'There's even an At-Will clause in my contract': Boss refuses to accept employee's resignation, threatens to sue him for quitting

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Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Feb 10, 2024 8:00 PM EST

Knowing you can leave anytime is one of the best things about a lousy job. Sure, it might not be advisable to quit your job the second something bad happens, but at least you're not an indentured servant in 1700s America who cannot leave until their mandatory contract is fulfilled. Quitting can be intimidating because your boss will likely not be pleased with this news. But once you get over the hump of doing the difficult thing, you can finally be free of this weight that's been on your shoulder for far too long. 

Some bosses don't have the best reactions to their employees quitting. I had a boss who cried in the workplace for my last two weeks there. That might be awkward, but it's nothing compared to this boss who refused to accept their employee's letter of resignation, threatening to sue them despite not being in a contract. 

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  • 01
    r/antiwork u/No-Bear 3765 - 16h Walked out, boss is saying he "does not accept" my immediate resignation (NY)
    via u/No-Bear3765
  • 02
    Title pretty much sums it up. My employer started hurling personal insults at me this morning regarding my weight, appearance, voice; even started insulting my partner. I walked out and submitted a "immediate notice of resignation" an hour later. In my (earlier) resignation notice, I included language something to the effect of "I will see out the transition of a new employee within the next four weeks, contingent upon respectful treatment my final weeks of employment". He very obviously did not
    via u/No-Bear3765
  • 03
    He says he "does not accept" that resignation or the resignation letter I gave last week. I'm in NY, an At-Will state. There's even an At-Will clause in my contract. He says he's going to sue me. Does he have a leg to stand on legally? I have record of submission of both notices. TYIA
    via u/No-Bear3765
  • 04
    OverlyOptimisticNerd • 16h He says he "does not accept" that resignation or the resignation letter I gave last week. I'm in NY, an At-Will state. There's even an At-Will clause in my contract. He says he's going to sue me. Does he have a leg to stand on legally? This is an easy one. Just respond with: You can accept my resignation or continue paying me. That is your choice. But as I have resigned, I will not be working for you any longer. That is my choice. 42.3k Reply
    via u/OverlyOptimisticNerd
  • 05
    Tachibana_13 - 15h Right. Or if he "doesn't accept" the resignation, he's welcome to send a written notice of termination instead; and pay OP unemployment. 4 794 ↓ ... G
    via u/Tachibana_13
  • 06
    Apprehensive_Hat8986 ● 13h This OP. Never return to the business and let him fire you, then no matter what file for UI. 257 ...
    via u/Apprehensive_Hat8986
  • 07
    Zelda_is_Dead • 12h File for UI anyway. The worst they can say is no. But let's say you absolutely do not qualify for some reason. Well, your former employer needs to have a HR person waste their time to prove you're not eligible and maybe they screw up and you end up getting Ul. Again, you've got nothing to lose. 191
    via u/Zelda_is_Dead
  • 08
    pand3monium • 9h You should also state that you had to leave due to a hostile work environment. 123
    via u/pand3monium
  • 09
    Wrecksomething - 14h ● I also like: I'm sorry to hear about the inner turmoil my resignation has caused you. A therapist would be best suited to help you accept it. That's not my concern or expertise but I wish you luck. ... 4204 204
    via u/Wrecksomething
  • 10
    alejandrowoodman . 16h in an At-Will state, he has no leg to stand on Reply 43.5k
    via u/alejandrowoodman
  • 11
    sighthoundman 12h Even more fun: normally you can't get your legal expenses covered, each side pays their own lawyers. One of the few exceptions is "vexatious litigation". Since your contract has an At-Will Clause, this would qualify. Less fun: boss's lawyers know this (and that they could possibly face censure themselves) and so won't file suit. ... 262
    via u/sighthoundman
  • 12
    Square-Ebb1846 - 16h He can sue. He won't win. Your contract is at-will. You can leave for any reason with no notice at all. Reply 290 ...
    via u/Square-Ebb1846
  • 13
    Associate Jaded3931 16h ● Not his choice. We no longer have slavery. Reply 530
    via u/AssociateJaded3931
  • 14
    samjaco • 16h -- Document EVERYTHING you can, then, block him on everything you can. —— - OR, you can go into work with a voice recorder, then sue him for harassment. NY is a one party consent state for recordings. I'd opt for the former, but if you know your rights and have some , and are careful to not sound over provocative in the recordings, maybe the latter might make you some money. Reply 4203 ↓
    via u/samjac0
  • 15
    the-grand-falloon . 13h Don't block him. Let him send all the threatening messages he wants. Don't respond, but let him. dig himself as deep as he likes. G ↑ 74 ↓
    via u/the-grand-falloon

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boss antiwork employee job terrible-bosses bad jobs work i quit quit employer toxic-boss workplace Horrible Bosses bad bosses quitting story quitting
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