Boss fires employee on sick leave after they refuse to answer her calls, then claims the employee resigned on their own: ‘You shouldn't come to work again’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Dec 17, 2025 10:00 AM EST

How does your boss treat you when you tell them you have to take a sick day?

Apparently, having a boss who respects your need to recover while you're sick is somewhat of a privilege. Even though you are not physically present at the office, managers think they can still demand whatever they want from you. They don't care what caused you to take a sick leave; they don't want to know how you are feeling. All they want is the job to be done.

The employee in the story below was not having any of that. They took sick leave and refused to answer any of their boss's calls while they were recovering. They expected their boss to understand when they texted her about their inability to work, but instead, the boss sent them a single text in response: "Your resignation has been accepted effective immediately."

This left the employee confused and frustrated. All they wanted was a day to recover, and suddenly they were out of a job. Not only that, but they didn't even know if they were fired or if they quit…

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  • I am on sick leave sign on the sticker.
    via designer491

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

  • I submitted my resignation with a 10-day notice period, and my manager told me to leave immediately.

    I was on sick leave today, and my manager kept buzzing my phone about things that were not urgent at all.
    via tiHdayare
  • After a few messages, I told her that I respect her leave when she takes it, and I'd appreciate it if she did the same.
    via tiHdayare
  • A little while later, she replied saying they accept my resignation, it's effective immediately, and I shouldn't come to work again.
    via tiHdayare
  • This all happened after I had sent her an email in the morning with my resignation, which included a 10-day notice period.
    via tiHdayare
  • My record is flawless; I've never had a penalty or anything. So the question is, was I fired?
    via tiHdayare
  • And are they supposed to pay me for the notice period I was going to serve or not?
    via tiHdayare
  • Edit: I just got fired. I'm going to ask them over text and use it as evidence when I file for unemployment.
    via tiHdayare
  • While I am receiving unemployment benefits during this period, I will begin an intensive search for another job.
    via tiHdayare
  • Sick Woman Working on Laptop
    via Karola G

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

  • I will start by updating my resume and LinkedIn and applying, but I still feel that I need to read more about interview tips and how to prepare for an interview.
    via tiHdayare
  • Unfortunately, most places are "at will" employment, meaning that you can quit and they can fire you for any reason.
    via tiHdayare
  • NetJnkie Not unusual. I've been walked a few times when resigning. Especially common if you have access to sensitive data.
    via NetJnkie
  • Formerruling1 Absent a contract or local law in the US no they don't have to pay you for the 2 weeks. HOWEVER, in some states, they may consider this an involuntary separation, and you may be able to claim unemployment for those 2 weeks. You'd need to talk to your stare agency that handles unemployment.
    via Formerruling1
  • Own Candidate9553 You gave them notice that you will leave after 10 days, as a courtesy. She then fired you today. You can technically file for unemployment for the remaining time you were expecting to work. Up to you if it's worth it. They may fight it, just to be dicks.
    via Own_Candidate955
  • Snarky_Artemis Which state are you in? Depending on the state, they may be required to pay out the ten days salary and accrued PTO
    via Snarky_Artemis
  • mdg_roberts1 I don't understand why people give an 'official/documented" 2 week notice. Just tell your boss, verbally, that you are going to quit in 2 weeks and leave it at that. Why give your employer written documentation to end your employment on the spot?
    via mdg_roberts1
  • Lighthouse_on_Mars Reach out to HR to make sure it's official. Giving Notice is a courtesy. They are able to say that you don't have to finish out the notice days. It doesn't count as being fired. However... If you reach out to HR and they say your boss fired you. Then you are fired and you can collect unemployment.
    via Lighthouse_on_Mars
  • Difficult Band2177 Not that unusual. I tried to give notice to a job, my boss took the resignation letter, read it and said finish out the day, don't come in tomorrow. I tried to give my 2 weeks notice. It happens.
    via Difficult_Band2177
  • Jasperssss That's why you turn you phone off when you're sick.
    via Jasperssss

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Tags

getting fired notice boss employee fired manager job sick day tales-from-the-workplace overworked-employees workplace sick company
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