According to the latest study from SideHustle, one in five Americans are planning to quit their jobs in 2025, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the way. A recent Monster poll also shows that 93% of workers are seeking new jobs or planning to look for one in 2025. Google searches for “how to quit a job” are up 381% in the past month. And “International Quit Your Crappy Job Day” is celebrated on March 31st. Many of these job quitters are revenge quitting, and 28% of full-time employees say they expect revenge quitting to occur at their workplace in 2025.
Revenge Quitting: All The Rage But It’s Risky Business
Revenge quitting has been making a big splash, mostly from angry Gen Z employees, retaliating against detrimental work trends, initiated by big companies like return-to-office (RTO) mandates. Young employees are leaving jobs without giving notice as a final act of protest when they’ve been treated unfairly. The trend is part of an anger pattern sweeping workplaces across the country like “rage quitting,” “rage applying” or “career catfishing.
But is revenge quitting the smartest decision? Experts say it’s an inevitable result of a workplace evolution that’s been brewing for years. But business leaders agree that this act of protest is risky business. It can damage professional reputations and hinder future job prospects.
Turning Revenge Quitting Into ‘Smart Quitting’
According to the Monster study, employees cite various reasons, other than revenge, that could be considered “smart quitting”: The need for a higher income (41%), lack of room to grow in current job (40%) and a toxic workplace (27%). A separate study cites “smart quitting” from the 66% of workers who believe a career change could boost their happiness.
Who hasn’t daydreamed of quitting their jobs at one time or another? But actually pulling the trigger is another matter. And if you’re considering revenge quitting, that could severely limit your career potential. Revenge quitting puts you at risk of a bad reference and unemployment.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking to “smart quit,” Avery Morgan, chief HR officer at EduBirdie shared with me five tips for navigating this bold move like a pro with confidence, plus keeping your professional reputation intact.
1. Practice your resignation conversation. Morgan acknowledges that resigning can be awkward. She advises that you make it easier by rehearsing before you sit down with your manager. “Practice what you’ll say in front of a mirror or ask a friend to test-drive your speech. Keep it professional, brief and positive, like: ‘I’ve really appreciated my time with this company, but it’s time to take on a new opportunity that aligns with my career goals.’”
Morgan cautions things to watch out for such as rambling and over-explaining. “You want to give off confidence,” she says. “Too many words are your worst enemy here. You don’t owe anyone a deep dive into your decision-making process or a justification. If your boss pushes for more details, stay polite, yet firm with something like, ‘I’ve given this a lot of thought, and this is the best next step for me.’”
2. Set clear boundaries with counteroffers. Morgan insists that you don’t owe your boss a long explanation, but you do owe it to yourself. “Before the conversation, take time to reflect on why you’re leaving,” she suggests. “Be ready for a potential counteroffer: more money, a promotion or new perks. Decide upfront if you’re open to negotiation or if you’re committed to leaving no matter what. And don’t feel pressured to change your mind. Something like, ‘I really appreciate the offer, but my decision is final’ should do the trick. Standing your ground ensures you’re not choosing out of guilt, fear or a misplaced sense of duty.”
3. Manage the emotional side of leaving. “Ending a phase of working life can feel emotional, especially if your team was great or the company amazing,” Morgan explains. “Take some time to process the change. Do a cute farewell ritual, like having a coffee at your favorite place with your favorite coworkers.” She recommends you keep in mind that change is part of growth. “Every job transition teaches something new and moves you closer to your big career goals,” she points out. “To embrace the next chapter with confidence, make things as emotionally comfortable for yourself as possible.”
4. Don’t burn bridges. “Even if your job was frustrating and colleagues weren’t that much of a vibe match, leave on a good note,” Morgan advises. “Keeping up a warm network is one of the most overlooked tricks of a successful career.” She advocates that you share kind feedback with your supervisor about what you appreciated in the role and ask for a recommendation letter while your impact is still fresh. She further suggests that you keep close the colleagues you resonated with. “Grab a coffee, shoot a message–you never know when you’ll need your crew.”
5. Plan your exit like a pro. Morgan notes that it might be tough for the company to lose you, advising that you make sure to wrap up your responsibilities properly. “Save time in your final days to help with the transition: make a quick document with key information your replacement (or future coworkers) might need, include short process overviews, ongoing projects and some little tricks only you know about the job. A short thank-you email to your team is another small gesture people usually appreciate,” she concludes.
A Final Takeaway On Revenge Quitting
If you feel stuck in your job, you’re not alone. Two in three Americans feel stuck, with job satisfaction at record lows. An RTO policy can be challenging. But if you have the impulse to retaliate against your employer, revenge quitting might feel satisfying in the moment, but it can harm your career in the long run. When possible, it’s more prudent to try “smart quitting.” Sometimes employers are unaware of your feelings. Experts recommend talking to managers before making a hasty decision. Even if they can’t help and you still decide to leave, talking things through can provide a peaceful notice period and a solid reference for your next role.