Doctor helps employee recovering from surgery get even with CPO for trying to sabotage work trip

As much as organizations demand meticulous efforts from employees, they don't always compensate them as they deserve. Especially when it comes to utilizing company benefits allocated for employees' well-being, executives think twice before approving them. That was the case for u/Impossible_Remove_28 on Reddit when they were recovering from surgery and hoping to harness the company's resources for a more comfortable work trip. The man worked in a management role for a US-based start-up and his job demanded frequent travel across the globe.

Since it was a startup, the employees typically traveled frugally. However, an economy-class seat wasn't advisable for the Reddit user when recovering from a major spinal surgery. While they were taking a few weeks off to get better, a major company event came up that was to be held in Shangai, China. "I call my VP and tell him I'd love to come but cannot fly sitting up for 12 hours yet. Lying flat in business class works but will cost 1500$ more. VP says, 'That is a no brainer, we want you there, book it,'" the employee explained. However, despite the VP's approval, the company's CPO tried to stop the employee from flying business class.

When the employee explained their health situation, the CPO gave them the "We bought you guys, that is not how things work in this company mister" speech. "He needs doctor proof of my surgery," the employee shared. "That is how the procedure works here. I tell him I was operated on by a top spinal surgeon who doesn't have the time to write a letter to a tiny CPO. Numbnuts ends the call power-tripping with, 'Well I guess you won't be going to Shanghai mister,'" they added. The employee was worried about bothering a top surgeon to write a letter proving their surgery but during a check-up the following week, the doctor came to their rescue. 

When they casually mentioned that the CPO was giving them a hard time and trying to sabotage their work trip to Shangai, the doctor knew how to handle it. "Surgeon smiles and says, 'Don't worry, I know the type, we will get him.' Two days later, I got a letter from him in the mail detailing that any flight over 15 minutes needed to be business class for the next 18 months to not risk my recovery," they shared. To the CPO's dismay, this letter helped the employee gain HR's approval for travel expenses. "I raked in more miles that year than I did in the five years before. Probably ended up costing them at least $20000 extra," they concluded.

The employee's witty payback had the internet amused. "This is the type of malicious compliance I like reading about. Well done," said u/TheBOSS_AMA. "Are they going to pay the doctor for the time to write a doctor's note? They are just as busy as anyone else and the requesting party will have these egregious forms and 100s of pages faxed required because they’re hoping the doctor will get frustrated, and they won’t have to pay it," pointed out u/sincereferret. "I truly laughed hard at this. Brilliant surgeon to help you out!" added u/LordDream.