In the story we have for you guys today, a small business owner shared a controversial story that sparked a heated debate. OP shared his encounter with an employee who was about to be let go. The employee interrupted the termination, claiming he was essential to the business, and then abruptly quit in a fit of anger.
OP took this as a resignation, avoiding the need to pay severance. While feeling somewhat guilty, OP questioned whether it was ethical to accept the resignation under such heated circumstances, knowing the employee’s outburst was likely an impulsive reaction to the firing.
1. Yes, we don’t judge books by their cover here, but any boss who has ever done this is a major AH.
2. After telling an employee he was being laid off, that guy started screaming at OP for being unfair, and OP just listened, allowing him to let it all out.
3. The employee then went on to say he would rather quit than be fired. OP decided to capitalize on this.
4. Upon confirmation, the employee said yes and left. OP reported his removal as a resignation, which allowed him to not pay the severance.
5. The matter was taken to the courts of the AITA community.
The coworker can easily get his job back if he wants it. OP fired him, and he then proceeded to quit as a reaction to his being fired. OP’s order superseded the employee’s impulse decision. He can join work the next day, and I don’t think anyone would be able to remove him from the office premises.
No manager should exploit the emotions of their workers. Because… it can backfire terribly. OP was a major AH!
