Employee gives 2 weeks' notice after finding a new job, boss flat-out rejects it: 'He's not going to let me leave'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jun 4, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

Leaving a job can be a little bit awkward. Maybe you weren't acting like you were going to leave any time soon and then bam, you are. It can be kind of strange. While two weeks can feel like a long time, it's not actually a long time. Two weeks goes by pretty quickly. This can leave your employer's head spinning just a bit when they're trying to figure out how to replace you. But, as they say, them's the breaks. Two weeks' notice is the standard in this country and a courtesy at that. 

You don't have to make it nice for them, and they should appreciate it when you do. But just because they should doesn't mean they do. Sometimes managers let their emotions get the better of them and end up saying things they might later regret. In the heat of the moment, anything is possible. 

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  • 01

    My boss didn't accept my two weeks notice

    I got an offer that's too good to pass up. Better pay, better benefits, the whole package. I scheduled a meeting with my boss to give my two weeks notice. Went in professional, thanked him for the opportunities, explained I found a great opportunity elsewhere. Pretty standard stuff, right?
    via u/BeerPowered
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10513844736
    via Azwedo L.LC

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

  • That's what happened in this situation when an employee did everything in their power to make their transition smoother, but it blew up in their face. Their manager acted in such an out-of-pocket manner that they were left wondering if they indeed did something wrong. But commenters were quick to swoop in and give their thoughts. Read on for the story.

  • 03
    Wrong. He literally said "No, I don't accept your resignation." Like... what? I thought he was joking at first, but he was de d serious. Started going on about how I'm under contract (I'm not), how I'm abandoning the team during a crucial project (we're always in a crucial project apparently), and how he's "not going to let me leave."
    via u/BeerPowered
  • 04
    I tried explaining that two weeks notice is a courtesy, not a request for permission. He got more agitated and said if I don't show up next week, he'll consider it job abandonment and make sure I never work in this industry again. The whole thing was surreal.
    via u/BeerPowered
  • 05
    I'm starting my new job in two weeks regardless. Already signed the offer letter and everything. But this whole interaction has me wondering if I handled it wrong somehow? I've never had a boss react like this before.
    via u/BeerPowered
  • 06
    Has anyone else dealt with something like this? Is there anything I should be worried about legally? I'm in an at-will state so I'm pretty sure he can't actually force me to stay, but the threats about blacklisting me have me a bit concerned.
    via u/BeerPowered
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10513844992
    via Christian Velitchkov

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

  • 08

    Commenters came in with their thoughts.

    Oneill SFA ⚫ 8h ago Send it in an email. CC HR. Make it clear you're giving proper notice and work until the end of it. He'll have no leg to stand on and if he starts disparaging you then you have written proof.
    via u/BeerPowered
  • 09
    MissAnth 8h ago . You are in the US, right? No, you didn't do anything wrong. You just work for an insane person. Did you do this in writing as well? You need to, and send it not only to your boss, but to his boss and to HR, since you work for an insane person.
    via u/MissAnth
  • 10
    53... 7h ago Edited 2h ago I'd go one further than what others have said here. Send your boss a email, CC it with HR and anybody else above him on the food chain as well as yourself with words to the effect of, "Per our discussion, I am giving 2
    via u/530_Oldschoolgeek
  • 11
    weeks notice effective (insert date here). My last day of work will be (insert date here). I also wanted to confirm your statement that if I were to leave, that you would consider it job abandonment and make sure that I never work in this industry again.
    via u/530_Oldschoolgeek
  • 12
    (This part only if you are legally allowed to in your state Municipality) In light of that statement, I am hereby requesting a full copy of my employment records in my personnel folder. I do understand that I am responsible for this cost, and will pick it up and pay for the copy when I pick up my final check and return all company equipment."
    via u/530_Oldschoolgeek
  • 13
    This puts everybody on notice that he threatened you, and you are taking measures to ensure that he will not be able to carry out this threat and if he does, you'll have the proof you need to prove he is lying and if he were to lie and potentially cost you a job, open the company up to legal trouble the likes of which they do not want.
    via u/530_Oldschoolgeek
  • 14
    Ke... 8h ago Edited 8h ago • You say at-will state, so I'm assuming US. Your boss is crazy. You're fine. It wouldn't hurt to document that you gave notice. Like, email your own private email and your boss, plus HR if you have that. But you should be fine. There's nothing legally he can do and if he tries to burn you in the industry you'll have proof.
    via u/Keukotis
  • 15
    AnamCeili 8h ago • You did fine; your boss is an insecure, petty, controlling a... All the best to you in your new job!
    via u/AnamCeili
  • 16
    triptip05 6h ago • People who usually say "You will never work in this industry again" have no power at all.
    via u/triptip05
  • 17
    Sifev 8h ago • I handed in my letter and my boss flat out said no. I said I was leaving anyways and he told me no again and to just think about it. He never brought it up again and I just stopped showing up.
    via u/Sifev
  • 18
    po... . . 8h ago Edited 7h ago "Oh you don't accept my 2 weeks? I'll be resigning effective immediately." "Let me change that 2 week notice to a 2 day notice. As in I won't be working 2 day or any other day."
    via u/poppywashhog****
  • 19
    Personally I'd just keep showing up for the next two weeks and do no work or the barest minimum and collect your final checks. He wants to keep paying you to do noting? Sounds good boss. And get his threats in writing, text, email or recorded.
    via u/poppywashhog****
  • 20
    Edit: and don't post on socials and don't tell him or any other coworkers where you're leaving to go work next. Block them all on everything.
    via u/poppywashhog****
  • 21
    Matt Moto_93 · 7h ago Lol you're not a prisoner. You've tendered your resignation, he can't "not" accept it.
    via u/Matt_Moto_93
  • 22
    Elddif_Dog ⚫ 7h ago • I would send a mail to HR explaining that I'm giving 2 weeks notice. I would copy my manager's manager, and their manager too. I would explain that the reason they are all copied is because of the event that happened when i spoke to the manager. I would describe the event and his threats.
    via u/Elddif_Dog
  • 23
    I would close the mail by asking them to push this e- mail to their legal director as if i ever in the future get info that my, gratefully soon to be ex, manager or anybody under the the orgs employment tried to falsely slander me as he has blatantly threatened to do, i would take legal action for libel.
    via u/Elddif_Dog
  • 24
    King_Kunta_23 .7h ago At will employment works in the employees benefit too. You do not owe then anything
    via u/King_Kunta_23
  • 25
    mandrack3 .7h ago Taunt him by telling him to make sure he writes it on your permanent record.
    via u/mandrack3
  • 26
    West-Kaleidoscop... 6h ago Definitely send it in an email but reference the things he said about job abandonment. Make sure HR get a copy too. If he ever gives a bad reference for this and it affects your employability then you can sue him for retaliation.
    via u/West-Kaleidoscope129

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