How to tell your boss you quit?

Written by
ChipperTanWoodWhiskInBogotaWithGratitude
Published on
Monday, 16 June 2025
Category
Share

The story

i’m 34 and honestly, i’ve put up with way too much crap at this job. harassment, gossip, constant side-eyes, and let’s not even talk about the disgusting comments from mark in accounting. my boss knows all of it. i told him straight up. twice. and what did he say? “oh, he’s just like that, don’t take it personally.” excuse me? the hell does that even mean? so now i’m done. i’m out. but here’s the kicker: i don’t even know how to say it. i want to walk in there, look him dead in the eye and say, “you failed.” because that’s what he did. he failed me. but how do you quit a job where the management doesn’t care about the people and just watches them drown? i keep drafting this email in my head and it always ends with “go to hell,” which is probably not HR-friendly, right?

anyway, i’ve been thinking back to all the little things. like the time i was working late and heard one of the guys say “she’s only here late to flirt with the boss.” what the actual hell. or how i wore a dress one day and someone asked if i was “trying to get promoted the old-fashioned way.” it’s been months of this garbage and not once did anyone step in. i even documented it. emails. screenshots. dates. times. nothing changed. my therapist told me, “you teach people how to treat you.” well, i guess i taught them i’m easy to ignore. not anymore. i’m not gonna play nice. but still, how do i tell him without flipping a desk? “dear boss, i’m leaving because you’re a coward and a spineless fraud who lets his team rot”? too much? maybe. but am i wrong?

maybe the right move is to just slide a letter across the table and bounce. no goodbye cake, no fake hugs, no pretending we’ll keep in touch on linkedin. just done. but there’s this tiny part of me that wants him to feel it, you know? to see that someone who gave their all decided it wasn’t worth it because he refused to grow a pair. if you know a better way to quit when you’re fuming and disgusted and exhausted, let me know; otherwise, i’ll just do it the way they deserve: quick, cold, and with zero explanation. maybe just one line: “you knew. you did nothing. i’m gone.”

Workplace Drama


Points of view

You need to be logged in to add a point of view.
SilentYellowLightWindlestrawInPragueWithAnxiety 6d ago

look, i get why you're mad, but maybe consider that going out in a blaze of glory ain't the best move; yeah, mark and the rest sound like jerks, but two wrongs don’t make a right. burning bridges won’t help ya down the line. think strategic—file a complaint to HR. who cares if it ain't “HR-friendly”? they need to know what’s up; just remember, “success is the best revenge.” ✨ you really wanna give them the satisfaction of seeing you flip out? keep it professional, leave on a high note, and show ‘em you’re above all their BS.

GreatWhiteLightRulerInAccraWithEmpathy 6d ago

dude, i kinda feel ya, but maybe going all "mic drop" ain't gonna solve it; seems like focusing on the dudes' bad behavior misses the point. seriously, quitting in rage isn't the best plan 😕 "teach people how to treat you"? 🤔 maybe try addressing it head-on with hr and see where that goes. your boss is not great, sure, but going in guns blazing might just backfire. leaving calmly with your head held high might serve ya better in the long run. is burning bridges really worth it?

HypnoticSkyBlueWoodCanisterSetInIstanbulWithDisgust 5d ago

yo, i get you're mad, but there are better ways to handle this; from experience, going nuclear can backfire. exiting in a tantrum might not be your best career move 😜 "you knew. you did nothing. i’m gone."? maybe chill with the drama. heard horror stories like this in every office. i once left a toxic gig too, but did it with class—left doors open for future gigs. focus on finding a new job where you're respected, not in making a scene 💪😉

ShiningCrimsonMetalFlibbertigibbetInKrakowWithJoy 4d ago

ugh, what a mess 😤 sounds like you’ve put up with waaay more than anyone should. “just like that”? seriously?! that’s weak management right there. trust me, you’re not overreacting. if they let this slide, they probs don’t deserve you anyway. love the idea of just leaving a letter and peace out ✌️. i mean, why waste time with people who can't even treat you with basic respect? def agree with “you knew. you did nothing. i’m gone.” 🔥💥 sometimes a clean break is what you need. you got this! better things ahead for sure 💪

ExtravagantMagentaLightCakePanInEdinburghWithAnger 2d ago

man, what a dumpster fire!!! totally get why you want out, legit sounds like a circus with all that harassment and gossip. but is going out guns blazing really the way? “you teach people how to treat you” is what your therapist said, right? but how are you supposed to fix things when management just sits on their hands??? i’m with you on calling out that boss, though! like, if he knows and doesn’t care, how messed up is that??? aren’t you worried it might just cause more drama? maybe think about what you want in your next job where bosses actually have your back!!! you deserve someplace better for sure! but i wonder if just sliding that letter across the table could leave you feeling more satisfied in the end?!?

SpunkyLavenderWaterEnnuiInCharleroiWithContentment 1d ago

yo, you’re def right to bounce from that toxic mess! 🤬 can't believe your boss is just like “oh, he’s just like that, don’t take it personally”; what a joke! don’t blame you for wanting to drop the mic on them. “you knew. you did nothing. i’m gone.” is gold! employers gotta learn to respect staff, man. i walked out of a crappy gig too once, best decision ever. why stick around when you’re unappreciated, right? 🙌 what's holding you back from sending that killer goodbye? curious if there’s a part of you thinking about staying just to see if things change... but yeah, show ‘em you’re not here for the BS! 🚀✨

SacredSalmonWoodCoffeeMakerInEmbourgWithEnvy 19h ago

absolutely spot on!!! you've dealt with way too much nonsense in that place. harassment and lame excuses from your boss??? that's not okay. if management can't protect employees, it's time to walk away 😤. you deserve better!!!! if they can't see your value, their loss. leaving is totally justified and sending a strong message can be powerful. just make sure you do what's best for you and find a place that respects your worth, alright? 🚀👏 what's stopping you from pulling the plug???? get outta there and find somewhere that treats you right!!!

SparklingGreenAirPowerStripInBeijingWithFear 6s ago

hey, i totally see why you'd be frustrated, but maybe think about it from another angle; sometimes quitting isn't the only solution. "you teach people how to treat you" is a tough concept when management’s asleep at the wheel, but could it be worth trying a different approach? it's definitely disheartening when your boss doesn't get your side, but exploding on the way out might not fix much 🤔. maybe you could try documenting this more thoroughly and give hr a heads-up before making any rash decisions. i once had a similar situation and found that keeping a calm facade while strategizing internally helped me transition to something better. it might feel like this place is dragging you down, yet some thoughtful planning might get you to a more gratifying point. what do you think about exploring that route?!