Retail worker quits new job after 1 day because of the major red flags: 'I’m not overreacting am I?'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Apr 18, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

What would it take for you to quit your job on day 1? 

You never know exactly what you're getting into at a new job until you're already there. There is only so much you can glean throughout the interview process. You might not know what is truly in store for you until it's too late. You're already deep into it, turned down other job offers, and wishing you hadn't. But it's never too late for now. You have the right to extricate yourself from a bad situation at the drop of a hat if you so choose. And if that means leaving a job on the first day of the shift, then so be it. But this is a decision you probably shouldn't take lightly. Leaving a job can mean you experience a huge amount of instability, and it's not always easy to find a second one. If you've had your nose to the news, you know just how difficult the job market is these days. It's no walk in the park, especially to find a job that you both like and that will compensate you fairly. If you have a job that does even one of those things, it's worth holding onto. But if you're showing up to work and constantly facing disrespect, then nothing is worth that. You want to be surrounded by people who know the value of your time and attention, and you deserve to know that they have your back. 

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  • A hand holds an employee badge over a wastepaper bakset
    via Unsplash+ (Eduardo Ramos)

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

  • Red Flags All Over, Quit After 1 Day.

    Started a retail job yesterday but instantly knew this was gonna be a nightmare after display of unprofessional behavior. First, I get a call the night before I'm due to start asking when my start date was. Not only was it on my
    via Temporary-Profile-27
  • application but I told them 3 separate times going in for establishment. Second of all, I met my direct manager yesterday and there's an obvious lack of communication between management and departments. I told them I could only work PART-TIME 4 specific days of the
    via Temporary-Profile-27
  • week. He shows me the schedule and not only am I scheduled an extra day, but I'm also scheduled on a day that I requested off well in advance before I started. Needless to say, I learned my lesson from my last job when there's no communication in place. Felt disrespected and know if I were to stay this would continue. Put my instant resignation in this morning. I'm not overreacting am I...?
    via Temporary-Profile-27

  • That's the situation one worker found themselves in after they started a new job. They were happy to be employed, but not so happy about all the stuff that came after that. You don't want to continue with something that you know is going to be damaging to yourself and your mental health. There's nothing wrong with setting yourself free from a bad situation. But the employee in this story didn't know if that's what was happening here or not. Keep scrolling to read all the details and see what you think about it.

  • A man leaves a job with his belongings in a cardboard box
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • Commenters gave their takes an opinions on this story.

    cryssHappy If you have the funds, not a mistake. If you want some or a bit more consideration, check out city, county or state government jobs.
    via cryssHappy
  • Temporary-Profile-27 OP I already worked a state job just before and it was awful. They were not accommodating whatsoever and they lacked communication too / left a bitter taste in my mouth
    via Temporary-Profile-27
  • Requilem It is the management, not the job. I wouldn't isolate a whole industry of millions if people over a few idiots (to be fair most are in fact idiots).
    via Requilem
  • Transistor Wen... I mean, it's a choice. If you can and will deal with that everyday no matter what you do? Then maybe a mistake. If you can afford to keep looking and find a job where they treat you with decency and mutual respect? No, no mistake at all.
    via Transistor_Wench
  • Temporary-Profile-27 Already have another job lined up thankfully, needed to hear that tho
    via Temporary-Profile-27
  • Man leaves an office building with his belongings after quitting
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • DayVDave Definitely overreacting. It's a retail job, it's unreasonable to expect a high level of competency from management. You could find out who handles scheduling and inform them of the error. Problem solved.
    via DayVDave
  • Scheduling errors happen everywhere, but you choose. how you handle it. Don't get angry, it's not personal, just get the mistake fixed.
    via DayVDave
  • Temporary-Profile-27 OP I quit
    via Temporary-Profile-27

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antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace retail bosses working toxic-boss workplace bad bosses toxic-work-environment
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