The Rise of Revenge Quitting

In recent years, a new trend has emerged in the workplace: revenge quitting. This phenomenon involves employees resigning from their jobs in dramatic and public ways, often to express frustration with poor treatment or toxic environments. From viral videos to bold resignation letters, workers are finding creative ways to say goodbye and make a statement.

Joey La Neve DeFrancesco's Viral Exit

Joey La Neve DeFrancesco worked in room service at a luxury hotel in Rhode Island for nearly four years, earning a meager $5.50 per hour and facing long shifts with managers taking cuts of his tips. After attempting to unionize, the treatment worsened, leading to petty rules like banning sitting during calls. In 2011, at age 22, he quit by surprising his boss with a seven-person marching band, chanting "Joey quits." He filmed it, uploaded to YouTube, and it went viral with nearly 10 million views. DeFrancesco felt liberated and found new job opportunities without hindrance, even considering it a résumé highlight.

The Growing Trend of Revenge Quitting

Revenge quitting is on the rise, with examples like Father Pat Brennan, who resigned via a poem criticizing parishioners. Employer-rating site Glassdoor warned of a wave in 2025 due to falling employee satisfaction. A Reed survey found 15% of UK employees have revenge quit, with social media accelerating the trend. Young people are more likely to engage in it, with 26% of 18- to 34-year-olds in the UK admitting to it, compared to 8% of 45- to 54-year-olds.

Brianna Slaughter's TikTok Takedown

Brianna Slaughter, a 26-year-old English teacher in Japan, quit on the spot after enduring low pay (2,000 yen per class), unpaid waiting times, and a meddling manager who criticized tattoos and sat in on classes. After a poor paycheck, Slaughter sent a resignation letter and posted a TikTok video with 1.2 million views, saying, "I gave you two hours, babe. I'm leaving now." The video went viral, earning them $7,000 in a month and inspiring others to leave toxic jobs.

Carly's Email Resignation

Carly, a 25-year-old from Alabama, took a receptionist job out of desperation but was promoted to HR payroll manager and later given additional roles without adequate support. After a colleague spread false rumors and she was forced into a bullying meeting, she sent a scheduled email to all managers criticizing the business and resigning immediately. She felt euphoric afterward and found a new job quickly, though she remains cautious about future applications.

Katie Ostler's Supermarket Stand

Katie Ostler worked in a toxic supermarket in Melbourne for two years, where bosses didn't learn her name and supported abusive customers over employees. When offered a bar job, she barged into a manager's interview to hand in her resignation and warn the interviewee not to work there. She was later told not to finish her notice period but felt empowered by the act.

Revenge quitting can open new doors and provide a sense of justice, but it's important to weigh the risks and consider professional alternatives.