Employee who 'felt abused' by unhelpful boss returns the favor by quitting and stressing them out

In the world of work, the instances of terrible bosses and difficult workplaces are no news. Reddit user u/investorsama shared their own experience and it is a tale of triumph, all while keeping their identity under wraps. Moreover, it is the story of resilience and standing up for oneself. "I've been away from that job for a while now, and I'm going to be vague about it to protect myself," the employee begins, setting the stage for a story many can relate to. Their story unfolds in a company where they found themselves under the supervision of a manager who was not just tough to work with but also "narcissistic and unhelpful." 

This manager had a habit of badmouthing coworkers behind their backs, creating a toxic atmosphere. The turning point came when this manager had a falling-out with a coworker and promptly fired them. As the new guy on the block, this employee suddenly found themselves tasked with taking on the departed coworker's responsibilities in addition to their existing workload.

And here's the kicker – they were given just one week to learn the ropes of this new role, which was no small feat. As time passed, yet another role was added to their already overflowing plate. This triple-duty grind forced the employee to burn the midnight oil, often working late nights to keep up. Despite their dedication and hard work, they found themselves in an impossible situation. Seeking help or advice from their manager only led to lectures and even shouting matches. The stress became unbearable, and they felt like they were being mistreated. There was even a moment when they could not hold back their tears in front of their manager – a sign of just how taxing the situation had become. However, their manager remained indifferent and made no effort to hire more help or provide any support.

With no other option in sight, they made a life-changing decision. They chose to resign from the company and sent a powerful message to their toxic boss. Before leaving, they crafted some intentionally confusing PDF guides for their roles and responsibilities, ensuring that their manager, who lacked technical skills in the software they used, would have a hard time figuring things out.

Their resignation marked the end of their ordeal and the beginning of a sense of justice. They broke the news to their manager when they returned from a trip, making it clear that they could not bear the burden of doing three people's jobs for the same pay. In a final act of defiance, they left their manager to deal with the chaotic mess they had created. As the Reddit user put it, "I was told my manager was crying the last week leading up to my departure because they couldn't find a replacement. I just shrugged and said not my problem."

On their last day at that job, they walked away with a triumphant smile, a stark contrast to the stress and pressure they had endured for months. Their bold choice to leave the company had significant repercussions. The company had to post two job openings to cover the roles the Reddit user left behind, possibly even more. Their coworkers rallied behind them, recognizing the courage it took to make a stand and express their shared frustrations.

Among those who offered their support, u/parkesc shared their own experience of liberation, saying, "I know that feeling. Ten years ago, I resigned from a job I'd been at for five months - and I still remember the drive home. I felt like I'd been paroled from prison." To this, u/investorsama humorously responded, "I played 'Celebration' by Kool and the Gang as I drove off the lot."

In this story, we find a tale of empowerment, resilience, and poetic justice. The user's bold decision to prioritize their well-being serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best form of reaction is taking control of your own happiness and mental health.