I worked for a large US big box retailer in their corporate IT department.
Was with them for just over 2 years. I worked my ass off and was a complete yes man. Did everything they asked. Our department was severely affected by the pandemic. We lost all of our overseas team (hundreds of employees) who we relied on quite a bit. This resulted in myself and other colleagues taking later night shifts and working overtime to the point of burnout.
During this time I had received a raise each year for roughly around $1 each time and a few meager bonuses which weren't worth it after taxes.
During this time, the company was reporting over a 200% increase in profits. They never missed a chance to brag about it in meetings. Yet they refused to share the wealth with those of us who had taken on 3x the workload.
Fast forward to this year. I received a job offer to start out as a first year apprentice in a trade job with a Union which would result in a 36% increase in my starting hourly rate with guaranteed raises for the next 5 years, plus good benefits and a pension.
I had over 80+ hours of PTO that I had earned/ accrued with my company. I gave them my 2 weeks notice as curtesy and asked if I could be payed out for my remaining PTO balance. They denied me and told me It would be forfeit. In the state I worked, they are not legally obligated to pay me for it.
I tried to dispute it. Told HR and my Manager how loyal I have been to them and that I did the right thing by giving them notice.
It made no difference, they didn't care.
So long story short, I learned my lesson. I will never give notice again. I will burn up all my PTO I have and then on my last day of vacation I will inform my employers it is my last day.
Please learn from my mistake. Be well all!