Just how bad is it to walk out on a job?

Question

I thought I was going to be fired from of all places Wal-Mart so I just quit on the spot. Now I'm told by a job counselor that was worse than being fired. When I did it I was using my immediat supervisor's example since she quit the day before.

Answer 1

Don't sweat it. Just don't put it on your resume or any job applications. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. But in general, try to give 2 weeks notice next time and act like you are very sorry to leave even if you aren't. How you leave a job will tremendously impact any references you receive.

Answer 2

It's usually pretty hard to get fired from a job, especially, I would think, at a corporate place like Wal-Mart.
They have to document disciplinary action first.
Theft, coming to work under the influence, or sexual harassment are examples of big offenses that could get you fired on the spot, however.

If you walked out on the job, make sure to check the box that says "please do not contact this employer" on future job applications.
Chances are you won't be eligible for rehire at Wal-Mart for at least a year, and that won't be something a future employer wants to hear when calling to check your references.

However, that certainly doesn't mean you're unemployable.

If the job stunk and you had your reasons, you should feel relieved and empowered by your actions, not worried about the past. What's done is done. Move on to something better!

Good luck :-)

Answer 3

It's bad if you want to use it as a reference and people ask how/why that job ended. It's bad form to leave a job without at least 2 weeks notice. It's always better to quit the 'right' way rather than just walking out. Some people may see it as equivalent to getting fired for doing something slightly 'bad'. It shows they can't really trust you because you may walk out at any minute if you're unhappy. If you can come up with a really good reason for having done that it might make up for it but some people won't care what your reason was, especially if it's a place that feels strongly about following 'rules'. If you never mention that job again, it doesn't really matter so much.

Answer 4

It is not that big of a deal. Just don't go into details about it in other job interviews. Most retail jobs you can quit get fired with no notice. Now if you were a babysitter, surgeon, chauffeur, private care nurse, or teacher and walked out on your job, then it would be really bad. 20 children running around wild, some one cut open, a car full of confused drunk tourists, some one has a stroke and is home alone. If you are a good employee don't stress it. I have worked for at least five different stores and no one ever asked for details for why I quit. They were happy to have an employee.

Answer 5

As a career counselor I have to agree with your job counselor, because it's always best to give two weeks notice and if you admitted you were fired you'd have a better chance of appropriately explaining your side of what happened if you had to. If you didn't work there long, just don't include it on your job history. All they can say if someone calls for a reference is that you worked there and for how long, what your wage was and if you are eligible for rehire. Fired or quit, either way, you wouldn't be eligible for rehire so it doesn't matter.

On the other side, I can understand why you did it. Getting fired really sucks and this way you took control of the situation. Just try to learn from the experience.

Answer 6

Thats one you will probably be able to get away with because we all know Wal Mart is not this wonderful place to work at or have a carreer. But, the problem with just quitting a job is that you do not qualify for any out of work benefits and in future job interviews it may be difficult to justify your reasons for doing so thus making a potential future employer question your intentions.

Answer 7

Walking out on a job is worse than getting fired because at least if you are fired (laid off, terminated, relieved of duty, etc.) there is the possibility that you can explain the facts of the situation to a future employer and have them overlook it, or if it wasn't your fault, that will also come out. If you walk off a job without giving reasonable notice, that's bad because there is no way that a future employer is going to believe that you were not at fault somehow. It only makes you look guilty of something. Not only that, but it sends a clear message not only to your current employer but also to future employers that you lack loyalty, respect, and a strong work ethic, all of which are qualities of a valued employee. If you simply can't see yourself continuing a job, at least give 2 weeks if not the usual and customary 30 days. That allows your employer the chance to find a replacement, and it looks better on a reference.

Answer 8

The best advice I ever received about employment was this:

Don't ever quit a job until you have another lined up, AND always give your notice (it doesn't necessarily have to be 2 weeks).

When I remember to follow this advice it helps me to keep a cool head in bad situations at work.

You are always in control of whether or not you choose to stay at a job. However, you are also in control of leaving in a manner which you will respect yourself for (and not lose money over).

Answer 9

It's considered appropriate to give two weeks' notice before leaving a job so they can find someone to replace you. So I can see how what you did is not considered "kosher" in business. It's too late to change the past, so I guess you can just do whatever the job counselor tells you to do now.

Answer 10

Things have to be pretty bad to walk out on a job but you should have had another job to go to.My son walked out on a job once. He turned in his two week notice and then he left that day.He did not have a new job to start. He tried to get unemployment but he couldn't get it since he quit.