‘Cool, right?’: Employee goes on a 2-week vacation after working 7-days a week for 4 months and only makes $15 per hour, gets fired over email due to small miscommunication

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Oct 22, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

After reading through many work horror stories over the internet, we have come to the conclusion that you should never fully trust your employer—especially if they're paying you minimum wage for a very demanding job. Or if they're a "mom and pop" operation with no HR. If you get into any uncomfortable situation, even if it isn't you're fault, you're going to be the scapegoat. 

Unfortunately, this employee learned that the hard way. She was working what she called her "dream job," but it seemed more like a nightmare job. She was getting paid minimum wage and the company was just her and a husband and wife partnership. She was simply supposed to work the front desk, but she ended up being their go-to for everything—even nannying their friend's kids! She put up with it and did her best throughout the entire job, she even ended up working 7 days a week for four months. She was so exhausted, so she went on vacation, finally. 

While she was away, she got an email letting her go… They didn't even give her the dignity of a phone call—she had to call them herself! Read the entire story below.

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  • 01
    "That's how I found out: via email. Fired."
    via Unsplash+ (and Vinicius "amnx" Amano)

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

  • 02
    I just got fired from my dream job while on vacation. How do I handle this? I'm on vacation after working for 7 days a week over the last 4 months. I desperately needed the break. Then, out of nowhere, I get an email with the subject line: Employment Status. I open it, and my stomach just drops. I've been terminated. Over email. One week into my 2 week long vacation. I immediately call my boss, hoping this is some mistake. Spoiler: it's not.
    via Itsabonesday
  • 03
    She tells me this is some corporate way of "getting the truth out of people." I wasn't hiding anything! She just didn't believe me or bother investigating further before sending a random termination email while I'm on vacation. Here's what started all of this: On Wednesday, October 9th, I covered a shift that wasn't mine. When I was leaving, I noticed I hadn't been clocked in. Normally, I'd text my co worker to fix it, but this time I used my company laptop to adjust it myself.
    via Itsabonesday
  • 04
    The next day, my boss asked me how I made the edit. I told her the truth-I did it. She asked more questions, but I didn't think I did anything wrong. | worked those hours, so I edited the time. I assumed if she had a real issue, we'd have a conversation in person, not just text. Fast forward 10 days-I'm across the country, enjoying vacation-and she changes all the company passwords. That freaked me out even before I saw the termination email. And that's how I found out: via email. Fired.
    via Itsabonesday
  • 05
    Panicking, I called her immediately. Thankfully, she answered. I was barely holding it together and basically begged, "what's going on? Why did you fire me?" She says that the way I edited the clock made her lose trust in me. Apparently, she thought I'd logged out of my account to log into someone else's. I explained that I had used both my phone and my company laptop, which had automatically logged me into my co workers account (not my own) without me realizing it.
    via Itsabonesday
  • 06
    Once I explained this, she seemed relieved. She even told me, "It makes sense. I still want you to work for me for years to come!" I thought it was resolved. Then 30 minutes later-she calls me again. This time, she says she talked to her husband, co owner, and he still wants me gone. She says there's nothing she can do and tells me I'll "do great in life" and offers to write me a recommendation. Cool, right?
    via Itsabonesday
  • 07
    Here's the kicker, I've been working for $15 an hour for the past four months, even though I was doing way more than my original front desk job. I took on the role of marketing, social media, and community outreach on top of front desk. No pay increase, no nothing. They promised we'd discuss my salary after I got back from vacation, so I believed them. But I guess they never planned to have that conversation.
    via Itsabonesday
  • 08
    What makes it even harder is that I've never been punished at this job-only praised. It gave me a false sense of appreciation, which is probably why I kept working for such a low rate. This whole thing has sent me spiraling into self-doubt and confusion. I was so wrapped up in their lives-nannying their neighbor's kids, working at her friend's boutique, getting invited over for dinner-and they fired me over email, while I was on vacation. I just can't understand how people can treat someone like
    via Itsabonesday
  • 09
    OzyFx 9h ago • Your dream job makes you work 7 days a week for the last 4 months then fires you over an accurate timesheet edit? I think one day you'll look back and realize it wasn't a dream job.
    via OzyFx
  • 10
    snoreasaurus3553 • 9h ago • I think there's some truths here you need to hear: 1. Your "dream job" sounds like an absolute nightmare. Your manager's behaviour is callous. 2. working 7 days a week for 4 months straight is horrible for your wellbeing. 3. Your work has taken advantage of you by making you do extra duties without appropriate compensation. Take this as a blessing in disguise. It sounds like you've escaped a nightmare.
    via snoreasaurus3553
  • 11
    LacyLove 8h ago • I'm going to be gentle when I say this. I was so wrapped up in their lives-nannying their neighbor's kids, working at her friend's boutique, getting invited over for dinner and they fired me over email These people used you. For very, very cheap labor. They let you run yourself ragged for 4 months, 7 days a week, for 15 dollars an hour. That is crazy.
    via Lacylove
  • 12
    They promised we'd discuss my salary after I got back from vacation They never planned to do this. Instead of being honest with you, they fired you. They are already on the hunt for the next victim.
    via Lacylove
  • 13
    Accurate_Door_6911 8h ago ⚫ • • Lol 15 an hour for anything not service level or retail is kind of a joke. Like Home Depot will hire high schoolers and college students for their overnight team for 18 bucks an hour most places. Same thing with Amazon and Target. You could probably look online for the nearest Amazon warehouse and they'll probably give you 20 an hour. Sure it's boring and repetitive, but you probably won't have to work 7 days a week.
    via Accurate_Door_6911
  • 14
    Immediate_Finger_889 • 7h ago ⚫ Your dream job makes you work 7 days a week for FIFTEEN dollars an hour, and they fire you by email over an administrative question? Gently, I think you need to see a therapist about what love and personal validation mean.
    via Immediate_Finger_889
  • 15
    Demonkey44 • 8h ago Your dream job gave you a dream resume which other employers will find attractive. Don't believe them about the good reference. Instead have a friend or parent pretend to be a future employer and check them out. You were very underpaid and a great worker. Your dismissal is their loss and your freedom. Don't put yourself in this position again. Companies will use you up and spit you out. This is a good lesson also on why you don't work for a family business.
    via Demonkey44
  • 16
    If you are not family, you will be Every dime they pay you is less money for the family. I. Try a larger business next time, you have more experience and that should count for something. If they ask why you leave tell them you were downsized due to a disagreement. Personally, I think they wanted you to set up all their social media for them, show them how to manage it, for practically free, and then terminate you excuse to manage it on some themselves.
    via Demonkey44
  • 17
    Make sure you file for unemployment and if they deny it, appeal. If they don't pay you your last two weeks, 1 go to the department of labor and file a complaint. These family businesses are horribly shady. As far as nannying the neighbor's kids, etc. block them all or send them to voicemail when you call. This is being enmeshed and is not a real friendship, these people are psychopaths. You were "of use", not family. Block them and their flying monkeys on everything.
    via Demonkey44
  • 18
    herecomes_the_sun 8h ago • I'm sorry OP, i actually do think this is a big mistake on your part. Always let your manager know if you forgot to clock in and deal with it together. Updating your own hours in the system is a bad look, especially on someone else account. That said, everyone makes mistakes and it you got fired for it on your vacation. At a minimum they could have waited until after to have a conversation. I hope this is a blessing in disguise because working 7 days a week sounds awfu
    via herecomes_the_sun
  • 19
    Detail4 7h ago • • This isn't a dream job. You were setting yourself up to be underpaid and overworked to make some guy richer. Pro Tip: Try to get in to a larger organization. If "HR" is the owner's wife, you can be sure you'll be underpaid and they'll take advantage of you.
    via Detail4
  • 20
    alabamaterp • 8h ago • A word of advice. If they ever call you to ask questions about the job, or need information on something you did - hang up the phone! Do not ever contact these people ever again or talk to them. They will continue to take advantage of you.
    via alabamaterp
  • 21
    ufront 7h ago • They did you a favor. You don't want to work for these people. You don't even want them in your life. They're taking advantage of you. They planned to do this to you while you were on vacation. They were never going to give you a raise. They're just going to find someone else they can use and abuse for $15 an hour. Take your skills and life lessons and work for people who care about you.
    via ufront

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