‘By the way, you're fired': Employee bakes cookies for office pool party after receiving feedback for not participating in after-work events, only to get fired two days later

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Sep 11, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Getting fired is never a pleasant experience, but some stories can help you realize that some firing cases are worse than others. It might not help you with your next job search, but maybe it will allow you to come to terms with your position and appreciate what you have.

Some people get fired right after they decided to put a down payment on a house, others get fired in front of the entire office, and then there is the employee in the story below. Granted, there are definitely worse cases than this one, but that does not mean we would have wanted to be in this employee's shoes.

After being told they do not participate in after-work events enough, this employee decided to attend the office pool party. Not only that, their manager also asked them to bake their signature home-made cookies for everyone in attendance. They agreed, handed cookies to everyone at the party, and left feeling good about themselves.

Until they were fired two days later.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10552547328
    via Kindel Media

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Even though the cookies had nothing to do with the reasoning for the termination, it did lead the employee to feel somewhat used, and we honestly can't blame them…

  • 02

    Bake for us, oh by the way you are fired

    My colleagues had a pool party/get- together (that's a whole other topic). I had previously received feedback that I wasn't participating enough in the afterworks so I reluctantly joined.
    via Low_Presentation_500
  • 03
    My manager personally asked me if I could bring some home-made cookies that I had made another time before because they were very good.
    via Low_Presentation_500
  • 04
    I agreed, bought all the ingredients, spent the evening baking (for 15+ people) and brought them to the party.
    via Low_Presentation_500
  • 05
    Everyone was eating them, manager included, and telling me how good they were.
    via Low_Presentation_500
  • 06
    Two days later, I get a call from my manager telling me they are letting me go because they aren't satisfied with my work.
    via Low_Presentation_500
  • 07
    So let me get this straight: I provided free food for a work social event, spent my own time and money to make something people specifically asked for, and then they turn around and toss me out right after.
    via Low_Presentation_500
  • 08
    I feel used. Like they wanted one last thing out of me before cutting me loose.
    via Low_Presentation_500
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10552547584
    via Gajus

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 10
    Bored_Eastly Some humans si k. Sorry for your lost job. Hope your next one is soon and great.
    via Bored_Eastly
  • 11
    Slumunistmanifisto You know, I bet your not wrong about the last cookie hustle. I've heard management talk like that before.
    via Slumunistmanifisto
  • 12
    randomhobo130 I planned for MONTHS and hosted a whole a golf tournament for my work. Everybody loved it. Owner participated and shook my hand
    via randomhobo130
  • 13
    saying thank you for putting this together. I was laid off on the following Monday. This was a month ago and still infuriates me every time I think about it.
    via randomhobo130
  • 14
    Frustratedtx Send an invoice for the ingredients and your time.
    via Frustratedtx
  • 15
    introitusawaitus And send them an email stating you just found out some of the ingredients you purchased were contaminated and on a recall.
    via introitusawaitus
  • 16
    SnooMachines2673 They know what they did. They get to live with it. Tell any coworker that will listen and let the news fester.... In the end, they did you a favor. .sounds like some real high class individuals.
    via SnooMachines2673
  • 17
    Due-Criticism Nachos I'd absolutely be selling those cookies. Give them a tongue-in- cheek name and make money to spite the stupidity of the company.
    via Due-CriticismNachos
  • 18
    alexanderpas If you were asked by your manager in writing (such as text) to provide those cookies, bill them for it. Either trough OT and reimbursement of ingredients, or by billing them directly.
    via alexanderpas
  • 19
    Imaginary-Friend-228 Saying you don't participate enough in unpaid non work related events is irrelevant feedback.
    via Imaginary-Friend-228
  • 20
    KeaAware You feel used because you were used, OP. I'm so sorry. I'd be telling this story (naming the company and individuals involved) to everyone I could for the rest of my life. You'll need to
    via KeaAware
  • 21
    get the tone right so you don't sound bitter (tho you have every right to be bitter, just to be clear). Tell it right, and this is a story that could follow the people involved for a long time.
    via KeaAware

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boss workplace-stories employee fired manager job tales-from-the-workplace reddit story pool Party overworked-employees workplace Reddit company cookies
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