SPY -0.80%
BND +0.63%
QQQ -2.58%
DIA +0.31%
VNQ +0.40%
GLD -0.16%
BTC -2.80%
AAPL -0.19%
GOOGL -4.01%
NVDA -6.41%
MSFT -3.19%
META -7.43%
AMZN -3.72%
TSLA -6.64%
UBER -2.10%
GS -1.46%
BAC -4.50%
JPM +2.22%
BRK.A +1.78%
COST +3.95%
XOM +2.38%
BABA -1.64%
WMT +5.76%
SPCX -8.20%
DIS +1.51%
F +2.93%
Live a richer life.
  • Discounts and special offers
  • Subscriber-only articles and interviews
  • Breaking news and trending topics

Already a subscriber?

By signing up, you accept Moneywise's Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

Not interested ?

Home
Employment
Close up of cardboard box with a person's hands packing it full of office supplies. chayanuphol/Shutterstock

'You are just a number': Woman claims in TikTok video her employer of 10 years locked her out of her laptop just minutes after she gave notice. Here are her takeaways

Serah Louis
Jun 1, 2023
Share
Email
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Reddit
Follow us
Newsletter
Instagram
Facebook
Tiktok
X
Youtube

Follow us on Google for more Moneywise news

Add us on Google

Valerie Thompkins says she was locked out of her work laptop just 20 minutes after submitting her two weeks notice — despite having been a loyal employee at the company for nearly a decade.

Don't miss

"You are just a number to your employer. Everyone is replaceable,” Thompkins proclaimed in the caption of a TikTok video that went viral, receiving more than five million views and thousands of comments from viewers recounting similar experiences and offering their own tips.

"It's never that deep," she said in the video text overlay. "Take your [paid time off]. Work will always be there."

Make the most of every paycheck.

By signing up, you accept Moneywise Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

The children’s book author and IT project manager also responded to several viewer comments in follow-up videos, sharing her insights when it comes to growth in the workplace and more. Here are four of her takeaways.

Must Read

1. Act your wage

You may have heard “act your wage” before — the phrase, along with the “quiet quitting” trend, took social media by storm last year.

Advertisement

Thompkins says while many jobs want you to go “above and beyond” and “do all the bells and whistles” while paying you the same rate they hired you with, it’s still possible to find better opportunities and get that promotion without having to “break your back.”

On top of that, if you’re used to giving 120% at work, you could be accused of underperforming when you pull back to just 100%. Thompkins explains once you start taking on extra tasks, whether projects or volunteer events, it could become the expectation.

“If you’re not reaping the benefits of being an overachiever, make sure you’re clocking out at 5:00 sharp,” she said.

2. Make sure you have opportunity for growth

Thompkins says there’s room for growth at all companies, big and small — but sometimes it’s just you who’s not growing.

“This is a reality check conversation that you have to have with yourself,” she advised.

You may see your coworkers getting promoted or people who joined the company after you moving up the ladder faster. Whether you’re not being recognized and awarded for your talent or you’ve simply learned all you can where you are, you need to stop and consider your options.

You could be happy at your job and still want to stick around, or decide it’s time for you to move on and find success elsewhere.

Read More: About 1 in 5 Americans over 50 has zero retirement savings. Here's why it's not too late

3. Fund your career and investments

Thompkins says while she got her first “big girl job” at 21, she didn’t expect the income to house and feed her for the rest of her life.

Advertisement

While she worked, she started saving up for any potential investment or business ideas she might have down the road — which ended up being writing children’s books.

“When it came time to start my business, I already had the funds ready,” she recounted. “I was able to create supplemental income because I had been saving from my corporate job.”

Similarly, you may want to seek creative ways to invest in yourself too. You could start your own side hustle, learn new skills to add to your resume or even try dipping your toe into the stock market with just your spare change.

4. Don’t quit without a plan

One viewer on Thompkins’ video advocated for leaving your job immediately at the first sign of trouble and toxicity, but the tech employee cautioned extra care in situations like this, adding you should find your next job before you hand in your resignation.

If you can’t wait to find something else, she suggests being proactive about finding your next opportunity — keep your resume and LinkedIn page up to date and continue to network within your field. But if you’re going to put yourself at risk without any income, Thompkins would strongly urge you to reconsider.

“Do not put yourself in a place to be hungry or homeless, even when the job is toxic,” she said.

You May Also Like

Share this:
Serah Louis Reporter

Serah Louis is a reporter with Moneywise.com. She enjoys tackling topical personal finance issues for young people and women and covering the latest in financial news.

more from Serah Louis
Inez Hudson, 73, sets up shop with her baked goods outside a grocery store in Lakeland, Florida.

Employment • Aug 26

'I do it all myself': This Florida grandma sells homemade cakes and pies just to get by — she's part of a wave of retirement-age Americans who continue to work

M. Friedman speaks with CBS News Miami about his home insurance in Coral Gables, Florida.

Insurance • Aug 26

'It's really math': Florida homeowners are self-insuring amid surging costs — but can they afford to risk a 'catastrophic' loss?

Explore the latest

Disclaimer

The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither investment, tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, enter into any loan, mortgage or insurance agreements or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.

†Terms and Conditions apply.