An employee who abruptly quit his job after asking for a raise turned to Reddit for perspective, unsure whether walking out the same day was a healthy boundary or an emotional overreaction. What followed was an overwhelming wave of support, with many commenters saying his resignation was not only justified, but overdue.
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In his post, the employee explained that from the very beginning, he was effectively covering four roles on his own: inside sales, warehouse operations, shipping and fulfillment, and administrative work. He ran the entire warehouse solo, without a team, while also handling West Coast sales for a company headquartered on the East Coast.
Despite the workload, his compensation remained $15 an hour plus commission, with no benefits. His commission averaged between $400 and $600 per month. Over nine months, he said he received nothing but praise. Managers repeatedly told him he was doing great, and at a company Christmas party, he was described as “perfect for the role” and the best person they’d had in the position.
There were no warnings, no performance reviews raising concerns, and no indication that his work was falling short.
The situation shifted abruptly when he asked for a raise to $20 an hour while keeping his commission, citing the scope of responsibilities he had taken on. According to the post, management responded with an email that reframed his request as being driven by childcare costs, something he says he never mentioned.
The email also raised issues for the first time: claims that sales were down, that samples weren’t being sent, and that there were operational problems. He said these concerns had never been brought up before and only appeared after the raise request. Sales, he added, had been declining before he joined, and he had actually reactivated old customers.
Management then asked what hourly rate he would accept without commission or bonuses, still with no benefits, and ended the message by asking how soon he would be leaving if they couldn’t afford the raise.
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Initially, the employee planned to give two weeks’ notice. But after reading the email and sitting with it, he described experiencing a strong physical stress response and feeling betrayed and threatened. At that point, he decided to make that day his last.
He noted that he already had another job lined up and had wanted to stay longer, but felt the tone shift and implied threats crossed a line.
Reddit reacts: “They forced you out”
Commenters largely agreed that the company’s response was a turning point. Many said the sudden move from praise to criticism was a classic tactic used to shut down raise negotiations or push employees out.
“They forced you out. They were calling your bluff. You called their bluff,” one commenter wrote. Others pointed out that comparable jobs in retail, food service, and manual labor now pay more than $15 an hour, often with benefits.
Several users framed his decision as self-preservation rather than impulsiveness, emphasizing mental health and boundaries. While some usually advise against quitting without notice, many said the circumstances justified leaving immediately.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Maya Angelou: 'There is no greater agony than bearing…'—Inspiring quotes by the world-famous author
By the end of the discussion, the dominant view was that the employee didn’t overreact. Redditors felt the company’s response revealed how replaceable they saw him and how little they valued the workload he carried. For many, quitting on the spot wasn’t burning a bridge, it was stepping off a sinking ship.
FAQs
Was quitting the same day unprofessional?
Many commenters said no, given the sudden criticism, implied threats, and lack of prior performance issues.
Did Reddit think the raise request was unreasonable?
No. Most felt $20 an hour was modest considering he was doing multiple roles with no benefits.
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Camaraderie
Doing four jobs for one paycheck
In his post, the employee explained that from the very beginning, he was effectively covering four roles on his own: inside sales, warehouse operations, shipping and fulfillment, and administrative work. He ran the entire warehouse solo, without a team, while also handling West Coast sales for a company headquartered on the East Coast.
Despite the workload, his compensation remained $15 an hour plus commission, with no benefits. His commission averaged between $400 and $600 per month. Over nine months, he said he received nothing but praise. Managers repeatedly told him he was doing great, and at a company Christmas party, he was described as “perfect for the role” and the best person they’d had in the position.
There were no warnings, no performance reviews raising concerns, and no indication that his work was falling short.
A raise request changes everything
The situation shifted abruptly when he asked for a raise to $20 an hour while keeping his commission, citing the scope of responsibilities he had taken on. According to the post, management responded with an email that reframed his request as being driven by childcare costs, something he says he never mentioned.
The email also raised issues for the first time: claims that sales were down, that samples weren’t being sent, and that there were operational problems. He said these concerns had never been brought up before and only appeared after the raise request. Sales, he added, had been declining before he joined, and he had actually reactivated old customers.
Management then asked what hourly rate he would accept without commission or bonuses, still with no benefits, and ended the message by asking how soon he would be leaving if they couldn’t afford the raise.
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Alacrity
From two weeks’ notice to same-day exit
Initially, the employee planned to give two weeks’ notice. But after reading the email and sitting with it, he described experiencing a strong physical stress response and feeling betrayed and threatened. At that point, he decided to make that day his last.
He noted that he already had another job lined up and had wanted to stay longer, but felt the tone shift and implied threats crossed a line.
Reddit reacts: “They forced you out”
Commenters largely agreed that the company’s response was a turning point. Many said the sudden move from praise to criticism was a classic tactic used to shut down raise negotiations or push employees out.
“They forced you out. They were calling your bluff. You called their bluff,” one commenter wrote. Others pointed out that comparable jobs in retail, food service, and manual labor now pay more than $15 an hour, often with benefits.
Several users framed his decision as self-preservation rather than impulsiveness, emphasizing mental health and boundaries. While some usually advise against quitting without notice, many said the circumstances justified leaving immediately.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Maya Angelou: 'There is no greater agony than bearing…'—Inspiring quotes by the world-famous author
By the end of the discussion, the dominant view was that the employee didn’t overreact. Redditors felt the company’s response revealed how replaceable they saw him and how little they valued the workload he carried. For many, quitting on the spot wasn’t burning a bridge, it was stepping off a sinking ship.
FAQs
Was quitting the same day unprofessional?
Many commenters said no, given the sudden criticism, implied threats, and lack of prior performance issues.
Did Reddit think the raise request was unreasonable?
No. Most felt $20 an hour was modest considering he was doing multiple roles with no benefits.