While I haven't ghosted anyone, if you are sure you will not be able to get an honest reference from them because they were dishonest people, if they say you gh

While I haven't ghosted anyone, if you are sure you will not be able to get an honest reference from them because they were dishonest people, if they say you ghosted them, at least it's clear to anyone asking that there is another side to the story. Let's say you worked at a Theranos, your options are a) to quit amicably with the real risk they will try to discredit you to protect their reputation, b) stay and become compromised until you are thrown under the bus and fired, or c) cut off all contact and create uncertainty about how much leverage you could have while you move on and rebuild. Barring martyring yourself as a whistle blower with or without evidence, c) looks pretty good. Looking back viewed through a lens like this, I can say people could even regret not-ghosting some former employers.