'You need to get me back online': Remote employee left with no internet at home after assuming company pays for it, then gets fired for blaming tech support

Author image for Eleonora Bader
Eleonora Bader
Feb 26, 2024 7:00 PM EST

Instant karma is the best kind of karma. Nobody wants to see destiny play out slowly over time… We want karma now.

One remote worker called up tech support on a Friday, just as the IT employee was about to head home. The worker was livid that their internet wasn't working, and they completely flipped out on the poor IT employee who hadn't done anything wrong. The worker explained that their internet wasn't working, and demanded IT fix it right that instant. After a couple of questions, the problem became clear… the IT Helpdesk that this worker had called didn't provide their internet services. If the internet didn't work, that wasn't IT's problem. It was the worker's, who refused to accept that they would go the entire weekend without internet. As it turned out, the worker had canceled their internet provider after assuming their company would pay for the services. Oops, guess you have no internet… ever? The IT employee explained that the worker needed to renew their internet with a provider, but that's not what ended up happening. Scroll down for the full story, then check out this engineering firm that lost a huge client after management punished one employee. Gotta love karma.

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  • 01
    "//"> tel.pg" s hindi ª - OUTONO ITUNES: WEBANA M yle.co "Sorry, no internet for you!" Kw 10000040
    via Canva
  • 02
    This user thought we supplied their internet...
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 03
    Got a call right before wrapping up on Friday, and it was quite a puzzler. Me: "IT Helpdesk, how can I help?" The user, in a noticeably irate tone: "You turned off my internet!" Me: "Sorry to hear that. Are you referring to your VPN or network drives?"
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 04
    User erupts, "NO! I can't watch Netflix, go on Facebook or ANYTHING! I WANT TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER!" Me: "Alright, have you tried rebooting your home router or access point?" User, frustrated, "Yes, I have, unplugged, waited 10 minutes, and plugged it back in several times! I demand you restore my service!"
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 05
    Me: "Okay, who is your internet provider?" User, bluntly, "Are you stupid? You are my provider!" Me: "Ma'am, we don't provide your internet connection; we're just your IT helpdesk." User, exasperated, "But I started working from home, so you guys took over the service! I demand to speak to a manager!"
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 06
    Me: "We don't take over your internet service. Did your manager or HR tell you that we do? Because that's not true." User, flustered, "But... But I! I'm sure I was told if I worked from home, my employer would compensate me for internet and electricity."
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 07
    Me: "Yes, they may compensate you on your payslip for expenses, but you still need to pay for your internet/phone service for your home. Who is your provider?" User, defensively, "No one! I cancelled the service last week! You guys need to get me online so I can do my work, now!"
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 08
    Me: "Well, ma'am, we can't provide you with internet. You need to contact your old provider or a new one and get them to reconnect you." User, enraged, "This is ridiculous! I will be speaking to your manager on Monday! You are a useless support agent!"
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 09
    Me: "Sorry you feel that way, ma'am, but that's the reality. You need to contact a provider to get reconnected. I can recommend some in your area if you need help with that." User hangs up, and the helpdesk phone system shuts down for the week until Monday morning.
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 10
    To cover my bases, forwarded the call recording and ticket to my manager and the user's manager. No mention of taking over internet services anywhere in the company's intranet, so who knows where they got that idea, haha. The following Monday: Turns out that user got fired. Checked the pending cases this morning and found a "leaver" request
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 11
    with immediate effect, along with a note advising not to provide any support other than the return address for their equipment if they call. Apparently, this user had a "problematic attitude." Instant karma, I suppose. :)
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 12
    Similar_Ad6183 - 21 hr. ago This was definitely a keyboard actuator malfunction. 319 Reply Share Moneia 21 hr. ago keyboard actuator Well that's going in the file, cheers Reply Share 110
    via u/Similar_Ad6183, u/Moneia
  • 13
    froot_loop_dingus - 20 hr. ago In all my working years I have never actually encountered an ab ve idiot getting fired, these stories are as fantastical to me as any fairy tale 101 Reply Share
    via u/froot_loop_dingus_
  • 14
    KorenSolust OP 20 hr. ago edited 20 hr. ago We actually droppe da client once because the manager of that company was so ahe to our staff on the phones and demanded things outside of his contract. So my Boss just cut his service, which included hi business phones, internet, e- mails everything, weeks later the company went under. 61 Reply Share
    via u/KorenSolust
  • 15
    haagse_harrie · 20 hr. ago And ofcourse right before the weekend starts. "No internet" probably wasn't problem when productivity was required... But no Netflix? This can not be! Let's tie the noose and report the incident right now! 4 35 ↓ Reply Share
    via u/haagse_harrie
  • 16
    arwinda 21 hr. ago The real question is if the next employer will provide "the internet"! 27 Reply Share JohnClark13 20 hr. ago Maybe if the next employer is an ISP Reply Share 16
    via u/arwinda, u/JohnClark13
  • 17
    Dorkness_Rising - 21 hr. ago I've heard of Quiet Quitting but this sounds like Karen Quitting. ✩40 Reply Share processedchicken 18 hr. ago Definitely wasn't quiet. 6 Reply Share
    via u/Dorkness_Rising, u/processedchicken
  • 18
    fo McGubbins 18 hr. ago I Am Not Good With Computer Your IT contracts seem more relaxed than ours. If a user cancels their internet, it's always with 30 days notice here. And if they meant the ISP contract ceased last week, how come it's already Friday before the user notices they can't log in? 44 ↓ Reply Share
    via u/McGubbins
  • 19
    dannybau87 16 hr. ago Wow actual concequences to being ab ¹e and obstinate.... I've heard rumours of this but have never seen it 45+ Reply Share
    via u/dannybau87
  • 20
    Qwirk 16 hr. ago I would have started laughing the moment I realized the issue. 3 Reply Share KorenSolust OP 15 hr. ago Oh, I was SO close to busting a gut laughing. XD 4 Reply Share
    via u/Qwirk, u/KorenSolust
  • 21
    series-hybrid. 12 hr. ago "I'm going to need you to fill out an ID-10T form..." 3 Reply Share GreyWoolfe1 12 hr. ago MSTO-machine smarter than operator. I am stealing PICNIC 43 ↓ Reply Share
    via u/series-hybrid, u/GreyWoolfe1

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fired internet online tech support workplace ticket service provider getting fired remote work vpn IT employee workplace stories reddit internet service remote employee IT helpdesk
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