Employee discreetly looks for another job, only for boss to find out and demand they stop the search, employee refuses to back down: ‘I cannot stay at this job’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Mar 14, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

When looking for a new job, the last thing you want is for your boss to find out about it. Even though there's nothing they can really do to keep you at your job, because free will exists, it can still be quite awkward to see them every day when you're both aware that you do not want to be there.

That is why it's important to keep your job search as discreet as possible. Don't tell anyone who doesn't need to know about it, go to interviews at times you know for sure would not overlap with your current job, and keep a straight face at work, even if you can't wait to get out of there.

If you did all of that and your boss still finds out about your potential resignation, there's not much you can do about it but wait it out. Unless your boss decided to fire you for it, which then actually saves you some trouble, considering you can at least get some unemployment money out of it.

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  • The employee in the story below was definitely trying to keep their job search a secret, but their boss still found out. Not only did they find out, but they took it very badly. However, the boss's attempt to keep the employee at their job is not a very successful one, as it seems to only drive them further away.

    Keep scrolling to read the full story. After that, check out this story of an employee who quit their job, then got fired for it.

  • 01
    NAGER Jobs wanted LOGISTICS EXPERT SALES SALES MANAGER beets and from third-party rates/conchading contracts COMPUTERS TWARE ENGINEER ML-PR
    via Ron Lach

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

  • 02

    "Employer threatens to fire me for updating my resume"

    Im so scared please help The last time I updated my resume on indeed, I received a call from my boss telling me the president of the company got a notification about it and
    via EmrysBun
  • 03
    that if I didn't remove it that I would be fired. I really need some help. I'm trying to apply for a job on indeed but every time I try to
    via EmrysBun
  • 04
    upload a pdf file, it fills in my job history on my indeed and saves it. I'm terrified that my company got another notification so I panicked and deleted my indeed account
    via EmrysBun
  • 05
    and created a new one. The role that I'm applying for isn't listed on the company website... only on Indeed and now I'm scared to use the job board. What do I do?
    via EmrysBun
  • 06
    I cannot stay at this job. It's running me into the ground. I can't pay my bills. And my mental health is at an all time low.
    via EmrysBun
  • 07
    Update: I've signed onto LinkedIn and have a backup plan in case they fire me. I'm lucky to have a fiancée that has agreed to support me if this all goes to the wayside
    via EmrysBun
  • 08
    while I search for a new position. Also, if there are any recruiters here seeking an experienced Sales Representative with 5 years history, with proven work
    via EmrysBun
  • 09
    ethic, strong follow up and negotiation strategies who values creative thinking, arts, and customer relationships; then please send me a direct message and I can send over my new resume.
    via EmrysBun
  • 10
    Glittering Tie_6199 What that's so dumb. They must have low self-esteem.
    via Glittering_Tie_6199
  • 11
    EmrysBun OP I work in South Carolina. It's a right to work state and employers make sure you are well aware that they don't need any "official reason" to fire you
    via EmrysBun
  • 12
    Tzctredd Move to a country with decent worker protection. Oh wait. Not so easy. Go out with a fight, make them feel like sh for invading your privacy.
    via Tzctredd
  • 13
    EmrysBun OP I think I'm gonna type "visa sponsorship" into LinkedIn
    via EmrysBun
  • 14
    Texas Yankee212 Isn't there an option to NOT contact your present employer over issues such as this? Are you using that option?
    via TexasYankee212
  • 15
    EmrysBun OP I wasn't at first, but I am now. The verbiage that my boss used was "the president of the company got a notifications that you updated your resume" which struck me as odd bc we have multiple recruiters, and they should have been the ones to find me out in the ether
    via EmrysBun
  • 16
    RESUME RESUME PROFILE JOB EXPERIENCES -
    via 89Stocker

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

  • 17
    CptnDikHed Sounds like a company to not work for
    via CptnDikHed
  • 18
    EmrysBun OP Yeah once I quit I'll tell yall which one to avoid
    via EmrysBun
  • 19
    RenewedAnew Did you get that in writing?
    via RenewedAnew
  • 20
    EmrysBun OP Nope. Phone call
    via EmrysBun
  • 21
    Lazyturtle1121 Find the job on indeed and go directly to the company. If the company website directs you to indeed, call HR and ask them if there is a way around this because of your current boss. Make sure your profile on indeed is set to private.
    via Lazyturtle1121
  • 22
    EmrysBun OP Do you think that I would look too eager if I drove up there in the morning and dropped off a physical copy of my resume?
    via EmrysBun
  • 23
    spiteful-vengeance What's the logic here? Employer is so offended at the thought of you leaving that they make you leave?
    via spiteful-vengeance
  • 24
    EmrysBun OP This has honestly been pretty typical in the five years that I've been in Sales. However, this is the first time it's been this difficult to hide it.
    via EmrysBun
  • 25
    CMDR_KingErvin This is really strange that your boss is keeping tabs on your indeed profile. Any chance you can block them? This is borderline stalker behavior.
    via CMDR_KingErvin
  • 26
    EmrysBun OP I'm going to contact indeed customer support about it but with the number of recruiters we have I don't know how they would block all personnel
    via EmrysBun
  • 27
    Uniqueusername610 F them let them fire you collect unemployment while you hunt for a new job.
    via Uniqueusername610
  • 28
    EmrysBun OP The new GM from one of my prospects offered me a PT job as a server. At the very least if they fire me I can work there temporarily (I used to work there in college). My bf has said he would supplement my income so I can get out of this situation
    via EmrysBun
  • 29
    Bouldershoulders12 Use LinkedIn to apply to jobs. No one will know
    via Bouldershoulders12
  • 30
    EmrysBun OP I'm about to block everyone from my current company on LinkedIn
    via EmrysBun
  • 31
    Monarc73 The fact that they would even pull this Lis EXACTLY why you need a new job.
    via Monarc73
  • 32
    EmrysBun OP That was the first reason. The other is that they want to put me on the hook for a client not paying their invoice despite my multiple multiple visits, phone calls, and emails to try and collect payment over the
    via EmrysBun
  • 33
    past 4 months. I'm talking over a thousand dollars on top of the chargeback I already received for their returned (unopened) product. I've already talked to a lawyer. They said that as an outside sales rep there is nothing I can do
    via EmrysBun

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boss workplace-stories employee fired manager job tales-from-the-workplace reddit story linkedin hiring overworked-employees workplace job search indeed Reddit company quitting
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