STEM PhD graduate fired via email just two months in for asking to be paid on time after repeated salary delays, and refusing to be blamed for everything: ‘He was the boss, HR, everything, I couldn't do much’

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Dec 10, 2025 10:00 AM EST

A new PhD graduate in STEM finally lands a job after months of interviews that kept falling through, but the relief doesn't last long. The workplace turns out to be one of those setups where the boss is the entire chain of command and runs things by mood instead of logic. Even basic requests like a proper chair or getting paid on time cause tension. Whenever something goes wrong, blame seems to land in the same place every time.  

Two months in, the tension breaks. The employee asks about the delayed salary again, and that small request turns into a firing over email. The next day, the boss explodes, shouting and picking apart every possible thing, from attitude to tone to not using tools "the right way." It doesn't sound like an evaluation, it sounds like someone justifying bad behavior. With no HR or structure to turn to, the ending was probably inevitable.  

Now the job sits as a two-month line on a resume that already shows years of academic work and applications that nearly worked out.

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  • Just got fired, need words of encouragement

    Man carrying a box of office belongings in an elevator beside a bold quote about feeling qualified despite being let go with a quote:"What hurts the most is, I am highly qualified, I know I am worthy”
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The shock of how quickly it unraveled still lingers, and getting up each morning to look for new jobs feels heavier after years of study and effort. The story sounds like someone who did everything they were supposed to but ended up in a place that made burnout feel like failure. It’s probably not a question of ability, just terrible luck mixed with a boss who never should have had that kind of power.

  • Hi, everyone, 9 months ago I finished my PhD from an EU country, I was actively looking for positions in my field (STEM), and after interviewing twice (3-4 months multiple rounds), I was accepted and then rejected due to funding both times.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • Then, I found a job (completely different than what I do), I worked hard, I delivered things asked of me, but there just wasn't any democracy, and at any moment, things went wrong, I was instantly blamed without proof.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • I had to ask for everything like a proper chair, keyboard, the salary was always 1-2 days later.
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  • So it caused a lot of conflict, as I firmly asked basic things, and refused to take blame.
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  • I knew it was coming, but I had given my 110%. Two months in, then I was fired over an email for asking to get paid on the evening of last day of the month.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • Man standing in an elevator holding a cardboard box of office belongings after losing his job
    via Hryshchyshen Serhii

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

  • The boss was so mad he yelled at me next day, and then blamed me for his reaction.
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  • While he was firing me, he picked on every aspect of me, he forced words like you looked unhappy, you were negative, you don't even know how to use chatGPT, he had twisted everything I ever said.
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  • I apologised, I plead him because it was going to be financial ruin, he didn't budge.
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  • I couldn't believe someone could be so hateful. Every morning I wake up, and go to sleep, I feel traumatized from the last interaction, like I can't get over it.
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  • There was no HR to resolve things, he was the boss, HR, everything, I couldn't do much.
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  • I would go for therapy but it's 6 months waiting time here. Now, it looks like a 2 months blip on my Resume.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • What hurts the most is, I am highly qualified, I know I am worthy, I have so much potential.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • I was fired right after I delivered the full production level projects, and finally had learned to do things.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • Now I find it so difficult to get up every morning and do the job search again, especially after a really exhausting PhD of 5 years.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • Soars With Eagles Most people think they're smarter than average, better workers than their peers... but payroll being screwed up is a hard fact. A company that can't get payroll right, is dysfunctional. It's easy to believe their management is inept, maybe friends or relatives of the owner. The kinds of people who are out of their depth, but are happy to blame subordinates.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • OP boltzmanns_cat Indeed, felt like working for a young and emotional kid (was indeed a kid), who was sheltered, running a company after a masters and 3 yrs of total job experience, backed by big people. Everytime I asked a question, asked me to search in chatGPT, or showed code to him, he wouldn't understand it, and then act like I was stupid.
    via boltzmanns_cat
  • Frigidspinner it sounds like you were working for a small business that was struggling, maybe I am wrong \- Manager criticises everything, probably because he is under a lot of pressure for company failures \- Nothing is available to you as an employee- you are struggling to even get paid \- You were let go probably because there was no money, not because you are a bad worker I would also speculate that your PhD attracted the manager- as a kind of moonshot to get the business back on track - he
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  • OP boltzmanns_cat Indeed it was a startup with 2 interns and manager, and I was the only engineer.
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  • OP boltzmanns_cat Hi, thank you for such a brilliant advice. I read every word of it, I will remember it for a long time. Thanks for taking the time to write this comment. I wish you an happier atmosphere at work.
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  • toasterwisdom Hey, I'm really sorry this happened to you. What you're describing wasn't a performance failure, it was a bad workplace with a volatile boss and no safeguards. Getting fired for asking to be paid on time is not a "you" problem. That's basic labor rights. The way he spoke to you? That sticks..and yes, it can be traumatizing. Being gaslit and blamed messes with your head. The fact you're struggling to get moving again doesn't mean you're weak, it means you're burned out and hurt. You
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  • OP boltzmanns_cat Indeed it's a good tip but i studied Al as well, I rationalize the answers it gives, I can't treat them more than outputs. Which is why I am here, and I would personally thank every human here who helped me today.
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  • No-Faithlessness4784 I had a similar experience a decade ago and it knocked my confidence severely and I'm in my 50's so I can only imagine what it feels like to a brand new entrant into the workplace. This wasn't your fault. You were victim of a toxic workplace who didn't like you holding a mirror up to their incompetence As hard as it seems, you really do need to try and move through this. Learn from it and you will find yourself the right job for you. Downloaded Chat GPT and use it as therapy
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  • infamous_merkin You dodged a bullet. Stay away from assholes like that. Don't let one bad apple spoil your experience on earth. You sound great; I'd hire you if I was in charge of anything.
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  • Luxury-future-is-me I don't know what it feels like to be fired, so I can't say I feel where you're coming from. BUT, I know one thing, you better get up and keep pushing!!!
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  • mgtube I am really sorry you are going through this. What you described would shake anyone. Getting fired in a place with no structure and no fairness hits hard. It feels confusing, disappointing and even a bit like a breakup where the last interaction keeps replaying in your head. But the intensity will calm down. With a bit of distance you will be able to look back with a clear head, understand what went well and what went wrong on both sides, and carry real lessons into the future. I went thr
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workplace discussion employment issues boss workplace-stories hr phd
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