'[Boss] sent me a "Somebody's Got a Case of the Mondays" gif': Employee shamed for calling in sick after working OT, confronts boss about his bad joke

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Oct 19, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

Not only did this boss have absolutely no right to question his employee's decision to call in sick, but also he made things even worse by trying to make a joke out of it. If you've ever been someone's manager, you would know that while having a sense of humor can lighten the tension, having a bad sense of humor can produce the complete opposite effect. 

This thread was posted to Reddit by u/ShiftyPom, who worked for a small family-run business and had recently been working overtime for several weeks in a row. This combined with a lack of sleep naturally led to the employee getting sick. When he called his boss to say he wasn't coming in that day, his boss responded with a "Somebody's Got a Case of the Mondays" gif, which, of course, is way out of line. Even if it were true and the employee simply needed a day to himself, his boss simply cannot question it since OP is totally entitled to those days.

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions in the comments section. For more stories like this, check out this post about a supervisor who fired her staff for literally obeying the rules.

Advertisement
  • 01
    Hand - "I flat out asked my boss why he sent the gif" ******
    via Jonas Leupe
  • 02
    Font - Called in sick to work for the first time after working ridiculous OT the last six months. Boss has been texting me constantly this morning with guilt trips, asking if I can come in later and sent me the "Somebody's Got a Case of the Monday's" gif. It's a small family run company and I've bent over backwards to help these past six months while we've been understaffed and this is what I get. furious. I'm
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 03
    Font - It's taking all my willpower not to quit this very second. How do you guys resist the urge? Update: I flat out asked my boss why he sent the gif and he claimed he was "only joking" and thought I would appreciate it. I still don't find it funny and this whole thing has soured whatever drive I had to go above and beyond for this company.
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 04
    Font - I've already contacted one of my references (a good friend and former coworker) to let them know I'm on the job hunt, pulled up my resume and I am updating it right now while in bed. Thanks for all of the responses. Genuinely. Thank you. I'm reading all of them
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 05
    Font - avabeanwater. 21 hr. ago no idea, the unironic mOnDaYs gif alone prolly would make me quit on the spot, extremely insulting and unprofessional 797 Reply Share
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 06
    Font - Timmah73 21 hr. ago "Nah... nah man I do believe you'd get your that." 4 273 kicked for Reply Share
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 07
    Font - complyeverlasting. 19 hr. ago I would absolutely send back a "sorry, I'm going to be home tomorrow as well, since I haven't been able to rest and recover today." 232 Reply Share
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 08
    Font - ejrhonda79 21 hr. ago Ignore him. Also save those texts and messages as future evidence in case boss escalates his harassment. It can be used as a trail to show escalation of hostilities over time. I know everyone says sue or get a lawyer. Sometimes, I think, it's just best to stand up for yourself and set boundaries. It's also best to cover your ass just in case. Then if boss fires you you have a clear chain of events leading up to your firing that you can present to unemployment in the
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 09
    Font - Daedric_Spite 21 hr. ago The responses from your boss are completely unprofessional and it's like they're trying to mock you. I'd let them know that due to the immense amount of stress you were put under these last six months had broken you today. I'd get to the dr and let them give you a note saying not to come in for the next couple of days due to stress related health issues.
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 10
    Font - As for resisting the urge to quit on the spot, I just remember that if I quit then I'm homeless and will no longer have a home to share with my girlfriend and play video games so it's a pretty good reminder to not just let the though I want to SO bad) 161 go (even Reply Share
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 11
    Font - ShiftyPom OP. 21 hr. ago. edited 17 hr. ago That's an idea. I definitely feel exhausted. And, yes, I hear you on the reminders. I grew up with food uncertainty, so I'm thankful to have a roof over my head and food in my kitchen. I'm also telling myself that it's easier to find a new/different job while having one.
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 12
    Font - CruxMason 21 hr. ago Call in tomorrow too. 161 Reply Share
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 13
    Rectangle - ShiftyPom OP. 21 hr. ago I'm seriously thinking about it. ↑ 110 B Reply Share
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 14
    Font - basketofnonsense. 21 hr. ago Everytime you see him, not matter the day when he is annoyed: "Mmm, sounds like someone has a case of the (insert day here )" and then go back to your work. When he finally breaks and asks, just repeat the statement and move on. 75 Reply Share
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 15
    Rectangle - ShiftyPom OP 20 hr. ago Hahaha. Unfortunately, he'd have to be observant enough to catch on to what I was doing.
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 16
    Font - and bopperbopper 20 hr. ago. edited 19 hr. ago 'Hey boss, I don't understand why you sent me that gif about the case of the Mondays... what does 11 that mean? Because it almost sounds like you think I'm slacking and all I can think of is the 60 hour work weeks I've been doing for the last six months to help keep your business afloat... in fact, I think I'm going to have to reduce some of the overtime we do because it's too stressful and it is affecting my body where the to the point I hav
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 17
    Mammal - easy10pins 21 hr. ago Stop answering those texts.
    via u/ShiftyPom
  • 18
    Font - ShiftyPom OP. 21 hr. ago Yeah, I shouldn't have even responded to the first one. They've finally stopped, thankfully.
    via u/ShiftyPom

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work reddit thread Reddit company job interview interview toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article