How Workers Are Using TikTok To Quit Their Jobs
A new trend has emerged on TikTok, where young workers are sharing real-time footage of the moment they quit their jobs.
A new trend has emerged on TikTok, where young workers are sharing real-time footage of the moment they quit their jobs. Dubbed Quittok, the often emotional clips have attracted thousands of views on the platform. Some folks are seen struggling to make the decision, others express feelings of guilt, and some discuss how their work has taken a toll on their mental health.
Despite the challenges, these workers are taking a leap of faith and leaving their jobs in search of something better. In 2020, Marisa Jo Mayes was using TikTok as a way to distract herself from a job that made her miserable. That’s when she decided to live-quit. “I had a nice paycheck, got to travel, and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry,” she told BBC Worklife.
But the 29-year-old Arizona resident said she was in the “deepest burnout” of her life. “I couldn’t think about anything besides work and was struggling with stress-induced health issues,” Mayes explained. She shared a 30-second TikTok video documenting the moments before she called her boss. He sent her call to voicemail, where she explained that it was time for her to move on.
Mayes also documented the moments after she left the message saying she felt relieved. “It’s like an elephant foot off my chest. But I’m also sad,” she captioned the TikTok video. Two years later, the video is one of the most viewed #quittok moments. The 29-year-old said sharing the moment felt natural since sharing her life on the social media platform was part of her routine.
“I had been sharing a lot of my self-development journey,” she told BBC Worklife. “So it felt like a natural thing to share since it was such a huge life event.” The reactions to the TikTok videos have been mixed. Some see it as a powerful statement about the changing nature of employment. Others say the trend is unprofessional and simply another form of clout chasing.
But since most young folks on TikTok have grown in the digital age, they are used to sharing their lives online. According to California-based therapist Tess Brigham, sharing the moment they resign from a job is expected. “It’s how this generation has experiences. It’s how they’ve learned to be in the world,” she explained.
The TikTok trend also points to fundamental changes in work attitudes. Gen Z (and some Millennials) are drowning in student debt while stuck in low-income jobs. Their early employment experiences have also been shaped by Covid-19, as some folks have never stepped inside an office. Due to a combination of these stressors, younger workers are prioritizing happiness over money.
As a result, they see the TikTok trend as a community of people quitting toxic jobs as an inspiration. The videos take different forms, from filming departures on a live Zoom call to recording themselves handing in a resignation letter. Some are tense, others are funny, but they are all compelling.
As the TikTok trend continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on the job market and the future of employment. Department of Labor says millions of Americans quit their jobs each year. But for many young workers, Quittok symbolizes hope and a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.
