Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

wolfen · Jul 22, 2005, 03:38 PM

If so, what what motivated you? What happened? How'd it turn out? (I gave notice without having a new job and was wondering what your experience was)

Railroader · Jul 22, 2005, 03:47 PM

Just once. Not a very good story really.

I was 16 and was bagging groceries for minimum wage. My brother worked there also. They fired him the day before a Saturday that we were both scheduled to work. They claimed he accepted a tip when we were forbidden to. Thing is, we were the only two scheduled for that Saturday. I was pissed and walked in with the intention of working and when I found out they didn't try to replace him and I was going to be the only one working that day I just told them "No I'm not". I had a job delivering pizzas the next weekend for about three times the pay.

I'd never do that today unless there was something morally wrong my employer was doing. I have too many people who rely on me.

powerbook867 · Jul 22, 2005, 04:31 PM

Doing that is actually a very selfish dream of mine. I've worked since I was 14 and I'm now 35. My first real vacation (outside of visiting friends and relatives when the wife and I lived outside of our home town) was this year.

I'm just tired of it all and need a long term break. Something like summer vacations for adults.

Back to topic. I resigned from a job once with no notice. The owner was abusive and I walked away. Thankfully, I was young and in college, so the impact was negligible....

Randman · Jul 22, 2005, 08:07 PM

Yes. I did that in May, actually. Had taken a job with a company where I had worked with some of the people. Anyway, the job turned out to be a major frustration and not at all what I was told it would be. Also, lots of incompetent managers, cliques, and plenty of silly, petty politics. I considered quitting for some time but was hanging on.
Finally, one day I just went in and gave notice.

A few days later I got a deal to write my first book (which I'm now working on). Luckily, my wife was supportive though a little dismayed at first. Thankfully, it worked out for the best.

I would say if you do go that route, make sure your bank account can handle a few months of unemployment. You wouldn't want to go into debt just because a job sucks.

TheIceMan · Jul 22, 2005, 09:04 PM

After I graduated from college and wasn't sure what to do with my life I ended up working for TGI Friday's, a restaurant chain similar to Chili's or Bennigan's if you're familiar. Anyways, I was the host guy, but the staff was lazy and incompetent. One day when all my friends came in to eat, the food sucked and it took forever for it to come out. That and no one apologized. Man, I was pissed! So a few days later I wrote a long letter criticizing the entire restaurant and company, from the staff on up to the management. I walked in and gave them the letter and told them I couldn't work at a place like that anymore.

They were shocked and asked me to talk to the top manager. So I did. I gave him an earful and then thanked him for his time and walked out...with a smile.

Railroader · Jul 22, 2005, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by TheIceMan

the food sucked and it took forever for it to come out. That and no one apologized. Man, I was pissed!

You described my only two experiences with TGIF. I won't get burned a third time. TGIF sucks.

nredman · Jul 22, 2005, 09:10 PM

i've quit a few jobs without notice, in my high school & college years. just part time jobs which wasn't a big deal, now after being in management positions i realize that wasn't cool of me to do.

moonmonkey · 10:25 PM

I was working as a laborer to get some quick cash, the boss asked me and a colleague to do carry tabletops up four flights of stairs in a college, they were massive and way too heavy for two people to carry. Anyway we managed to carry about 15 of these b*astards (while the fat bosses son was watching is us and drinking tea and making comments.

Me and the colleague looked at each other and just decided enough is enough (he had worked for the company for 5 years, I was only there for a couple of weeks) It was physically impossible to carry on and we were getting no help.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the short arse boss turned up and went crazy, started telling me I was useless and lazy and he was going to fire me anyway, I found it so funny i started laughing, everything he said...I laughed...as I was leaving I got hit on the head with a hammer by the bosses Son.

I was on the train home and I noticed that blood was trickling down my neck.....

P.S. I should add I have a proper job now.

budster101 · Jul 22, 2005, 09:27 PM

I was 16 and working at a fast food place. I was the only white guy there and the manager made me do all the dirty tasks all the time and when he told me to scrub the drive through, I flipped when I saw the mess... walked across the street and got a job at his competator for a few dollars more, walked back and quit.

Felt great.

wolfen · Jul 22, 2005, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the short arse boss turned up and went crazy, started telling me I was useless and lazy and he was going to fire me anyway, I found it so funny i started laughing, everything he said...I laughed...as I was leaving I got hit on the head with a hammer by the bosses Son.

I was on the train home and I noticed that blood was trickling down my neck.....

That's a very disturbing story. I'm pretty sure I would have gone ballistic. My story isn't nearly so dramatic. I think it's sadder, though.

I once left a job the same day I resigned like that, but this time I gave them 6 weeks notice. But I don't have a job to go to. Everyone says you're supposed to. But my wife and I always keep our standard of living such that one of us can support both of us. It gives us the freedom to do what we want.

But peering into the dark with no guarantees, I enjoy hearing others experiences with this situation.

Paco500 · Jul 23, 2005, 02:14 AM

The closest experience I have had is no where near as dramatic as most, as it was a second summer job during my college years. I got a job at a supermarket, and was told to show up wearing slacks, white shirt and the official tie I was just given. When I got there, they but me to work in the basement by myself. My job was to take strawberries from 1 quart containers and put them in to slightly smaller containers, so while the amount was the same, it looked like more. So I was stuck in this basement, had no public interaction, doing mindless work, yet had to wear the slacks, dress shirt and tie, and was told I couldn't even have radio. I managed to do this for two days before I snapped and just couldn't bring myself to go back. I called and told them I had a wreck on my motorcycle and broke my arm, so I wouldn't be coming back. I don't know if was because of disgust or shame, but I never even collected my pay for the two days I worked.

I'm not proud of it, mind you.

jcadam · Jul 23, 2005, 02:49 AM

I worked at a Wendy's for one day when I was 16. Will NEVER work in food service again.

I sort of figured out the reason I was hired:

The manager was a late-twentysomething fairly attractive (but a little plump) girl. The other guys that worked their were either 1)Retirees who hadn't done enough financial planning or 2)Fat teenage boys. I was in excellent shape at the time and good looking. She was coming on to me quite heavily my first and only day on the job. So I almost considered staying. Then I had to clean the deep fryers.
Nah, it wasn't worth it.

Now I'm in the Army, and I can't just walk in and quit (good for them, there are several occasions when I WOULD have). Then my CO acted all shocked when I put in my request for release. Meh.