Honest subcontractor gets fired after refusing to lie to the client about a phony $800 bill from his boss, sues his shady ex-employer: 'The homeowner will go to bat with me, he's furious'

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Nov 15, 2024 7:00 AM EST

Being honest in the workplace should be an obvious move, but when this subcontractor's boss told him to lie to a client to earn an extra $800 on the job, threats of termination made the difference between 'right and wrong' a little murky. 

When it comes to construction, good workers are hard to find. Strangely, it seems like every contractor is always stuck with labor guys where only 1 in 5 employees even know how to hold a shovel. Good workers aside, it's even more complicated to find an honest man on the job, so when u/JoSolo20 flexed his wholesome muscles, he was surprised that he was faced with a pink slip. 

This honest subcontractor knew that his employer was shady from the beginning, but decided to work alongside them to help out their client. Towards the end of the remodel, he was put in the tough position of delivering a final bill, which included charges for an assortment of service charges for labor that never actually happened. Being the good guy that he was, OP told the homeowner that he was being ripped off, costing him his job, but earning him some heavy artillery in the wrongful termination lawsuit to follow. 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10427535872
    via Jupiterimages from Photo Images

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

  • 02
    Would you lie to the homeowner for your boss? I refused and was terminated.
    via JoSolo20
  • 03
    I'm a carpenter/ kinda do it all remodel subcontractor. I was 90% complete on this remodel. The homeowner came to me and asked what all was done & didn't even know until the draw was
    via JoSolo20
  • 04
    handed to him. The contractor billed $800 dollars extra plus the itemized list of electrical supplies that was never real or installed. He stated in the bill that the exhaust fan,
    via JoSolo20
  • 05
    sconces, shower can light, plugs & switches all had to be rewired from the junction in the attic.Plain lied. I told the truth by accident cause it caught me off guard, But would've told them anyway. I don't
    via JoSolo20
  • 06
    do shady at all. Plus I installed all the lamps & fan that the homeowner picked and bought separately at lowes. The boss shows up we argue & he said im fired.
    via JoSolo20
  • 07
    Im sure he'll probably not pay me cause I didn't complete the contract. I don't feel bad for telling the truth, i only feel bad cause i put 3 weeks & tool expenses into this just to be fired.
    via JoSolo20
  • 08
    Some-Statement7360 You can sue your employer for termination given you acted in best interest of the client.
    via Some-Statement7360
  • 09
    JoSolo20 OP Thank you! Yeah we're digging online & the wife kinda knows a lawyer through working with his wife at the hospital. Going to see if he'll talk to us & point us in the right direction. And im sure
    via JoSolo20
  • 10
    the homeowner will go to bat with me. He was furious & appreciated me telling him. Idk what happened after i left, i seen them talking as i was pulling out the drive. Going to ride by tomorrow to see. The homeowner has my number as we talked daily about him choosing tile paint doors etc
    via JoSolo20
  • 11
    Some-Statement7360 You are honest and should be proud of doing what you did.
    via Some-Statement7360
  • 12
    JoSolo20 OP I don't feel bad for being honest. Just shocked that all this happened so fast. I thought my boss was a good guy. And now im wondering how many times this happened on jobs I did for them.
    via JoSolo20
  • 13
    Username Used Get a settlement. Use it to start your own business. Put him out of business.
    via Username_Used
  • 14
    LokiKamiSama I'd go on all platforms and accidentally leak what this employer is doing. Might end up with a class action lawsuit if other homebuyers find out he was cheating them too. Whooosie doodle!
    via LokiKamiSama
  • 15
    MSCOTTGARAND Take him to court, and report him to the professional licensing board if your state actually requires contractors to be licensed.
    via MSCOTTGARAND
  • 16
    asian_chihuahua If your boss was pushing for an $800 charge for something they didn't do, then that is straight up criminal fraud.
    via asian_chihuahua
  • 17
    MYOB3 You sound like good peeps. Good for you. My husband has worked some construction, and he wouldn't have gone along with him either. Good job.
    via MYOB3
  • 18
    writekindofnonsense Sue him. The home owner will be a witness for you if you are one for them when they sue because he's charging for work that wasn't done. And call the licensing board, dude up.
    via writekindofnonsense
  • 19
    lamHaplo Can I hire you to fix my house? You are exactly the kind of contractor the world needs more of.
    via lamHaplo

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