'Bro, you won the game': Employee let go from job that they completely self-automated for five years

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Apr 1, 2024 3:00 PM EDT

This person is the embodiment of "Work smarter, not harder." 

Having an easy job is such a blessing, and no one knows it better than this hero, u/Cynicusme, who has absolutely won in life with their former data entry gig. Data entry can be a bit tedious, but it's a necessity at many companies. People need to input information about clients or customers, and it can take ages. Well, it can take forever… if you don't automate your work, which this crafty employee figured out how to do with ease. 

Nothing lasts forever, including this person's job. But having a peaceful work life, plus raises, for half of a decade is a major win. Kudos to this person, the most anti-work worker of all time! They shared their story and were applauded in the comments by all of the people who admired their work ethic (and wished they, too, could automate their own jobs to benefit themselves). By all accounts, this person was a good worker, and their bosses and coworkers were none the wiser.

Up next, this person was baffled when their boss suddenly fired them, and walked away laughing… but it was all a terrible April Fool's gag. 

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  • 01
    My 5-year getting paid for doing nothing is over. I'm heartbroken. MacBook Pro "
    via Austin Distel on Unsplash
  • 02
    My 5-year getting paid for doing nothing is over. I'm heartbroken.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 03
    I got a night-shift job doing data entry back in 2015. I quit and needed something fast at night while I look for something better during the day.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 04
    It was a data entry position, meaning I get an email containing the details of an order and proceeding to input the information into our system.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 05
    Right after my training I knew this is something Autohotkey can do, I don't know to code that well, so I went to a freelancer website to hire a guy to develop the code, it cost me a two-month salary....
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 06
    I just had to input how many orders I want to process per hour, since day 1 I was working from home because the company did not want to pay for transport or cleaning during the graveyard shift.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 07
    For the first 2 years, I would check if there was something the code cannot do (usually took me less than 5 minutes) and then I would let the computer running and watch movies, go to bed, sometimes I'd even go out. Then I added those functions to the code as well.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 08
    I was doing such a remarkable job I was offered promotions a few times, new positions during the daytime that I'd reject stating I'm a very introverted person that enjoys this type of position.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 09
    Eventually, I got another job, better paid, but there was no reason for me to quit where I was working. For my data entry job, I could spend months without having anybody reach out to me.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 10
    Sometimes some co-workers will try to match my order entry quota, which would make me open the code, and change an 8 to 9 to increase my production and keep myself on top. I'd change the numbers regularly "just in case" but nobody even noticed.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 11
    I even got 2 salary raises at some point for never missing a day, and being the top producer in my 3 people department, to which I corresponded by changing the 9 and switching it to an 11 or 10 on some days. My end.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 12
    It took them 4 years to develop new software that will replace my data entry position. Since clients were granted access to our new system. A few weeks ago I got my severance check, I was told I could keep the laptop and office equipment and that I'm welcome to apply for any position I want.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 13
    I never talked about that with anybody IRL, not even my family, even my wife wasn't sure what my job was about with that other company. Now that it is over. There you go, my darkest work secret.
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 14
    I did try to schedule a demonstration of "my code", I think that was back in 2017. The regional manager told me they're very busy dealing with the important stuff, just to keep doing the good work I was doing.... which I the day I was let go. did until
    via u/Cynicusme
  • 15
    OptimalAd6981 Slow Clap. You could have retired and it would never matter to the company they paid for the results with no complaints.
    via u/OptimalAd6981
  • 16
    Affectionate Row7... You were paid to do a job. Who gives a how you got it done. Love this one... Hahahaha
    via u/Affectionate Row7
  • 17
    [deleted] Automate something for a company, get paid once. Automate your own job without anyone knowing and get paid for five years of doing nothing. Hats off to you, even if the ride is over.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 18
    Hammaer96 This is the single most antiwork post I can imagine. Well played, and my condolences on your loss.
    via u/Hammaer96
  • 19
    BPSPRguy Bro, you won the game.
    via u/BPSPRguy
  • 20
    Reaching Higher85 Work smart, not hard. This is the creed of the lazy but efficient crowd; we do no more than is absolutely necessary to get the work done in a satisfactory and timely manner. We don't get paid to go above board. We get paid for a result; it's our business how it happens.
    via u/Reaching Higher85

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workplace-stories jobs job work workplace antiwork automatic easy data remote remote work
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