The 10 Worst Ways to Quit a Job

Deciding to leave a job can be a pivotal moment in your career. But how you exit a company can leave an impression that lingers far beyond your final day. Some resignations are professional, courteous, and leave doors wide open for future opportunities. Then there are the other kinds—the ones that lead to eyerolls in HR meetings or, worse, go viral on social media!

In April 2021, a viral story emerged about an employee who quit their job by leaving a resignation note in a conference room on a cake. The cake read, “Sorry for your loss. It’s me. I quit.” While it gained widespread attention online for its humorous delivery, this unconventional method left coworkers scrambling for information on handing over ongoing tasks. (Source: Insider)

While sometimes entertaining, a poorly handled resignation can damage your reputation, burn bridges with your employer, and even affect your chances of securing future roles. Let’s look at the 10 worst ways to quit a job.

10. GHOSTING THE COMPANY

This might work for a bad Tinder date, but walking out of a job and completely disappearing? Not so great. Ghosting leaves your team scrambling and damages your professional reputation.

In a viral Reddit post shared on r/antiwork, a user recounted how their coworker abruptly quit their IT job after receiving their paycheck, leaving behind incomplete projects and no documentation. The employer was left scrambling to figure out deadlines and project statuses, illustrating the chaos caused by poor offboarding practices. (Source: Reddit)

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Always provide notice. Two weeks is standard, but your contract or company policy may require more.

9. WALKING OUT

Abandoning your post mid-shift might feel cathartic in the heat of the moment, but it places an undue burden on your coworkers and could harm your standing in the industry.

In 2021, a Starbucks barista in California publicly resigned by leaving a note on the counter that read, “I quit. Good luck making lattes!”. While it provided a humorous moment for customers, it caused significant disruption as coworkers were left scrambling to cover shifts. This highlights the challenges businesses face when employees resign unexpectedly, emphasizing the importance of effective workforce management. (Source: Newsweek)

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Stick it out until the end of your shift and provide proper notice to allow the company time to plan for your departure.

8. USING RESIGNATION AS REVENGE

Quitting your job just to “stick it to the man” might feel satisfying in the short term, but it often reflects poorly on your professionalism.

In a 2021 Reddit thread from r/WorkReform, a user shared a story where an office worker quit immediately after a heated confrontation with the CEO during a meeting. While the outburst may have felt satisfying in the moment, it ended up damaging the individual’s professional reputation, making future employers and coworkers view them as unreliable. (Source: Reddit)

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Separate personal grievances from your resignation. Stay calm, professional, and focus on moving forward.

7. QUITTING VIA TEXT

Quitting a job should feel significant. A quick text may seem like a great way to avoid having to face your employer. Sending a quick text message saying, “I quit, good luck ✌️,” is not only unprofessional but can feel disrespectful to your employer.

The lack of professionalism can lead to burning bridges with your employer. A former manager refused to provide a reference and shared their disappointment with others in the industry. (Source: Indeed Career Guide)

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Schedule an in-person meeting or a video call to discuss your resignation professionally and provide adequate notice to help with the transition.

6. QUITTING DURING A CRITICAL PROJECT

Exiting in the middle of an important project or campaign without a proper handoff can leave your team struggling to pick up the pieces.

A project manager resigned without notice during the final phase of a bridge construction project. This left the engineering team struggling to coordinate inspections and finalize permits, causing delays and increased costs. (Source: Construction Dive)

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: If possible, wait until major deadlines are complete. If not, document your progress and ensure a smooth handover.

5. TELLING COWORKERS BEFORE TELLING YOUR BOSS

Sharing your departure news with coworkers before informing your manager might seem harmless, but it can create unnecessary tension and awkwardness. The employees staying are put in an awkward position, not wanting to betray their soon-to-be former coworker nor wanting to be disloyal to their employer. It can also lead to a confrontation when the news reaches the manager through others before you notify your boss.

In a survey by CV-Library, 44.9% of employees said it’s unprofessional to tell coworkers before your boss. This misstep can damage your professional image and potentially impact future references or networking opportunities. (Source: CV-Library)

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Always tell your boss first. Schedule a private meeting to share your decision professionally before discussing it with coworkers.

4. ANNOUNCING YOUR RESIGNATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA FIRST

Sharing your plans to leave a job on social media before informing your employer can create unnecessary tension and embarrassment for your organization—even if you believe you are only announcing it to your “friends”.

A sales rep at a small company announced their new role on Facebook while their manager was on vacation. Another employee saw the post and mentioned it at work before the manager had been informed. The news spread quickly, creating an awkward situation that could have been easily avoided.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Tell your manager first, then feel free to share the news on your social platforms once the departure terms are finalized.

3. QUITTING AND LEAVING NEGATIVE REVIEWS ONLINE

Leaving reviews on websites like Glassdoor or blasting the company on social media after you quit can feel tempting but can negatively impact your credibility.

In 2019, a former employee of Barstool Sports posted a scathing review on Glassdoor, criticizing the company’s work environment and management practices. The review quickly gained attention when Barstool’s outspoken CEO, Dave Portnoy, publicly called out the anonymous reviewer on Twitter, sparking a heated online debate. The incident not only raised questions about the reviewer’s anonymity but also highlighted how negative reviews can lead to unexpected repercussions. (Source: Business Insider)

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Offer constructive criticism privately during an exit interview if you must. Keep online reviews factual and balanced.

2. OVERSHARING YOUR EXIT

Publicly calling out your employer’s flaws in a dramatic resignation letter may seem satisfying at the moment. But remember, future employers often check references—and Google.

In 2021, a marketing professional at a UK-based agency emailed their resignation to the entire company, listing grievances about management and workplace culture. The email was leaked online and widely circulated on Twitter, leading to public backlash. According to a follow-up report by The Guardian, the individual later faced difficulties securing roles in the industry due to the incident.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: If you have legitimate grievances, take them up during an exit interview or with HR—professionally and privately.

1. QUITTING WITHOUT A PLAN

Walking away from a role without another job lined up, savings, or a clear plan can leave you in a difficult situation.

A LinkedIn user shared their story of impulsively quitting their job without a backup plan, leading to financial difficulties and a frantic job search. Another user shared a similar story describing how leaving a stable role on a whim left them unable to meet monthly expenses, forcing them to take on temporary gigs. These examples highlight the risks of quitting without a clear plan.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Plan your next move before you resign. Explore new job opportunities, update your résumé, and ensure you have financial stability.

FINAL THOUGHTS

How you leave a job is just as important as how you start one. Every decision you make contributes to the personal brand you’re building as a professional. By staying calm, professional, and respectful, you can leave a positive impression, maintain valuable connections, and set yourself up for future success.

If you’re considering a career move and need guidance on your next steps, our team specializes in matching professionals like you with roles that fit your skills and aspirations perfectly.