Employee risks termination after refusing to go to work during a snowstorm, demanding boss does not back down: ‘I told him I am not coming in no matter what’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Feb 22, 2025 10:00 AM EST

Some employers genuinely believe that their employees have to act like they are married to their jobs – be there rain or shine, in sickness and in health, no matter what.

While, of course, a strong commitment is very important to any job, there is a limit. A limit which for some reasons many companies attempt to ignore. That is why some bosses often frown upon workers who call in sick, or act surprised whenever they learn people have things going on in their lives that are unrelated to the job.

Despite bosses like these, it's crucial that employees don't let that pressure get to them, and convince them to cross that line. If you're sick, you absolutely should not go to work, no matter what frown adorns your boss's face. If standing your ground in cases like these will get you in trouble at work, it's probably not a great place of work in the first place.

Those are the thoughts that came to the mind of the employee in the story down below when their boss demanded they come in to work during a massive snowstorm. Keep scrolling to read the full story.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10470938880
    via njw1224
  • 02

    "My life is more important than a few hundred bucks. I did the right thing....so why are my hands shaking?"

    We are supposed to get 10 inches of snow here, in a Southern state ill equipped to handle it.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 03
    I work in retail and make minimum wage. They want to keep the store open even though it will be dad and the snow will be in full force by closing time.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 04
    I always said to myself I will call out for dangerous levels of snow, then I never do. And the last time I got guilt tripped to
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 05
    a job during winter weather, I almost got in a wreck coming home. So I called my boss. He bhed me out then said
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 06
    if I was scared to drive he'd pay for my Uber. My boss is a huge liar, there's no way he would reimburse me. Even if so, me driving or not, it will
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 07
    still be unsafe. I told him I am not coming in no matter what. I didn't say this to him, but if they fire me they fire me.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 08
    So why do I feel incredibly guilty? My hands can barely type this. I guess I just want to hear from other people that asserting yourself can be hard.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 09
    I guess I just need reassurance. I can get a minimum wage job anywhere. It's just not worth it. How do I calm myself down?
    via bassbeatsbanging

  • Bosses like these are unfortunately not hard to come by. The exist in almost every place of work, and they need to be put in place. We think the employee absolutely did the right thing, and we hope they don't come to regret it. 

    The comments below seem to agree with us, so keep scrolling to read them as well/

  • 10
    firewatch959 Start your applications now! Flame the old boss on social media
    via firewatch959
  • 11
    bassbeatsbanging OP Not a bad idea.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 12
    fashionably_punctual Don't do that- a new employer will assume that you'll do the same to them when you leave.
    via fashionably_punctual
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10470939136
    via Marc Dufresne
  • 14
    bassbeatsbanging OP Yeah I'm not blasting anyone, but it never hurts to browse some jobs just in case. Based on a few texts since I posted this it doesn't sound like
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 15
    I'm gonna be fired. Everything already closed here, including the mall. It also doesn't hurt that I am the only regular employee at
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 16
    my location. It's in a terrible neighborhood. They have to send people from other stores to fill the schedule in and everyone hates getting shifts there.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 17
    HickBarrel You're good. You did the right thing. If it helps the anxiety, just think about it from a business perspective. You made a business decision after analyzing risk.
    via HickBarrel
  • 18
    It's nothing personal to your boss, it's just business. If your store was dad slow and you got sent home to reduce overhead, you wouldn't take it personally, right? Enjoy your day off.
    via HickBarrel
  • 19
    bassbeatsban... OP Very good perspective, that helps a lot. Thank you.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 20
    imsowhiteandnerdy I told him I am not coming in no matter what. I didn't say this to him That statement is confusing... did you tell him you're not coming in or not?
    via imsowhiteandnerdy
  • 21
    bassbeatsbanging OP I could have worded that part better. What I meant is I didn't tell my boss that I reached the point where I don't care if they fire me.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 22
    It is ludicrous that they stayed open. And the roads are absolutely terrible. I made the right decision.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 23
    star-67 And when there are no Ubers driving in the storm when you get off work, how do you get home? Don't feel guilty your boss is ridiculous
    via star-67
  • 24
    bassbeatsbanging OP I mentioned this to him during my call out. He responded "there will be ubers still going at closing time."
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 25
    Uhm, how the f do you know that? Saying it doesn't mean it will be true. It was just more manipulation to get me to come in.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 26
    The roads are absolutely terrible and I would've gotten off about an hour ago and almost certainly been in a bad situation. I 1000% made the right call.
    via bassbeatsbanging
  • 27
    mobileJay77 You did the right thing. You are tense because you literally came from a boss fight. Your income depends on it, but your life and health is worth more.
    via mobileJay77
  • 28
    Talk to friends on the phone or write about your decision, that makes it more objective. Do whatever you like to calm down. For me, this includes walks, sports or gaming (in this case something violent).
    via mobileJay77

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boss workplace-stories employee fired manager job snow tales-from-the-workplace reddit story ceo overworked-employees workplace snowstorm Reddit company funny
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