CASE #1
Context: Full-time job as a web developer in Eastern Europe
My boss was explaining something to me. When he left the room to answer a phone call, I quickly left the office and never communicated with the company again.
Outcome: I avoided being dragged down by work requests from that company, which would have kept me near the previous salary range for longer. I moved on to work as a freelancer for Western clients.
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CASE #2
Context: Four and five-figure remote freelance jobs
On five occasions, ceased all communications with freelance clients: deleted the project from my computer, blacklisted their email addresses. In some cases I communicated the fact to the client.
Outcome: Nothing much. Moved on to greener pastures.
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CASE #3
Context: Lead developer at a startup without traction running out of funding
Took a week off, at the end of which I made a broad email blacklist, encompassing the entire company (including many keywords, should they attempt to contact me from a different address), changed my phone number.
Outcome: Losing contact with a very well-connected person. Not having to participate in the death throes of a company I did not have any stake in.
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CASE #4 (unsuccessful)
Context: Lead developer at a startup
Left suddenly for several months, after which the company took me back and doubled my pay. The exact same scenario happened again one year later.
Outcome: Getting caught in a golden cage. I became something of a prima donna, but with with the company expanding the development team, this will not last. I will probably leave on good terms for a change.