'I quit': Toilet paper resignation note shared by Singapore boss sparks workplace culture debate

In an incident that sparked widespread discussion on social media, a Singapore-based company director, Angela Yeoh, shared an unusually blunt resignation letter from an employee—written on a piece of toilet paper. The post, made on LinkedIn, quickly went viral as users reacted to the symbolic gesture and its stark commentary on workplace culture.

The employee, who felt mistreated and undervalued, reportedly handed in their resignation using toilet paper to convey a message about how they believed they had been treated by the organisation. The handwritten note on the toilet paper read: “I have used this kind of paper to resign because this company has also treated me in the same way. I am leaving the job.”

Yeoh, who serves as director of the unnamed company, shared the photograph of the resignation note online and revealed that the employee had felt “used” and discarded, likening their experience to disposable toilet paper. Another portion of the message read: “I felt like toilet paper, used when needed, discarded without a second thought.”

In her post, Yeoh reflected on the situation, writing: “Make your employees feel so genuinely appreciated that even when they decide to leave, they walk away with gratitude, not resentment.” She further emphasised that appreciation should not be viewed merely as a retention strategy, but as an essential measure of a person’s worth within a workplace. “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 added.