'My boss called my mom': Employee quits, boss refuses to accept their resignation, calls employee's mother to step in

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Feb 19, 2025 8:00 AM EST

Some employers do not respond well to their employees' sudden departures, but calling up one's parents is certainly a step too far. There is a reason why the professional and social norms of a workplace environment are different from those of an educational one. Fully grown employees are not in primary school anymore, and their parents do not need to be notified when they misbehave. 

Furthermore, quitting is not misbehaving. Advocating for one's professional future and taking active steps to achieve one's career goals do not warrant punishment, especially from the parents of an independent adult. Keep scrolling below for this story about a ridiculous boss's response to his employee's resignation!

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    "Was it crossing a line [for my boss] to call my mom about my notice?
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Before we get into the details of this story, it's worth acknowledging the fact that the employee in question may very well be dealing with one of the few drawbacks that comes with being a nepo baby. Yes, the employee was hired by the owner of a small company who knew their mother for over 20 years and even knew the employee since they were very little. This, of course, makes drawing the line between one's work and one's personal life all the more difficult. Sometimes, people need to make professional changes in their careers and would hope for their employers to give them space and privacy rather than meddle in their personal lives simply because they can.

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    I'm looking for advice about a situation with my current boss and to see if a line was crossed or not. A little back story, my
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    mom has known my current boss for over 30 years. She worked for him for a very long time before she retired about 7 years ago or so. After she retired I took over the position she was doing. I was
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    already working for the company my boss owns before that time so in all I have been working for my boss for about 10 years.
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    About a year and a half ago | found another job and gave my notice. The person that was hired to take over my position was actively looking for another job as
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    I was leaving. She actually had an interview later in the day on my last day. Keep in mind that this is a very small company and I am literally the only employee left.
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    The person taking over my job would also be the only employee once I was gone. That scared her and she was looking for a way out ASAP. Because of this, I felt really
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    bad about leaving and was worried about my boss. I have known him since I was about 10 when my mom started working for him. That coupled with the fact that the new job I was taking was being shady (was supposed to be a 100% remote position and
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    on my very first day they said I had to come in the office 2 days a week. I lived an hour and a half away so that wasn't feasible for me) I asked my boss if I could come back to work for him. He agreed and I have been working for him ever since.
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    Fast forward to now, another opportunity came up that I couldn't pass up. This new job is full time so I will have health insurance (which I haven't had for the last 5 years), paid time off,
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    sick pay, holidays off, etc. They also have a 401k that they match so I can start saving for retirement which is not possible in my current job. It's all around a better option for me and I took the job.
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    That brings me to my current situation. I gave my boss my notice the other day. The next day he calls my mom and leaves her a message. I have heard the message. It basically says that he was calling because "her
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    daughter gave him her 2 weeks notice. She did this once before and now she's doing it to me again". He goes on to say "it's crazy" and to call him back. I am
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    not sure what his intention was for the call. I also feel like it's extremely unprofessional and inappropriate. I feel like he has crossed a boundary and it makes me not want to stay for the 2 weeks I gave him.
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    RESIGNATION
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    On top of calling my mom, he has been extremely r de to me and has been assigning tasks that are almost impossible to complete on top of my daily work. Starting
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    tomorrow, Monday, I start training my replacement so with that added to everything I need to do it's basically mission impossible! There's not enough time in the day to complete everything he keeps giving me.
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    My questions are: 1. Was it crossing a line to call my mom about my notice? Or is it acceptable since they have known each other for so long?
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    2. Is it acceptable for him to keep assigning tasks that I don't have time to complete? I feel like he's trying to punish me for giving my notice.
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    3. Would it be out of line if I didn't stay the full 2 weeks due to his actions and his behavior? I would feel bad leaving earlier, but the last few days have been very difficult and I know the next 2 weeks are only going to get worse.
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    Sorry for the long post but I wanted to make sure I provided as much information as possible about the situation. Thank you in advance for any advice!
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  • Several members of the online community responded to the employee's request for advice on what to do next. The truth of the matter is that the two weeks' notice is, at the end of the day, a courtesy, and there is no need for the employee to stay the entire time, especially if their now former boss is not honoring his end of their agreement.

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    Objective_Attem... • 16h ago He was out of line calling your mom. But I would address him and say "You are giving me tasks that you know I can't complete. Do you want to me to quit or stay and train? because this behavior may scare off another employee just like
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    last time" depending on his answer maybe you quit. I would have already, notice is a courtesy.
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    mwants • 17h ago Be rid of him. As your mom not to contact him regarding you.
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    bm_ • 17h ago Do nothing, not assigned tasks not training. He can be a so can you. What's he going to do, fire you. Let him and then apply for unemployment just to make his life harder.
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    Yes it may have been this year's long relationship, even more reason for him not to be a
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Tags

nepotism workplace-stories toxic-workplace mother work toxic-boss workplace Horrible Bosses bad bosses funny work stories nepo baby toxic-work-environment
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