Scorned employee divulges plan to resign after dealing with narcissistic boss for far too long: ‘He spoke to me as if I was a child’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jan 29, 2026 7:00 AM EST

In 2026, we say "goodbye" to quiet quitting and "hello" to loud resigning.

Why do we choose the respectable route when quitting our jobs rather than give our bosses a piece of our minds when all is said and done? Quite quitting is reminiscent of mourning a romantic relationship while you're still in it. You hope for change but no longer demand it; the worst part of the debacle is over, now you're waiting for the resolution. Spoiler alert: you are the resolution. If you don't leave, nothing will change. There are too many safety measures in place for higher-ups, unless you're working at one of the few companies left that still practice integrity…

No job is worth the emotional whiplash of dealing with an arrogant narcissist for a boss. They refuse to take criticism, don't submit you for merit raises, and look down upon their subordinates as if they weren't in a similar position only a handful of years prior. That's the thing with toxic bosses—they never admit their faults, and that's why quitting is the only option sometimes. Do not go gentle into that resignation. Make noise, and a lot of it. Who knows, you just might inspire a great resignation. Maybe then the company will learn that bad management directly affects output.

This isn't admitting defeat; it's simply preservation. The employee who is planning to resign in the story below explains that they've tried multiple avenues of resolving their grievances with their boss, but it's of no use. Scroll below to read the full story.

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  • frustrated business man at his desk with a photo that says i quit overlayed
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • "Resigning tomorrow"

    I've had enough. On Friday, my n-boss demanded a 1:1 to remind me I needed manager approval for the peers I chose for feedback, but he was really trying to put me "in my place" using the tiniest procedural thing, because I'd done well this week - and that threatened him.
    via fvutu
  • He spoke to me as if I was a child and threw a past mistake back in my face.
    via fvutu
  • I felt cornered, like I had to defend myself for something so minor. For context, I'm more competent and skilled than he is.
    via fvutu
  • Everyone knows it; he makes self-deprecating jokes about it from time to time. Last week I'd asked, in good faith, for him and my skip-level to consider a level adjustment to match my responsibilities.
    via fvutu
  • This man has had multiple complaints over MONTHS from myself and my ex- coworker. I had to go on medical leave after five months to get away from his bullshit.
    via fvutu
  • My ex-coworker just resigned two weeks ago, her tenure only five months. I've been here for nine.
    via fvutu
  • HR basically gave him a slap on the wrist while he kisses up to my skip-level.
    via fvutu
  • Though I'd wanted to wait until I had an external offer, I don't even care anymore; I just need to get out.
    via fvutu
  • post-it note that says i quit
    via Nick Fewings for Unsplash
  • Already have the resignation drafted and ready to send tomorrow morning to our skip and her boss.
    via fvutu
  • They're hiring for two roles on my team, and they need to understand n-boss is an attrition risk.
    via fvutu
  • Luckily, I have savings and will leverage my network to find something over the next month.
    via fvutu
  • Feels like I've aged five years dealing with this asshole.
    via fvutu

  • Mentally aging five years for a sub-par job with little to no reward? Though we don't recommend that everyone quit their jobs without a backup plan, no job is as important as mental health. If you can't leave your work brain at the office, your whole life becomes a job.

    This employee takes a stand for all burnt-out workers everywhere, and jokes on the company—they lost an honest and skillful employee. On to greener pastures, friends.

  • bomchikawowow I was in the identical, identical situation. If HR and management enable a piece of shit like this and there's zero accountability all you can do is go, and quiet quit until you do. Just putting it out there: quiet quitting until you find something else might be an idea. Quit internally and just use them until you have a better gig, don't endanger yourself for those fucks.
    via bomchikawowow
  • OP fvutu I've been quiet quitting for months. I can't do it anymore
    via fvutu
  • bomchikawowow - Then do what your heart tells you. Any shift be that mental, or actually physically getting the fuck out is better than staying put. I've left jobs like this before and it's devastating because it feels like the narcissist wins. They don't. Your revenge is that they have to wake up every day and be them, and you never have to see their pathetic face ever again.
    via bomchikawowow
  • OP fvutu The day I met him in-person, I immediately got a nasty vibe. Some things he could hide on Zoom, but his awful hygiene was apparent up close, as were his huge ego and total lack of fundamental knowledge for the role. And guess what his house had to get tented for termites a few months later. Even looking at his face through the screen gives me the BIGGEST ick
    via fvutu
  • Solaris Wesson Lie. Tell them you got an offer from another company, see how they react. If they try to grill you, give them nothing. If they offer you more money then say you will mull it over and take a day to consider then tell them no anyway (unless they magically give you waaaay more money).
    via SolarisWesson
  • OP fvutu My ex-coworker delivered a catastrophic resignation notice that called out everything. While mine isn't nearly to that level, I planned to tell them (in corporate speak that he's a liability. I mean, two resignations in two weeks? Insane.
    via fvutu
  • Dry_Departure1258 Good luck and all the best OP. I would do the same.
    via Dry_Departure1258
  • Direct-Amount54 This is the way. Extract yourself and refuse to engage in their game.
    via Direct-Amount54

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workplace-stories toxic-workplace satisfying quitting story bad bosses resignation
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