'I really hate that it has come to this': Incompetent boss berates ex-employee for keeping company while he was on a European vacation

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jul 2, 2024 3:00 PM EDT

Working for a terrible boss can take a toll on you. It makes you question your sanity, throws you into situations you never thought you'd be in, and brings the worst out of you. And as most people with phones know, it's easy for things to escalate over text. You can miss each other's meanings, incorrectly read tone, and generally say things you wouldn't have the guts to say in person. These two things combined (bad bosses and texting) can create a particularly untenable situation. 

That's what happened to one begrudged employee who tried their best to set things straight with a toxic boss, but ended up in a pretty riveting back-and-forth about a piece of company equipment that hadn't yet been returned. The following text chain is a great read, as each party had some pretty iconic lines. Read on for the story and be glad you didn't work for this particular boss.

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  • 01
    Tuesday 1:06 PM Please let me know when you will be in your office this week so I can return the office phone I have. 8:00 AM As a reminder, please let me know when you will be in your office so I can return the office phone today or tomorrow. After tomorrow, I will not be able to bring it to you. You are welcome to provide me with the shipping cost/label, and I'd be happy to send it to you via mail.
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 02
    It would be best to mail it. Thanks. Tbh if you knew you were leaving you should have it bought it to the office your last day. The reality is the nature of your resignation/quitting, the timing of it and the devolving of the professional and personal relationship so quickly prolly mean it's best you do not return to the office. Respectfully if you aren't able to mail it let me know and I can file a report with the appropriate authorities. Thanks and I truly wish you the best.
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 03
    11:26 AM I did not know I would not be returning. The devolving was a direct result of your actions. As mentioned, you are welcome to provide me with the shipping cost/ label and I will gladly mail it. You can also arrange for it to be picked up from an agreed upon location. I will not be paying to send the office equipment you provided me and knew that I had to you. If you cannot afford to pay for it, please feel free to proceed with whatever authorities you so choose.
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 04
    This is not personal, it's strictly business at this point. I am not casting blame or dispersions. The reality is you quit on June 14. You did what you thought is best for you. Since June 14 you have remained in possession of company equipment. At this point I am forced to take the appropriate measures. I will take the appropriate measures with the authorities. I wish you the best of luck.
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 05
    Correct. I waited until you returned from your vacation to request a day to drop it off when I knew you'd be in the office as I didn't want to simply leave it at the office doorstep. You were well aware that I had the equipment as you told me to take it home when I was employed by you. You did not ask for me to return it when I quit. Twice, I told you I would bring it to your office, which is an inconvenience for me. You have refused that offer. You further refused other attempts for me to retur
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 06
    I'm not into the blame game and I'm not going back and forth. We'll wait to receive it via mail in a timely fashion. If we don't receive it via mail in a timely fashion then we will report it to the appropriate authorities. This is not a negotiation. You are no longer an employee and you are in possession of company equipment. Govern yourself accordingly.
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 07
    As stated numerous times throughout this conversation, I am happy to mail it to you as soon as I receive the shipping label to my email. I am not negotiating. I will not pay to return your equipment when I have made documented attempts to return it to you. Again, proceed as you see fit, and I will act accordingly. will NOT be responding to any further messages about this. I've made myself clear. I really hate that it has come to this.
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 08
    Sounds good! I'll keep an eye out for the shipping label! There won't be one issued. Govern yourself accordingly. I have provided various options to have a phone worth less than $200 returned to you, and you have refused them all. I Govern yourself accordingly, 3:10 PM ⚫ SMS
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 09
    Worked for this solo attorney for less than 6 months. His office was an absolute disaster. I was his only employee when I gave him my 2 week notice. He was in Europe on vacation. He acted like a so I walked out that same day. He gave me the phone in question (4th pic) for days I worked from home.
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 10
    Oddgreenmentor • 4 days ago He used "prolly" in a conversation about professionalism Imao
    via u/Oddgreenmentor
  • 11
    WaterFriendsIV 4 days ago You did such a great job staying on point and not getting sucked in. I think we all need to utilize the terms and clarity you used when dealing with bosses. You probably have a good deal of
    via u/WaterFriendsIV
  • 12
    legal knowledge due to your field, but I feel like we all have to learn to communicate more like the way you did instead of apologizing, giving in, or being taken advantage of. Well done!
    via u/WaterFriendsIV
  • 13
    sudo_rm_rf_solvesALL. 4 days ago "You have X days to provide a shipping label, or the aforementioned items will be sent to a recycling company. Please govern your accordingly. Or send the cops, I'm sure they would love to play delivery man"
    via u/sudo_rm_rf_solvesALL
  • 14
    suedoughnim42 OP 4 days ago I wish I had outright said, "Please call the cops." But alas, opportunity missed lol
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 15
    Rubycon 4 days ago It will cost him more to 'pursue with the authorities'. Glad you used his dumb phrases back against him.
    via u/Rubycon_
  • 16
    suedoughnim42 OP. 4 days ago Oh, absolutely! And I know (as the person who answered all calls and opened mail) he literally cannot afford to do anything to me.
    via u/suedoughnim42
  • 17
    Admirable Shower_612. 4 days ago This is HILARIOUS. I love it when he said "I won't be responding again" and you said "great I'll look forward to receiving the shipping label" and he just couldn't not respond. Hahahahhaa.
    via u/Admirable Shower_612
  • 18
    naazzttyy 4 days ago An attorney who doesn't know the difference between aspersions and dispersions. And people wonder why it's considered to be the profession with the lowest bar.
    via u/naazzttyy
  • 19
    suedoughnim42 OP. 4 days ago He's dumb and thinks he's a genius. Lol. I had friends/family who could have used his services, and I always pointed them away from him.
    via u/suedoughnim42

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