Manager forgets to collect office key from employee after firing them, demands employee return to give it back, they refuse: ‘You can change the locks'

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Sep 12, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

The only reason an employee should return to a workplace after getting fired is to collect their last paycheck before disappearing for good. Who wants to be forced to look the person who fired them in the eye after being let go from a job you wanted to keep?

If one can avoid it, there is no chance they will ever set foot in that place again. The question is – can the employee in the story below avoid it?

When they were unexpectedly fired one day, the only thing on their mind was getting out of there as fast as they could. No tearful goodbyes, no farewells, just quickly gathering their belongings and never looking back. However, when they realized that they had left with an office key still in their pockets, they began to fear that this might not be the last time they would have to face their (ex) employer.

But are they really required to drive all the way back to return the key, when it was not their responsibility in the first place? 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10553005824
    via lumineimages

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

  • The employee told their manager that the only way they will give the key back is if someone comes to get it or if they agree to mail it. But neither options seemed good enough for the manager below…

  • 02

    Terminated and still have a key, they don’t want it mailed

    My stupid company fired me with my no warning and couldn't even bother asking for my key when I left.
    via ethanhackney
  • 03
    I was in shock and it was not the first thing on my mind to give it back.
    via ethanhackney
  • 04
    My supervisor not even the manager who let me go (he hasn't communicated with me at all) texted me to bring it back.
    via ethanhackney
  • 05
    I live 1hr away and it's such an inconvenience.
    via ethanhackney
  • 06
    I offered to mail it but they denied that. What are my options/other solutions? I'm trying to not be petty.
    via ethanhackney
  • 07
    They can come get the key I obviously don't want it but I don't want to drive and have to deal with being there again.
    via ethanhackney
  • 08
    They can change the locks I don't give a f k.
    via ethanhackney
  • 09
    A cardbord box filled with employee's belongings, woman in the back looking sadly at it
    via cyano66

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

  • 10
    I read they could charge me for that but these people can't even run a business properly so I doubt it.
    via ethanhackney
  • 11
    Like they sc ed up here is it wrong to ask them to send someone to me.
    via ethanhackney
  • 12
    Edit: i just stopped communication with them after they told me they didn't want it mailed.
    via ethanhackney
  • 13
    It was unprofessional the way they asked me for it. Unless my actual manager emails/calls me I am no longer worrying about the key.
    via ethanhackney
  • 14
    The job was never that serious and as many of yall pointed out management was a mess there.
    via ethanhackney
  • 15
    I doubt they'll pursue this any further and just rekey it. It's only for one room in a building owned by another company honestly.
    via ethanhackney
  • 16
    I don't even think they would have to pay to rekey it.
    via ethanhackney
  • 17
    bopperbopper " give it up at my house" me a call and you can pick
    via ethanhackney
  • 18
    greenlungs604 Since you're no longer an employee, they can pay your standard contract rate to drive down and drop off the key. Otherwise you can tell them to pick it up themselves and offer various times that are convenient to yourself to be available.
    via ethanhackney
  • 19
    latex_leopard i wouldn't even respond, they just want to avoid having to change the locks
    via ethanhackney
  • 20
    ItsaSlamdunk They should have collected it from you when they fired you. They also should have given you your final wages at that time (at least in my state that's the law).
    via ethanhackney
  • 21
    I'd double check the labor law in your state but I can't see you're under any obligation to go there to return it. Since they don't want you to mail it they should pick it up themselves or send a courier.
    via ethanhackney
  • 22
    120000milespa You are no longer working for them. They no longer have any right to your time. Ask for $100 delivery fee up front before taking it back.
    via ethanhackney

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keys boss workplace-stories employee fired manager job tales-from-the-workplace reddit story ceo Office overworked-employees workplace Reddit company
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