The Art of the Subtle Resignation: When Quitting Becomes Petty Revenge
Picture this: It’s Christmas Eve, the world is winding down, Mariah Carey is hitting that high note somewhere in the distance—and you’re about to drop an email that’s equal parts resignation notice and mic drop. That’s exactly what happened to one Redditor, who decided to bid adieu to their toxic, family-run company with a perfectly timed, perfectly cold “Notice” email sent just before 8pm on the holidays. But was this the ultimate act of petty revenge, or just, well… quitting a job?
Let’s dive into the deliciously awkward world of subtle workplace payback, explore the great resignation debate it unleashed, and see whether this move was a masterclass in boundary-setting or a holiday ghosting gone mild.
The Setup: Family Business, No HR, and the Breaking Point
Our protagonist, u/Far_Excitement_1875, paints a familiar picture for anyone who’s ever worked somewhere “cozy” enough that HR is just a suggestion and boundaries are as respected as the office coffee. Over the year, things had gone south—think constant boundary violations, zero support during personal crises, and a general sense of toxicity that’d make even The Office’s Michael Scott look like a model boss.
After hitting a wall, OP took a certified medical leave for stress in December. The company’s response? Bureaucratic acknowledgment and a breezy “see you in January.” No questions, no support—just a cold shoulder in holiday wrapping paper.
While overseas with family, clarity struck: This job was toast. On Christmas Eve, OP hit “send” on a resignation email, effective January 7, neatly overlapping with a company-wide holiday shutdown. Then, in a move so subtle it almost felt zen, OP blocked the bosses and most colleagues, save one friend for a reference—because you never know when you’ll need a LinkedIn endorsement.
Petty Revenge or Just Plain Smart?
So, what’s the revenge here? According to OP, the “gotcha” is that the company, blissfully expecting their return post-holiday, would instead find themselves scrambling to fill a now-vacant role, with no transition period and no warning. It’s the HR equivalent of an “out of office” reply—forever.
But was this really a masterstroke of workplace vengeance, or just a strategic, if cold, resignation? The Reddit hive mind had opinions.
u/Random-Generation86 cut right to the chase: “So… you quit your job? I don’t think much revenge really happened here. Good on you, though.” Others echoed the sentiment, wondering if the move was more self-care than sabotage. “That doesn’t sound petty, it sounds like what you had to do,” added u/ProstheticAttitude, gaining traction as the relatable realist of the thread.
But then came the counterpoint from u/Esau2020, who spotted the real “revenge” lurking in the shadows: the element of surprise. “The employers thought he was coming back from his medical leave. Since they didn’t have any reason to believe otherwise, the news of his resignation will come as a shock… they have to make immediate plans… and look into hiring someone.” In other words, the company’s post-holiday hangover just got a lot worse.
The Petty Olympics: Did OP Stick the Landing?
The debate raged on. Some commenters, like u/Haggis_with_Ketchup, pointed out a cynical twist: “Plot twist: the employee would be fired at some point within 6 months of return from medical leave, for daring to take said medical leave.” In other words, OP may have dodged a bullet by quitting first.
Others, like u/CaptCamel, analyzed the tactical merits: “If I’m understanding this right, the ‘revenge’ is that you are giving your entire notice period when the office is closed so by the time they all get back, your notice will be over and you won’t be working there. I’ll grant it is petty, I’m not sure if it’s really revenge.” The risk? The company might try to claw back pay or claim deception—but in the wild west of family businesses, that’s always a gamble.
Meanwhile, some were unimpressed by the drama (or lack thereof). “You got revenge by checks notes Quitting? Oh, you rebel, you!” quipped u/Psych0matt, channeling the collective eye roll of every reader who’s ever longed for a juicier petty revenge story.
A few practical souls, like u/Due_Entertainment425, wondered about legalities: Would OP have to repay disability pay? Not in this case, clarified u/International_Put727: “OP is based in NZ, not the US—sick leave is a legislated employee entitlement, with no obligation for paying it back upon resignation.” Like a true Reddit thread, even nationality and labor law got their moment in the sun.
Petty? Maybe. Satisfying? Absolutely.
In the end, the consensus seemed to be: not the pettiest revenge ever, but perhaps the healthiest. As u/SnooOnions4932 wisely put it, “Taking care of yourself is important. Good on you for having priorities. Sending good karma for your future.” Sometimes, the greatest act of revenge is simply refusing to let a bad job keep you from enjoying your holidays—or your sanity.
And if you can make your boss sweat for a few days while you sip eggnog on another continent? Well, that’s just the cherry on top.
So, dear readers, would you have played it cooler, warmer, or gone full scorched earth? Ever had your own moment of subtle (or not-so-subtle) revenge at work? Drop your stories—and your best resignation tales—below. Because if there’s one thing the internet loves more than a good quitting story, it’s dissecting whether it was petty enough.
Happy holidays, and may your exits always be as satisfying as your entries!
Original Reddit Post: Subtle revenge while resigning