CEO insults employee's dress, she puts in her resignation, sending him into a panic: '[He] sent me a bouquet of roses after I quit'

This CEO insisted that his employee couldn't take a joke, but in the end, she found it pretty hilarious to see him apologizing profusely.

The author recounted the story of when her CEO organized a mandatory company meeting after a difficult quarter. Following a bogus "motivational" speech that was clearly meant to inspire the team to meet their quarterly goals this time around, the CEO publicly mocked the employee's attire. Yes, practically everyone heard the "joke." No, she did not appreciate the comment whatsoever.

For further context, the employee explains that her work outfit wasn't anything too attention-grabbing. She was simply wearing standard business casual attire with more frills and layers than the average boring look. Her fashion sensibility usually got her compliments left and right from coworkers, except the CEO took things a bit too far. 

After his tasteless remark, the author returned to her desk and tried to continue to work. Still, something did not sit right with her. At the next team meeting, she sat through it, but her frustrated expression was noticeable to upper management. Then, when she came into the office the following day, she was given a warning about her behavior. She understandably did not take this well and decided that this was not a work environment that was worth fighting for…

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  • When the employee decided to submit her letter of resignation following that ridiculous warning, it did not take long for the CEO to catch on to what was going on. He sought to rectify it, but unfortunately, he did not have the emotional intelligence to handle this in a decent manner. Instead, all he could muster was the courage to leave a bouquet of flowers by the employee's desk. 

    Really, dude? Flowers? That's the best you can do? The employee found this attempt at reconciliation to be amusingly pathetic. It's safe to say that the roses did not work. In fact, they only solidified and confirmed the fact that she was making the right decision in leaving. There was no way she was going to stay at this toxic excuse of an office any longer.

  • A woman carries a box of her belongings while leaving an office.
    via Vitaly Gariev

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

  • "CEO sent me a bouquet of roses after I quit"

    CEO gathered us all in the conference room for company quarterly report. Wasn't a particularly positive quater (haha!! to :!)
    via [deleted]
  • Once he was finished with the stats he started talking about how we all need to pull together as a family in order to meet next quarters profit margin.
    via [deleted]
  • All I could think about was how every time he would walk past my desk, he made some nasty comment about how I'm dressed for the day. My manger tells me it's sarcasm but it always makes me want to cry.
    via [deleted]
  • (I don't wear anything particularly strange, just office attire with a bit more frills and layers, because I like fashion)
    via [deleted]
  • I've explained to them that I'm a istic and can't understand sarcasm, so it's just a random unwarranted insult to me. They laughed It off, pat me on the back and sent me on my way. He continued.
    via [deleted]
  • So, when he made his 'motivational' speech about how we all need to be a family to take in as much profit as we can for him, I scrunched my face up and frowned. Pretty natural reaction I would say.
    via [deleted]
  • Next day, I'm called into a meeting and given a strike on my probation. I was told 'a coworker' complained about my 'anti productive mindset toward company profits'.
    via [deleted]
  • Put my resignation in the next day. Of course followed by all the fuss and panic managers go though when their mistreated employees finally take a stand.
    via [deleted]
  • Sat at my desk the next morning and found a bouquet of roses, from the CEO. Hilarious!!!
    via [deleted]
  • Thanks for the flowers, and you! EDIT: woah. I'm processing all of these comments. Thank you all for your concern and for gently explaining to me that the whole situation is a lot more serious than I thought.
    via [deleted]
  • I will not be working the rest of my notice period. I've ordered a ring doorbell in case he comes by my house again. Thank you all so much for warning me, I would never have made this connection on my own.
    via [deleted]
  • Also, I can sometimes understand sarcasm if I know the person very well, because I'm used to the way they speak and what they would and would not say in jest.
    via [deleted]
  • A potted plant with red flowers sit on a desk.
    via Lilian Figueira

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

  • AusXan Put them immediately in the closest rubbish bin with the tag clearly visible.
    via [deleted]
  • [deleted] Original Poster's Reply No. Throw them away in HIS trash can.
    via [deleted]
  • [deleted] Original Poster's Reply I'm so happy that you resigned. He sounds like a huge j k. Also, I'm sure your outfits look great... frills and dressing up or having fun with fashion.
    via [deleted]
  • xenokilla exactly, I got a 3% raise last year while inflation is 7%. super motivating.
    via [deleted]
  • [deleted] Original Poster's Reply You didn't get a raise you got a pay cut.
    via [deleted]
  • [deleted] Original Poster's Reply The bouquet of roses is almost like a send off if you think about it.
    via [deleted]
  • lustrouslife7 Hi I'm a Cabinet Maker. I live in Australia. I haven't had a full time job in 11 years. I work Agency because it's the only way I can get what I'm worth in wages. Over here we have Compulsory Superannuation which must be paid by all Employers to all employees even some Contractors after a certain period of time. I get more time off than a full timer due to breaks between assignments but my higher wage means it doesn't effect my standard of living. I don't get paid for sick days or
    via [deleted]
  • [deleted] Original Poster's Reply That's how to do it buddy!!
    via [deleted]
  • [deleted] Original Poster's Reply >I've ordered a ring doorbell in case he comes by my house again Ayo, what the fk? I am so appalled that I made sure I spelled out the entirety of what the fk instead of shortening it
    via [deleted]
  • RahulRedditor >complained about my 'anti productive mindset toward company profits'. When I get profit sharing - that's when I'll give a flying fk about company profits.
    via [deleted]
  • [deleted] Original Poster's Reply >Thanks for the flowers, and fk you! Please actually say this on your last day.
    via [deleted]
  • skigginstv all of that, everything is inappropriate.. flowers? w just apologize like.. you know. like a normal person.
    via [deleted]
  • A boss looks over a seated female employee while she sits at her desk in an office.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

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