'I'm oddly happy': Brave employee is overwhelmingly encouraged after getting wrongfully fired, going viral for rebelling against a toxic workplace

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Dec 4, 2023 6:00 PM EST

Nobody wants to get fired around the holidays. It's objectively the worst time to lose your source of income and it's also consequently the worst time to find a NEW job. Since everyone's already enjoying their 'let's circle back in 2024' season, you're unlikely to get a sit down with the hiring department in any employment position... unless you're interested in retail.

For that reason, most workers don't stage a coup against management during the holidays, but in our next story, one brave employee risked it all despite the urge to say, 'Bah humbug!' in the face of a toxic workplace.

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    Cheezburger Image 9845336832
    via u/canva

  • When you have a good, honest job, most employees aren't encouraged to strike against the company. With good benefits and positive relationships, you've got a good thing going. But when a company is slashing wages, cutting hours, and randomly jerking around their workforce, there's only so much patience the employees will be willing to extend as a courtesy. 

  • At some point, a boiling point will be reached, and in our next story, a handful of employees stood up for themselves against bad management. Scroll for the entire story that may just get OSHA involved, while inspiring the rest of us not to put up with entitlement and belittlement in the office– no matter what.

  • 02
    r/antiwork Posted by u/ScheduleJolly2324 16 hours ago Terminated after walkout Well ladies and gentlemen it happened.
    via u/ScheduleJolly2324
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    Myself along with six other employees finally reached a boiling point and confronted our manager about the low pay, hour cuts, temporary shutdowns without warning (but only for our department) amongst other issue. It was a shitshow and things got heated.
    via u/ScheduleJolly2324
  • 04
    Nobody got physical, but there was alot of screaming from both the workers and manager. Could it have been handled better? Yes. However, as I've always said, you can only push someone so far before they snap. We decided to all walk out since our manager refused to call H.R. and
    via u/ScheduleJolly2324
  • 05
    refused to sit down in a meeting with us to resolve things. Each of us just received a call from the director of H.R. who told us, and I quote, "it's my job to fire people" then proceeded to terminate us. Does it __._ that this is happening at a time of the year?
    via u/ScheduleJolly2324
  • 06
    Yes, but leaving that toxic work environment feels so freeing. I'm currently in the process of going to the local union hall and have been accepted to take classes there until there is an opening for an apprenticeship. I'm oddly happy. Don't let places bully you, mental health is important. Once a job takes a toll on you to where it affects your home/family life, it's time to go.
    via u/ScheduleJolly2324
  • 07
    Edit: guys, you all are significantly more supportive than I had expected. Thanks, everyone, for the good advice and for the words of encouragement! My coworkers and I are actually going to try the NLRA route, and I'll be calling OSHA,since I had previously called them a few months ago and I've been treated differently since then, this may also have grounds for retaliation. You guys rock, though, so again, thank you all!
    via u/ScheduleJolly2324
  • 08
    Seatbelts Kill 13 hr. ago If you're in the US, you should file an NLRB charge ASAP. This definitely sounds like it could be concerted activity to me (not a lawyer, but a union rep). Your state/province may have even more strict protections that could help here. You, and all of your coworkers, could have a good case for reinstatement and/or wrongful termination. Speak with a local expert, like an employment attorney. Filing with the NLRB is easily done online and a federal attorney will reach out
    via u/SeatbeltsKill
  • 09
    Dependent_House_3774 14 hr. ago That sounds like "protected concerted activity" and is protected under federal law. Your employer may have just opened themselves to a massive lawsuit for wrongful termination in retaliation for federally protected union activities
    via u/Dependent_House_3774
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    viperchris 12 hr. ago I hope they sue. I hope they qualify for unemployment too
    via u/viperchris
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    RoapeliusDTrewn. 14 hr. ago "It's my job to fire ppl." "Sure, and my job is to tell you to kiss my i, so you do your job and I'll do mine."
    via u/RoapeliusDTrewn
  • 12
    Gizigiz 13 hr. ago And there you have, in a nutshell, what the nature of the "human resources" dept. is. 25 Reply Share SamuelVimesTrained 8 hr. ago And yet - HR is there to protect the company. Seems like this HR person failed with all of the other comments about protected actions etc.
    via u/Gizigiz
  • 13
    Shoesietart 15 hr. ago It's OK to lose a ↑ 46 . job. Reply Share stinkstankstunkiii. 5 hr. ago I needed this today
    via u/Shoesietart
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    SecureWriting8589 - 16 hr. ago Hopefully the corporation will know that this isn't just some one-off thing, that because multiple people all stepped out, that management is to blame and should be held responsible. This unfortunately, this won't help you, but may help some future schmuck who they hire to take your job. That was a brave step you took, and while it may be rough on you in the short-term, you will likely win out in the long-term. Good luck!
    via u/SecureWriting8589
  • 15
    AndyPharded 11 hr. ago Congratulations, well done on passing this societal milestone so effectively. Good work.
    via u/AndyPharded
  • 16
    jackibthepantry • 6 hr. ago I was in an ongoing dispute with my managers in a manufacturing job. I did the nice (dumb) thing and gave them plenty of notice when I decided to go back to school. They "laid me off" on thanksgiving when we were outsourcing work due to so many employees leaving. These people don't care about you or your holiday. Good on you for leaving.
    via u/jackibthepantry
  • 17
    Vocem Interiorem . 8 hr. ago Reply to your HR director mail with: "Wrong, your job is to protect the company against Legal trouble, and you FAILed."
    via u/Vocem_Interiorem
  • 18
    TheOneandUno 12 hr. ago I feel like every time I read about someone telling a similar story to this, it's from a while back, and the company inevitably fell apart. No matter what happens, hold your head high, you're not a bootlicking eater, and that's worth a...... 18 Reply Share ScheduleJolly2324 OP 12 hr. ago Amen bro, amen
    via u/TheOneandUno
  • 19
    Crusty Old_Fart. 4 hr. ago Congratulations on getting out of a toxic environment. I don't know labor law like everyone else seems to here, but I do know toxic environments are soul destroying, so you must feel better for being out! I hope you get a big settlement and get hired back only so you can then take your money, quit, and go to a better job! Good luck!
    via u/Crusty_Old_Fart
  • 20
    Commercial-Ad-852 5 hr. ago Is HR aware that their manager acted against the best interest of the business? 4 Reply Share notevenapro 3 hr. ago HR said you are fired? File for UE.
    via u/Comercial-Ad-852
  • 21
    clynlyn 1 hr. ago As a capitalist consumer I hate unions, but as a worker I love how they protect everyone even outside of their members by existing. Take to the trades! Good luck!
    via u/clynlyn

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getting fired boss worker employee fired manager job great resignation work coworkers terminated wrongful termination working employees supervisor osha workplace company coworker
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