San Francisco-based BetterUp is valued at $4.7 billion dollars and Harry’s role, which he took on in March, includes product strategy, philanthropy, and public advocacy related to mental health.

The Duke of Sussex previously opened up about his mental health earlier this year in a documentary with Oprah Winfrey – claiming that his family showed “total neglect” for his mental health woes.

He spoke about his struggles with his mental wellbeing and the trauma that haunts him after the death of mother Princess Diana.

Both Harry and Meghan have talked openly about their struggles with mental health.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.