Former employee joins rival company and ends up in meeting with old bosses criticizing his work: 'The nervous little laughs were glorious'

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Jun 14, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

An excellent representation of what I would call work karma.

An engineer was laid off from his company, and luckily for him (or maybe not), he ended up finding a good position at the rival company. Months later, he joins a meeting with a client, only to realize that those clients were his former bosses. Of course, those managers didn't realize he was there and started blaming him for a couple of issues with a project. The engineer played his cards well, remained quiet, and offered his help to get the project back on track.

I can simply imagine those managers' faces when they realized their ex-employee had ended up working for their biggest competitor. The timing in this story is just perfect, because out of all the meetings that could've happened, all the companies involved, and all the people working there, the very person they were blaming was right there with them. It just blows my mind how crazy that is. It feels like something out of a TV show.

I think the most satisfactory thing is the reaction of the engineer. He stayed calm and quiet, instead of bursting out. He didn't interrupt, he didn't call anyone out, and he didn't even make his former manager look bad in front of his current bosses. Instead, he played it cool and was super professional while watching how the situation unraveled on its own. Applause to him: the most powerful response is, sometimes, no response at all. 

We can all learn something from this today: this story works as a reminder that every professional field and world is quite small. In fact, many people assume that they will never encounter former coworkers, or even managers, but life can be crazy, and some industries have a curious and funny way of bringing people back together. That's why choosing your words when speaking about your previous jobs can be a smart move.

The story posted by AdventurousPool1244 in r/jobsearchhack got us something that a few people may dream about: a front seat to one of the most awkward work situations. Opportunities like this don't come around often, so having that story as an anecdote is just delicious.

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  • 01
    Professional participating in a virtual team meeting from a modern home office workspace.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

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

    Professional participating in a virtual team meeting from a modern home office workspace.

  • 02
    I was working as an engineer at a company since 2019. I got laid off in 2024 because there wasn't enough work in my specialty. Not long after, I got accepted at one of my old company's biggest competitors.
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 03
    A little while ago, they brought me into a Teams meeting about renovations at an old facility. After about ten minutes, I realized that this was a facility I had worked on a lot at my old job. Then I noticed that several managers and engineers from my old company were sitting in the same call. The secondhand embarrassment for them started immediately.
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 04
    Since my old company had handled the original design work, they were also invited to the meeting. They probably didn't notice I was on the call, because my former managers started explaining that the part of the building I had been responsible for was a "problem," and that the engineer who had handled it no longer worked for them and had "put them in a difficult position."
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 05
    I was trying with all my might not to burst out laughing. Then my current project manager calmly said that this same engineer works with us now, so I could probably help since I already knew the building. The nervous little laughs from my former managers were glorious.
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 06
    I stayed professional and just said that I was happy to hear their voices, and that I was looking forward to helping with the new renovation work.
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 07
    Has anyone else had weird situations with an old employer?
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 08
    Person carrying a plastic storage bin containing office equipment and personal belongings
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

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

    Person carrying a plastic storage bin containing office equipment and personal belongings

  • 09
    theMightBoop I worked for this company for 8 years and eventually got run out. I got hired by this other company that was founded by 3 former employees of the original company who left to start their own company. I didn't need to explain why I left my old company.
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 10
    Sufficient_Maybe_910 I avoided taking a job that was working directly with the company I was laid off from. I knew I wouldn't be able to deal.
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 11
    mcindy28 Hahaha they thought they could throw you under the bus since you were no longer working there... except here you are! Surprise!
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 12
    Strict_Cut_1206 I'm trying to figure out why it took you 10 minutes to realize that you used to work in the facility. Looks like you would have realized that by the address, or the minute you pulled up on your first day.
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 13
    Hands reviewing architectural floor plans and technical building drawings on a table.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

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

    Reviewing architectural floor plans and technical building drawings on a table.

  • 14
    Kaylee_Phoenix Yes. I resigned from a company, when I was getting grief about the dodgy project I had raised professional questions about. Senior managers had tried to silence me. Joined a private consultancy, who had a Framework with the company. Because of my experience and local knowledge, I ended up working on various projects for that company. Luckily, my ex-collegeaues had no issue with. me, as most of them knew I had been right.
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 15
    Used ToiletWater I swear I read this exact same story maybe half a year ago
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 16
    PositiveAtmosphere 13 As a sub contractor, I've had imposable to please clients. I've had these clients call me back for more work. "You weren't happy with my work. Why are you calling me back?" "Because your work was the best" "I'm sorry but I'm going to have to pass on this job." "Wait. What. You can't just choose not to do a job."
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 17
    adaigo-allegro I was called into a lawsuit to testify for a company that had terminated me, ironically in a lawsuit of someone else they had terminated (modus operandi for this company). One of the board members said to me at the deposition....oh you'll really like "Joe" the new CEO. And went on to explain why I would have really liked him. ? Like I really give a dump about the new CEO and the company. I would have loved to see the look on my OWN face...
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 18
    Two professionals examining charts, reports, and financial documents during a meeting.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

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

    Two professionals examining charts, reports, and financial documents during a meeting.

  • 19
    nnote I got layed off "because there is no work for you" so I turned around and got hired by the company my previous employer sent all my work to, bonus now I'm also remote!
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 20
    Live_March_2158 Nah bruh. Old work colleagues are de d to you czuh. Why feel anything for em? Just keep it real wu tang style
    via AdventurousPool1244
  • 21
    Murwiz I wonder how they thought you had "put them in a difficult position," was it by allowing lad off? yourself to
    via AdventurousPool1244

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former employee entitled people karma managers bad bosses
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