Feeling

I’ve been struggling with a pattern I can’t seem to break: I keep "ghost quitting" my jobs. It’s incredibly frustrating to admit, but I find myself excited about a new opportunity, thinking it’s the one I’ll stick with, only to stop communicating with my employer shortly after starting. I curl up at home feeling like a failure for not being able to maintain even a simple food service role. I know this behavior is harmful to both myself and my employers, yet I keep repeating it because I need the income. I’ve tried discussing this with therapists and psychiatrists, but they often set it aside for what they deem more pressing issues. I recognize that my fear of conflict and disappointing others, along with burnout, play significant roles in this cycle. I’m reaching out for advice on how to heal and prevent this from happening again. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I work for an elected official, and the atmosphere in our office has hit rock bottom. During a recent meeting, my boss made it clear that they were aware some of us were job hunting, and I’m one of those people. I had to reach out to a couple of my coworkers to use them as references for a job I interviewed for, which made this situation even more uncomfortable. In the meeting, my boss stated that we should inform them if we are looking for new opportunities, claiming it’s unprofessional not to do so. They even suggested that we owe it to them, given what they’ve done for us. To top it off, they ended the meeting with a veiled threat, saying it was like a two-week warning for anyone considering leaving. Today, they reiterated this stance by calling in another coworker and insisting they encourage anyone looking for a new job to speak directly with them. I’m left wondering if this behavior is ethical or legal, and if I have any recourse to address this situation. It feels incredibly oppressive and has added to the already low morale in the office, especially with the election year pressures.

I work at a small nonprofit where I've been for about three years, managing a front desk team of three people, including myself. Our organization has had a high retention rate, largely due to my previous manager who fostered a supportive environment. However, since she left in March for a better opportunity, things have taken a turn for the worse. We briefly had a new manager who was let go for incompetence, which led to two of my team members leaving in quick succession. After this upheaval, the director held a meeting to address our concerns, which included requests for better pay, communication, and organization. Unfortunately, we were told that there was no budget for any of that, and instead of hiring a new manager, they decided to appoint a director for the entire operations team, to whom we would report. The new director has been with us for about a month, and within her first two weeks, she expressed that managing our team was too much for her and started looking for a manager to oversee us. Although I’ve typically been content with my role, I decided to apply for the manager position since I have extensive experience and knowledge of our operations. However, when I expressed my interest, the director dismissed my application, claiming I was unqualified and preferred to hire someone with more experience, even suggesting a team lead position instead. This left me confused, especially since it seemed unnecessary for our small team of three. Later that same day, a suspicious guest visited our office, asking detailed questions about my role and expressing interest in the manager position. It turned out that this guest was familiar with the new director, which made me feel even more uneasy about the situation. I began to realize that the new director might be trying to clean house, especially after our event planner resigned and she had already interviewed someone from her previous workplace. Feeling discouraged and undervalued, I started looking for other job opportunities. I’ve been doing a lot of managerial tasks like scheduling, payroll, and team check-ins, all while being paid part-time. Despite this, the director seems to overlook my contributions and has only been checking in with me about team needs, which is frustrating. I’m now pushing back on taking on additional responsibilities without proper recognition or compensation, as I wait for them to find a manager.

I recently quit my job after being offered a new role as a civil servant at a local council, which I secured through a recruitment agency after being referred by the Job Centre. I went through the onboarding process and signed several documents, but never received an actual employment contract. Since then, my start date has been pushed back multiple times due to supposed IT issues. Now, the recruitment agency has gone completely silent, and I can't get any responses. I even reached out directly to the council, but all I get are automated replies saying they'll respond within 72 hours, which never happens. I've followed up numerous times with both the agency and the council, but I'm met with silence and no explanations. This situation has put me in a tough position since I left my previous job based on their assurances, and now I’m without steady income. To make matters worse, I need to move out of my sister's place by September. I'm feeling really lost and unsure of what to do next.

I am currently a senior project manager at a packaging company and I've been feeling incredibly burnt out lately. It's become clear to me that I need to find a new job, but I'm struggling to muster the motivation to start my job search. The job market seems really tough right now, which adds to my feelings of hopelessness and negativity. I'm reaching out for advice on how to overcome this burnout and find the drive to apply for new positions. I really want to make progress but just can't seem to get started.

It's been a week since I completed my panel presentation for a Business Operations role at a scaling startup in the US, and I'm starting to feel anxious about the lack of updates. The hiring process was incredibly fast up until now: I had a recruiter reach out right after I applied, followed by an interview with the Chief of Staff the next day. After that, I was given an assessment to complete within three days, and then I had to present my rollout strategy the day after that. During the panel, I discussed trade-offs, capacity allocation, and dependency management in detail. They mentioned they would be in touch and encouraged me to send any follow-up questions via email. I did reach out with a refined reflection on one of the scenarios we discussed, but I haven't heard back yet. I'm wondering if it's normal for the decision-making process to slow down after the panel stage, especially since the initial stages moved so quickly. Does this mean they might be interviewing other candidates or are they just taking their time to finalize an offer? I'm really hoping to hear back soon!

I got laid off after just one week in my new job as a Data Analyst at a big tech company, and I'm still in disbelief. Here's a rough timeline of my recruitment process: I applied for the role in mid-April, received an offer at the end of June, and started on July 20th. Just two days later, the entire team except for me was laid off, and by July 27th, I was let go too. I had to relocate to a new city for this position, and it’s incredibly frustrating to think that after going through two months and six interview rounds, they would do this to me so soon. I'm feeling really mad and sad about how they handle their hiring processes.

I was recently fired from my job at a law firm where I worked as a paralegal. The firm shared a suite with a larger firm that owned the break room, and there had been ongoing issues with dishes not being washed. My boss had instructed us to avoid using the break room to prove that it wasn't us causing the mess. I initially complied but eventually started using it again without realizing we were still technically banned. This led to my boss losing his conference room privileges, and ultimately, I was fired over a phone call where he claimed he tried to de-escalate the situation but the other attorneys were unyielding. I feel heartbroken because I genuinely liked my job, despite my boss's strange and unprofessional demeanor. I know I made a mistake, but it feels so unfair, especially since I had no prior experience and he gave me a chance. I've been crying for the past two days, and it's hard to process this loss.

I’ve been working in a corporate IT role for four years, but things have taken a turn for the worse. Recently, I was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) for what I believe are ridiculous reasons. For example, I accidentally put a UPS package in the FedEx box, I was told I said good morning in a "rude" tone (which I didn’t think was rude), and I forgot to inform a coworker about a password change after he clicked on a phishing link. These incidents happened over six months, yet they put me on a PIP. I managed to complete it successfully, with all the necessary paperwork signed, but since then, I feel like I’m being sidelined and micromanaged. My manager's behavior has changed, and they keep postponing a final meeting about my future at the company, leaving me in constant anxiety. I recently received a job offer from a company much closer to home. The new role pays slightly less, going from $26 an hour to $20, and I would lose my office space, returning to repairing machines in a warehouse. I’m torn between staying in my current corporate job, which feels increasingly unstable, and accepting the new position for less pay but a shorter commute. I value my office and benefits, but the toxic culture and uncertainty are taking a toll on my mental health. What should I do?

I started a new job two months ago, but I quickly realized it's not the right fit for me. This Friday, I have two interviews lined up, and I sent my resume with my previous job listed as my last position. I'm unsure about how to approach this in the interviews. Should I mention that I've been at my current job for just two months and that I'm looking for something more aligned with my expectations? I want to avoid coming off as negative, but I also want to be honest. If I decide to share this, how much detail should I go into? Any advice would be appreciated!

I interviewed with a company almost three months ago and finally heard back from them today. I received an email asking if I'm still interested in the position we discussed a couple of months ago. I'm feeling a mix of hope and anxiety about this response. I’m wondering if this indicates they liked me but the hiring process was delayed for some reason, like someone else declining an offer or a new opening for the same role. I’m planning to respond and see where this leads.

I was laid off just four days ago and have already filed for unemployment benefits. However, I've run into a bit of a snag. I've received an in-person request for identity verification that has a deadline of August 1. The problem is, I'm currently traveling and won't be back in the country until August 8, which means my verification barcode will expire before I can complete the process. I've tried reaching out for help, but the phone lines are always busy, and there's no email contact available. I'm really looking for advice on how to extend this deadline or what my options are. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I entered the workforce in 2000 after completing my undergrad and post-grad degrees, right at the peak of the dot com bubble. Unfortunately, by the end of 2002, I found myself laid off from my first job after 2.5 years of working there. During my time at that company, there was constant intrigue, political games, and rolling layoffs every 6-9 months. Despite the company's financial success and being a leader in its industry, I never received a raise or bonus, and I even faced temporary pay cuts twice. We were forced to take vacation during mandatory shutdowns, which created a toxic environment. Eventually, I was laid off in the fourth round of cuts, but I did receive a 60-day notice and a severance package. This experience taught me that a company's success doesn’t necessarily align with the well-being of its employees. It left me feeling scarred and distrustful of corporate America. I attempted to return to academic research for 1.5 years, but when that didn't pan out, I reluctantly accepted a position in 2004 at another company. This second company had a fantastic culture, and I felt a sense of belonging. I even bought my first house there. However, the Great Recession in 2009 hit, and after my employer declared bankruptcy, I managed to secure a role at an early-stage startup just days before the shutdown. After 2 years there, I transitioned to a larger startup where I've now survived 8 rounds of layoffs over almost 16 years. While I appreciate my current company and coworkers, I remain aware that I could be let go at any time, which prevents me from feeling like an 'owner' despite my long tenure. I've learned the importance of saving and investing, and over the past 26 years, my household net worth has grown significantly. I now have a liquidity runway that allows me to feel less stressed about potential layoffs and even consider early retirement in the next 5 years if the market continues to rise. My advice? Be cautious, save, and invest wisely to avoid being at the mercy of corporate decisions.

I started a job in May 2026 at an industry company, but now, just two months in, I'm considering leaving for a public accounting firm. Back in October 2025, I received a job offer from an accounting firm for Fall 2026, but they postponed it to Fall 2027, which was too long for me to wait. So, I took the industry position instead. Now, I've got an interview lined up with the public firm, and if I get the job, it would be a significant step for my career and help me gain the experience needed to become a CPA. I feel guilty about leaving my current job so soon, especially since my boss is incredibly supportive and I've been able to help him a lot. I know I don’t owe anything to companies, but I still feel bad about the timing. I’m looking for any advice on how to navigate this situation.

I'm currently facing the possibility of being fired from my civilian job at a police station in Texas. I've been there for less than a year and I'm on a three-strike system. Unfortunately, I just received my final strike for tardiness; I was late by 10 minutes and didn't notify my lieutenant in advance. My previous strikes were for mishandling a case and not following proper destruction protocols for an item. I have a personal connection at the station, as my grandmother is a Chief's Assistant, and I'm worried about how this might tarnish her reputation among the officers who know we're related. I'm hoping that if I do get fired, they might let me resign instead, which would look better on my record. My main concern is how this will affect my future job prospects, especially since I'm still in school pursuing a teaching degree and juggling multiple jobs to support myself. I understand that being fired for tardiness could impact my employability, particularly in a semi-government role. I've never been fired before; I've only quit or worked temporary positions. I'm looking for advice on how to handle this situation and improve my chances of being hired in the future, especially if potential employers reach out to my previous employer for references. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently on a temporary contract that is set to end in four weeks, and I'm feeling quite uncertain about my future here. My company hasn't confirmed whether they plan to renew my contract, and upper management has been pretty quiet about the situation. My manager mentioned that there are significant changes happening in our department, which consists of just the two of us, so I can't help but feel like I'm in a precarious position. I've been actively job hunting for the past month, but it's been challenging to stay focused at my current job. With the uncertainty surrounding the product and whether it will even exist later this year, I find it hard to engage in meetings about future plans for September and October. I'm wondering how to realistically maintain my focus during this time. Should I just concentrate on wrapping up my tasks and ensuring there are no loose ends before my contract ends?

I recently received a job offer that is significantly better than my current position. The new role offers only $5,000 more than my current salary, but it guarantees a 15% raise for the first three years, which means I would be making well over six figures after that time. Additionally, the benefits are much better, including a 10% match on the 401k and student loan repayment assistance, while my current employer offers no match and no support for student loans. When I shared the offer with my manager, he initially mentioned wanting to make a counter offer. However, he later questioned whether it was even worth it. I considered letting him make a counter offer just to see what I could negotiate, but ultimately decided against it. I felt that asking for a counter offer might just be a tactic to negotiate a higher salary at my new job. I want to leave my current job on good terms since I genuinely like my colleagues and the environment here. I do have a number in mind that I would accept, but it’s a 40% increase over my current salary, which I doubt they would match. I still haven't accepted the new offer yet, so part of me thinks about negotiating with my current employer, but it feels wrong to play with their time when they have treated me well. My primary motivation for leaving is simply to seek better benefits and higher pay.

I just learned that Visa is planning to cut about 2,600 jobs, which is roughly 7% of its workforce. This news really hit me hard as I work in the payments industry and have always admired Visa's stability. It's disheartening to see such a major player in the market making these cuts, especially when there are mixed messages about the job market. I can't help but feel concerned about the future and what this means for my own job security.

On July 28, 2026, I received an email from our CEO, Ryan McInerney, announcing significant layoffs at Visa. Approximately 2,600 employees, which is around 7% of the workforce, will be affected. The majority of the cuts are happening in Technology and Product roles, but reductions are occurring across various departments. I’m still processing this news and waiting to see how it will impact my position. It feels surreal to be part of such a large-scale reduction, and I can't help but wonder about the future of the company and our reliance on technology. Affected employees are supposed to be contacted directly starting today, and I'm anxious about what that will mean for me.

I just received some concerning news from Visa Inc. Our CEO, Ryan McInerney, sent out an email informing us that the company will be laying off 7% of the global workforce. This news has left many of us anxious, as we are hearing that notifications will be sent out within the next two days. There are a lot of questions circulating among my colleagues about whether these layoffs will affect all levels of the organization, including junior and intern positions, or if it will primarily target senior roles. I'm hoping to get more clarity soon.