I recommend not waiting until the last day to take stock of any personal files you might have on lying around on your work computer. Burn your files onto a CD to take home days in advance. Oh...and then delete those files from your work computer.

Make one last stroll through the supply closet and load up on sticky notes.

You are far better off leaving on your own terms, not your employers. I have only been laid off once (unexpected downsizing); all the other times I have walked away.

You are also better off being civil and professional. Burning bridges may come back to haunt you as there is no guarantee that your paths will not cross.

Each situation is different. I've had managers from whom I would not ask a recommendation. Almost all of my jobs have been found through networking (not some headhunter or job board), so it pays to be pleasant and play nice.

Though it's hard not to get angry when leaving a job --especially when it's not your idea to go--you'll always be better served to leave in peace. When people ask, looking for dirt no doubt, reply with honest but complimentary statements. Not because your employer deserves it... but because others know what's really going down and will respect the heck out of you for taking the high road. Your reputation is more important that justice.

I was laid off a few months ago and, while I was praised by my boss while doing my job, was unable to get a letter of recommendation after I left. And because of the less-than-friendly attitude, I feel really reluctant to use him as a reference because I could not get an explanation for the change in attitude.

However, the thing that I learned is to ask for something that I was accustomed to receiving while in the Marines once or twice a year which is an "attaboy" for doing a good job on a project (before getting laid off). I had assumed incorrectly that I would get a letter of recommendation when I would leave.

It didn't really occur to me until just now that I certainly would have benefited from having such letters for future job interviews. I would dare say that I wouldn't even need a letter of recommendation or that it would have been easier to get a letter of recommendation upon leaving if I had such "attaboys" on record.

Lesson learned!

Off topic, but I love that picture, and I know exactly where in New York it is. Cool!

I totally got burned at one of my previous jobs. My boss was really cool when I first started the job, but over the years he became a control freak and started to micromanage all of my daily tasks. When he realized I didn't want to be his errand boy, he fired me. He cited poor performance as the reason for the termination.

I have to admit that I saw the warning signs and I should've left on my own sooner. But I was actually trying to find a new job before quitting. Of course, that didn't work out. So my advice to people is not to wait. It really sucks when interviewers ask if you've ever been fired from a job and you have to say, yes.

Oh, I forgot to mention.. I applied for a job once and they asked for my previous manager's number and extension to verify employment. I told them to call HR and payroll instead. But they insisted on the manager's number. I gave it to them. And no surprise.. my previous manager never returned their phone calls or inquiries. Jerk.

I use the old 'slash and burn' technique. I slash my boss' tires then put a flaming bag of poo on the hood.

I am in a 'bad job' position now. I hear rumors that my manager wants to get rid of me. Problem is that I am a government employee and I haven't done anything wrong so they can't just get rid of me. So what they do is make my life hell.

As an example, they had me lifting and delivering equipment only to find out that I have a bad back. So then they stopped giving me that crapwork and are scratching their heads what to do to me next. But in the mean time they try to make my job inconvenent as possible. And to think that I have an MBA and I am doing low grade grunt work!

They are now refusing to reemburse me for mileage by stating I turn it in too late. In a sense, make my working for them is cost me money! So now I will send it the very next day!

They also keep me in the 'out-of-the-way' areas ... out of sight, out of mind. But I will say that my division has been under investigations and sued by other employees and contractors, current and former, so many times. But because the clique is so 'tight' they can't seem to get the cancer out!

And that doesn't count the illegal activities! They forget that even though they are making my life hell, I know where the 'bodies' are buried!

My recommendations ... Look for another job, always keep your resume updated, and get a resignation letter ready to turn in! Also if you have any friends in the company get letters of recommendation BEFORE you leave! If they happen to be in management the better!

I walked away from my job about a year ago and it was the best decision I've ever made. It was a little bit scary not knowing exactly what I was going to do next, but I was in a fortunate place where my freelancing that I'd been doing on the side had potential to take off.

If you can trust in a certain amount of serendipity and don't burn your bridges too badly, leaving on your own terms is the only way to go.

Before letting your boss know that you are going to walk away from your job, it's always a good idea to first receive a letter of recommendation. Although it may send a sign to your boss that you're thinking about leaving, it's much easier to receive their praise before you confirm that you are leaving.
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