Definition: Given a real-life anecdote of a complex ethical situation, generate a suitable title that describes the main event/root cause of the situation. Imagine that the given text is a social media post, and you have to write the title of the post, so the users can decide to read the main text or not.
Input: When I was 17, I worked in fast food. Overall, I liked the job because of the people I worked with and just having a “customer service” personality. However, I was planning on quitting my job because I was going to be a senior in high school and I had activities and extra curriculars in the fall that wouldn’t allow me to work. I went to the general manager and put in my two weeks and he was very understanding.

It was my last shift working there, and somewhat emotional after spending 2 years there and meeting many friends as well as my boyfriend at the time. I was working a 10 hour shift, 3pm-1am. I was a closer, and in the company policy, closers and any shift 8+ hours gets a 30 minute break to eat. We are not allowed to eat on the clock at all so I was counting on this break for dinner.

The supervisor that was working always pulls the “legally I don’t have to give any breaks” card out whenever employees complain. Normally he just says it to be a jerk and everyone gets their breaks anyways. It’s 7pm and the dinner rush is beginning to slow down so I ask what time I will get my break. Supervisor says “you shouldn’t even be asking right now, I don’t even know if we are giving out breaks tonight.”

7:30 rolls around, supervisor takes his break. I’m a little salty because most supervisors make sure everyone else has breaks before they take their own but I didn’t say anything.

8:30 comes, nobody has had breaks and since I clocked on a couple hours before the other closers, I am getting my break first, per company policy. The drive thru and lobby are both empty, and I ask for my break. I am starving. Supervisor says, “I’m not giving any breaks tonight.” I go talk to the other employees and I’m pretty upset because I’m working 10 hours, we’re not busy, and I’m supposed to get a break.

9:00, still nobody in the drive thru nor the lobby. I am getting distracted by how hungry I am, but I don’t steal any food or break the rules. I’ve had it at this point and it was my last shift so I had nothing to lose. I ask for a break one more time. Supervisor says “I told you, nobody is getting breaks tonight. I don’t legally have to give you one so you’re going back to work.” I then took off my hat and my headset and said I was leaving, supervisor replies, “are you fucking kidding me?” and I just silently walk out. 

After all this, the rest of the closers got their breaks and the general manager told me that I was still a good employee for him and that he would still be a good reference for me. My dad was irate and said that there is never ever an excuse to walk out of a shift no matter what. I feel guilty, however I did put in my two weeks and tried to be respectful to my bosses. Sometimes I still feel guilty.

storming out of my job