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Most of us know what it’s like to be stuck in a job that we don’t feel is right for us any more. Whether that it’s that we’re just bored with the role, frustrated about a lack of progression opportunities, or being badly treated by management, there’s more than enough reasons to look for something else. But plenty of folk don’t.

Why? Because it’s easier to keep turning up every day to a job that makes you miserable than to apply, interview for, and actually secure a new job – especially at a new company where you don’t know if things might be even worse than they are now. But that lack of desire to change things up not only leads employees to feeling worse and worse as time goes on, it also allows companies to be complacent – because if their staff aren’t leaving, surely nothing needs to change?

Thankfully for the guy in this story, he secured a new job after over three decades with his old company – during which time he became increasingly disillusioned. Now the clock is ticking toward his last day – but he’d really rather it came a little sooner.

Read on to find out why.

AITA if I don’t show up for my last day of work?

As the title pretty much suggests, I start a new position with a new company come January 4th.

I’ve been with my present employer for 34 years, and I am considered the most qualified, experienced and knowledgeable manager they have. (I know even by reading that, that it sounds arrogant, but it is just plain fact that my soon to be ex-employer has admitted).

However, after almost thirty years of working shifts and nightshifts, I’d had enough and wanted a dayshift transfer. I’ve been asking for almost five years, but have been rebuffed, overlooked and just plain ignored.

I’ve lost count of the number of new starters who have started on nights then transferred to days, while I’ve been stuck.

So of course, this long-standing employee looked for a new venture.

just over a year ago, I started looking for a new job in earnest, not really thinking too much about really leaving, when I had an interview for a job which worked out to be much better pay and much better hours and came with quite a few benefits I haven’t had before.

I handed in my resignation two weeks ago, much to the dumbfounded shock of my bosses, who thought I would just continue to languish on nights.

Although I had enough holiday left over to finish at the start of last week, I agreed to sell it back to them so I could try to train my successor prior to my departure.

But then, things changed again.

I found out on Monday, that they had messed up the recruitment process, and were told by corporate HR that they couldn’t just slide the guy they wanted in to the position, and would have to do the recruitment all over again.

I’m currently working twelve hour nightshifts right up until midnight Christmas Eve, but I’m sorely tempted to finish Wednesday and not turn up Thursday just to **** them off and shut down a £50million plant for a day.

AITA?

Honestly, it’s understandable that this soon to be ex-employee is frustrated, especially if they thought they’d be finished in time for Christmas.

Clearly they have a lot of resentment toward the company which refused to move them from night shifts, and this is yet another example of the company doing things badly.

But to not turn up and force the closure wouldn’t reflect well on him, and might even harm his reference for future roles too.

Let’s see what folk on Reddit made of this.

This person agreed that it could affect his references.

While others thought there could be financial implications too.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an employee who was passed over for a promotion, so got a job with the competition and quit immediately.

Meanwhile, this Redditor encouraged him to be the bigger man.

Sure it’s annoying, and sure they’ve messed him around for three decades. But at least he knows that this time will be the last time. He might have to work Christmas, but at least he’ll be leaving with his head held high, knowing that the company lost out on a great employee – and that they’re going to miss his dedication and expertise – rather than not turning up on his last day and leaving the company feeling like him leaving was the best thing for them.

After all, he’s walking into a better job with the hours he wants, and much better pay and benefits too. His old company will likely suffer in the long run, since others might end up following him out of the door. In the end, his old company will suffer without him, but at least he won’t have a wildly expensive shutdown on his conscience – or on his employee records.