We give so much of our time to our bosses. The least we can ask for is to be treated decently. Some people grin and bear their way through toxic workplaces. Others refuse to tolerate bad behavior.
Rage quitting has become all the rage in recent years, with fed-up workers throwing in the towel without so much as a second thought. For many, their peace is more important than the peanuts they earn. According to the American Institute of Stress, 55% of Americans are stressed during the day, and 63% of US workers are ready to quit their jobs to avoid work-related stress. The thing about making a spontaneous decision in the heat of the moment is that you really don't know how things will turn out...
Someone asked, "People who quit their job in a moment of rage - how did things turn out?" and a rather enlightening thread followed. From the employee who resigned with immediate effect after being ordered to cut their honeymoon short, to the one who quit in solidarity with another colleague who was being mistreated, Bored Panda has put together a list of the best rage quitting stories. Some may inspire you to quit your own toxic job, while others could convince you that it's best to stay put.
#1
Wasn't me but my ex.
They called her on our honeymoon like 2 days after our wedding and told her she needed to come in the next day... We were on our 2nd day of a two week honeymoon.
They not only demanded she come in the next day but also that she was scheduled for the next 2 weeks straight. She was trying to explain it was our honeymoon and this had been approved for 6 months and they were threatening her job so I told her loudly enough for them to hear me to just quit.
Suddenly they started back tracking but she quit anyways. It was a freaking bakery guys. Not some crazy important job. A bakery and they thought they could demand that we fly home last minute and cut our honeymoon off so she could work her shift at the bakery.
She not only quit but we extended our honeymoon for another week.
They called her on our honeymoon like 2 days after our wedding and told her she needed to come in the next day... We were on our 2nd day of a two week honeymoon.
They not only demanded she come in the next day but also that she was scheduled for the next 2 weeks straight. She was trying to explain it was our honeymoon and this had been approved for 6 months and they were threatening her job so I told her loudly enough for them to hear me to just quit.
Suddenly they started back tracking but she quit anyways. It was a freaking bakery guys. Not some crazy important job. A bakery and they thought they could demand that we fly home last minute and cut our honeymoon off so she could work her shift at the bakery.
She not only quit but we extended our honeymoon for another week.
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64points
An American Institute of Stress survey has revealed that more than half of those polled are stressed during the day, particularly during working hours. 63% say they're so fed up that they're ready to quit their jobs and invite more peace into their lives. It's become a case of mind or mental health over job matters.
Many who quit on the spot do so without a backup plan. But a separate survey conducted by Skynova found that 60% of respondents who rage-quit landed a new job with a salary boost—an average of $7,200.
#2
Worked at a call center. Absolute horrible job and I wasn't giving it my best because it was so predatory. But a girl I often sat next to was crying one day, and I asked her why.
Months ago, she had requested off a week for her wedding and a short honeymoon. It was all approved. And that day, less than a week and a half before the wedding and with everything paid and prepped, they "revoked" the approval because a supervisor wanted the time off instead. Told her to move her wedding. With a week's notice.
She quit on the spot. I realized I couldn't keep doing this, and I quit with her. I didn't even know her name. I hope her wedding was beautiful.
Months ago, she had requested off a week for her wedding and a short honeymoon. It was all approved. And that day, less than a week and a half before the wedding and with everything paid and prepped, they "revoked" the approval because a supervisor wanted the time off instead. Told her to move her wedding. With a week's notice.
She quit on the spot. I realized I couldn't keep doing this, and I quit with her. I didn't even know her name. I hope her wedding was beautiful.
56points
#3
Amazing. Lucky I had two jobs and the second one let me pick up hours. The reason I rage quit was because the owner sent around a condescending email saying people weren’t allowed to leave the shop to go to the toilet, “you are adults, not children, go to the toilet before you start work.” Ok - you try holding it for 8 hours, not to mention girls who are on their period, not being able to change their tampon is literally dangerous.
37points
41% of rage-quitters polled said they immediately regretted the impulse move and had tried to get their position back. Quite a few of them who were successful reported that they were able to use their rage-quit to land a significant salary increase.
The respondents blamed their rage-quitting on burnout, work stress, and employers who seemed to disregard their mental health. Not too surprisingly, more than half of them said their mental health improved after quitting their toxic job, while 43% said their stress levels dipped.
#4
Was actively having a miscarriage and bleeding out due to a complication while in the office working in finance for minimum wage with overtime expected for free. My female (!) manager actively tried to block me from leaving the building until I collapsed and an ambulance had to be called. She then called me the next day while I was in hospital trying not to pass to berate me about not being at work that day and yelled at my fiancé for answering the phone and not letting her speak to me. I took the phone and basically told her to go and frick herself.
It's been almost a year since then and I'm now working for a company and people that I adore and I haven't looked back once. My new manager gave me an extra 2 weeks of holiday for my wedding next month so that I'd still be able to take other time off this year and has given me several bonuses since I joined the company in December..
It's been almost a year since then and I'm now working for a company and people that I adore and I haven't looked back once. My new manager gave me an extra 2 weeks of holiday for my wedding next month so that I'd still be able to take other time off this year and has given me several bonuses since I joined the company in December..
35points
#5
Was working a minimum wage job after college cause I hadn't found a job in my field yet. Just finished a night shift and the incoming assistant manager tried to write me up over something dumb so I quit on the spot.
Went home, slept a little then went golfing in the afternoon with my friends. Got a call for an interview in my field on the 9th tee box. Ended up getting the job.
Found out later when I picked up my last paycheck that like 3 other people quit for similar reasons but I was the catalyst everyone needed to pull the trigger. Felt good to know they were scrambling.
Went home, slept a little then went golfing in the afternoon with my friends. Got a call for an interview in my field on the 9th tee box. Ended up getting the job.
Found out later when I picked up my last paycheck that like 3 other people quit for similar reasons but I was the catalyst everyone needed to pull the trigger. Felt good to know they were scrambling.
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28points
#6
I was just out of the Army and waiting on some GI bill stuff to start college, I had just gotten the final batch of paperwork and knew I would be starting school the next week and the VA would be depositing a check. The machine I was working on had a way of zapping people when you operated it, just a little teeny tiny OSHA violation, well I got zapped one too many times and the foreman thought it was a hoot, until he had to go get zapped for the rest of the shift, frick you Paul, you old racist jerk!
28points
The American Institute of Stress warns that while many people believe quitting is their only option, it can sometimes backfire.
"You’re now unemployed, and the likelihood of getting a good reference is slim to none," explains the site, adding that, "You may also have to explain to your partner or spouse how you just put your family’s financial security at risk."
The Institute's experts caution against making hasty decisions at work in the heat of the moment. They advise that you take a few deep breaths, think about what’s really bothering you, and then, schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss your situation.
#7
I worked in a restaurant in college. It was me and 1 other server to cover all the shifts from 11am to 10 pm 7 days a week. We should have had double the staff and it was poorly run otherwise. The owner would drink with her friends through the dinner shift and get mean. I made one small mistake costing $50 and she threatened to fire me so I quit. The other server, chef and I were close and tried to help each other out as much as possible.
So did the chef and the other server. She tried to rehire, ran the place three days a week by herself and two weeks later it closed for good.
So did the chef and the other server. She tried to rehire, ran the place three days a week by herself and two weeks later it closed for good.
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20points
#8
They hired me back a few weeks later for more pay and more leniency in my working conditions.
They needed me more than I needed them. Went back for a few months then moved on elsewhere anyway.
They needed me more than I needed them. Went back for a few months then moved on elsewhere anyway.
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19points
#9
Not a job but an internship. I rode out much of my pregnancy with this team and the more visibly pregnant I became, the worse I was treated. Near the time I quit, they had me sitting on the floor in their conference room because "there wasn't enough seats".
The day I quit I was told to take lunch sitting on the floor of the supply closet because the conference room (which was also the lunch room) was being used and they "had no where else to put me". My very pregnant self sat down with my lunch in my lap, started eating, and then wondered why the hell was I allowing this when I wasn't even getting paid.
Promptly left without a word, sent my university supervisor an email detailing my experience for the past 5 months (this was for a grad program) and by the next week was transferred to a new site. I've done everything I can to get the old site blacklisted from the program, but I don't know if that ever happened.
The day I quit I was told to take lunch sitting on the floor of the supply closet because the conference room (which was also the lunch room) was being used and they "had no where else to put me". My very pregnant self sat down with my lunch in my lap, started eating, and then wondered why the hell was I allowing this when I wasn't even getting paid.
Promptly left without a word, sent my university supervisor an email detailing my experience for the past 5 months (this was for a grad program) and by the next week was transferred to a new site. I've done everything I can to get the old site blacklisted from the program, but I don't know if that ever happened.
19points
But what if you leave that meeting feeling even more angry and frustrated? The experts say it's still best not to quit on the spot...
"While the allure of a dramatic 'rage quit' may be tempting in the face of workplace stress and frustration, resisting that impulse is crucial," explains the institute's site. "It may be tempting to fantasize about a dramatic Hollywood-style exit, but the reality is far less glamorous. Burned bridges, tarnished reputations, and financial insecurity await those who give in to their anger."
It adds that the "high road" may not be the easiest, but it is the one that will serve you best, both now and in the future. That said, you should consider giving proper notice or looking for a new job while you’re still employed.
#10
Was 62. Been with the company almost 25 years. I had it with my supervisor, told him off and quit. So, retired now at almost 72. And happy.
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17points
#11
I told my boss no. My boss went to the CEO and when they came knocking I told them no. Almost childishly they said “but you have to, I’m the CEO, I’m top of the food chain”. I said “Only if I’m in that food chain. You’re incompetent and I won’t burn my staff for you. I quit.” He had this smug smile on his face when I pushed past him and drive home.
Found out later he called my predecessor (who trained me and advocated for me to fill the role when he left) to tell him everything I he thought I was doing wrong and see if he would come back and “he could name his price”. My predecessor told him to get bent and told the CEO he had hired me at the hospital he had moved on to. I guess he also told him there wasn’t a price they could pay him to work for them ever again in any position but especially that one.
I didn’t see how much damage that job was doing to me while I was in it. I gave it everything I had only to have some smug, fresh MBA having, jerk canoe, pretending to know anything clinical keep telling me I need to do more/better.
Anyway, I work for my predecessor now in a similar role. He’s brilliant and happy to teach and share his success. I make about 5k less a year but I work less than half the hours that I used to, the CEO isn’t a product of nepotism, and all I hear every day is how great I am at my job. Can’t put a price on mental health and my kids seem happy to have me around all the time instead of being stuck at work or being on the phone 24/7. Overall, no regrets. I recently got a call from that same CEO (about 7 months later) and he asked me to come back. Until that moment I still had the lingering feeling of failing. I guess he finally came to terms with the fact that I wasn’t the problem (lots of other chiefs and directors who were talented at the art of lying and being ‘yes men/women’). Props to him for swallowing his pride. I told him I appreciate the offer but I’m not going to dig him out of that canyon regardless of whatever offer he had in the works. He scoffed and hung up. Warms my heart every time I think about it.
Sometimes it’s good to go with your instincts. And for anyone reading this, remember that regardless of your job, your happiness is priceless. Don’t suffer for people who don’t value you as a colleague AND as a human.
Found out later he called my predecessor (who trained me and advocated for me to fill the role when he left) to tell him everything I he thought I was doing wrong and see if he would come back and “he could name his price”. My predecessor told him to get bent and told the CEO he had hired me at the hospital he had moved on to. I guess he also told him there wasn’t a price they could pay him to work for them ever again in any position but especially that one.
I didn’t see how much damage that job was doing to me while I was in it. I gave it everything I had only to have some smug, fresh MBA having, jerk canoe, pretending to know anything clinical keep telling me I need to do more/better.
Anyway, I work for my predecessor now in a similar role. He’s brilliant and happy to teach and share his success. I make about 5k less a year but I work less than half the hours that I used to, the CEO isn’t a product of nepotism, and all I hear every day is how great I am at my job. Can’t put a price on mental health and my kids seem happy to have me around all the time instead of being stuck at work or being on the phone 24/7. Overall, no regrets. I recently got a call from that same CEO (about 7 months later) and he asked me to come back. Until that moment I still had the lingering feeling of failing. I guess he finally came to terms with the fact that I wasn’t the problem (lots of other chiefs and directors who were talented at the art of lying and being ‘yes men/women’). Props to him for swallowing his pride. I told him I appreciate the offer but I’m not going to dig him out of that canyon regardless of whatever offer he had in the works. He scoffed and hung up. Warms my heart every time I think about it.
Sometimes it’s good to go with your instincts. And for anyone reading this, remember that regardless of your job, your happiness is priceless. Don’t suffer for people who don’t value you as a colleague AND as a human.
17points
#12
Quit my job in a rage after my boss blamed me for his mistake. Two weeks later was broke and eating instant noodles. Six months later I started my own business and now make 3x more. Best worst decision I ever made.
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15points
The Skynova survey found that in true "rage quit" fashion, most employees chose to simply walk out on their positions. It reveals that 20% even said they first had an argument with someone and then stormed out. "Only a scant 6% were able to say they gave their employers the standard two weeks’ notice," Skynova added. "And more than 1 in 10 quit by completely ignoring their boss."
Unsurprisingly, most rage-quitting happened when emotions were running high. 29% of respondents said their boss had yelled, 25% said a co-worker yelled, and 20% said they themselves yelled.
#13
Fine for me. My ex boss thought he could scream at me. He did it once!
13points
#14
My husband today actually just rage quit.
He works agriculture. Yesterday he pulled a 15 hour shift. He was tired. He hadn't seen his daughter that day. So today, he woke up with a migraine and wanted to see his kid for a few minutes. So he drank some coffee and sat with her and got to work 20 minutes late. He was the third person there, aside the two managers. So there was no way they were starting. His boss yelled at him for 30 minutes straight. So he told him frick this Im going home. He went down, told the other manager (my dad) that he was leaving for the day and that their boss was being an utter jerk head.
The domino effect is starting. Two drivers have quit. Another one is leaving on friday. My husband is leaving as soon as he finds a new job. My dad is leaving to do trucking. They will be left with two drivers, one applicator, and that's it.
He works agriculture. Yesterday he pulled a 15 hour shift. He was tired. He hadn't seen his daughter that day. So today, he woke up with a migraine and wanted to see his kid for a few minutes. So he drank some coffee and sat with her and got to work 20 minutes late. He was the third person there, aside the two managers. So there was no way they were starting. His boss yelled at him for 30 minutes straight. So he told him frick this Im going home. He went down, told the other manager (my dad) that he was leaving for the day and that their boss was being an utter jerk head.
The domino effect is starting. Two drivers have quit. Another one is leaving on friday. My husband is leaving as soon as he finds a new job. My dad is leaving to do trucking. They will be left with two drivers, one applicator, and that's it.
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13points
#15
I was hired as a freelance developer and business process consultant by the same company again. For 3 times my salary. Because as it turned out: The things that constantly lead to arguments, that caused my rage resignation, did actually all come true. And my ex-boss exposed himself as the useless bag of poo I already knew he was.
Worked for 6 months with this arrangement before terminating the freelance contract myself. Made a good chunk of money while being in a situation where I could tell everyone exactly what I think about them.
Worked for 6 months with this arrangement before terminating the freelance contract myself. Made a good chunk of money while being in a situation where I could tell everyone exactly what I think about them.
12points
Things often escalated after the yelling happened. 1 in 5 respondents said a co-worker threw and/or broke an object, while 17% admitted to engaging in such behavior themselves. 18% of rage-quitters said they went as far as making their boss cry.
"The fact that so many ended up asking for their jobs back further suggests how bad the resulting experience was for them," notes Skynova.
#16
Bartended at a dive in the PNW with a big menu and breakfast crowd. We opened at 7am on weekends, and those were my shifts. I had to be there at 6:30a to open on Saturday and Sunday. I did this for 2.5 years.
It was me and one cook. These people expected table service, so I took orders, made drinks, ran food, etc. Lots of regulars. These weekends were busy, I would be going nonstop for hours. Money was worth it, though.
Until I got a new cook.
He was lazy and unsafe with food (pick stuff up off the floor and serve it type). I was constantly having him fix or remake plates. One time, there was a piece of a kitchen rag in a pancake. I wish I was joking.
Being where we are, it’s standard to tip out the kitchen. At the time, it was suggested to tip out 6% of food sales. He thought I was starting to short him because his tips were becoming less and less. This was because I was constantly comping food, and some of my regulars stopped ordering breakfast after a bad experience.
He goes to boss man. Boss man pulls me into a meeting and gives me a whole speech about how cooks are the most important. Like, a long speech. Felt scold-y at some points, even. Then he demands I pay the cook to keep him happy.
Anyone who’s been a bartender understands how regulars work. Yeah, some might come for the food, but they’ll keep coming back if they like you. I was great at my job. I gave huge notices for days off because my shifts were hard to find coverage. So I called his bluff on who is more important.
It’s been over three years. That cook is still there, they still don’t have a steady replacement for me, and those are no longer the busiest shifts.
Yeah, who’s more important?
It was me and one cook. These people expected table service, so I took orders, made drinks, ran food, etc. Lots of regulars. These weekends were busy, I would be going nonstop for hours. Money was worth it, though.
Until I got a new cook.
He was lazy and unsafe with food (pick stuff up off the floor and serve it type). I was constantly having him fix or remake plates. One time, there was a piece of a kitchen rag in a pancake. I wish I was joking.
Being where we are, it’s standard to tip out the kitchen. At the time, it was suggested to tip out 6% of food sales. He thought I was starting to short him because his tips were becoming less and less. This was because I was constantly comping food, and some of my regulars stopped ordering breakfast after a bad experience.
He goes to boss man. Boss man pulls me into a meeting and gives me a whole speech about how cooks are the most important. Like, a long speech. Felt scold-y at some points, even. Then he demands I pay the cook to keep him happy.
Anyone who’s been a bartender understands how regulars work. Yeah, some might come for the food, but they’ll keep coming back if they like you. I was great at my job. I gave huge notices for days off because my shifts were hard to find coverage. So I called his bluff on who is more important.
It’s been over three years. That cook is still there, they still don’t have a steady replacement for me, and those are no longer the busiest shifts.
Yeah, who’s more important?
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11points
#17
Highly toxic environment. High stress. Working beyond office hours with less pay. Micromanagement. Boss would yell at me constantly which would hurt my soul and destroy my confidence. And there was favoritism to top it all.
Two of us would work our bums off and the remaining would just come , have lunch, doze and leave.
Then came the breaking point when he just yelled at me in front of everyone. That hurt so bad i quit and after a few months landed a much better job with little to no stress and better timings. My other colleague left the job too within days and has landed a better job. So good for us.
Two of us would work our bums off and the remaining would just come , have lunch, doze and leave.
Then came the breaking point when he just yelled at me in front of everyone. That hurt so bad i quit and after a few months landed a much better job with little to no stress and better timings. My other colleague left the job too within days and has landed a better job. So good for us.
11points
#18
I was a rescue technician for a large mine, we were bought by new owners who immediately terminated a huge number of critical people and slashed budgets dramatically. We got saddled with mountains of extra work for no extra money or training. I was instructed to attend a 5 day long work event for no pay on my days off, and the day before I was due to leave I stood up at my desk, said "I hate this place", cleared out my locker and walked out.
I got a handsome payout with my banked leave, travelled overseas a bit, and am now relaxing for a few more weeks before starting a new job for a government emergency services agency. I'm being deliberately vague for good reasons, and anybody with half a clue about the mining sector knows precisely which company I'm talking about.
A couple of other talented paramedics quit shortly after me, and there will he more going soon. The business now needs to recruit a handful of people with a very, VERY specific combination of qualifications, but also won't pay to attract those people. The rescue industry is very small, and finding the right person is very hard, particularly when you are paying less than entry level truck drivers.
10/10 would call my business owners fwits again.
I got a handsome payout with my banked leave, travelled overseas a bit, and am now relaxing for a few more weeks before starting a new job for a government emergency services agency. I'm being deliberately vague for good reasons, and anybody with half a clue about the mining sector knows precisely which company I'm talking about.
A couple of other talented paramedics quit shortly after me, and there will he more going soon. The business now needs to recruit a handful of people with a very, VERY specific combination of qualifications, but also won't pay to attract those people. The rescue industry is very small, and finding the right person is very hard, particularly when you are paying less than entry level truck drivers.
10/10 would call my business owners fwits again.
11points
#19
Very long ago working McDonalds, a colleague from some wierd culture slaped my face because he didn't like how I was handling the freyer. I Complained with the manager who tried to ignore it. Went to the police and the next day the boss and an other manager complained to me for going to the police. Then I said, "if you don't care to provide a safe work place then I am out".
Two weeks later I started working in an other company where I learned the home and office cleaning business, and then, 2 years later I started my own company. I did quite well working only 20h week and earning reasonably ok for some years until COVID Lockdown.
Two weeks later I started working in an other company where I learned the home and office cleaning business, and then, 2 years later I started my own company. I did quite well working only 20h week and earning reasonably ok for some years until COVID Lockdown.
10points
#20
Had a director who offered me a $10k annual raise after 10 years with my company at that time, which I was very happy to be offered, only to have said offer rescinded as he “couldn’t get it approved “
Infuriated at this and many other silly antics by leadership I quit, formed my own company and became their largest competitor in 18 months.
Ran my company for 10 years, made a pile and retired
1 year later I was asked to be a consultant for a firm that bought my initial company’s assets out of bankruptcy to turn things around and 2 years later, did exactly what was asked for a turnaround and now enjoying corporate life, solid income and great benefits while contemplating after a few more years retiring to a beach house to enjoy my grandchildren.
Infuriated at this and many other silly antics by leadership I quit, formed my own company and became their largest competitor in 18 months.
Ran my company for 10 years, made a pile and retired
1 year later I was asked to be a consultant for a firm that bought my initial company’s assets out of bankruptcy to turn things around and 2 years later, did exactly what was asked for a turnaround and now enjoying corporate life, solid income and great benefits while contemplating after a few more years retiring to a beach house to enjoy my grandchildren.
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10points