Job lies about 6-week out-of-state training process to get employee to onboard, won't cover travel expenses and only gives $20 for food: 'I will most likely have to quit my job over this'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Dec 6, 2025 10:00 PM EST

There is a lot you won't know about a job until you start working there. Sure, the interview process can give you some idea about what you're in store for, but to truly get a sense of your job takes working there for a while. You won't know the culture, the expectations, the working styles of the people you work with… until it's too late. Some of this is understandable risk. No job is set in stone, and it all depends on the people around you, which can also change at the drop of a hat. You have to be prepared for anything. 

But there are certain details that your employer can definitely let you know about ahead of time. But what if they're trying to spare you details that they know might make you hesitate to jump aboard? This is called a bait and switch. And they're to be avoided at all costs. But of course, you won't know that until it's already happening to you. That's what this employee experienced at a new job they were starting, when training details started to come to light. 

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  • A young woman is stressed at the office with her head in her hands.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • In the interview process, this employee let their employer know about the conflicts and boundaries they should expect. They had certain limitations due to their dog's recovery, and wanted to make sure they could be there for them. But the employer had something else in mind. Read on to see all the lies that were uncovered and how this employee tried to deal with them.

  • My new job lied to me to get me to onboard...

    | 24f just started my job 2 weeks ago. During the interview process, they let me know there is a required training out of state that would be two weeks. I agreed to that and said the only accommodation is that I would like to drive because I have a dog that's recovering from surgery
    via u/annonymouss12
  • and I live alone so I don't have anyone to watch him. They agreed and said I could drive to the training with no issue and that it happens all the time. I also have it in writing over text from two different people from the company before I started.
    via u/annonymouss12
  • After I was hired and did the first week, when traveling came up the training period has now changed to 6 weeks with multiple locations, and now driving is "unauthorized". I would be required to put my dog. recovering from surgery on the bottom of a plane essentially 12 times total, which obviously isn't
    via u/annonymouss12
  • going to work. He is 85lbs. They also said if I do bring him, via plane, I am responsible for him financially as far as cargo fees, hotel fees, etc. they are also not offering any per diem for me being away from home for 6 weeks. They have a company card that doesn't allow more than 20$ a meal.
    via u/annonymouss12
  • When I told them that this isn't what I signed on for and that we originally agreed on accommodations and the timeframe, tomorrow I will most likely have to quit my job over this. They won't accept any alternative solutions and when I listed out all my reasonings my boss responded with essentially "that's not our problem to figure out".
    via u/annonymouss12
  • I traveled for other companies in the past and honestly did not realize it was a luxury to request basic things you would need to be away for six weeks. They aren't even budging with me offering to drive off the clock in my personal vehicle, or with them paying for dog care because a dog boarding is 750$ a week. That's basically shredding the
    via u/annonymouss12
  • money I would be making out there. Same if I took him with, that is thousands of dollars in pet fees for hotels and rental cars because they're refusing to pay for it if I bring my dog. Just feeling stressed and sad that I was lied to. I told the recruiter, and all three sets of interviews (one being my current boss)
    via u/annonymouss12
  • about my living situation and dog situation in advance and confirmed several times after being hired, and now they changed things last minute and expect me to just say yes or expect to be fired/quit. What was the point in lying and getting me through all of these interviews if they knew in advance this was the actual training plan?
    via u/annonymouss12
  • So tomorrow morning I will most likely have to quit. Any advice or I guess kind words would also be appreciated
    via u/annonymouss12

  • Commenters agreed that this was a bad sign for what this job was going to look like.

    Missy Missy Mae Mae • 6d ago . The only advice I have to add is to make sure you save or screenshot all the correspondence between you and them. And keep it away from the office as they're liable to delete the evidence of their wrongdoing.
    via u/MissyMissyMaeMae
  • A tired woman holds her head in her hands at work.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • As for unemployment, in my experience you can still qualify if you've been fired. Especially in cases like this where you've not violated any policies that were given to you previously. Good luck and keep us posted!!
    via u/MissyMissyMaeMae
  • Falls OffCliffs12 ·6d ago I had something similar happen. They told me one or two days a week of local travel; what they wanted was 5 days in a territory that went from Delaware to Pittsburgh. I had a six month old and a two year old so, nope.
    via u/FallsOffCliffs12
  • busykim • 6d ago . If they are treating you like. this now, it isn't going to get any better.
    via u/busykim
  • 2wheeledbeast 6d ago Unless this is your dream job in a field you've studied for and fought to find a job in, it's time to go. I've had great jobs and terrible jobs regardless of money. For me, company culture is everything. If this is how they welcome you to the company, imagine what it's like once the shine has worn off.
    via u/2wheeledbeast
  • thelastfp • 6d ago Hi boss I missed my flight sorry to waste company resources
    via u/thelastfp
  • Firebird562. 6d ago Your dog is your family and you are all he has. I'm sorry you have to quit your job but he is worth it in my opinion. Going forward, get your requirements in writing; insure there is a contract. The company lied to you; you deserve better. My best to you and your dog!
    via u/Firebird562
  • Short_Praline_34... . 6d ago Take care of your dog. Jobs come and go. Maybe get a local job until your dog can heal and you can travel again. Best of luck.
    via u/Short_Praline_3428
  • EducatorDifficult... . 6d ago What sucks is you could have made arrangements for your dog if you had known beforehand. Something like Trusted Housesitters where you swap accommodations for them sitting your house and pets would be a perfect choice and cost you next to
    via u/EducatorDifficult413
  • nothing. Instead, they pull a bait and switch, and now you are left stranded. I am not sure what you can do now. :( But if you have all the evidence, maybe talk to a lawyer?
    via u/EducatorDifficult413
  • bugabooandtwo • 6d ago Definitely quit. $20 per meal per diem these days doesn't even cover a burger and fries and drink at McDonalds. They're screwing you over...and that's before any issues with your dog.
    via u/bugabooandtwo
  • Mother_Blueberry... • 5d ago Hang on to any emails or anything in writing they gave you that they lied to you about. You may be eligible for unemployment. It does. not hurt to find out. I think you dodged a bullet - they had no intention of accommodating you or your
    via u/Mother_Blueberry9618
  • dog. They are bad people. You are not a bad person. Quit, call the unemployment people and tell them about the bait and switch. Your dog is important and needs you. Good luck! I am sure you will find something better!
    via u/Mother_Blueberry9618
  • Brownie-0109 6d ago Do you know that they actually lied? It very well may be that their training schedule thinking changed. That said, it's moot if their requirements don't work for you.
    via u/Brownie-0109
  • Used2bNotInKY 6d ago . My employer decided to require travel to a meeting while my dog was in the late stages of kidney disease. We meet virtually all the time, and travel is not part of my job requirements, so I told them I'd either have to use the usual meeting setup.
    via u/Used2bNotInKY
  • or drive, although driving would have taken 4 days each way. They reeeally tried to convince me to leave my dog, but I stayed polite. and firm, repeatedly referring them to my agreement and our virtual option, and eventually they agreed to Virtual, which it turned out someone else needed as well.
    via u/Used2bNotInKY
  • Stay strong. I was prepared to give it up for my dog too, but it worked out. I hope yours works out as well, but it doesn't sound like a very nice place to work anyway.
    via u/Used2bNotInKY
  • PsychologicalSize... 6d ago Contact lawyer that • specializes in workers right. Make sure you have documentation of absolutely every correspondence. Before you quit on your own make sure you have everything in place to make sure they never do this to anybody else. I hope your dog has a fast recovery.
    via u/PsychologicalSize187
  • Fit_Garbage377 · 6d ago If the company is that strict on your expenditures, then bail on them. It's not gonna end well.
    via u/Fit_Garbage377
  • Hoarfen1972 · 6d ago . Was it in your contract of employment? In writing. I learned the hard way.." if it's not in writing it was never said" and the asshole CFO who told me this laughed..the cunt.
    via u/Hoarfen1972
  • Qu... 6d ago Edited 6d ago . • Unfortunately they lied to you because they always saw it as your problem
    via u/Quick_Coyote_7649

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dog parent dogs antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job bosses onboarding working reddit story toxic-boss workplace training reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
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