I know the general sentiment of this sub is “fuck 'em” for stories like this, but perhaps I just need a sympathetic ear.
I worked as a pastry sous chef at a boutique hotel restaurant when I moved to this state with my wife who was starting grad school. I never wanted to work in a restaurant as a pastry chef because it generally is the worst part of the industry, but I needed a well-paying job ASAP to support my wife and myself.
After four months of the worst job I have ever had I finally got offered a job I am incredibly excited about much closer to home, $10k raise, 4 weeks vacation, 100% employer-paid health benefits, etc.
I put in my 2 weeks' notice, well, 2 weeks ago. Because I am a pushover and didn't want my departure to make my boss (the pastry chef) work 80-hour weeks into Christmas I agreed to work through Christmas with this week being modified so I could do orientation at my new job through the week.
All last week I was hammered with extra prep, it was busy as hell because everyone has to have holiday parties at this place, and I kept getting assigned more and more to do. After my last day before my weekend, I decided it wasn't worth it to miss Christmas with my wife to work for this place beyond my “professional obligation”. So I decided to just not show up yesterday and ignore all calls from my (former) boss.
I feel terrible knowing the stress it is going to cause him, but I feel so relieved at the same time. I genuinely could enjoy my days off without dreading going back to that place. And now I have time to make gingerbread houses with my wife and help her edit her papers for Grad school finals. So there is a mixed bag of emotions, but I start my new job this week and I am super happy about that.