Laid off truck driver finds a better job, old employer panics asking him to come back: 'The boss can't find another driver'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
May 3, 2024 10:00 AM EDT

Sometimes, when you mess around too much, you find out the hard way that there are very real consequences associated with your actions. It's all well and good for you to do as you'd like and act as you please, but when it comes to facing the consequences you'd better come to terms with it.

That's what this employer is going to have to do when they realize that their driver went ahead and found another job (with better pay) after being told that his job was no longer available when he tried to come back after their usual seasonal winter layoffs. They had likely gone for someone with less experience or with shaky qualifications in an attempt to save a quick buck, but when that didn't pan out, they panicked and tried to bring the drive back urgently to maintain continuity of operations. What… did they just think he would wait around for them after being told there was no work available?

The silver lining and the lesson here is that it's easy to get complacent with your routine and forget that you could very easily make moves to change your life for the better. While it stinks to be out of work, especially when you're in a position that you couldn't be without it,  you almost have to be thankful for situations like this for giving you the push you need to make a better life for yourself.

In need of cash, with a slight gap before his new job was scheduled to start, and with some cunning advice from readers, the driver is planning on driving for his old employer until his new job starts, at which time he'll either ghost them or give his notice. Sounds like a win all around.

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    "My boss is gonna be shocked come Monday." RANS
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    My boss is gonna be shocked come Monday Long story short, I drive truck for a small construction company. In the winter during layoffs I go to my local road commission and plow snow and do highway maintenance. Well this year when I finished out my 5 month winter with the county and went to come back to my other job I was told I wasn't needed at the moment and have spent a month on layoff. I put in an application for another larger local
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    construction company to drive for them and I'm in the process of being hired. Now all the sudden the other place is needing me back asap starting Monday cause they're firing one of the new hires. My mind is made up to leave that place as the other one is offering more pay, had better trucks and equipment, offers me things this job doesn't such as healthcare and PTO. I also found out that's the only reason I'm being brought back is because the boss can't find another driver
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    and didn't want to bring me back cause I was asking for too much in terms of just wanting PTO time. Monday when I walk in I'm telling him I've got another job lined up just waiting on a few things and I'm going there. And I'm sure I'll hear about being loyal to the company but you weren't gonna be loyal to me all over cause you can't give a weeks worth of a vacation and want me to break laws for your company tho. Loyalty died when pensions did.
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    Update: I'll be going back Monday as I could use the money but I'm going to do what everyone else has said to and not say anything about the other job until it's time for me to leave. Didn't expect this to blow up as much as it did, thanks for all the input and insight cause this is one of those instances you want to burn bridges even tho you know better. As for how I'll quit idk yet we'll see how much he kisses my Monday morning or if I'm just coming straight back home. I highly doubt they'll g
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    Ok-Hovercraft621 · 13 hr. ago • No don't tell him you have another job lined up, don't warn him at all. 4.5k Reply Share . . . Eastern-Change-3587 OP. 13 hr. ago Yeah maybe that's a good idea. Idk I'm angry at the that's been pulled and mentally checked out there 1.6k Reply Share
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    • eightfingeredtypist 13 hr. ago String him along in case the new job doesn't work out. Telling the old boss doesn't help you, except to allow you to express anger. Almost working, then not, for weeks and months might help you. 661 Reply Share
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    Mental_Mixture8306 12 hr. ago So they laid you off but hired a "new guy"? Sounds like they tried replacing you. Be a mercenary. Go in and make some cash while you are waiting for the new job to get finalized. Dont say anything, just turn in your notice when you are ready to move. This is about YOU and YOUR needs, not theirs. You can even be professional and say that if things dont work out you can call him, but thats it. The best revenge is success. 337 Reply Share
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    Regular_Pride_6587 12 hr. ago . edited 10 hr. ago Don't have the conversation. Just start the new job and never return. They'll figure it out. 130 Reply Share
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    . workinginacoalmine 12 hr. ago When you finally give notice, don't let him match the pay so you will stay. That will burn a bridge with the new company and your current boss is going to screw you later down the road. Whenever you give notice, it's final and non- negotiable. I've seen way too many of my friends get suckered into staying with a job after they try to quit and then getting fired later when they have burned the bridge with the new company. Don't do it. 81 Reply Share • • •
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    Eastern-Change-3587 OP. 12 hr. ago He'd never match pay, he doesn't give health insurance and definitely doesn't give nor believe in pto for employees but he has no problem taking a month long vacation to Florida. He'll never match anything that other place is offering my minds bee made up that I'm leaving cause why would I want to continue working for a place that offers me less than other places and no benefits? Not to mention my old job has serious money issues all the sudden 41 Reply Share
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    Osro 12 hr. ago • DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL THE NEW JOB IS GUARANTEED. Last thing you need right now is this dude doing something to your new job ↑ 106 Reply Share
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    MaleficentExtent1777 12 hr. ago He didn't want you back. Go back Monday and work until your new job starts. Then when you do, just email your effective immediately resignation. Actions have consequences. Enjoy your new PTO!
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