# The Best Excuses When Quitting By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2023-03-28 When you quit your job your manager and the organizational representative will likely ask you why. At this point, you have two options: tell the truth or make up some excuse that the manager and organization will reasonably believe. As you are quitting your job, the real reason you are leaving will likely reflect poorly on the manager, the organization, or yourself. Otherwise, you might be willing to stick it out and be a part of the change. Alternatively, maybe you won the lottery or reevaluated your life in some way where working is no longer worth it. Ignoring the last edge case, telling the truth about your departure reason has little upside other than the fleeting good feeling of giving someone the middle finger. In all likelihood, your reason won't be heard or make any difference. Remember, you are quitting for a reason. So, the alternative to telling the truth is fabricating a believable excuse where everyone saves face. This includes yourself because you never know when you'll need a favor or positive reference. The best saving face excuses are true on the surface about the organization and oppose your values and belief systems. Here are a few examples: * Quitting a job because of the long commute and wanting to spend more time with your family * Quitting a job because you only manage a few people and you want the experience of managing a large team to achieve your career goals * Quitting a job because you've learned a lot about the company's industry but desire to try something new to broaden your horizons These face-saving excuses contain elements that the organization cannot change about itself. It can't change its office location, size, or industry. Furthermore, each "unchangeable" thing is the opposite of what you want. This makes it easy for the manager and organization to say things like this person left because they wanted something we could not provide, and we wish them well. The manager and organization may disagree with your values and beliefs, but it's easy for them to save face. As a thank you on the way out, they'll provide a reference and say you are always welcome back, even though you'd rather die than ever return. Yet, you'll smile, say thank you, and insist that the decision was hard. The funny thing with all of this is that you and your close colleagues are often the only ones wise to the situation. Managers and organizations will easily accept the lie without any thought because it is easier than facing the truth. So, are these actions authentic? That depends on many things, but it is authentic to the game played in modern organizations where truth and authenticity are elusive and non-value-added ideas. If you are playing the game, play it well. If you are tired of the game and all the consequences, be part of crafting a better game to play in solidarity with others. #### Related Items [[Work]] [[Quitting]] [[Excuses]] [[Management]] [[Truth]] [[Authenticity]] [[Games]]