'I was supposed to work from home today?!': Boss tells employee they must come into office with less than 8 hours notice after a 2-week vacation

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jun 30, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

Some of us don't function well on the fly. We like to have everything planned out as much as possible so we can take our minds off of things. We like everything to be in its place before we can truly relax. We like knowing where we're going to be and when we're going to be there. It's not that we're control freaks so much as we are just… prepared. It's not bad to be like this, but trouble can arise when you knock us off of our rhythm. We might have a hard time adapting to a break in routine.

This is especially true when it comes to work. We like to be prepared. Sure, we can deal with a work emergency when it comes our way, but we'd rather have plenty of notice so we can adapt our schedules. It's not unreasonable to ask from a workplace. 

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  • 01

    Am I crazy or is this ridiculous?

    I went on a 2 week vacation and got back last night. Today I start work again. Normally, I work at home mon and fri and in person tues, weds, thurs
    via u/c95Neeman
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10520850176
    via Unsplash+ (Curated Lifestyle)

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

  • But that's not what happened in this situation where a manager didn't give enough time to an employee to adapt their plans. And then they tried to take advantage of their free time. But the employee didn't let that slide. Read on to see what happened in this situation and what you would have done if you were them. 

  • 03
    Last night, at midnight, my boss texted me and told me that I need to be in office the entire week. I happened to see it because I was in the uber.
    via u/c95Neeman
  • 04
    But I have no clean clothes, no food to pack lunch. Nothing. Because I was supposed to work from home today?! I am texting back saying I cannot come in person today and will be in person tomorrow. Because,
    via u/c95Neeman
  • 05

    Commenters gave their opinions on this situation.

    kjbtetrick • 5h ago Less than 8 hours notice to a change in work venue? You aren't being ridiculous. Your boss however is!
    via u/kjbtetrick
  • 06
    shadho 4h ago You clearly didn't see the text until this morning when it was too late to make accommodations. You will see him tomorrow.
    via u/shadho
  • 07
    c95Neeman OP • 4h ago Thats what I said. I texted "I just saw this now. Will be in person tomorrow" like 20 min before I needed to be at work.
    via u/c95Neeman
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10520850432
    via Unsplash+ (Curated Lifestyle)

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

  • 09
    Why_r_people_ •5h ago It is getting ridiculous. We were told that it was ok to come in 2x a week in office for them to turn around and cut everyone's bonus who wasn't meeting the 3x a week stated on the website. Never trust management.
    via u/Why_r_people_
  • 10
    Dipshitistan 5h ago . "Informing me of this change at midnight is absolutely unacceptable. I will be in on Tuesday."
    via u/Dipshitistan
  • 11
    Echoeversky • 5h ago . Jebus, what policies dropped while you were gone?
    via u/Echoeversky
  • 12
    GarnetAndOpal • 4h ago I have a bad feeling about this... Mandatory things like this can signal something bad. Business in receivership. Not meeting government requirements. IRA audits. Other audits. Lay offs. Other personnel changes. Changes in the C-Suite. Re- organization.
    via u/GarnetAndOpal
  • 13
    Lilly323 4h ago tbh, your vacation time wasn't over until today's starting time. as far as you should have been concerned, you didn't receive that notice until you were clocked or even not at all considering business correspondence was to your personal device
    via u/Lilly323
  • 14
    . Kochga 4h ago Don't read your boss texts outside of work hours.
    via u/Kochga
  • 15
    PlatypusDream • 5h ago . NTA but your boss definitely is
    via u/PlatypusDream
  • 16
    Spookshowgal • 21m ago oof this sounds like a layoff. I hope it's not for your sake, but that kind of last minute ask after a long vacation can indicate it.
    via u/Spookshowgal
  • 17
    shadho 4h ago • Good luck tomorrow. Let's hope you can get some understanding why they need you in 5 days this week in the first place. Is it just retaliation and resentment due to being on PTO, or is there some sh going down in the company?
    via u/shadho
  • 18
    lamLuann 3h ago • Good for you. Less than 8 hours notice is not nice. Good Luck with your weird boss.
    via u/lamLuann
  • 19
    c95Neeman OP • 4h ago Thanks. They just finished a round of lay offs a month ago. They say everyone else is safe, but my coworkers and I basically don't believe them, and have all been updating our resumes (and I am actively applying because the jobs ks)
    via u/c95Neeman
  • 20
    GarnetAndOpal • 4h ago Definitely hoping the best for you. I'm glad you're not going gentle into that good night. Good hunting!
    via u/GarnetAndOpal
  • 21
    Spookshowgal • 20m ago I wouldn't believe them. At my last job, they told everyone that the round of layoffs they had done would be the last and less than a week later they laid off 20% of the company.
    via u/Spookshowgal

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job bosses work coworkers working reddit story toxic-boss workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
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