Horse caretaker gets fired over text after confirming they can work the upcoming weekend: 'This kind of business needs to be shut down'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Dec 14, 2024 1:00 PM EST

There is no perfect way to fire someone. You can put it in all the cushioned language you want, but the truth will remain hard to swallow. Unless they're actively trying to get fired (à la George Costanza), odds are the person you're firing would rather stay on than have to find a new job. Finding a new job these days is backbreaking, thankless work. 

That said, there are a few rules you should probably abide by when letting someone go. In many ways, it's like a breakup, so breakup rules apply. Try to avoid clichés they have heard before (It's not you, it's me). Avoid making promises you don't intend to keep (Let's be friends, no really I mean it!). Finally, and most importantly, don't do it over text. Some things in life warrant a phone call, and breakups and firings are two of those things. This employer managed to break all of these rules in one fell swoop. Read on for the details. 

Advertisement
  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10440915200
    via Unsplash+ (JSB Co.)

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

  • 02
    r/antiwork 1 day ago Fickle-Tea-7847 Well that certainlys ks
    via u/Fickle-Tea-7847
  • 03
    So I work two jobs, this is a text I received this morning from my manager at my second job. Where I work taking care of horses (my life long passion). I just had $3,200 of repairs done on my truck and this job paid me $600/month for working 8 hr weekends. I've been there 4 months and have over 15 years of experience with horses. So this is a hard hit to take. Personally, I think this is a really f ed up way to let your employees go. While I understand the circumstances and why I am the one to b
    via u/Fickle-Tea-7847
  • 04
    Are you going to be able to work this weekend? Ok Thanks 09:09 Hey Allison! I really sorry I have bad news. We have to let u go. I know is last minute but I been talking with my boss and he wants me to cover the weekend with the employees I already have. I'll let u know when I have ur check ready. Thank you for everything! Hopefully we can contact you in the future needs? 09:09 Yes! You're welcome!
    via u/Fickle-Tea-7847
  • 05
    B • NotMyAccount110 · 1d ago • "He wants me to cover the weekend with the employees | already have" But you've been working with them 4 months? I'm not understanding how you wouldn't be factored into the employees they already have equation.
    via u/NotMyAccount110
  • 06
    dark_lynx_997 • • 1d ago Edited 1d ago • It's a lie and shady business instead of being upfront. Drop any shady employer that operates this way. In this case OP won and can collect UEB while finding a more sensible and honest employer.
    via u/dark_lynx_997
  • 07
    AlternativeAd7151 • 1d ago • He's likely misclassified as a contractor or something along those lines
    via u/AlternativeAd7151
  • 08
    Fickle-Tea-7847 OP 1d ago • • It's under the table. There's not enough work to be done for three people to be needed and with me being the newest, I'm sure that's why I got the boot. I'm not sure if it's because corporate doesn't like the way I do things or there's things I'm not doing to their expectations that I can't see. I honestly couldn't tell you though
    via u/Fickle-Tea-7847
  • 09
    . South_Recording1666 1d ago • This should have at least been a phone call with a huge apology.
    via u/South_Recording1666
  • 10
    Perndog8439 · 1d ago. . Put all this on glassdoor to warn future workers. This kind of business needs to be shut down.
    via u/Perndog8439
  • 11
    Chevillator · 1d ago. Human has no basic... Human decency. Should not complain that at some points people become insane and just steal or worse...good luck! The US is insane tough.
    via u/Chevillator
  • 12
    domine18 · 1d ago • Just respond most definitely. If they contact to come in for a job say will be there. Then 10 mins before say sorry another job came up I am going to have to decline please keep me in mind for future work! Rinse and repeat if needed
    via u/domine18
  • 13
    IndigoGrunt 23h ago Horse people definitely . I had a patient recently that came from another country with promise of working with horses. It was some expensive barn that trains for shows. She was injured by the horse and needed workers compensation so they fired her.
    via u/IndigoGrunt
  • 14
    translostation 22h ago . . WAIT! You're telling me that folks wealthy enough to own horses are also capitalistic enough to f you this hard? No. Way. Who could have seen that coming? </s>
    via u/translostation
  • 15
    Broseppe Verdi • 22h ago "Hey! Can you come into work?" "Yes!" "Okay, you're fired. Also, can you come into work at some point in the future?"
    via u/BroseppeVerdi
  • 16
    FugginOld 18h ago • If this was such a great place to work and you had no problems with them, why post it on here if you are going to defend them?
    via u/FugginOld
  • 17
    EmberElixir . 1d ago • They gave you notice over text, and on top of that they couldn't be bothered to spell out "you." Wow.
    via u/EmberElixir
  • 18
    Strict-Scientist9685 4h ago • • I'm sorry and best wishes. Your experience with horses is a valuable asset and will hopefully make the search for a replacement side-gig a short one. Sorry you are getting crop here, as well. Nothing like punching down in what should be a venue for solidarity and compassion.
    via u/Strict-Scientist9685
  • 19
    bubblegumbop · 8h ago • Your response should be: "I appreciate you letting me know. That said, the way [employer name] is handling my being let go. via text like this is unprofessional. I would've hoped for at least a phone call so you could tell me directly
    via u/bubblegumbop
  • 20
    that I'm being let go. This type of behavior does not make me want to return to help you guys in any capacity in the future, and reflects very poorly on [company]. As for my final check, please mail it to [address]. I am unable to stop by to pick it up. Thanks."
    via u/bubblegumbop
  • 21
    WorkerTime1479 . 20h ago. Chicken sh, employers! This is why I will NEVER be loyal to anyone but myself!!! Wow!
    via u/WorkerTime1479
  • 22
    kr4ckenm3fortune 19h ago • Lmao . What state do you live in? Paycheck should be available the minute they "fire" you.
    via u/kr4ckenm3fortune
  • 23
    MW/MyWorkLocal • 14h ago. To be let go by a text message in shorthand s ks. They really couldn't put out the effort to fully write out a few words? Lazy. And, it sounds like BS to me. I wouldn't be surprised if they just hired a new person.
    via u/MyWorkLocal

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job bosses work coworkers working reddit story toxic-boss workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article