Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/1taaqx0/my_old_toxic_company_is_trying_to_get_me_back/

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The original was posted on /r/antiwork by /u/mirabelmumu on 2026-05-11 17:48:04+00:00.

I got a very strange phone call today from my old job. I had left that toxic place about 8 months ago after they completely refused to give me any decent salary increase. The important thing is I found a new job at a much better company, and my salary increased by 120%.

Apparently, things have completely fallen apart there since I left, and they can't find anyone to take over my old responsibilities. So now they're calling me again, offering me a salary higher than my current one just to come back.

Of course, I have absolutely no intention of going back. My current job is great, the culture is healthy, and I'm no longer stressed all the time. Honestly, the only thing I miss is being the go-to person there. I had the final say in all the tech decisions, and that kind of gave me an ego boost, lol.

So tell me, Reddit, what's the classiest way to tell them to leave me alone?

Edit: I’m not going back. Honestly, it’s not a benefit to be the smartest person in the room. I’d rather surround myself with people who are smarter than me so I can actually learn and grow.

I am currently looking for another job and I will indeed be transferring, but I still feel some anxiety. After this post, I came across some posts on Reddit about similar situations that people have gone through with companies, and I hope I make the right decision.

No money is worth going back to a toxic work environment anyway.