‘I can’t help but feel like it was personal, not professional’: Manager turns sick days into performance issues to justify firing employee during probation period

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Apr 7, 2025 4:00 AM EDT

Nowhere does fiction blend with reality more seamlessly than in a manager's excuse for firing someone. It's like stumbling into a literary workshop where the homework assignment is to turn thin air into a compelling narrative of professional inadequacy.

Stepping into the twilight zone of workplace politics is a sure wild ride. It's a game where the rules are etched in invisible ink, a special kind that only reappears after you break one or all of them. But that's not the most magical part, which happens when managers transform no feedback into no job.

These bosses are reinventing "finders, keepers," where finding fault in you means they get to keep their job security.

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  • This is the story of an esthetician who got fired after a couple of sick days during their probation period. The manager produced a list of grievances that were never once mentioned before, making it a head-hair plucking instead of eyebrow-pulling kind of affair

    It was the ultimate laser procedure, except instead of coming out hair-free, she got a termination letter and walked out job free. In the end, she bid farewell to the esthetics world and explored other passions, a move that might have been her wisest career decision yet.

  • "Got Fired After Calling Out Sick—Manager Lied and I’m Just So Frustrated"

    "It hurts to be treated unfairly and tossed aside like that"
    via nojustice

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

  • I just need to vent because I'm still reeling from how unfair this whole thing was.
    via Hulahoop27
  • I recently got fired from my esthetician job during my 90-day probation period. The day after I called out sick (which was only my second time calling out), I was terminated. In the termination
    via Hulahoop27
  • letter, my manager claimed I was "repeatedly absent," failed to meet client care standards, and didn't follow workplace procedures.
    via Hulahoop27
  • Cheezburger Image 10490661120
    via Elena Safonova

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

  • None of that was ever brought up to me while I was working there. I received no write-ups, no formal warnings, no feedback—nothing. My manager barely
    via Hulahoop27
  • acknowledged me, and honestly, it always felt like she just didn't like me. I can't help but feel like it was personal, not professional.
    via Hulahoop27
  • Cheezburger Image 10490661376
    via visualspace

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

  • The owner of the company seemed kind, so I did write her a letter explaining what happened and how poorly I was treated. I'm hoping it makes a difference, but
    via Hulahoop27
  • who knows. I doubt the manager will take any accountability— she'll probably just twist the story to justify what she did.
    via Hulahoop27
  • I've decided to take a break from esthetics altogether and focus on other passions. But still, it hurts to be treated unfairly and tossed
    via Hulahoop27
  • aside like that. Just feeling discouraged and trying not to let it make me bitter.
    via Hulahoop27
  • If anyone's gone through something similar or just has some encouragement, I'd love to hear it. Thanks for letting me get this out
    via Hulahoop27
  • Longjumping-Bat202 Moving on from a career that you had to go to school and be licensed for? After being fired once? It sounds like you may lack a passion for the field and may have failed to meet expectations.
    via Longjumping-Bat202
  • trekgrrl The plot twist was the "circus performing." Calling out twice in a 90 days probationary period is excessive. Unless you had CO ID or something wildly contagious, you show up every day, at least until your probationary period is over.
    via trekgrrl
  • Also, it was probably not a personality match (as well), which was why they let you go, but you can do better. Follow your joy.
    via trekgrrl
  • 2npac You shouldn't be calling out at all on your probationary period. That's usually the norm from my experience. What did you think the letter was gonna do?
    via 2npac
  • CaptBlackfoot Twice is too many times for only being there for 90 days, unfortunately. Next job take care to load up on vitamin C and zinc when you're getting started. A new job can introduce the immune system to new triggers, and being a new employee you can't afford to get sick.
    via CaptBlackfoot
  • Panda_Milla Calling out once during probationary periods is bad enough but twice? Were you dying? You gotta power through that unfortunately. You proved unreliable and didn't earn your spot.
    via Panda_Milla
  • I basically was dying and nearly a year in before I called out the first time at my latest job. Yes, you should be accommodated if having co id/flu or relative dying but otherwise, you don't sound invested in your own future much less your company's.
    via Panda_Milla
  • Hot-Guitar4614 I understand this. My manager has bu ied me for the two years I've been with this company and I am having a hard time finding a different job. She constantly
    via Hot-Guitar4614
  • used to set me up for failure, scoff at my suggestions, roll her eyes and has even called me very unprofessional name in front of my colleagues because I made a suggestion she didn't like
    via Hot-Guitar4614
  • because it was a more efficient option than hers. Of course she's done a lot more damage over the time I've been there but I've done my best to ignore it. It's difficult when you have a female manager that is out to get
    via Hot-Guitar4614
  • you for no reason. I always expect women in leadership to support other women but unfortunately some of them take your skills as threats. I'm sorry this happened to you! I really hope you find a more supportive professional job
    via Hot-Guitar4614

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management boss workplace-stories hr toxic-workplace manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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