Employee refuses to answer boss's text after resigning from their job via email, leaving boss in the dark about why they quit: ‘Now the company is calling me’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Sep 18, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

Some people draft a resignation letter to their boss every week, always on the verge of quitting and never looking back. I even know a few people who keep a physical resignation letter in their office desk drawer just in case they really can't take it anymore and have to get out of the office as soon as possible.

But how many people actually abruptly quit their jobs without so much as an explanation?

Becoming an adult often means owning up to your actions, and yes, even providing an explanation for your decisions from time to time. Sure, you can quit your job and ghost your boss until they leave you alone, but that is not really the "adult" way of handling things. If you want to quit, a conversation with your boss about it is the least you can do, even if you don't tell them exactly the reasoning behind the decision.

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  • That is the lesson the employee in the story below is currently learning, after they quit their job via email and refused to answer their boss's texts asking for an explanation. They might have made the right call for them, but they could definitely have handled it a little bit better…

  • 01
    1040 He W-BEN-E Unknown Incoming call...
    via Boris023

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    Now the company is calling me

    I have been working at a small company for 6 months in a data entry position.
    via office_269
  • 03
    I have been really unhappy, it is not a pleasant working environment, I tried to stay positive and sɩ k it up, but lately it has become more toxic and borderline verbally at sive.
    via office_269
  • 04
    Every day I brace myself for "what's next". Recently stuff has been going on in my personal life and over the weekend I came to the decision I need to leave my job.
    via office_269
  • 05
    This morning I resigned via email to my boss, resignation effective immediately. 2 hours later my boss texted saying "Hey H, what is going on?" The office manager is also texting asking if everything is ok.
    via office_269
  • 06
    How do I respond to this? I am worried they are going to start calling my mother, who is my emergency contact, and try to get details from her.
    via office_269
  • 07
    I didn't tell my mom what is going on yet. Probably should have thought twice about putting her as the contact, but do I need to answer my former boss and office manager?
    via office_269
  • 08
    EDIT: Now the company is calling me. A few months ago they had an employee quit suddenly and there were no issues, no drama, no one said a word about him ever again.
    via office_269
  • 09
    So I am not sure why they are having an issue with me resigning. I am feeling so stressed out right now.
    via office_269
  • 10
    EDIT 2: Not sure why people keep referencing that I texted my resignation. That is incorrect.
    via office_269
  • 11
    I sent an email, not a text. My boss responded to the email by texting me.
    via office_269
  • 12
    She never answered the email. Anyway I replied to my boss's text and told her I was resigning due to personal reasons.
    via office_269
  • 13
    Woman on a Phone Call While Working on a Laptop
    via Iqbal Nuril Anwar

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    cerialthriller They kinda sound worried about you.
    via cerialthriller
  • 15
    mp90 You quit without notice over text, so your team wants to hear what's going on. These types of tough conversations are an important part of being an adult. You do not need to accept any offer to return, but you *should* at least give them the courtesy of a phone call to explain why you couldn't give advanced notice. I am sure this will be downvoted, but it doesn't change the fact this is a valid perspective.
    via mp90
  • 16
    iconic614 I quit suddenly with no explanation, why are they calling me smh
    via iconic614
  • 17
    Woodit You should pick up the phone and give them a call. From their perspective this is strange and concerning behavior, you may be experiencing some kind of emergency or crisis. It's extremely unprofessional behavior on your end and you can at least be adult enough for a brief phone call.
    via Woodit
  • 18
    _YoungMidoriya If you choose to reply, keep it brief and professional. A simple message such as "I have resigned effective immediately for personal reasons. I appreciate the opportunities I had while working with you. At this time, I am unavailable for further discussion," is sufficient. You do not owe additional explanations or details about your decision. You do not have to answer texts or calls after resigning, and your employer should not reach out to your emergency contact for personal reas
    via _YoungMidoriya
  • 19
    Biomed725 Copy and paste this part of your post. That's all the explanation they need... I have been really unhappy, it is not a pleasant working environment, I tried to stay positive and s k it up, but lately it has become more toxic and borderline verbally ab ive. Every day I brace myself for "what's next". Recently stuff has been going on in my personal life and over the weekend I came to the decision I need to leave my job.
    via Biomed725
  • 20
    LingonberryHonest974 You have no way of knowing whether they called and texted the other employee who resigned. You calling a follow up call and text "drama" to a sudden resignation via text makes me think that you may be scared of conflict, but quitting with no notice is somewhat unusual in the professional business world so they probably are just making sure you're ok. You certainly don't "owe" them anything, but common courtesy is never a bad thing. It's always a good idea to leave on good te
    via LingonberryHonest974
  • 21
    Just-Shoe2689 Be an adult human and just explain to them you are resigning due to the work environment. Stay professional, and move on with life after the call.
    via Just-Shoe2689
  • 22
    Punk_N_Pi3 "I explained in my email I have resigned effective immediately, this is due to personal unforeseen reasons."
    via Punk_N_Pi3
  • 23
    Just_passing-55 You don't have to tell them anything. That said if someone who's been working fine for 6 months suddenly just left its probably understandable they would be surprised. Might be worth a check in to make sure your final payment is sorted any any equipment is returned.
    via Just_passing-55

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boss workplace-stories employee fired manager job email tales-from-the-workplace reddit story ceo overworked-employees workplace Reddit company quitting resignation
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