Fired employee refuses to provide former boss with a code to access their system, blocks boss to keep him from reaching out: ‘I ignored him completely’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Mar 23, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

Even though people always say you shouldn't burn any bridges when leaving a job, it's difficult not to feel resentment towards your boss if they decide to let you go. After all, they are the ones who decided you are not doing a good enough job to keep you there, and they are perfectly fine with leaving you jobless and probably replacing you with someone else. How can you not resent that?

Yet there is still a pretty big gap between resenting your former boss and actively burning bridges when you leave. It doesn't have to be this big rebellious act, but you can still find ways to 'get back' at your employer for their decision. Ways that would ensure they would never hire you again, whether you like it or not.

If you know for a fact you will never return to that workplace, and have no desire to ever talk to the people there again, we are not against a little petty act of rebellion as a last hurrah, just like the employee in the story below did.

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  • This employee felt really resentful after they got fired from the job. However, their opportunity to get payback didn't present itself until three months after they left. And it happened when their boss tried to reach out to get a code to access one of their systems.

    Safe to say, the employee did not provide the code. Keep scrolling to read what he did instead.

  • Your verification code 192837 Username Enter your verification code
    via KTStock

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

  • "AITA if I don’t provide the code my boss needs after they fired me?"

    I got fired / laid off 3 months ago. They made it look like a lay off because they wanted someone with more expertise than a senior manager more like a director level and there
    via Prejudice-Much
  • was nothing I could do. I knew that was a excuse as they hired a junior level who was trained to fill my position. My last two weeks my boss didn't even ask for anything, he
    via Prejudice-Much
  • considered himself overqualified to do an off boarding with me. Fast forward 3 months after my last day I receive a message from him trying to log in to one of the systems and because of the 2
    via Prejudice-Much
  • step verification the second step comes to my phone. He tried like 2 days and then reached out to me like nothing and wanted me to provide the code. I ignored it completely
    via Prejudice-Much
  • but now I am wondering if I should have given the code to him ??!! EDIT-I did say system but it is not a system where you have a license it's more like a website
    via Prejudice-Much
  • where I created an account to pay the states quarterly. Anyone from my company can create a new account if they provide EIN and some security questions. He is just trying to use my username and password.
    via Prejudice-Much
  • AttemptLazy3024 Do not send him that code. I will tackle you if you even attempt to.
    via AttemptLazy3024
  • Prejudice-Much OP I will not LOL.
    via Prejudice-Much
  • establishedin76 Nope, NTA. He should have handled all of this beforehand. And because I'm at that level of petty, I would also continue to ignore the messages/phone calls. I'd even take it to the next step and block his number. You have no loyalties to them anymore.
    via establishedin76
  • Prejudice-Much OP Which I did. I blocked his personal cell phone number. Now he really has to go through HR or his boss to contact me
    via Prejudice-Much
  • Cheezburger Image 10481026816
    via rattanakun

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

  • No-Comfortable-3918 NTA but this company has bigger problems if systems authentication require verification to personal, not company, phones.
    via No-Comfortable-3918
  • Prejudice-Much OP Lol yes they gave me a company phone first day and then took it away !! So we were required to use our cellphones from IT for 2 step verification.
    via Prejudice-Much
  • Brother-Algea Send him your phone number and tell him to please contact you......then you get the privilege of hanging up on him!
    via Brother-Algea
  • Prejudice-Much OP He texted me on my cell. I didn't read the message left it as unread and deleted it. Then I blocked the number. Now HR has to contact me
    via Prejudice-Much
  • GT45 Delete the account unless they pay you a consultant's fee for creating it.
    via GT45
  • Prejudice-Much OP I don't even remember username and password which he may have. This is just a verification code that comes to my cell.
    via Prejudice-Much
  • HMS_Slartibartfast NTA. Refer him to HR. Let him know HR will have to contact you for a contractor position, but you are very generous in your rates...
    via HMS_Slartibartfast
  • Clean-County-3420 He probably resolved it already honestly
    via Clean-County-3420
  • Prejudice-Much OP It really is not rocket science. 3 hours on hold and you set up a new account.
    via Prejudice-Much
  • TheoBoy007 I would check with an attorney about this. You might be in violation of federal law by withholding passwords from a former employer.
    via TheoBoy007
  • Prejudice-Much OP It is not a password and I didn't withhold it. I just didn't answer to a private text message on my private phone. If HR contacts me I will be willing to help them.
    via Prejudice-Much
  • Expatriant Yes, I agree 100% with your sentiment. It would just be unfortunate if they came after you legally for any damages to the company if you were contractually obligated to transition this per a contract you signed and upon your leaving.
    via Expatriant
  • Prejudice-Much OP In US there is something called " at will" and there is no contract. I read my agreement and says nothing about anything except I don't sue them etc. HR is my point of contact he can go to HR.
    via Prejudice-Much

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refuse code boss aita workplace-stories employee fired manager job tales-from-the-workplace password reddit story overworked-employees workplace Reddit company
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