"Growing up, the idea that I’d be able to stay home and get paid to do what I love would’ve been outlandish. Every adult in my life worked on-site, and movies like The Devil Wears Prada depicted how I imagined life as a journalist would be. Ironically, the opposite is now true: Going into the office is an outdated concept, and working remotely has become the norm. This work model gave us autonomy and helped us achieve a work-life balance. Now, return-to-work (RTO) mandates are threatening that delicate balance, and “revenge quitting” has become the latest workplace trend as a result.
Unsurprisingly, being forced back into the office has left many reeling. However, Executive Coach and Psychologist Dr. Anne Welsh says it’s been particularly challenging for Gen Z, the demographic that popularized revenge quitting. This is largely because many of them entered the workforce when hybrid and remote models were the standard. In the wake of RTO policies, they’re worried about this shift and how it will impact their mental health and well-being (and their ability to take sneaky Fridays).
I understand their apprehension, but still, this new trend brings up a lot of questions. First, what defines revenge quitting? But more importantly, why are so many ambitious professionals opting to revenge quit? And what risks, if any, does it pose to their careers? I tapped career experts to get to the bottom of it. Ahead, their answers, plus what to do if you’re tempted to revenge quit yourself.
Catherine Fisher
Catherine Fisher is a Global Marketing and Communications Leader, LinkedIn Career Expert, and the Author of the Career Companion Newsletter. Fisher leads integrated data and consumer communications in her role at LinkedIn, and she is passionate about building and leading cross-functional teams that deliver business impact and providing people with the opportunity to continue to learn and grow in their career.
Dr. Anne Welsh
Dr. Anne Welsh is a psychologist, executive coach, and consultant with a deep passion for empowering women in their leadership journeys. She began her career at Harvard before opening her own firm with a focus on supporting women in leadership and working parents across career sectors, and uses her consulting practice to help companies support working parents through policy consulting, workshops and training, and individual parental leave coaching.
What is revenge quitting?
“Revenge quitting” is exactly what it sounds like: Quitting your job as a form of revenge. According to LinkedIn Career Expert Catherine Fisher, this is done as a way to protest or get back at your workplace. Instead of giving your boss your two weeks’ notice, you abruptly leave with little-to-no regard for how you’re leaving things with your employer. Dr. Welsh explained that this is typically done from a place of frustration or resentment. For one reason or another, they’ve been pushed to their breaking point, and this is how they’re fighting back.
Why are employees revenge quitting?
Although Gen Z has popularized revenge quitting as a workplace trend in the wake of RTO mandates, this isn’t a novel concept, and the reasons behind this decision vary. According to Dr. Welsh, it can be a response to unfair or out-of-touch workplace policies, as well as toxic workplace cultures. “[Revenge quitting] is not usually about remote work specifically, but often because employees are feeling unheard, misunderstood, and undervalued,” she said.
“[Revenge quitting] is not usually about remote work specifically, but often because employees are feeling unheard, misunderstood, and undervalued.”
Regardless of the reason, Dr. Welsh says autonomy and respect are the crux of revenge quitting. In many cases, being forced back into the office represents more than just a loss of freedom—it blatantly disregards all the hard work employees have put in these last few years. This feels like a slap in the face because it snubs the success they achieved while working remotely or within a hybrid model. “When companies ignore the realities of caregiving responsibilities, commuting challenges, and the proven benefits of flexible work, employees feel disrespected—and some are choosing to walk away rather than comply,” Dr. Welsh explained.
The risks revenge quitting poses to your career
Damaged reputation and relationships
The grass might look greener on the other side, but leaving your job on a whim often creates irreparable damage. “Revenge quitting might feel like a rush of freedom at first, but it can actually do more harm than good,” Fisher told me. It doesn’t look great, for one, and can actually hurt your professional reputation in the long run. Worse, it burns bridges with people who could be potential career references. Fisher says your professional network can be the “golden ticket” for your career, but revenge quitting makes it smaller. This, in turn, can make finding and securing a new job exponentially harder.
Loss of leverage
While no one should stay in a role they’re unhappy with, quitting before you have another job lined up isn’t typically recommended. Dr. Welsh says it doesn’t just leave you without a steady income—it also removes any leverage you might’ve had. “When you quit suddenly, you lose the ability to negotiate a better exit package or transition in a way that sets you up for success,” she explained. Plus, you also lose any benefits that are provided by your employer. Feeling sick? Sprained your wrist? That bill will be astronomical without health insurance!
Stalled career growth
Furthermore, revenge quitting can also leave you scrambling to secure employment. The reality is that being unemployed is scary, and it can inadvertently force you into a role you don’t want simply because you need a steady paycheck. You have to pay the bills, after all. While there’s no shame in doing what you have to to get by, taking a job that you’re overqualified for or isn’t a good fit out of necessity can stall your career growth. To pour salt in the wound, Fisher also pointed out that the current job market is rife with fierce competition. This can make finding a job even more challenging. Suffice it to say that, in the end, you might find yourself back where you started: In a role that leaves you feeling just as stressed and anxious as your previous one.
Does revenge quitting even work?
In frustrating situations like this, “sticking it to the man” feels good! But does it really do anything other than leave you without a job? It’s hard to say. With this trend being so widespread, a message is clearly being sent to the higher-ups who are enforcing the mandate, but whether they do anything about it is yet to be seen. We can only hope that this protest will encourage a tad more flexibility across the board.
“When you quit suddenly, you lose the ability to negotiate a better exit package or transition in a way that sets you up for success.”
At the end of the day, thousands of people are unemployed and looking for a job—whether it takes place in the office or not. Employers who are steadfast in their decision to return to an office will replace you with another highly qualified candidate who either 1) doesn’t mind the mandate, or 2) needs the job despite the annoyance of being on-site. Sure, it will put your boss and coworkers in a bind until your role is filled, but eager candidates will happily step in. If added flexibility in the workplace comes from it, you won’t even be there to benefit from it.
What to do if you’re tempted to revenge quit
The truth is, feeling frustrated with your employer is normal, but your career decisions shouldn’t be made on emotions alone. Before quitting a job impulsively, dig deeper to understand the root cause of your desire to leave. Is it just out of spite, or are there other issues that have been bothering you and this feels like the last straw? With that in mind, assess whether your current job can actually help you achieve your long-term career goals. It might not be worth jumping ship if you’re on track to hit milestones, build your skills, and add achievements to your resume.
If you do decide to leave your current role, create a strategic exit plan by actively searching for a new job before you resign. (Yes, this means you might stay a little longer than you might like, but this sacrifice will shorten the time between paychecks and a benefits loss!) Finally, do the right thing, and give your employer two weeks’ notice. Remember, how you leave a job matters more than why you’re leaving. It’s up to you to set yourself up for future career success.
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a Rhode Island native, professional blogger, and freelance writer. She’s passionate about helping women develop healthy relationships with money, become financially independent, and invest in themselves for the future. Arianna is a firm believer in going after what you want, taking time to stop and smell the roses, and the importance of a good cocktail.