'She didn't actually quit': CEO fires assistant after she spends $2k on fake farewell party with company funds

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Nov 13, 2024 10:00 AM EST

There's something universally awkward about office parties—whether it's the forced mingling, the questionable food choices, or that one coworker who takes "open bar" a little too literally. Most of us just try to blend into the crowd, avoid making eye contact with our managers, and hope the night ends without too many cringe-worthy moments. But for one unfortunate team, a party to celebrate an employee's resignation was nothing more than a "social experiment."

It's one thing to make a grand exit when you're moving on to bigger things, but this employee decided to throw herself a farewell bash complete with company-funded catering, decorations, and a custom cake... all while the CEO was on out of the office. The CEO returned from a conference to find her assistant had announced her departure in a company-wide email and threw a party on the company's dime, just to admit she was never really leaving in the first place. 

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  • 01
    r/AITAH ⚫8 hr. ago Frosting Regular1328 AITA for firing my assistant after she used company money to throw herself a "farewell party" ... but didn't actually quit?
    via u/FrostingRegular1328
  • 02
    So, I (28F) own a mid-sized tech consulting firm and recently hired a new assistant, Lily (26F), a few months ago. She seemed competent, though she had a quirky personality and sometimes blurred professional lines.
    via u/FrostingRegular1328
  • 03
    Last week, I was out of town for a conference, and while I was away, Lily emailed everyone in the company, announcing she was "leaving to pursue new horizons" and threw herself a massive farewell party at the office. She used the company
    via u/FrostingRegular1328
  • 04
    credit card to order catering, decorations, custom cake, and even arranged for a bartender to set up a drink station in the break room. The total bill was close to $2,000. When I came back, I was shocked. Not only did I never
    via u/FrostingRegular1328
  • 05
    receive a resignation from her, but she also hadn't actually quit! When I confronted her, she said she was "testing" how much people appreciated her and wanted to see if anyone would "convince her to stay." She called it a "social experiment."
    via u/FrostingRegular1328
  • 06
    I was furious and fired her on the spot for misuse of company funds and deceptive behavior. Now, she's blowing up on social media, claiming I'm a "soulless. boss" who has "no respect for mental health and personal exploration." She says I should.
    via u/FrostingRegular1328
  • 07
    have appreciated her "creative way of bonding with the team." Some friends are telling me I might have overreacted and that maybe I should have just docked her pay or given her a warning
    via u/FrostingRegular1328
  • 08
    instead. I'm torn because I do value my employees, but this felt like an absurd breach of trust. So, AITA for firing her immediately over a "farewell party" that wasn't even real?
    via u/FrostingRegular1328
  • 09
    Cursd818 1d ago NTA Report her to police for fraud or theft. Pursue the amount she spent in court. Ask a lawyer if you can respond on social media that she stole $2k from your business. If he says go ahead, do it. And reconsider if you want to be friends with people who seriously
    via u/Cursd818
  • 10
    think you should allow yourself and your business to be abused like that. Why don't they want you to stand up for yourself? Are they similarly used to taking advantage of you?
    via u/Cursd818
  • 11
    zoyarosse 1d ago NTA. Lily's actions were completely inappropriate and unprofessional. Using company funds for a personal party without authorization is a serious offense, and her social experiment excuse is ridiculous. You have every right to be furious and to fire her for her behavior.
    via u/zoyarosse
  • 12
    • roxywalker 1d ago NTA. She took advantage of access to the company credit card, misused funds, and committed fraud by lying to the entire company about her departure and celebrating at your expense. Any one of those is a reason to separate her employment from the company, but all three?
    via u/roxywalker
  • 13
    That's grounds for suing her because she's taken her ridiculous stance to social media to blast you. All you did was hire the wrong person for the job and go to a conference. Now she's pivoting towards slander. No way.
    via u/roxywalker
  • 14
    llama_llama_48213 • 1d ago Overreacting?! Her actions were completely inappropriate and I hope her final paycheck is docked. "Social experiment" my Creative gibberish nonsense. With some companies, she'd have been charged with theft or fraud. She should consider herself lucky.
    via u/llama_llama_48213
  • 15
    A warning comes off she's late everyday for a week. That wasn't this. NTA.
    via u/llama_llama_48213
  • 16
    Illustrious_Name_842 • 1d ago NTA. She's entitled and a crook.
    via u/Illustrious_Name_842
  • 17
    Agitated_Pilot_3055 • 1d ago Take her to court for stealing company funds for her party. She is not suitable for employment. She is a thief. NTA. UpdateMe
    via u/Agitated_Pilot_3055
  • 18
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    via Unsplash (Getty Images)

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

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