'I tried quitting and my employer rejected it': Employee tries to quit their job, boss says "no"

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Aug 15, 2024 10:00 AM EDT

There are a range of reactions you might expect from an employer when you quit your job: they may be upset, get angry, or pretend like they don't care at all, whereas the jobs you are actually sad to leave will probably want to celebrate with you and congratulate you on your continued growth—even if they're a little mournful about it too. However, the reaction to your resignation you'll probably never expect is a flat "no" as a response. There's not really any world where that even makes sense; it's not like they can force you to stay even if they want to. Sure, you might have some contract with your employer that dictates a loss or transfer of funds if you leave within a certain period of time or without notice, but they simply can not just say "no" and expect you to just go "Aww shucks, they got me," and stay working for them forever. 

There's just a fundamental lack of understanding when it comes to managers and employers who think this way. To them, this is a perfectly reasonable response.

This worker who worked PRN (pro re neta or "as needed") for a hospital turned in their resignation when they repeatedly received only the worst shifts. They were stunned by the response they received from their employer and turned to this online community for advice.

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  • 01
    I tried quitting and my employer rejected it
    via unsplash
  • 02
    I tried quitting and my employer rejected it Leaving a job I work PRN at a hospital. I decided to find other employment because the next school semester is starting. When I started the job it was for dayshift but now they're only offering overnight shifts for me, and personally I can't do that and go to classes. So I found a new job that's closer, has better hours (they're not open overnight), and pays significantly more.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 03
    On 08/08 I submitted my resignation through their portal. It was to be sent to all my higher ups. Well today 08/14 my supervisor called me, left a message, and texted me at like 08:30 in the morning (I was asleep and this woke me up) saying they just now got it and they rejected it as they assumed it was a mistake.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 04
    I explained it was not, I resigned and my last day had been 08/05. I said that because that was literally the last day I was scheduled and I'm not scheduled again until 08/21. So I'm literally done. She said that's not valid either and that's not how it works. It literally is, I know I submitted my resignation technically 13 days before my next scheduled shift, but I already start my new job that week and will not be attending. Her attitude and rejecting my resignation is not helping her case. A
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 05
    update: She called me and I actually answered bc I was tired of the catty back and forth. It basically boiled down to her wanting to know why, where I was moving to, what the job is, and what the job description is. She then asked that I email her a written statement with all of that basically saying "it's me not you" so that they can say their retention plan is still working...
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 06
    iguanidae 11 hr. ago If you're in the United States and not in Montana, employment is at-will. She can reject your resignation all she likes, it changes nothing. Enjoy your new job! SwankySteel 10 hr. ago Even in Montana they can't just force you to come into work against your will.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 07
    Esau2020 11 hr. ago • Boss: What the are you doing here? I fired you yesterday! Veronicah: I rejected it. I thought you made a mistake. PennStateMtnMan · 9 hr. ago Ahhhh, the George Costanza method.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 08
    TurbulentFee7995 7 hr. ago Don't send back all that info. The only legal requirement for a letter of resignation is "I am resigning, my last day will be / /20xx". Then you sign and date it. Nothing else should be given to them as every extra word in the resignation letter may open up a legal can of worms.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 09
    BrainWaveCC 11 hr. ago She said that's not valid either and that's not how it works Unless you are outside the US, and there's more to this story that you haven't yet mentioned, she's wrong -- this is actually how it works. Only in government to people have to "accept" your resignation, and that's because lots of those resignations are performative.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 10
    • potatobirdwithlasers 10 hr. ago I had a job try that—boss refused to open my letter until 3-4 days later, then claimed my 2 weeks wasn't 2 weeks because she went off the day she opened the letter. I said it doesn't work that way. She gave me attitude the entire 2 weeks and told me I couldn't quit, they need people on weekends (this was a hotel), etc etc. And on my last day she ignored me when I asked if there was OT, what was going
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 11
    on with some rooms, etc (I was a housekeeper). So at 8 hours I cleaned the cart off and left without finishing my board. She threw an absolute fit and stormed off like a child. Meanwhile I now had free weekends to spend with my dying grandma that I absolutely do not regret. Enjoy your new job. They're just trying to scare you into staying. Unless you had a contract, they can't force you to stay.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 12
    BeachOk2802 10 hr. ago Notice works like this: You hand your notice in. Your notice contains who you are, the fact your quitting, and when your last day will be. Your notice period starts that second. Not when they open it, not when they read it, not when they've discussed it with you...the second you hand it in.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 13
    An employer can't refuse your notice. They can say they have refused it, but they haven't because they physically cannot do it. It's like saying they don't like the taste of the number 3...it's an impossibility. You're not asking permission to leave, you're informing them that you will cease to be an employee last a certain date.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 14
    slim1shaney 10 hr. ago When you quit, you quit. They can't keep you there. They also can't withhold any pay you haven't received yet, so make sure you get your final paycheck from them
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 15
    Unfriendly_eagle · 10 hr. ago LOL "rejected my resignation". Nothing works like that. You followed protocol, and that's it. Block them, and enjoy your new job.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 16
    SpecialKnits4855 · 11 hr. ago Do you have a formal, written contract that requires you work through a certain date or that requires a certain amount of notice? What's your location?
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 17
    Levelbasegaming. 11 hr. ago She can't hold you hostage, enjoy your new job.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 18
    Substantial-Set-8981 11 hr. ago Sounds like you don't show up again and find something new.
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 19
    spidermanrocks6766 10 hr. ago Never stay loyal to a company. It will NEVER work out in YOUR favor. If the roles were reversed they'd fire you in a heartbeat. I'm speaking from PERSONAL experience
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666
  • 20
    bshagjd 11 hr. ago • She can cry all she want but time to move on and focus on your new job
    via u/ThrowRAlobotomy666

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