Ghosting at work becomes more common

Getting ghosted, when someone ends communication without notice, usually after a date, is common these days, but employers are also getting ghosted with workers just up and quitting.

Most employees are not legally required to give two weeks’ notice when quitting, but it is a common practice.

Whataburger manager Amanda Clarke has dealt with her fair share of employees ghosting her workplace.

“It’s a common occurrence when it comes to those who are unhappy with their job,” Clarke said. “They find it more simple to just not show up anymore rather than go through with a two weeks’ notice.”

Clarke said in most of those situations, it’s usually for the best.

“They typically did not want to be there already and may have been doing more harm to the shifts they were assigned rather than good,” Clarke said.

Marketing major Jesy Good has ghosted two of her jobs in recent years.

“With one of my jobs, I was having issues with my department manager,” Good said. “I felt singled out and it felt very personal. I talked to the store manager to be moved to a different department, but she refused to move me, so I just walked out.”

The second time, she said, happened when she found another job quicker than expected. 

“I didn’t have time to put my two weeks in, so I just quit without notice,” Good said.

Good said she felt when looking for a new job, her abrupt quitting could be a liability.

“Most places aren’t going to hire someone that’s going to walk out,” Good said. “I usually don’t tell them I have done that before. I’ll just lie and say I was looking for something new, or different, and that I wasn’t happy at that particular job.”

Career counselor Fernando Garza warns students that quitting without notice will hurt their chances at their next employment.

“When you apply for another job, they will contact your previous employer to ask about the performance you gave,” Garza said. “They look for a positive response, not one where they say you cut out and left them to dry.”

Garza suggests workers be courteous and give their employer a two weeks’ notice if they plan to quit.

“It will give your employment time to prepare for a replacement,” Garza said. “You’re also not just hurting your employer, you’re hurting your fellow co-workers. You create a problem and give them added pressure to make sure your work is covered.”

Good said she will think twice before walking out of another job.

“I know it’s bad, but it’s my temper really,” Good said. “I will try my hardest next time to resolve any issues before thinking about quitting. It does look bad on my resume when they see I only worked at one place for only a month.” 

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