New employee gets fired after only a week at the job, gets told by boss that their accountant claims they can't afford to pay him: ‘I thought it was my saving grace’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Nov 6, 2025 2:00 AM EST

Nothing is guaranteed in life, especially not our jobs, and the employee in the story below just learned that the hard way.

Being stuck on the job search loop is not fun, but it only takes one job to get you out of that cycle. Except, in some cases, even that is not enough. After months of searching, applying, and interviewing, the 24-year-old guy in the story below finally landed a job at a restaurant. In his first week, he worked two shifts and made a good impression. 

That is why he was so surprised to get a text from the owner telling him that he was fired. Not because he was a bad employee, but simply because they realized the restaurant could not afford to pay him. 

… Couldn't they have figured it out a week ago, before they hired him?

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  • 01
    < 827 Yest 3 PM Vernoon! I hope things have been well, im just checking in to see what days you wanted me to come in this week? Hi Yesterday 8:52 PM sorry for the late reply as I've been busy at work. After my accountant did the bookkeeping for last month | unfortunately can't afford to have another employee on payroll at this time. If you want to come tomorrow anytime after 1:30p I can have your pay ready. Thank you
    via tinibae
  • 02
    I (24m) have applied to 94 jobs in the past 5 months which has resulted in exactly 3 interviews.
    via tinibae
  • 03
    I am always polite and respectful, maintain great hygiene/grooming, and show reliability when interviewing/working a job.
    via tinibae
  • 04
    A good portion of them are in food service because thats where I have experience, but I've also been applying for retail, warehouse and delivery jobs.
    via tinibae
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10572566272
    via Vitaly Gariev

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

  • 06
    They are all entry level positions. Then I finally get this job a week ago and thought it was my saving grace.
    via tinibae
  • 07
    Owner had me work two days, both shifts I showed up 5 mins early and stayed as late as they needed me, kept my breaks at exactly 10 minutes both days, and performed well for my first two days on the new job.
    via tinibae
  • 08
    They complemented my ability to pick everything up so quickly and even said they think I fit in with the rest of the team very well.
    via tinibae
  • 09
    Then yesterday I texted them to ask when they wanted me to come in next, as you can see in the image above.
    via tinibae
  • 10
    And then their response. I went to pick up my check today and they had given it to the cashier to give to me while they stayed in the back of the restaurant.
    via tinibae
  • 11
    When I looked at the paystub, they kept $30 as a "uniform deposit" feeling really defeated I'm. about this, but it wasn't a super busy place compared to previous restaurants I've worked in, so I can sympathize if they really are tight on money right now.
    via tinibae
  • 12
    mmm
    via Getty Images

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

  • 13
    It just sucks that I'm back to the job search I've been living off of odd jobs/favors for family and friends for almost six months, I'm exhausted, and they are too.
    via tinibae
  • 14
    TLDR: got hired by the owner of a restaurant a week ago, laid off today because they can't afford to add another employee on payroll.
    via tinibae
  • 15
    TalesofCeria This is the least of your worries but deposit means you get it back... If you're fired and didn't damage your uniform, what's the deposit for? They owe you thirty bucks!
    via TalesofCeria
  • 16
    Matthew_Maurice This the kind of place where paychecks bounce. You're better off, in the long run.
    via Matthew_Maurice
  • 17
    wanderit They're BEGGING us to revolt ain't they?
    via wanderit
  • 18
    Flat-Bodybuilder-643 Ah man! I'm sorry!
    via Flat-Bodybuilder-643
  • 19
    BagsYourMail The lion doesn't do basic math for his small (bankrupt) business
    via BagsYourMail
  • 20
    Dull-Investigator722 I'm sorry dude! You seem like such a hard working and respectful guy. I hope it works out for you!!
    via Dull-Investigator722
  • 21
    Ambitiousoul_1 Oof. This happened to me once... it was an event I spend weeks working on, and a bunch of people skipped out on their tabs (unclear what really happened). I was paid out exactly $40 and my uniform for the event cost, you guessed it, $40. Bonus was someone drove into my car (hit and run) on my way home. I'm sorry OP, hugs and may your next job be soon and great *
    via Ambitiousoul_1

  • As we wish this ex-employee luck with finding another job, we are reminded of how grateful we should be for having a job and a paycheck. Hopefully, the next job this guy finds will actually last…

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Tags

boss workplace-stories employee fired manager job owner tales-from-the-workplace new hire reddit story restaurant workplace Reddit company unemployed
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