In Eve Tahmincioglu’s article,  Take this job and shove it!, on msnbc.com, she relates tales of employees quitting their jobs without notice, violating non-compete clauses, and generally letting their emotions get the best of them. This is a sad state of affairs for all involved.

If you feel betrayed or cheated, you will undoubtedly feel angry. However, there is no value in letting your anger make the situation worse. 

Unfortunately, these things tend to snowball. You hear about friends in tough straits. Tales of bold and angry acts arouse some sense of satisfaction. Soon you feel like everyone is cutting loose, the rules have changed, the employers deserve whatever they get, and you are a victim not responsible for your behavior. A mob mentality may take over.

But you are wrong. You are not a victim. You always have choices. And you are always responsible for your behavior. Don’t get caught up in anger-driven decisions. Take a deep breath and then examine your options. You will win if you weigh those options against the right criteria before you decide which action to take. Think about factors such as:

• Fulfilling contractual obligations
• Taking care of yourself and your family
• Avoiding burned bridges that may damage future opportunities
• Maintaining your personal integrity

The best options satisfy all these criteria and more. Conflicts are usually negotiable.

While you are angry, “take the job and shove it” all you want, but do it in private! Then stop, breathe, and think about what really matters. “Shoving it” rarely makes the list of important criteria.