Over the past few years, millions of Americans have been walking out of their jobs in record numbers. Then they tend to go and post about it through their experience and on their journeys on social media. “Revenge quitters” are sending a message in their departures. They’re not merely exiting—their collective exit is an expression of their dissatisfaction with the current state of the workplace. This is one movement that can and should share many different stories. Joey La Neve DeFrancesco, Brianna Slaughter, and Katie Ostler each offer their specific personal motivations for their departures and the profound personal consequences of their choice.
Joey La Neve DeFrancesco, who left his low-wage hotel job in 2011, received national fame for recording his dramatic resignation. His video has quickly become a viral sensation, with nearly 10 million views on YouTube. DeFrancesco worked tirelessly for just $5.50 an hour, enduring long shifts while his managers took a cut of his tips. Frustrated with the treatment he received, especially after attempting to unionise workers at the hotel, DeFrancesco decided to leave in a memorable way.
“Now I’m going to embarrass you for treating everyone terribly here.” – Joey La Neve DeFrancesco
In a similar vein, Brianna Slaughter, a 36-year-old labour organiser and musician, made headlines when they left their job. Upon delivery of their resignation letter, Slaughter was met by a superior who actually begged for them not to go. Undeterred, Slaughter stood firm and reminded them of the two-month notice requirement they agreed to. In the end, they took a role working in a bar and then left after only a week’s notice. Slaughter’s story illuminates the deeply punitive nature of work culture. For example, she was forced to conceal her tattoos with long sleeves.
“These corporations will fire you in one day and leave you with nothing. If you want to leave, leave babe.” – Brianna Slaughter
Katie Ostler’s story provides a slightly different addition to the revenge quitting narrative. After two years as a cashier at an international supermarket chain in Melbourne, she decided it wasn’t enough. As it turns out, her bosses hadn’t even bothered to learn her name during her first six months working there. Her breaking point came when she witnessed a customer shouting at one of her younger colleagues over a refund issue. Inspired by her choice to leave, Ostler looked back at the time she walked away from her workplace.
“I felt like a boss. It was a very empowering moment.” – Katie Ostler
The increase in revenge quitting isn’t limited to a handful of employees. In the UK alone, a survey conducted by Reed revealed that 15% of British employees have engaged in this type of resignation.
Carly, an aspiring revenge quitter, newly frustrated with her teaching job, chose to take the plunge. She was annoyed after getting a miserable paycheck of just 100,000 yen (£500) for a whole month of work. She was paid 2,000 yen (£10) per class she taught. Yet she often found herself stuck at work for unpaid hours in between those courses. That stress of being in limbo on a daily basis caused panic attacks and inability to sleep at night.
“Daily stress that often built up into anxiety attacks and tearful nights.” – Carly
Carly’s experience illustrates a common theme among revenge quitters: feeling undervalued and overworked without appropriate compensation. Then she shared all of her frustrations with Democratic management. She remembered how they used to punish her if she completed lessons even a few minutes ahead of time—or behind schedule!
“If I finished a lesson one minute early or one minute late, she would reprimand me.” – Brianna Slaughter
These workers are animating their stories, showing a workforce that is not to be trifled with. They fight for equitable wages and dignity on the job. Meanwhile, social media is making it easier than ever for these stories to find a bigger audience. This, in turn, inspires other folks to open up about their journeys.
An increasing number of people are actively protesting against discrimination, harassment and other workplace injustices by quitting. This trend is turning revenge quitting into a remarkable and creative act of protest. Employees are becoming the protagonists of their narratives. They’re ensuring their exits aren’t a failure—rather, they serve as teachable moments for employers to learn from them.