How bad is it to quit a job without notice?
Leaving a job immediately without notice is often driven by unbearable working conditions, such as terrible hours and toxic management, coupled with personal strain like homesickness. People who have taken this step emphasize prioritizing personal well-being over corporate expectations, though the abrupt departure can weigh heavily on career choices and industry standing.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Toughing it out for the two weeks notice period
- 2Securing a new job first before leaving
- 3Using other trusted coworkers as references instead of the manager
- 4Waiting until the employer lays you off or walks you out immediately
- 5Proceeding with the renege anyway since firms rarely care
- 6Consulting a career counselor for advice
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I've been working for many years now. I've seen this happen and never thought to do it myself until having to deal with my current manager.”source ↗
“I did it once, after consulting with someone very important to me. Look after YOU! Be honest, and don't look back! Obviously, there's a reason why you're saying adios!”source ↗
“it's just my school considers it an honor code violation to renege so i'm a little apprehensive”source ↗
“Will Big 4 contact my school if I renege internship offer?”source ↗
“school might honor code me”source ↗
“My school’s policy states they can take away privileges from student who renege.”source ↗
“I had been working terrible hours for months preceding that and was struggling a lot with homesickness so just had enough of it.”source ↗
“Now I feel all I do is cry and I feel physically sick. I can’t eat or sleep and I’m so anxious all the time.”source ↗
“Would I be silly to leave at Christmas? I’m worried it will look really bad and I’m worried that I wont be able to find another job for the spring term.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3How to fire someone without warning
- 2How to get fired from a public accounting job without legal consequences
- 2Feeling guilty for quitting a new job after a month
- 2Feeling guilty about cancelling plans at the last minute
- 7Leaving Big Four accounting before one year
- 2How to quit a volunteer project that's a mess