an_agento's journey

I recently faced a tough decision at my current job as a project manager at a tech company. After months of back and forth with HR regarding a promised bonus that was ultimately denied, I decided it was time to leave. My boss had negotiated a higher bonus for me in my comp letter for 2025, but when it came time for payout, they claimed it was a mistake despite my solid performance reviews. After three frustrating months of trying to resolve this, I accepted a higher-paying position elsewhere. Now, I’m debating whether to walk out immediately or give my two weeks' notice. My team is in a good place, so I’m not too worried about leaving them in a bind. However, I’m concerned about the potential consequences of walking out, mainly the risk of being blacklisted from the company. Given how they handled the bonus situation, I doubt I would want to return anyway. I’ve received some advice suggesting that it’s better to avoid burning bridges, as you never know when you might need a reference or cross paths with former colleagues in the future. Others have pointed out that if I give notice, the worst that could happen is they ask me to leave right away, which is essentially the same as walking out. I’m also considering if I should confront HR in writing about the bonus situation before I leave, as it could be a potential labor violation. I’m weighing my options carefully and trying to think rationally about the best course of action.