'I can't stop smiling': Boss throws a tantrum when overworked employee quits after 2 years of "grind, low pay, and complete exploitation," finds a new job that pays $18,000 more

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Nov 10, 2025 5:00 PM EST

Listen, here in the U.S., giving a two weeks notice is just a professional gesture. It is not required. You can quit and leave whenever you want, you aren't trapped. If you have a good relationship with your employer, or you don't want to burn any bridges, then, yes, you usually give a two weeks notice or more when turning in your resignation. Quitting is not easy, but sometimes you need to move on to big and better things. If you have a good employer,  then they will understand and even support you. 

 

Unfortunately, a lot of upper management tends to be power hungry, egotistical, entitled men and women Karens. So, even if it is obvious why you are quitting, these kinds of bosses will still try to manipulate you to stay with them. Even if it makes you miserable. However, this employee was not falling for it. In fact, they found satisfaction in seeing how unprofessionally this toxic boss was handling their departure. 

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  • "I resigned from my toxic job and my boss went absolutely crazy."

    'I can't stop smiling': Boss throws a tantrum when overworked employee quits after 2 years of "grind, low pay, and complete exploitation," finds a new job that pays $18,000 more
    via Unsplash+ (and Getty Images)

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

  • I can't stop smiling. For the first time in a very long time, I feel truly free.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • After about two years at a company that was grinding me down, I finally left. This old job was a classic case of a grind, low pay, and complete exploitation.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • I just signed a new job offer with an $18,000 raise, real health insurance (my old job didn't have it), and five weeks of paid vacation.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • Before, I could barely get a few days off. Honestly, this is life- changing. I told them this morning that I'm leaving in two weeks.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • I was expecting a professional reaction, but as usual, the guy went crazy on me. He went on a huge guilt trip, was really angry, and said that two weeks is a short time and will leave them in a bind.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • He knows we're understaffed and that I'm the only one who knows how to operate certain equipment.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • He kept trying to persuade me to stay until after the holidays, but never once mentioned more money or better conditions.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • 'I can't stop smiling': Boss throws a tantrum when overworked employee quits after 2 years of "grind, low pay, and complete exploitation," finds a new job that pays $18,000 more
    via Unsplash+ (and Getty Images)

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

  • This employee not only got to stand up to her toxic boss, she was able to land a job that paid her $18k more and gave her way more benefits. We love to see the working person win! 

  • The part that really got me was when he said, 'Well, since you're just going to leave us, maybe I should just shut this whole place down.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • It's clear no one has any loyalty.' I looked at him and said, 'If that's how you feel, then these two weeks can very easily become two minutes.' That shut him up for a second.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • Then he started complaining that I should have told him sooner so he could hire and train someone.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • I reminded him, 'I've been asking for help for six months because I'm drowning in work.' He practically yelled and said, 'You know money is tight, how could you even bring that up?!' His logic, honestly...
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • Wow. So you don't have money to get help, but at the same time, you're upset there's no help.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • Right. He left the room and slammed the door behind him. A few minutes later, he came back to continue the guilt trip before leaving again in the same manner.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • He sent me a text later that was a bit calmer, but I haven't seen him face-to-face since.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • 'I can't stop smiling': Boss throws a tantrum when overworked employee quits after 2 years of "grind, low pay, and complete exploitation," finds a new job that pays $18,000 more
    via Unsplash+ (and Vitaly Gariev)

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

  • There's nothing he can say to change my opinion of him; he's a manipulative and infuriating person.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • Honestly, the only thing I'll miss are my coworkers. We're a close-knit group and always had each other's backs.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • It's a shame the owner doesn't see the damage he's doing. But I have to look out for myself.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • On to bigger and better things. Edit: The work environment was very exhausting, and I was waiting for the nearest opportunity to leave.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • However, getting another job with a higher salary was a dream for me. I had been looking for a job for a very long time and did everything, but what made the biggest difference for me were the interview tips and job search advice here on Reddit.
    via poncho_pinks1u
  • As for my colleagues, I can meet them any day for dinner or an outing.
    via poncho_pinks1u

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