‘They’re manufacturing a reason to fire me': Boss cuts employee's hours in half but refuses to reduce their workload, employee finds a clever way to avoid responsibilities

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Sep 30, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

Anyone who has ever been quietly fired knows how much that experience can get you down. Even if you hadn't been through that experience, surely you can imagine how awkward it can be when you know your boss is trying to squeeze you out of the company but doesn't actually say that to you because they want you to quit yourself. 

Unfortunately, I happen to know exactly what this feels like. Two years ago I was working for a company and thought I was doing a really good job. I only realized they wanted me gone when they simply stopped giving me any work. It got to a point where in a part-time job I was only working for about two hours a week, so I quickly looked for a better job that would respect me enough to tell me what I was doing wrong.

The employee in this Reddit story is going through a similar experience since their boss cut their hours in half without an explanation. However, the main problem they are dealing with is that while they are working fewer hours, they are still expected to do the same amount of workload, which is practically impossible.

Scroll down to read the full story. After you are done, click here for a series of stories about college students who got out of paying parking tickets.

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  • 01
    "Why is your work piling up?"
    via kanchanachitkhamma

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    How to (politely) tell my boss I cannot do everything he is asking me to do because he cut my hours
    via yellcwledbetter
  • 03
    So my role went from full-time to part-time with little to no change to my responsibilities I explicitly told my boss during discussions that I did not think
    via yellcwledbetter
  • 04
    this was feasible, to which he replied something to the effect of "well we think it can be done in these hours" (I also have an email of me saying the same thing,
    via yellcwledbetter
  • 05
    which I forwarded to my personal email for potential documentation purposes) My boss (or more specifically his EA) keeps giving me tedious,
    via yellcwledbetter
  • 06
    time-consuming tasks that could realistically be done by others, which take me away from my two major projects (one of which is entirely my responsibility).
    via yellcwledbetter
  • 07
    How can I, politely (though an edge of' you' is fine) tell them that I cannot do the tasks they are asking because they reduced my hours but not my workload?
    via yellcwledbetter
  • 08
    EDIT: I am currently looking for new work FYI, but I stuck with part-time in the interim
    via yellcwledbetter
  • 09
    FoolMe2xStrike3 • 19h ago • Subject: Clarification on Priorities and Time Constraints Hi [Boss's Name], I hope you're doing well. I wanted to touch base regarding the workload since my hours
    via FoolMe2xStrike3
  • 10
    were reduced to part-time. As we discussed previously, I had some concerns about fitting the full range of responsibilities into the reduced hours, and I'm finding that those concerns are proving to be valid.
    via FoolMe2xStrike3
  • 11
    With the current volume of tasks, particularly the additional assignments being directed my way, I'm struggling to balance. everything within the limited. time I now have. I've been
    via FoolMe2xStrike3
  • 12
    prioritizing [mention the two major projects you're responsible for], but these more time-consuming administrative tasks are pulling me away from my core responsibilities, which require focused attention.
    via FoolMe2xStrike3
  • 13
    Could we revisit the task distribution or discuss delegating some of the more time-intensive items to others, so I can remain focused on delivering high-quality work on
    via FoolMe2xStrike3
  • 14
    the key projects? I want to ensure I'm contributing effectively and efficiently within my available hours. Thank you for understanding, and I'm happy to discuss this further if needed.
    via FoolMe2xStrike3
  • 15
    Best regards, [Your Name] This message is polite, highlights your concerns, and suggests a solution. It also references your previous conversations, subtly reinforcing that you've already raised these issues.
    via FoolMe2xStrike3
  • 16
    • Itstotallysafe ⚫ 19h ago • Every time the EA assigns something outside of the primary two projects you need to focus on, reply with something along the lines of "I'm happy to help you with this. Would you like (new
    via Itstotallysafe
  • 17
    task) to take priority over (primary important tasks) or should I work on that after (primary important tasks) have been completed?" Then, the next time it happens, list all three tasks. Then, when it
    via Itstotallysafe
  • 18
    happens again, list all four tasks, etc. This reinforces the idea you're "helping out the EA" while also documenting all of the additional work they're adding on. If and when they start asking for things in person or over the
    via Itstotallysafe
  • 19
    phone, ask them to follow up that request in an email since you don't want to forget about their important request given how much is on your plate. (Documentation is important just in case you need it later)
    via Itstotallysafe
  • 20
    On a personal note, I think they're trying to squeeze you out. If a boss cut my hours in half I'd double the communication just to spite them. I'd CC (or BCC) them on every email. If something critical doesn't get done I'd point
    via Itstotallysafe
  • 21
    to the emails and say "I was following EAs orders and CCd you since I thought they were acting on your behalf". Maybe it drives a wedge between them, or maybe they smarten up and move me back to full time. But, even if they did, I'd move on with no notice once I found something else. That FT to PT move is ! s.
    via Itstotallysafe
  • 22
    jhop32111 19h ago • I wouldn't bother talking to him. about it. Just work your 4 hours in a calm, relaxed professional manner and walk away at the end of that time. Whatever doesn't get done, doesn't get done. Also get another job asap
    via jhop32111
  • 23
    Just Run8347 • 15h ago Don't forget to file for unemployment for the reduced hours.
    via Just_Run8347
  • 24
    Shoddy_Story_3514 19h ago • Work the new hours and nothing more and when they ask why work is piling up show them the emails and ask them what they will do about it as you are already working the maximum hours permitted.
    via Shoddy_Story_3514
  • 25
    HereWeGo_Steelers 18h ago • Don't do the EA tasks. Reply back to every email the EA sends assigning you new admin tasks with "I'm sorry but my reduced work hours don't allow me enough time in the day to take on additional tasks as I'm focused on my two priority projects and they consume my entire day." hours per
    via HereWeGo_Steelers
  • 26
    Informal_Drawing • 18h ago • You don't say anything. Work getting done on time or not getting done on time is Management's problem, not yours. Managing that is what they get paid for. They can tell you that they can fly, doesn't make it true.
    via Informal_Drawing
  • 27
    MistakeNice1466 • 18h ago • This sounds like they are trying to force you to quit or manufacture a reason to fire you. Spend your extra time fiercely looking for another job
    via MistakeNice1466

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boss antiwork workplace-stories employee fired manager job tales-from-the-workplace workload reddit story overworked-employees workplace Reddit company
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