I left a toxic job over a year ago. I actually haven't worked since—that job left me so burnt out, jaded, and unhappy, I've been struggling with my mental health and trying to figure out what's next for me for the last year now. I'm lucky enough to have an amazing, supportive partner who makes enough to support both of us until I find the next thing.
This morning, I saw I had a LinkedIn message in my inbox from someone I've never worked with or even spoken to. It was the person they found to replace me several months after I quit. She'd written me something along these lines:
Hi,
I'm currently working in this role at this organization, but I'm actively looking for a new job. I know you worked here before me, and I found your portfolio. It's so good! I'm honestly stunned at all the things you got done here in your time, especially considering how they talk about you around here.
This might not be something you want to think about again, but I'd be really curious to know what your experience was working here. I have a feeling there are a lot of things we could commiserate about. Anyway, I'm glad you're now living in your new city and I hope you're doing well there!
Best,
Replacement
I was stunned. I gave that job so much. At one point, I was doing at least 3 people's jobs. I always completed twice as much work as the mediocre white man they paid more for the same job. I carried the asses of the gaggle of 60+ y/o employees who didn't know how to work a computer and were only there because they'd rather be getting paid than retire. They put me on furlough even though they promised not to, and I still completed the same amount of work. I saved people's asses constantly. I was far and away the most competent person in my entire department. When I left, I literally watched the entire team crumble as they failed to release anything for months after I left (yep, I was responsible for literally 90% of what they put out). And they really have the nerve to spin to my replacement that I sucked? Wow.
I'm not mad, that job and those people mean nothing to me, it's almost funny to see such confirmation of just how shitty they are. I added back my replacement immediately. I'm spilling all the tea to her, including how I found out they keep illegally increasing the salary of mediocre white guy to assure he's always paid more than the women they keep hiring to pick up his slack.