Used and discarded: Employee's resignation note on toilet papers sparks online debate

A Singapore-based businesswoman, Angela Yeoh , has started a viral discussion on workplace culture after sharing a resignation note from an employee who claimed they felt undervalued and discarded, comparing their treatment to "toilet paper." The resignation note, written on an actual piece of toilet paper, has sparked widespread reactions online.


The resignation noteIn her LinkedIn post, Yeoh recounted the employee's striking words: "I felt like toilet paper, used when needed, discarded without a second thought." The note further read, "I have chosen this type of paper for my resignation as a symbol of how this company has treated me. I quit." While Yeoh did not confirm whether the image of the note was genuine or representational, the symbolism resonated deeply with readers.

Yeoh used the incident to highlight the importance of employee appreciation , stating, "Make your employees feel so genuinely appreciated that even when they decide to leave, they walk away with gratitude, not resentment." She emphasized that appreciation is not just a retention tool but a reflection of how much a person is valued for who they are, beyond their productivity.


Read Angela Yeoh LinkedIn post here

“𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 , 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 , 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 .”


These were the exact words that stuck with me when a candidate explained why he was leaving his job.


Make your employees feel so genuinely appreciated that even when they decide to leave, they walk away with gratitude, not resentment. That kind of experience doesn’t speak to a lack of loyalty, it speaks volumes about the company’s culture.


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.


If people leave feeling undervalued, it’s time to reflect. Small changes in appreciation make a big impact.

Start today.

Online reactionsThe post quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions. Some users praised the employee's bold move, calling it "unique" and "respectable," while others debated the role of self-worth and middle management in workplace dissatisfaction. One user commented, "Sometimes employees leave not because of the company, but because of the middle manager."