Employee forced to work in office with no windows and no coworkers resigns, boss retaliates: 'It's not your job to run your boss' business'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Mar 17, 2024 3:00 PM EDT

Most of us know that going to work can be a drag. Having to wake up early, get out of bed, put on real people clothes, and make it happen every day is difficult. For most of us, the only reward is a fresh cup of coffee waiting for us on the other side. And hopefully some nice coworkers and a nice clean office. It's the little things that keep us afloat. So when the basics aren't even there, it's no wonder when we walk. 

Sure, the job market is tough, and we will put up with a lot for a paycheck, but there's a line somewhere. Especially in the age of flexible work, our expectations are higher than they once were. And that's a good thing! And if we know our worth then there will always be something waiting on the other side. Employers have to understand that. This one definitely didn't…

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  • 01
    r/antiwork u/peterdiller 20h Trying to understand my boss' logic after submitting resignation
    via u/peterdiller
  • 02
    Other than my boss, I'm the sole employee at a digital marketing company. He finds the clients, I do the rest of the work. Scripts, designing, Photoshop, editing, etc. Over the last few months I've grown tired of working in the office alone, because I could just do that remotely at home if I rarely have clients come in. I've told him this multiple times, but he's quickly shut it down. I also work in an office with no natural light or windows. I asked for that to change. He said no.
    via u/peterdiller
  • 03
    Another company offered me a job at the same pay BUT fully remote and I get to collaborate with other people, so the workload isn't entirely on me. I didn't even think twice. I know I'm not making more, but flexibility is more important right now. So today, I put in my one week notice and my boss said to me: "You've put me in a tight situation. I need someone with your skills and your knowledge. I don't know if I can find someone like that in time and we have some really big clients lined up in
    via u/peterdiller
  • 04
    I like my boss as a person, but I'm just trying to understand his logic. If he needs someone with my skills and knowledge, why was I only making $45K when there aren't ANY other employees here? Why do I need feel bad because he was too cheap to hire another person to help me balance these projects? If I was that integral to the business, I should've been paid accordingly. I guess I'm looking for validation here. It feels like he's guilt tripping me for wanting a better work environment -- especi
    via u/peterdiller
  • 05
    South-Ad-9635 • 19h "You've put me in a tight situation. I need someone with your skills and your knowledge. I don't know if I can find someone like that in time and we have some really big clients lined up in the coming weeks. I'm a little hurt to be honest." "Sucks to be you, I guess...you should have treated me better..." No, you aren't in the wrong here - you are in the right...
    via u/South-Ad-9635
  • 06
    fenriq • 18h "Maybe treat your next important employee like they are important and you value them. Bye now"
    via u/fenriq
  • 07
    Initial-Shop-8863 • 18h Take the new job. Freelance for him at 200% your current fee, get it in writing, with reasonable deadlines. Paid per job. With a deposit of at least 50%. And he provides the computer and all the software. He gets only two revisions. The Third draft is the final draft. And you get to work from home not in his office. As many hours as you can stand, none of it on weekends because if you work weekends you're going to burn out. All deliverables are through pdf. Direct to him
    via u/Initial-Shop-8863
  • 08
    Newbosterone • 18h Dear Boss, I empathize with you. I was a little hurt when I asked for X, Y, and Z and was repeatedly refused. Then I realized that if I wanted X, Y, and Z, I needed to work somewhere else. Best Regards, OP PS - Loyalty runs both ways.
    via u/Newbosterone
  • 09
    HowWoolattheMoon 15h Excellent! Succinct, clear. Bossman is emotionally blackmailing you, OP! So rude of him to make you responsible for his feelings. IN A WORKPLACE. WHERE HE IS THE BOSS.
    via u/HowWoolattheMoon
  • 10
    PositivDenken • 20h You've created an amazing opportunity for your boss to learn and grow.
    via u/PositivDenken
  • 11
    Lol. PeeDizzle4rizzle • 19h that dude. He wasn't giving an inch. He could make you a better offer right now. Instead he's throwing himself a pity party, trying to make you feel bad.
    via u/PeeDizzle4rizzle
  • 12
    Most Refuse9265 • 20h He needs you, you don't need him, he wasn't paying you according to this reality. He should save his bullshitting for his clients because he's gonna need that skill more than ever. I've heard it's lonely at the top, but I can't imagine why when your only skill is talking.
    via u/Most_Refuse9265
  • 13
    ultimate_bond • 20h Your boss won't think twice before firing you if it suits him. It's all business. No personal feelings. You get a better offer, you leave. Period.
    via u/ultimate_bond
  • 14
    VBDave1970 • 20h It's not your job to run your boss' business for him. Especially for that money. He gambled and lost. Enjoy your new role.
    via u/VBDave1970
  • 15
    DW171 • 19h Sounds like you've got a $100 an hour side gig for the foreseeable future. Start your new job and let your old boss know you'll be available after business hours for 10 hours a week.
    via u/DW171
  • 16
    Timid Tanuki • 20h He's attempting to guilt trip you. It's really that simple. He's upset that he's losing the person that's actually doing the work.
    via u/Timid_Tanuki
  • 17
    YangWenli1 20h If his business can't function if a single employee quits, he does not have a sustainable business. If you really want to, you could use this to negotiate for higher pay and the ability to work remotely. If he says no to anything you ask for, leave and don't look back.
    via u/YangWenli1

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salary boss antiwork workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace toxic boss work coworkers quitting work workplace quitting story quitting toxic-work-environment
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