Years after a turbulent firing, former employee’s warning to HR leads company to cut major partnership with nonprofit that let her go: 'I did not spare any details'

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Dec 13, 2025 4:00 AM EST

Workplace dynamics often leave a lasting imprint, especially when an employee leaves under strained or opaque circumstances. One employee described an experience at a small nonprofit where, despite the organization's outwardly positive mission, she faced what she characterized as a deeply dysfunctional internal culture.

After making a mistake on a public-facing project (one she acknowledged and apologized for), she was told the issue was resolved. Yet over the following weeks, she noticed her responsibilities quietly reassigned, messages contradicted, and communication from leadership becoming increasingly inconsistent.

Eventually, she was informed her position had been eliminated due to "budgetary concerns," only to discover weeks later that the nonprofit had hired a new employee to perform nearly identical duties under a slightly altered job title. 

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  • The incident remained, for her, an example of workplace dishonesty rather than a simple layoff.

  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/
    via Mina Rad For Unsplash+

  • Years later, established in a more supportive workplace, she joined an internal committee responsible for vetting potential partnerships with local organizations. When her former nonprofit emerged as a candidate, she shared her experience with a colleague who also served in HR. 

    After reviewing her account, the company opted not to move forward and placed the nonprofit on its internal blacklist—a quiet but powerful consequence of its earlier actions.

  • "Gaslight me at my job? Ok well I won't always work here..."

    StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Years ago I worked for a small nonprofit with a great mission. It helped a lot of people, but the office environment was toxic AF.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - I worked there for six months and was gaslit like crazy. There were lots of small petty day-to-day things, but the piece de resistance happened toward the end of my tenure: I made a mistake with something public- facing, which I fully owned up to and apologized profusely for.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - They could've (and probably should've) fired me with cause for this mistake, but... they didn't. I was told that everything was fine, nothing further needed to happen, and to please be conscientious moving forward.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - I won't lie, I was surprised, but these guys were so in my head at that point I had this idea I should stick it out and prove myself at this job, so I took them at their word.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - The next day, suddenly my main responsibility was delegated to someone else. So, everything's not fine?
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - "Nope! What are you talking about? Everything's normal!" "Am I getting new responsibilities?" "No just stick with what you're doing!" You mean, half of what I used to do?
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Ok.... The following week a coworker asked if I was coming to the holiday party, I said no, I was contract-to-hire and had been told by my manager so sorry, the party was full- time/salaried only.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Whatever. Two days later the CEO's assistant emailed saying "we never got your RSVP to the holiday party!" So... my manager lied?
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Hurtful and rage- inducing, but at that point I didn't want to go anyway, so I informed them I was not able to attend.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Ok.... The office closed for the holidays, and immediately after the new year I went in as normal, and was almost immediately called into a meeting.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - You can guess where this was going: Apparently due to budgetary concerns my position had been eliminated and they had to lay me off.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - What else could I say but: Ok... I collected references from the not- crappy people, packed up my stuff, went home, and destroyed the company mug they gave me on my first day with a hammer for some catharsis.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Six weeks later I checked the company website while compiling my work history, and shocker: they had a new employee with a suspiciously-similar-but- legally-distinct job title, and responsibilities that were identical to mine!
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - By that point I was well and truly out of fucks to give about that place, and was knee-deep in funemployment, but I filed that tidbit away as a good reminder of how shitty that place was to me.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Fast-forward several years: I was well-established in a much better job at a very well- respected company full of excellent people!
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - I liked the org so much I volunteered on an internal committee led by my friend Michael, and we would partner with local orgs and nonprofits to help with community improvement and advocacy.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - While discussing potential orgs to partner with at our annual meeting, Michael mentioned the name of my old nonprofit!
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - He said that there had been some preliminary conversations with the org about potential opportunities, and that it seemed like a good fit!
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - So...after the meeting I hung back and I asked Michael if we could talk for a few minutes.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - I laid out every bit of two-faced nonsense that had happened to me there, and since Michael and I were friends I did not spare any details.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Michael also happened to be very high up in HR! He had a...shall we say unique perspective on just how shitty the nonprofit was to me?
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - That, perhaps, it was an indication that they were probably doing things I didn't know about that were even shittier?
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Welp, after our discussion, Michael reached out to the nonprofit and let them know we wouldn't move forward with a partnership, then he put the nonprofit on our company's blacklist.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - They don't know I was involved, or that by not treating me better when I was an employee, they missed out on a HUGE opportunity.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Last I heard, they're in a near- constant state of circling the drain. Meanwhile I'm up for a promotion.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Living well is definitely the best revenge. EDIT for clarification: Several people pointed out I was bad at my job and should've gotten fired.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - You're right, as I said I should have gotten fired. But that wasn't discussed, nor was an improvement plan.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Instead, the nonprofit told me all was forgiven, no worries, just do better, and convinced me to stay at my job.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Then they spent weeks messing with me and my responsibilities before "letting me go" at the start of a new fiscal year.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - KeySpare4917 Revenge sure but not very petty. Well the smashing of the mug was good and petty but the rest is legitimate. I need petty. ②✔
    via KeySpare4917
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - OP StormySue Fair point. Most of my pettiness was that I sat on it for A VEEERY long time, like I wasn't even mad about it anymore, but I see what you mean. I will try to be pettier next time!
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - misteternal What is it with nonprofits? I have worked for three--two as a temp, one as a full-time salaried employee and while I wasn't at the first one long enough to see all the toxic stuff that my coworker later told me about, the other two were incredibly toxic. My last one they shifted my duties until they could eliminate my job in a lay off, because the good people at my job
    via misteternal
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - OP StormySue Seriously, WHAT IS IT WITH NONPROFITS? Very good lesson for me that just because an org does good on paper, doesn't mean it's actually a good org.
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Polyps_on_uranus I worked at a facility that did great things for people in the community. Helped families. I was fired for being trans. But if I went to authorities with it, that help will be taken away.
    via Polyps_on_uranus
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - OP StormySue I am so sorry, that is such a shitty situation to be in. I hope you're ok!
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - SaveHogwarts You sucked at your job and they let you go, and you get offended because they identified that you weren't capable of performing to their needs...then proceed to convince another business that your previous business sucks because they fired you for being shit at your job. Solid.
    via SaveHogwarts
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - OP StormySue Sorry for the confusion. I feel like I was pretty clear they should've fired me, but apologies if that didn't come across. Instead of firing me for a firable offense, they gaslit me into thinking everything was forgiven, costing me time to job search and making my life miserable, then laid me off when it was convenient for them. I mean, it actually cost them money: I
    via StormySue
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - No_Nectarine7707 Imagine losing a major partnership because you couldn't treat one employee like a human being. Peak management right there.
    via No_Nectarine7707
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Different One265 Petty would be to send a holiday greeting email from my work email to them and a photo of me smiling - wishing them the best in the new year.
    via Different_One265
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Signal-Woodpecker691 My wife was working for a nonprofit when covid hit, she did contract work for them so naturally when everything went into lockdown here (UK) there was no work for her and the already booked work was cancelled. They never said anything though, not even a courtesy call to confirm what we guessed would be the case, just crickets. 18 months later when they resumed
    via Signal-Woodpecker691
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Snote85 Then be honest about it. It sounds like they just had to be truthful and the OP would have understood. Telling him it is fine while moving him out the door is bullshit.
    via Snote85
  • StormySue https://www.reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge/comments/1pk5lxc/gaslight_me_at_my_job_ok_well_i_wont_always_work/ - Hminney Bad non-profits survive because the public sometimes prop them up. Most bad for-profits die and disappear, although some have a monopoly position and survive. My non-profit puts a lot of work into being nice to our staff. A lot of work. We run like a commercial for-profit, with training and opportunity for promotion, we spend the money on the intended beneficiary as hard a
    via Hminney

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