Reader Digest Version Global
Homepage >

Hate Your Job? Epic Ways to Say “I Quit”

If you're looking for a memorable exit strategy, these famous resignations will show how to quit your job in extreme style.

By Perri O. Blumberg
Loading
←
© Adam Gault/Digital Vision/Thinkstock
  • 1 of 11

Put It in the New York Times: Greg Smith and Goldman Sachs

On March 14, 2012, Smith resigned from his high level role at investment bank Goldman Sachs with a scathing resignation letter in the New York Times. His dramatic exit might just have landed him a new gig—as author of a million-dollar book deal focusing on life at the financial behemoth.

  • 1 of 11
←
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
  • 2 of 11

Hit Your Boss: Adam Porter and Friendly's

On January 10, 2010, his final day of work at a Friendly's restaurant, Adam Porter threw an 80-ounce caramel Heath bar ice cream cake at his boss, resulting in assault charges. He was released from jail on $1,000 bail—$978 more than the cake's $22 retail value. But hey, revenge is sweet.

  • 2 of 11
←
© Comstock/Thinkstock
  • 3 of 11

Head for the Door and Don't Look Back: Steven Slater and JetBlue

On August 9, 2010, fed up with his job as a flight attendant at JetBlue, Steven Slater took his exit into his own hands. After landing in JFK Airport in New York City, he released a curse-word-infused frenzy over the loudspeaker, grabbed some beers, and glided down the plane’s emergency slide. Way to leave in (mile) high style.

  • 3 of 11
←
Courtesy of U.S. Army
  • 4 of 11

Show Up to Work Under the Influence: Ricky Williams and the NFL

In July of 2004, amidst the threat of a four-game suspension for failing a third drug test, the Baltimore Ravens running back Ricky Williams resigned from the NFL. When he spoke with The Miami Herald, he quipped, "I didn't quit football because I failed a drug test, I failed a drug test because I was ready to quit football."

  • 4 of 11
←
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
  • 5 of 11

Tweet It to the World: Jonathan Schwartz and Sun Microsystems

Why have a private chat with your colleagues when you can blast off a message for your 14,000+ followers to see? That's exactly what Jonathan Schwartz decided to do on February 4, 2010, when he had enough of being CEO of Sun Microsystems. It seems like Mr. Schwartz wasn't all that concerned about his future when he tweeted:

" data-datetime="2010-02-04T05:36:06+00:00">February 4, 2010

  • 5 of 11
←
Keith Bedford/Reuters
  • 6 of 11

Break Your Contract: Dave Chappelle and Comedy Central

On April 28, 2005, mid-production of his resoundingly popular show on Comedy Central, Chappelle stunned both fans and the entertainment industry by walking off the set. Following this unexpected move, he jetted to South Africa to participate in a spiritual retreat. What he left behind? A $50 million dollar deal and a huddle of shocked executives. Hakuna Matata!

  • 6 of 11
←
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
  • 7 of 11

Stop Showing Up: Sergei Polunin and Royal Ballet

On January, 24, 2012, the youngest principal dancer who ever joined London’s famed Royal Ballet shocked the ballet universe by abruptly quitting, just as folks were getting revved up to see his debut as Romeo. However, he made sure not to leave without one final leap…onto Twitter. On the same day he made his announcement, he tweeted:


  • 7 of 11
←
Ollie Atkins, White House Photographer/Wikimedia Commons
  • 8 of 11

Cause a Scandal: Richard Nixon and the American People

In light of Watergate and the events that followed, on August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon became the only U.S. President to resign. Though reactions varied, even more than 35 years later many remember the shock they felt when the former leader announced, "I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow."

  • 8 of 11
←
Steve Marcus/Reuters
  • 9 of 11

Perform Below Expectations: Roberto Durán with Sugar Ray Leonard

When world-renowned boxer Roberto Durán entered the ring in New Orleans’ Superdome on November 25, 1980, for the welterweight championship fight against Sugar Ray Leonard, everyone thought it was going to be an historic fight. Suddenly, in the middle of Round 8, Duran waved his glove in a gesture to stop the fight, saying, "No más, no mas. No more box." Talk about throwing in the towel.

  • 9 of 11
←
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
  • 10 of 11

Or...Just let 'em know the truth: Andrew Mason and Groupon

In late February of 2013, Groupon CEO, Andrew Mason, penned this memorable note to his employees, "People of Groupon, After four and a half intense and wonderful years as CEO of Groupon, I’ve decided that I’d like to spend more time with my family. Just kidding — I was fired today." Honesty is always the best policy, right?

  • 10 of 11

Your Comments

  • zendude

    D- for the haiku.

  • boxermanbreedGarylunsford218

     I quit because the owner surrounded himself with queers, lesbians. These same people who have tickled the boss’s ears with their witchcraft are also stealing hundreds of thousands a year. I could no longer stand by & just look  at  what was happening as these miscreants of humanity destroyed a once good & reputable company. It is a terrible thing to watch an entire company who enjoyed their workplace environment turned into a cancerous cesspool where former happy employees now go to work each day in a state of physical torment & discontent.  A hideous thing our government has laid on the necks of honest reputable people as they have placed an abominable practice and forced them to accept a despicable lifestyle that is laced as much with immorality as a drink laced with arsenic.  Drink deep everyone, the pot of indecency is almost full.  Will the indecent activities of a few be admonished, no way, they will merrily go on their way to destroy another segment of society.

    • Alandryrn

      Sometimes you’re the problem. Sounds like you just needed to go. To quote…”winning”.

  • Massive Marbles

    Come back Dave….Come back!  Dave Chappelle…come back!!!!