A dramatic resignation letter from an employee in Singapore has gone viral. Shared on LinkedIn by Angela Yeoh, a company director, the incident involved an employee who submitted their resignation using toilet paper — a bold statement meant to reflect how they felt undervalued and discarded.
Resignation That Left a Mark
Angela Yeoh, a director at a firm in Singapore, revealed the emotional impact of the resignation letter, which included the exact words: “I felt like toilet paper, used when needed, discarded without a second thought.” She explained how the statement stayed with her, saying, “These were the exact words that stuck with me.”
To emphasize the point, she also shared a photo of a handwritten resignation note on a piece of toilet paper. The note read, “I have chosen this type of paper for my resignation as a symbol of how this company has treated me. I quit.” However, she clarified that the image might have been representational, and did not confirm whether it was the actual note submitted.
A Wake-Up Call on Employee Treatment
In her post, Angela expressed her reflections on the incident. “Make your employees feel so genuinely appreciated that even when they decide to leave, they walk away with gratitude, not resentment,” she wrote. She emphasized that such a departure does not point to disloyalty but rather says a lot about the company’s work environment.
Angela continued, “Appreciation isn’t just a tool for retention. It’s a reflection of how much a person is valued, not just for what they do but for who they are.” She urged other leaders to take such situations seriously, stating, “If people leave feeling undervalued, it’s time to reflect. Small changes in appreciation have a big impact. Start today.”
Public Reaction: From Support to Self-Reflection
The LinkedIn post quickly went viral, drawing strong opinions from users. One user commended the bold move, saying, “Unique, I respect it. I did something very similar a long while ago.” Another offered a different perspective, writing, “If you feel like the company is making you feel small or unimportant, remember – that’s not necessarily a reflection of them, but rather something you need to address within yourself.”
A third person highlighted a common issue in workplaces, stating, “Sometimes, employees leave not because of the company, but because of the middle manager. And very often it is.”
Though the use of toilet paper as a resignation medium may have seemed dramatic, the message it delivered was unmistakable. The act highlighted the importance of valuing employees not just for their productivity but also for their humanity.