‘Resignation can be rejected???’: 20+ advice for handling the silliness of “needing” approval to quit your job

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Mar 4, 2025 9:00 AM EST

Corporate offices have always been shining examples of common sense and fairness, where your ideas are cherished almost as much as your now mysteriously gone, clearly-marked lunch. But hold onto your swivel chairs, folks, because we've just reached peak ridiculousness. Turns out resignations aren't personal decisions; they're merely polite requests, subject to managerial approval.

One sunny day, you finally gather the courage to gracefully exit a workplace that's methodically sipping your soul. You carefully compose a farewell masterpiece, click send, and momentarily savor the fleeting taste of sweet liberation. Suddenly, your CEO steps in and boldly says, "Request denied!" as if you accidentally submitted the paperwork for annual leave instead.

When exactly did quitting change from a personal choice to a joint boss-employee team-building assignment? Not sure, but I'm glad we can get a couple of laughs on their account.

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  • Is our boss now swiping left on our resignation letters, being like "Hmm... Nah, let's keep exploring what we have here"?

  • "Resignation can be rejected?????"

    "I handed in my resignation, but my CEO rejected it" 12 1 2 765 3 4
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    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  •  What's next? mandatory negotiation skill sessions with HR until you succumb? team morale seminars to slowly break you down brick by guilt trip?

  • I handed in my resignation, but my CEO rejected it- since when is quitting a permission-based activity? Sir, that's not how this works!
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  • Spill_the_Tea At will employment works in both directions.
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  • All-Username-Taken- It's called a notice. Not a request. You put your notice, then you leave. What are they gonna do if you stop showing up? Fire you?
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  • TwinkleDilly They can't force you to stay. A CEO often sees employees from a different perspective. What he's really saying is, 'You can't give up on this company because I've always been here. Learn from my example.'
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  • But the reality is, you'll leave, and he won't even notice. By the way, great job
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  • Great CEO in the sky , please let me quit.

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    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • LockNo2943 Well I mean you've done your part, so just wait two weeks or whatever and leave I guess.
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  • TheFantasticMissFox Your boss just said without saying, "boy, you quit when I say you quit"
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  • EmergencyGhost If that were the case, I would push for a raise and promotion. Either they give you an offer that encourages you to stay. Or you already put your notice in.
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  • Guess I'll have to run then

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  • Known Resolution_428 Watch Severance and you'll understand
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  • Yeti NotForgeti Maybe they will call security to keep you there lol.
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  • Still-Data9119 Thar would be hilarious. "Sorry, sir, you aren't permitted to leave the premises, back to work!"
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  • tennisgoddess1 I've had work nightmares like that.
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  • loekiikii Look on the bright side. If they won't "accept" it, you'll still get paid from that job while you do nothing there but work at your new one. And if your old one finally decides to fire you, you'll maybe get severance. Win win.
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  • IndependenceMean8774 Have you arrested for failure to work. /s
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  • LockNo2943 Well I mean you've done your part, so just wait two weeks or whatever and leave I guess.
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  • pnut0027 If you're on a contract, they can reject it. If you're at-will, they can ska lemon.
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  • jdubs1225 CEO's. Funny folks they are.
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  • ElJalisciense Lol...no. Leave on the day you told them if not sooner.
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  • hbrgnarius I mean, what are they going to do, continue paying you once you stop showing up? Let them do that of course.
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  • typoincreatiob that is actually crazy lol. good luck at your new place!
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  • Quinnjamin 19 Honestly, something like that would make me quit on the spot
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  • LanEvo 7685 depends, is this a slavery tupe of employment?
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  • onions-make-me Stop showing up and see if they keep paying you.
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  • cnote5 Charge him a service fee for it.
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Tags

management boss workplace-stories hr toxic-workplace manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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