Newly hired employee gets fired even before starting for not responding to manager's weekend message

A new job often comes with uncertainties, and a newly appointed employee may wonder if they are making the right choice by joining a particular company. However, some signs can indicate that the workplace might be challenging even before they start. This was the case for an employee, u/nostalgicflame, who was fired for not responding to a message on a weekend before starting their job. They questioned whether they were in the wrong or if they had dodged a bullet and shared a screenshot of the exchange, providing more context to the situation.

"I didn't immediately respond to the manager for a position I had already been offered (I have already received emails from HR with the paperwork ready to go) and received this message the next morning," the employee shared. "For context, I received their question about paperwork on a Saturday, and today is currently Sunday. Should I have been expected to reply to a work message on a weekend? Additionally, it seems excessive that it hasn't even been 24 hours since receiving their question and I'm being cut from the team due to unresponsiveness," they continued. "Genuinely confused about what's just happened."

The employee had shared their cell phone number with the manager for any emergencies. The manager initially sent a message saying, "Hi, I hope you are doing well. Just reaching out to inform you that your information has been passed on to HR. Please keep an eye out your email for your formal letter and onboarding documents." About five hours later, the manager sent another message, asking, "Hi, just checking in on the status of your onboarding. Have you received any documentation? If so, please let me know." The next day, the employee—who had not responded to either message—was informed, "Good morning, due to no response, I will be taking you off the team. Thank you."

The entire selection process and being fired instantly left the employee confused. They turned to the community, asking whether they were wrong for not responding to the message over the weekend. People in the comments shared their thoughts, with some supporting the employee’s perspective, while others sided with the manager's decision. u/Swabia wrote, "I answered the phone once on vacation. My boss wanted me to fly to Mexico to look at something I'd already checked via images. I said, 'Oh, hey, I'm drunk right now, and I don't have my passport on me because that's in WV and I'm on Lake Erie. Why don't you stop by my office on a working day and tell me what is going on? While you're at it, why don't you bring HR with you?' No one showed up in my office."

u/ancientastronaut2 remarked, "On the one hand, brand new job and they text me? I am going to see that and respond. On the other hand, HR is expecting new employee paperwork over the weekend." u/Dr_A_Mephesto shared, "Yeah, new job, with an offer on the table. I'm keeping my eyes open for everything and responding as quickly as possible." u/Idlertwo commented, "I don't think mid-hiring is the time and place to be hardcore on work-life balance for your weekend. It's just genuinely not a big issue to just respond and continue enjoying your weekend. On that note, having the offer rescinded for not responding is bizarre."