Boss cancels employee's work-from-home policy following a bout of illness that took them out of work: ‘I’m on the verge of being fired'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Dec 11, 2024 12:00 PM EST

The flexibility of working from home is a knife that cuts both ways, especially if you're not careful and diligent with your time. While working from the comfort of your own home and away from pointless and draining conversations in the office, before you know it, you're taking calls in the early morning and late in the evening and working past your scheduled hours more and more often, blurring the line between your working and personal life. 

To make matters worse, on days when you're sick and would normally be completely unable to go into the office, now you're sitting there considering the fact that you could technically be getting some work done if you really committed to the suffering. And, as with everything, something that has been done once quickly becomes the barest of expectations from your employer now the line blurs even more until there's not really even a line there at all, and as your work eclipses your personal life, you begin to suffer from burnout.

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  • This worker shared how, after having some time off sick from work, they made an attempt to go into the office while still not feeling 100%. Their attempts to work slowly while obviously still struggling from the illness made them the target of their boss's rage. Frustrated and feeling disillusioned from the encounter, they shared their story with this online community, receiving feedback and advice in return.

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    Cheezburger Image 10440474880
    via Andrej Lišakov For Unsplash+

    Image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Image is for illustration only and subjects are models.

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    My boss canceled my work- from-home day and told me to hurry up and look for a new job. I went back to the office for the first time after being sick for a week. I handled a few emails, and then I found an email from him saying he wanted to have a meeting with me. We went into the meeting, and he started yelling at me, saying I couldn't handle the simplest tasks,
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    even though I've been working as hard as I can to complete all the reports and any extra work he assigned me. He told me I can't work from home anymore because I need to "learn more from the office environment" and that I need to speed up the process of finding a new job because I'm on the verge of being fired.
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    Almost every day, I get dragged into meetings like this, where he tells me I'm stupid, worthless, and that my future is at risk. I feel defeated, and I honestly don't know what more I can do. I'm depressed being here and constantly stressed because I feel like I'm always being watched. I'm tired of being a punching bag.
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    I've been through many interviews, but the topics are challenging, and the questions and process often feel long and draining. Today, I have another job interview, and I truly hope I can succeed and secure this position—I'm ready to leave this exhausting chapter behind.
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    I have saved some money that will last me for a year, so I don't have to worry about that until I find a good opportunity.
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    • ReedRidge 13h ago. When you find a job, keep in mind that your present position does not deserve notice.
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    Thellluminate1992 · 13h ago • Just stop caring what he says. If he's gonna fire you he's gonna fire you. Stop stressing out over your work and start documenting everything he says. Slow down. There is quite literally no point in trying to impress him, never was. In fact if you want to poke at him go into one of those "meetings" and just have a sh eating grin on your face. See what he does. I bet he goes more ballistic. If he does just laugh.
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    jugularhealer16 • 13h ago Sounds like they're trying to get you to quit.
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    AdorationOx • 13h ago. When you find a new job, do not give notice. It's not legally required. Also? Let him fire you. Collect that unemployment. Can you go to HR and file a complaint about a hostile work environment?
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    pizzabot22 • 12h ago • He is bu ying you to get you to quit. Typically this involves forfeiture of any benefits or severance you may be entitled to. Reduce your efforts at work, and put your efforts into finding alternative employment. No notice or minimum notice when you exit please.
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    . jargonexpert 13h ago. That's fi◎d and it seems like workplace harassment if he's yelling and calling you stupid.
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    • _lucid_dreams 13h ago. Have you asked him for examples of mistakes he claims you have made and asked what you can do to improve? Take notes. Document everything he says. Show you're attempting to improve so if he fires you you can hopefully collect UI. (If you're in the U.S.) also recommend a weekly meeting to review your progress.
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    • starshiprarity 12h ago Look up your local laws about hostile work environments and single party consent recordings.
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    My_Uneducated _... • 11h ago • Email him back after a meeting with the whole "i just wanted to make sure I was clear on what you said during the meeting. You would like me to now be in the office for all work days, I should speed up my work, you believe I am worthless and a waste of space, and you want me to find a new job. Am I correct that those were the points you wanted me to take from our meeting earlier today?"
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    Make sure you get a response in email. If he doesn't respond, send it again with a "just checking up on this since I haven't received a response". After he admits to it all, forward to HR and tell them that you are considering finding legal counsel on what steps to take for your relationship with the company. Even if you already plan to leave, make him pay for messing with employees.
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    TacticalSpeed13 • 12h ago • Sadly, this clown is going to fire you any day now regardless of anything you do so f him. Next time eat berates you just tell him fire me. Don't quit you won't be able to collect unemployment
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    Much Program576 • 12h ago 1. Get new job. Don't quit current job. 2. Do absolutely nothing at current job making them fire you. 3. Profit at new job
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    • Cap_Happy 12h ago. "If my productivity drops, fire me" then walk out of the room.
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    Cultural_Ad_2206 • 11h ago. If I was in a single party consent state, I'd have my phone recording these conversations. Then, when I quit, these audio recordings of his abhorrent behavior would be given to hr, emailed to coworkers, and uploaded anywhere people might know him. It's easy to be ab ive behind closed doors.
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workplace discussion employment issues return to office antiwork workplace-stories jobs employee employment-discussion working from home job work employees overworked-employees workplace Horrible Bosses employment flexible work in the workplace
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