The worst ways to quit a job.

• Position: At the Office

"Quit while you're ahead" may take on new meaning thanks to a survey developed by OfficeTeam, Menlo Park, Calif., a staffing service specializing in the placement of administrative professionals. Some 86% of human resources managers interviewed said the way employees quit a job at least somewhat affects their future career opportunities. Respondents also gave some examples of unusual ways workers have resigned.

HR managers were asked, "In your opinion, how does the manner in which someone quits a job affect that person's future career opportunities?" Their responses: greatly affects it (33%), somewhat affects it (53%), does not affect it at all (12%), and don't know (two percent).

Managers also were asked to recount the most unusual way they have heard someone quit a job:

* "An employee baked a cake with her resignation letter written on top."

* "A marching band accompanied one guy in his announcement."

* "The worker threw a brick through the window with the words 'I quit' written on it."

* "An employee left a sticky note explaining he was quitting."

* "The individual sent an e-mail blast to all staff."

* "One employee bragged to his colleagues that it was his last day, but failed to let the HR manager or his boss know."

* "A worker threw a cup of coffee and walked out."

Some workers went high-tech with their resignations:

* "One woman created a music video to explain she was leaving."

* "A worker sent his boss a text message."

* "One person quit via Facebook."

* "The employee submitted a message through the company website."

* "Someone resigned on a video conference call."

A few employees had someone else do their dirty work:

* "One person made his wife call to say he was not coming back."

* "The worker sent a text to his colleague and asked her...