'I'm going to need you to step up': Manager demands worker comes in despite already having plans with family

Brad Dickson • Managing Editor

May 31, 2023 12:00 PM EDT

People have a habit of deflecting their own problems onto other people. If you own a business and don't schedule or hire enough people for a holiday weekend, that's probably your own fault—and your own problem to resolve. Still, it's pretty common for business owners and managers to turn around and blame workers for not being available at the last minute when they already have plans.

This worker shared their experience on Reddit's r/antiwork subreddit, sharing screenshots of an exchange that occurred between them and their boss. Their boss had texted them, asking them to come to work the following morning when it was already 8 PM the night before—on a holiday, nonetheless. When the worker responded that they would be spending Memorial Day with their family… multiple states away. Their boss tried to coax them into coming in, telling them that they needed them to "step up" and saying that it was "unbelievable" that they wouldn't come in.

Readers of the thread were shocked and shared their thoughts and advice in the comments. Read on to see the original text exchange and reactions below. Next, check out this IT guy who quit and scheduled a scathing email to the entire company.