'I cannot work for people like this': Long-time employee gets fired after announcing he's terminally ill, then his loyal colleague rage quits

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jan 18, 2024 1:00 PM EST

Colleagues witness us at our highest points in life and they see us through some of the lowest moments, but the same cannot be said of most employers. While your relationship with your work bestie is a lifeline that has kept many coworkers from quitting on the spot, your relationship with your employer is far more monetized. Unlike your loyal work bestie, your employer may say 'We're a family', but their claims are often as hollow as their hearts.

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  • At the end of each work day, the only person we can really count on is ourselves, but within those 8 hours of service each day, most coworkers can take solace in the thought that they're commiserating with a fellow friend. Neither of you wants to be here, so why not make the day pass away by spending time with a friend? In our next story, one worker got accustomed to his best friend at work being a mood-boosting agent, but that all changed the day he found out he was terminally ill.

  • Scroll for the entire story of how a loyal coworker threw in the towel with his company after his boss fired his sick coworker, making us all question our loyalties in the workplace. Behold, a gallant colleague with a strong moral compass and a lifelong friend who will always have his back.

     

  • 01
    "Stand by your values"
    via canva
  • 02
    r/antiwork Posted by u/whattodotodo8 21 hours ago My employer stopped paying my colleague the same week they found out it was terminal so I handed in my notice.
    via whattodotdo8
  • 03
    My work have decided not to pay my terminally Ill co worker and I've handed in my notice because of it. What would you do? The company I work for decided they were not going to pay my co worker a few days after their family informed us it was not good.
    via whattodotdo8
  • 04
    They've worked for them for nearly 15 years and been a great employee. They've paid them for the last few months while they were getting treatment and said "they would support them with whatever they need".
    via whattodotdo8
  • 05
    Fast forward to a couple days later they agree they don't want to pay them anymore and need to inform them. Some context, it has been a very quick decline, their family is obviously beyond devasted and the same week my employer wants to send a letter explaining they will not be paying them from last month. They also never even called them, just sent some flowers in the beginning.
    via whattodotdo8
  • 06
    I have never witnessed such deployable behaviour in my life and decided then that I could not work for people like this. The saddest thing is that I don't think they have long now so they wouldn't have to pay for much longer but could help the family in that small way in their last month.
    via whattodotdo8
  • 07
    I don't have another job lined up and I know the market is not good but I don't think I could sleep at night knowing I was continuing to earn these people money. I have savings so I have breathing room. What would you do in this situation?
    via whattodotdo8
  • 08
    mlazaro1234 19 hr. ago Blast them on all social media platforms, they absolutely deserve it. 738 dukeofgibbon. 16 hr. ago Reply Share Glassdoor, Yelp, and Google maps as well
    via mlazaro1234
  • 09
    Fixerguy415 19 hr. ago Frankly, I would have found something else and bounced with a 2 day notice. "Sorry, you Turdwookies! My last day is TODAY."
    via Fixerguy415
  • 10
    CrossTheRiver 14 hr. ago My friend, you are far braver and have a far bigger heart than I. Go in confidence you did more than the right thing. Weep because your ex employer is too stupid, too evil to even get the point.
    via CrossTheRiver
  • 11
    Warning_Ocelot 12 hr. ago They couldn't wait for their employee to die. Literally. I'm so sorry. 27 Reply Share whattodotodo8 OP. 6 hr. ago Exactly. It's so awful
    via Warning_Ocelot
  • 12
    ihasinterweb 12 hr. ago Solidarity with co-workers, always. 19 Reply Share Aiyahh 17 hr. ago Put a 2 star rating on glass door and expose them with a review.
    via ihasinterweb
  • 13
    dca_user 9 hr. ago Help your colleague find a local employment lawyer. They're likely doing this to reduce their health insurance costs, which is illegal.
    via dca_user
  • 14
    Flimsy_Direction1847 9 hr. ago If you're quitting anyway, you could send a quick email about the situation to any clients you or the terminal employee have a relationship with before you go.
    via Flimsy_Direction1847
  • 15
    ilovechairs 9 hr. ago This is old school but if you have a local news network and don't be afraid to email them this outrageous story. A good roundabout way is one of you or his family starts it. And someone kindly sends it to the local news, posts it on the local town Facebook boards, etc. That way his family might be able to fundraiser extra to cover their expenses.
    via ilovechairs
  • 16
    Djorgal 7 hr. ago Why even give them a notice? A notice is a courtesy, and sure, courtesy is very important. But it is a mark of respect.
    via Djorgal
  • 17
    Enough-Butterfly2728 1 hr. ago That's if I die for any reason my employer will pay 4 times my annual salary to my family (circa £750k). A close friend of mine died from a heart attack. He was 37, and we worked at the same place in the same management position. Our employer paid his family 450k and kept paying his salary for a year, giving his wife time to grieve and figure out what she needed to do. I respect you for standing by your values
    via Enough-Butterfly2728

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boss worker employee fired manager job work coworkers working quit ceo employees resigned supervisor workplace company resign coworker business rage quit
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