Employee resigns at 4:00am after bosses ignore her health scare and assign her more work: 'I couldn’t take it anymore'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 7, 2024 8:00 AM EST

Sometimes, there is only so much poor treatment one can take. It is an unfortunate reality that in certain workplace environments, employees have to expect a certain level of vigilance from management that can, at times, border on micromanaging or even callous. However, the greatest indicator that a workplace is run by decent folks is how they treat their employees when they are going through hardship and need support. 

In this instance, we have an employee who was in the midst of a health scare regarding her kidneys, which meant she could not work for a couple of days. Of course, this was an overachiever who went back to work as soon as she could, even if she should have remained resting for longer, but that was not enough to please management. Instead, they piled on more work on her plate and showed no sympathy regarding her recovery. It all coalesced to a breaking point in the middle of the night when the Redditor's spouse told her how this new job has clearly affected her confidence and self-esteem on top of everything else. Thankfully, the Redditor was sane enough to realize that this was beyond fixable and she needed to get out while she still could. 

Keep scrolling below to hear about the scathing resignation email and the fallout. For more stories like this, take a look at this post about an overworked employee who refused to stay late no matter what the circumstances were. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10438015232
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    This 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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    Resigned at 4:00am I couldn't take it anymore. The following sequence of events resulted in the most unprofessional resignation I have ever submitted.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    Monday August 8th: Meeting with Manager, Director, and VP about high visibility project. VP added comments/issues I needed to address before our next meeting (Today). I advised Manager I was having kidney pain. My health concerns were dismissed.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
  • 04
    Tuesday August 9th: After 6 hours in the ER, I was admitted to the hospital with a 9mm kidney stone and 33% kidney function. Had anxiety about missing any time...even for a hospitalization.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
  • 05
    Wednesday August 10th: Had emergency surgery. Received text from Manager asking if I was logging on to work.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
  • 06
    Thursday August 11th: I was discharged from the hospital late in the day...with a stent, a lot of medication, and a scheduled outpatient follow up procedure. Manager asked if I was working the next day.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
  • 07
    Friday August 12th Twelve hours after discharge, I logged in for work. I already had an IM asking if I logged on yet. Instead of asking how I was, pressure was applied to have all comments
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    addressed but prioritize another project. I advised that I had a follow-up appointment on Monday August 15th but would only take half day.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
  • 09
    Monday August 15th: Had connectivity issues in the morning. Notified Manager- advised I would login after appointment and work late. At 5:00 pm received a text from
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    Manager to join last minute meeting (in the middle of said meeting so I missed the entire purpose of meeting). At 5:30, I logged out of email/chat and DND my phone so I could focus on project before meeting with VP. After several hours, checked
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    phone. Manger sent a text at 7:34 telling my to urgently check email. Manager had sent email at 5:31 saying she received email from VP. ALL outstanding issues
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    needed to be resolved by 9:15am meeting. Some of the questions can only be answered by external stakeholders. It was not a reasonable request. Manager then points out that the last time I worked on project was Friday
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    morning and doesn't understand why it was not complete by now. She is concerned my "excessive absences" are impacting productivity.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    I have never taken a relaxing day off. Other than 2 trips to the ER, first day of testing positive for C, and my grandmother's passing, all missed time was medical had been pre-approved.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    Taking into consideration my hospitalization, her request for prioritization of another project, and pre-approved time off...I had 12-16 hours total to complete a week's worth of follow-up. It should be noted that the project was about something I had never been trained on and involved no less than 8 other stakeholders.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    I stared at my computer and cried. I knew I was being set up for failure. I knew that this was going to fall on me. The VP and Director have a tendency to issue scathing feedback in these meetings and make you feel really incompetent with passive aggressive statements.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
  • 17
    I was having a panic attack when my husband found me at my desk at 3:00am. He said I have changed since joining the company. I was previously ambitious, driven, and confident.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    I was respected by leadership and the team I led in prior positions. I was assertive and professional. Now, I am submissive and emotional. My confidence is non-existent and I am constantly questioning my potential. My employer doesn't respect me.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    It was in that moment I decided to resign effective immediately. I left my Manager holding the bag with the 9:15am meeting. I didn't hold back. I explained in excruciating detail why I decided to quit in the midst of a personal
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    health crisis. I am losing my health insurance but I had to choose between my physical and mental health. I cleared out all non-proprietary documents and hit send.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    No one has attempted to contact me; not even HR. I am waiting for the shipping label to return equipment and termination paperwork.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    I feel so much relief. A weight has been lifted and the sun is shining brighter. I made a risky decision but as my mom texted earlier -"That job was not for you anyways. Something better is on the horizon."
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    UPDATE: I just had my exit interview (quick, right?) She said "We got your resignation letter at like 6:00am-wow". I didn't go into anymore detail than what was in the letter because I know that they really don't give a sh.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    Nothing I say at this point will make a difference. Why waste time explaining myself again? It's over. It's final. Time to move on.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    NotARusski Health is wealth. You made the right decision and your body and emotional health will thank you in the long run.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
  • 26
    vashthestampe... The leadership at that company sounds like they are utter pieces of sh. If they even fully read your resignation I doubt they'll even reflect and think they are to blame for it. At least you can rest easy knowing they're probably scrambling like crazy right now with that project.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls
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    stormbird451 In future interviews, "I was screamed at for not logging in and working while in the recovery room after emergency surgery. I almost di d and they wouldn't give me the day off." I am so sorry. They weren't even trying to be human.
    via Setgoals_snatchsouls

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