'They don't care about me, why should I care about them?': Company man gets passed over for promotion, discovers quiet quitting after 11 years at the company

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Nov 6, 2023 8:00 AM EST

It's never too late to realize your colleagues and managers do not have your back. As a younger person in the 21st century, it's fairly easy to enter the working world armed with cynicism about everything, but for many people, the deluded notion of "your work is your life" is a hard one to shake. Despite all the signs around you saying otherwise, there are still some folks out there who foolishly cling to the idea that all the hard work will be worth it when you get that one promotion. Of course, this is not to say that hard work isn't important. Of course it is. But hard work can take many forms, and a lot of people may not see that it is not always tied to impressing your boss. For these people, it often takes an unfortunate work experience for that kind of disillusionment. 

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  • 01
    "Late 40s coworker finally realized the company doesn't care about him."
    via Campaign Creators

  • This thread was posted to Reddit by u/camelhumper91, who saw his coworker get passed over for a promotion despite working for the company for 11 years. This was a company man through and through. His whole life was about supporting company initiatives and waiting to be rewarded for being a team player. Well, when the opportunity finally arose, his contributions were ignored, and he wound up doing what he thought only young people did: he started quiet quitting.

    Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions in the comments section. For more stories like this, here is one about a hypocritical manager who tried to fake not going into the office.

  • 02
    Late 40s coworker finally realized the company doesn't care about him. I joined this company about a year and a half ago and this particular coworker was a company man, preaching how employees should go above and beyond and the higher ups will see it and reward you which was always a disagreement point between us.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 03
    Recently a position came open and he was passed for it in favor of a much younger individual who's only been here for 7 months as opposed to his 11 years and to say I would be an he was understatement.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 04
    A while after that promotion we were working on a project and he told me he won't be coming in Wednesday or Thursday, he went on to further explain that he came in on Saturday and Sunday which are off days so he's making up for them by not coming in, he followed it by saying "They don't care about me why should I care about them" and I was never more proud of him.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 05
    For the record I personally think the newer younger guy was more deserving of the position and obviously so did management, the silver lining I'd say is that now he knows no one gives a so take care of yourself and your family and screw work.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 06
    /PLACE Beautiful-Key8091. 7 hr. ago Better late than never 299 Reply Share
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 07
    Capable-Rutabaga5877. 6 hr. ago Colleague of mine just celebrated his 10 year work anniversary. Was expecting to get something from the CEO or other higher up acknowledging him.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 08
    Got a printed out certificate on his desk. Was thoroughly I. His attitude took a bit of hit and hasn't been contributing as much.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 09
    Was pleased he has somewhat of a revelation about his value,but he's been slipping into old habits recently. So don't count on long term change. 164 Reply Share
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 10
    camelhumper91 OP. 6 hr. ago It doesn't affect me either way, I try to educate people for for some it's too late so I'll focus on our interns like I've been doing and honestly they don't need much guidance they are already aware which is refreshing
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 11
    dolphineclipse . 7 hr. ago It's never too late. Hopefully someone else is reading this too and it might resonate with them. 102 Reply Share
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 12
    danby 3 hr. ago Speaking as another mid-late 40s gen-x guy... I'm very surprised any other gen-Xer would think a company gives a ... about them. That ship sailed with the boomers.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 13
    unfreeradical. 5 hr. ago. edited 47 min. ago Companies want workers to be in a race against each other, a race that just leaves everyone wanting more and having less. The sooner workers realize that there is no need to be ranked one against the other, the sooner the system will collapse, allowing us make that is better.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 14
    MelancholyBean - 5 hr. ago Do your work with care but don't go above and beyond believing you will be valued and rewarded. You will just end up being disappointed.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 15
    azorgi01 6 hr. ago That's tough, because your last paragraph, negated the first 2. Once you said you and Managment thought the new guy was more deserving, that means the other guy didn't have a leg to stand on to say they don't care. Just because your at a place longer, doesn't mean you have priority over someone there with less time but better.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 16
    Flip it around. What if you started somewhere and kicked better than anyone else there, and never got promoted because others there decided to work till they were 70.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 17
    Trust me, I know it having someone younger pass up faster, like when a bosses son starts and gets bumped right up, but sometimes you can't control it. Some battles aren't worth the fight.
    via u/camelhumper91
  • 18
    camelhumper91 OP. 6 hr. ago That's not how he sees it though, he thinks he's better yet got passed up for promotion and if that's what got him opening his eyes then I'm all for it.
    via u/camelhumper91

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promotion workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work reddit thread Reddit company job interview interview toxic-work-environment
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