I Never Heard From Them Again

Did leaving in a viral blaze of glory hamper his ability to get another job? Not in the slightest. Soon after leaving, DeFrancesco began working in a museum. He says the incident has “honestly never come up” in job interviews since. In fact, he says it might be something to “put on the résumé”.

This is Joey DeFrancesco speaking, 15 years after making headlines for quitting his crappy hotel job with the help of of brass band.

For anyone wondering if quitting a job suddenly or spectacularly or on a whim might ruin their future job prospects, this is clear evidence that you need not worry. The world of work wants you.

There’s a lengthy piece in the Guardian today (on Monday morning, naturally) about people who quit their jobs loudly and outrageously.

Believe it or not, I don’t encourage this. I encourage quitting for sure, but I find this sort of spectacle a bit nauseating and it might scare or upset the people you’re leaving behind – most of whom are there under duress, just as you were.

It’s better to send a dignified email, work your notice, explain politely why you’re leaving, and deposit one last paycheque before scarpering.

Still, it’s important to remember that walking out doesn’t defy the laws of physics. You can just go:

“Two months [notice]? You’re lucky if I give you fucking two weeks. I gave you two hours, babe. I’m leaving now.”

But even the quiet dignity of an “I quit” email can instil a wonderful feeling of liberty:

After the email was sent, her boss tried to call her. She didn’t pick up the phone. “I never heard from them again,” she says. After Carly left the office for the final time, she felt euphoric. “I could have stripped my clothes off and run naked all the way home. The anxiety and stress I had been feeling all vanished,” she says.

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