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'Never put anything in writing': Worker sends scathing email after unnecessary meeting, dividing the internet

While it might be gratifying to send that email you've been desperately wanting to send or to verbally rebuke your boss for wasting your time—as with anything, it's always best to sit on it for a little while… Let that scathing email sit in your drafts until you've had a good night's sleep, and take some time to reflect on what it is you're saying and how other people will perceive it. Maybe, after a little reflection, you won't be feeling so hot-headed and will take a more diplomatic approach to addressing your problem. Chances are an overly emotional response is going to be dismissed as such… and you'll be forever battling the reputation you've created for yourself and wishing that you'd let cooler heads prevail.

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Posted by Brad Dickson
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  • On that note, it's always best to never rise emotionally to a company decision that seems unfair or unnecessary. Chances are, whatever it is you're finding frustrating wasn't actually made to slight you personally; rather, it was probably a short-sighted initiative that some manager took on in order to show their boss that they were doing something. Especially when you're dealing with a corporation, chances are that whatever stool sandwich they're trying to shove down your throat will be shoved with the utmost corporate demeanor and professionalism—and the best thing to do is to match their energy and reflect it back at them.

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    1128
    Via Headway

  • This worker reached their boiling point after being told by their boss that they had to come to work early for a meeting. By their own admission, the job has been going pretty well, with good benefits and as good of a working environment as a lot of us could hope for. That is until today when they were asked to attend an hour-long meeting that they found to be a complete waste of their time… and the manager hosting the meeting themself wasn't in the office! 

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    r/antiwork Posted by u/5ilica Should I have gone to work today? Probably. But I'm
    Via u/5ilica
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  • You're probably reading this (if you're still reading this) thinking, “Gee, I had five hours of my day today wasted by unnecessary meetings!.. And I'll probably have five wasted again tomorrow!" And that's because, for most of us, including the commenters on the original post, having a mere hour of your day wasted by an unnecessary meeting is nothing.

    It's important here to impart the gravitas of the fact that this comment section proceeded to turn on the original poster of the thread for overreacting. The community where this discussion was posted is largely sympathetic to the plight of workers and will often take the worker's side in any employment issue that is shared. So, to have so many commenters telling the original poster that they are overreacting and should not have sent the email is a rare sight indeed.

    See screenshots of the original thread below, as originally shared on this popular Reddit subreddit community.

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    The original poster, user "5ilica," shared their situation in the following post

    After 10 years of working in food service, I decided to start over in a new industry and got a job with a big financial institution in my area. I'd heard nothing but great things before I applied, and up until today, this largely rang true with me; I'm being compensated well, the work environment is pretty healthy, and our group plan is incredible, even for my first employer- provided insurance plan.
    Via u/5ilica
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    Couple weeks ago, there was an announcement that there was a mandatory Zoom meeting with an exec at 7am, about 3 hours before my scheduled shift. Cool, I thought, must be pretty important if I have to be in early. They gave us notice, so I was well prepared to be there. Today was the meeting, and god was I disappointed. Nothing but an hour of
    Via u/5ilica
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  • 5
    listening to this guy talk about...well nothing really. The executive didn't seem like he had anything planned. The only thing I can really note about the meeting was his mention of developing AI systems, which he not-so-subtly hinted at being a way to eliminated certain positions. The worst was when an illustrated face kept popping out of the exec's virtual background,
    Via u/5ilica
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    and somebody asked him what it was. He turns off his virtual background, and there he is, sitting in his home office. I had to go to work 3 hours early for this oh-so-important meeting, but it apparently wasn't so important that the man who made it important couldn't leave his own house to be on-site. Attached is the email I sent to my supervisor explaining why I won't be returning for my shift today. Should I have sent this email? Probably not, no doubt it'll bite me in the later, but I don't c
    Via u/5ilica
  • 7
    Notice of Absence In an effort to be upfront, I'm pretty upset about today's meeting as nothing important was brought forward and I, for the life of me, can't figure out why it was mandatory or why I had to be to work 3 hours before my scheduled shift. I like to consider myself a reasonable person, but I'm pretty inconsolable right now because of this, to the point that I have decided to take the day off. I understand that this is an unexcused absence and I'll take whatever consequences come fro
    Via u/5ilica
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    Sorry that you have to get this wall of text but I feel it's important to submit feedback when necessary. I'm beyond frustrated from this and I believe if I returned to work today, it would affect my performance and interactions with members. If you need to discuss this further with me, I'm open to that. Sincerely,
    Via u/5ilica
  • 9

    The readers responded in the comments of the original post

    Strange Requirement78 1 hr. ago People in the corporate world don't care about your feelings. I get why you sent it. But they'll just laugh at it, then have HR bring you in for a chat. Vote Reply Share ejrhonda79 · 1 hr. ago It was also a mistake to let them know you live down the road. They may take that as a sign they can abuse you because you live so close. Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    Skeptikmo 1 hr. ago This is basically working in any office setting. All the meetings are gonna be repetitive horse Vote Reply Share OpheliaRainGalaxy · 1 hr. ago Reasons why I laugh so hard whenever anyone tries to tell me capitalism is efficient. Our ancestors are having hysterics watching us ship a T- shirt around the world three and a half times before anybody gets to wear the silly thing. Reply Share Vote ...
    Via u/5ilica
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    cilantrosmoker - 2 hr. ago LMAO I get your frustration but they're gonna hate you after this Reply Share Vote rolowa 1 hr. ago And OP is going to hate this job Reply Share Vote cilantrosmoker · 1 hr. ago yeah prepare for work life to be from now on OP Vote Reply Share ●●●
    Via u/5ilica
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    LongTallMatt. 56 min. ago One thing I've learned working in the corporate world is that you never put anything in writing. Whoopsie. You should have just done a "cough, I'm sick" move and moved on. Live and learn. ✩ Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    Independent-Ice256 10 min. ago I knew I didn't need to write this comment because I know I would not have to scroll far to see it. Half of me finds it hard to believe OP is serious, the other half wants to see the outcome. Reply Share Vote
    Via u/5ilica
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    DrBattlesmith · 42 min. ago Start looking for a new job. When they come back at you about this, blame a death of a close friend or pet that really maladjusted your mood. Otherwise accept the blame for having big feelings near work and prepare to get fired. Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    Bass2Mouth 1 hr. ago Please post an update because this is going to end poorly ✩ Vote Reply Share Distinct_Number_7844 43 min. ago · Ill bring popcorn. I admire your , truly I do. I just hope your emergency fund is topped up. ↑ Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    Sawyermblack - 11 min. ago I admire your If you quote just this on its own, it invokes a certain feeling Vote Reply Share Distinct_Number_7844- 9 min. ago Well I mean who doesn't admire a great weighty pair? Lol Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    material_mailbox. 1 hr. ago I get it. My experience has been that when you work for a big company, there's just a lot of corporate bureaucratic this to put up with. But no, you shouldn't have sent the email. I think providing feedback to your supervisor is great, but saying you're so distraught over it that you have to take an :like
    Via u/5ilica
  • 18
    unexcused/unplanned absence is really just gonna make you seem like a difficult and problematic employee.I just don't see the logic behind risking your job over something like this. The most you should've said is something like "Hi! In the future, can we attend meetings like this virtually? It's frustrating that I had to come in three hours early to attend a meeting when the person hosting
    Via u/5ilica
  • 19
    the meeting was attending virtually from their home, and there was really nothing presented that really had any relevance to the work I do here. I had to make special arrangement to take my kids to school this morning (or make up another BS excuse), and I know some other people on our team were similarly inconvenienced." 4 Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    Breckenridge Bandito 1 hr. ago . So everything was great up to this point - as you mentioned the compensation, healthy work environment, great insurance, etc. And you decided to risk it all because of a meeting that you just had to go down the street for? I get your frustration but I that some bad cost-benefit analysis lol. If it was every week I'd get it, but this sounds like it's the first time. Reply Share Vote 1 is
    Via u/5ilica
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    JO Competitive-Lab9730 59 min. ago You have to be taking the mate Vote . Reply Share ganjagremlin_tlnw - 1 hr. ago In other words: "This could have been an email" ↑ Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    InDisregard 1 hr. ago Your email definitely read like this is your first big job. Vote Reply Share starkel91 56 min. ago I laughed out loud when I read "inconsolable". Which means incapable of being comforted. I don't know if I've ever seen the word used outside of grieving a death. OP really thought they were gonna get taken seriously. Vote ●●● Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    toilet-head 1 hr. ago . If this is the worst part of your great job then I honestly think you should try to be less dramatic. We all hate pointless meetings but now you've just tainted how people view you at a good job. Not worth it. Pick your battles. Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    CapitalG888 57 min. ago What a silly move when you say.... " I'd heard nothing but great things before I applied, and up until today, this largely rang true with me; I'm being compensated well, the work environment is pretty healthy, and our group plan is incredible, even for my first employer-provided insurance plan."
    Via u/5ilica
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    You really wanted to jeopardize your job for this one situation when you have the above great things to say about it? Anytime you type up something dont send it until hours later if you know you are running high on emotions (if this was the case here). Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    _gina_marie_. 1 hr. ago at work Lmao I need an update for this bc your email sounds childish as Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    D . Exact Employee1792 1 hr. ago Yikes. HR and your manager are gonna be out to get you after this... ✩ Vote Reply Share Competitive-Lab9730 57 min. ago This might be the single most naive thing I'v ever read. How old are you?? Vote ↓ Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    No-Measurement-7592 1 hr. ago · . edited 23 min. ago You must be insuferable to work with Really ruffled some feathers with this one lol ↑ Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    DogToes SmellofFritos 1 hr. ago I get your frustration but what the heck? Vote Reply Share Vote ●●● cilantrosmoker · 1 hr. ago to be honest skipping work due to this is a TERRIBLE idea. should have just said they were sick, take the day to collect themselves, and not explained further lol Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    SerendipitousVoyage 1 hr. ago That's how meetings at corporations are. The running joke is "this could have been an email." Of course the exec wasn't going to show up in person at 7 am. There's no need to go into hysterics over it or be "inconsolable." It's just an annoying/ part of working in corporate America. ✩ Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    - 1 hr. ago That's working in the corporate world. If this bothers you this much, it's time for a career pivot, because this doesn't stop. ActualWheel6703 Edit: I mean this kindly, but do yourself a favor and unless that's terminology that they use, don't use the word 'shift' when talking about when you're supposed to start work. Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    heyleek 53 min. ago INCONSOLABLE from attending a boring meeting? If you are getting that emotional then I have bad news, all office jobs are like this. Make sure you get paid for your time though obviously, but if you intend to stay at this job dont send these emails complaining about meetings ✩ Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    EnvironmentalSlide97 51 min. ago I have second hand embarrassment for you rn Vote ↓ Reply Share Vote throwaway_82m 58 min. ago Being angry about this, and making a show of taking the day off...... is tilting at windmills. ●●● Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    tehjoz 40 min. ago I've written an email like this before, and it cost me my job. It may well cost you yours, because this isn't a very good look, unfortunately. You definitely could have broached this subject in a much more professional and constructive way...and hey, I'd actually agree that
    Via u/5ilica
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    bringing it up and saying something to the effect of "Hey, can we chat about how this could best be handled going forward" would be worthwhile. This unfortunately reads like a temper tantrum, and most corporations aren't going to put up with that. Hopefully they will exhibit leniency towards you. Good luck. ↑ Vote Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica
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    kristenlovecraft· 48 min. ago I think sending the email stating how you felt was one thing, but not going in was another. You're allowed to give feedback. It's how we grow and move forward. But don't risk what sounds like an otherwise reasonable job by no showing. Don't give them an actual reason for disciplinary action. Reply Share Vote
    Via u/5ilica
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    Distinct_Number_7844 41 min. ago . A+ for taking up for yourself, but you need to harden up if this has such a negative impact on you that you are inconsolable.... Vote ↓ Reply Share
    Via u/5ilica

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