Employee agrees to delay their resignation to help with the transition, only for their manager to announce they were fired instead: 'He posted a 'You're Fired' meme'

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Jul 24, 2026 7:15 PM EDT

Is it really quitting if your boss tells everyone you were fired?

After accepting a better job, a contractor tried to leave on good terms by agreeing to stay an extra week and help with the transition at their manager's request. Instead, they were abruptly let go the following day after completing a knowledge transfer. To make matters worse, the manager announced to the team that he had fired them and even shared a "You're Fired" meme in Microsoft Teams, leaving the former employee wondering whether there was any appropriate response to such a public humiliation.

I could not believe my eyes when I read this story. This is a great example of what a "bad manager" is. Maybe this man was so upset that one of his good employees was leaving for a way better offer that he had to take revenge and pretend they were the ones who fired him, instead of admitting that the employee quit. But that's not even the worst part of all: sharing that meme and making fun of him is super immature.

I'll say that the only good thing we can learn from this is that there was no reason to stay in that company if people have this type of behaviour. If there was a part of him that was hesitant about leaving, I'm sure that after this there really is nothing else to think about, and he must have felt so relieved to start working for somebody else, hopefully someone who's more responsible and takes his coworkers more seriously.

In a workplace environment, this type of attitude cannot be accepted whatsoever. There's never a reason that is going to justify making fun of someone at the office for deciding to leave the company that's more willing to pay what the employee deserves and treats them accordingly. Anyways, maybe this is affecting me more than I was anticipating, but I cannot get my head around why these happen and how that manager was so immature.

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  • A professional considers their next steps after a manager publicly misrepresented their resignation to former coworkers.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    A professional considers their next steps after a manager publicly misrepresented their resignation to former coworkers.

    Image is a representation of the people and events described.

  • I was working as a contractor for a Fortune 100 company. The pay was decent, but the management was toxic. Eventually, I received an offer from a much smaller company for a full-time remote position with a significantly better salary and benefits, including PTO and a 401(k).
    via ContestLong
  • At first, I was unsure whether I should leave my contract role and join the smaller company. To evaluate the new opportunity, I did not immediately resign from my contract position. Instead, for about two weeks, I obtained approval to leave work early each day. Since I was working in the Eastern Time Zone, I told my manager that I needed to leave at noon each day for personal reasons.
    via ContestLong
  • The new full-time job was remote and operated on Pacific Time. After leaving my contract job early, I would go home and work for the new company. After about a week and a half, I realized that the new job was a much better fit. The team was supportive, the work was enjoyable, and I wanted to commit to it fully.
    via ContestLong
  • On Wednesday of the second week, I met with my manager and informed him that I was resigning. He asked when my last day would be, and I told him I was prepared to make that day my final day.
    via ContestLong
  • However, he said that because I had several outstanding responsibilities, he needed me to stay longer. He asked me to continue working through the following Friday, and I agreed.
    via ContestLong
  • The next day, Thursday, I conducted a knowledge-transfer session with my team members as requested. Later that same day, my manager called me and informed me that the company had decided not to continue my employment and asked me to return all company equipment. I went to the office that evening and returned everything.
    via ContestLong
  • The following day, several former coworkers contacted me and told me that my manager had posted a message in Microsoft Teams stating that he had fired me. According to them, he also shared a "You're Fired" meme and stated that I had been terminated because I was working two jobs simultaneously.
    via ContestLong
  • I am trying to understand what, if anything, I should do in response to this situation.
    via ContestLong
  • A former employee leaves the office after an unexpected dismissal, reflecting on a resignation that ended far differently than planned.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    A former employee leaves the office after an unexpected dismissal, reflecting on a resignation that ended far differently than planned.

    Image is for illustrative purposes only.

  • I found this comment section to be hilarious. While some of the Redditors stated that the employee was doing well in leaving that company, others suggested some crazy ideas as to how he could get revenge on his manager.

  • LogicalPerformer7637 Explain what happened to your former coworkers you keep in touch with. Otherwise ignore it and go on with your life.
    via ContestLong
  • Imaginary_Hornet_5 Laugh about it with your former coworkers - tell them you had quit the day before, and he asked you to push back your exit date. Your former manager is proving to be the toxic person you knew they were. You'll get over the bruise to your ego.
    via ContestLong
  • iDoMyOwn Research JK Give him a bad review on LinkedIn or something. I don't have one, can you do that? lol
    via ContestLong
  • Lazzyie I would ignore that nonsense and enjoy the new job. No point in feeding the trolls.
    via ContestLong
  • Wakemeup3000 Let the former coworkers know that this behavior is a red flag that they should take notice of moving forward. You can let them know that you only stayed longer to help with the transition because you would have left on the day you submitted your resignation.
    via ContestLong
  • Lonely-World-981 I would send an email to your HR contact at the company, along with the head of HR (you can figure out their name).
    via ContestLong
  • An employee starts a new opportunity after leaving a toxic workplace, hoping for a more supportive and respectful work environment.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    An employee starts a new opportunity after leaving a toxic workplace, hoping for a more supportive and respectful work environment.

    Man pictured is a model.

  • dod_murray You should find out what has been recorded as the reason for termination of your employment contract. That information will be shared with your future employers as part of their background checks.
    via ContestLong
  • Fancy_County4242 That's defamation. He attacked your character and caused irreparable damage to your reputation. At least that's what you tell the jury after you sue him.
    via ContestLong
  • Thespis 1962 Wouldn't cost much to have an attorney send a cease and desist to both him and the CEO, just to rattle his chain. LOL
    via ContestLong
  • Existing_Bedroom_496 As HR Mgr I think your Manager was trying to insinuate he had the upper hand in your leaving by making that statement, so that it would seem to others that they may get fired if they do the same thing. Tell your friends what really happened. Don't respond to him. Let it go. It will only enlighten the narcissist in that guy. Bad look/dumb move professionally for him!
    via ContestLong

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toxic-workplace bad manager meme quitting
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