HN Explorer

Tell HN: Terminated for Refusing to Work on Weekend

17 points by sambhu ↗ HN
I was terminated from my job last week because I refused to work on the weekend due to a terrible migraine. I informed the company's P&C, but they didn't take my complaint seriously. Since the company is under the influence of managers and extreme groupism, I couldn't do much about it legally, especially since they refused to provide me with a termination letter.

I had been working with the company for over 5 years and 8 months, and I had never had any issues with previous managers. However, I had multiple arguments with my current manager over the past two months due to expectations to work on weekends.

The P&C decided to early release me, but they defamed me in an internal email sent to all employees working currently, which has greatly impacted my mental state. I'm afraid to post anything on LinkedIn until I receive my experience letter, but my past co-workers have been vocal about the incident in Linkedin.

I only didn't inform my acting manager about my migraine, but I told my co-workers about it on the same day. I feel devastated by the whole ordeal, as this company was my first job after graduation, and I had been a loyal employee with consistent growth and promotion over these 5 years.

20 comments

[ 3.6 ms ] story [ 65.1 ms ] thread
cpach
That sucks! Hope you’ll find a new job soon.
sambhu
I was on the one month notice period after resignation of which only two weeks were remaining. Management just did this to satisfy their ego.
surprisetalk
> I was on the one month notice period after resignation

So you already resigned, and then they let you go early?

IMO, this was a big detail to omit from your original post.

gardenhedge
This piece of information not being shared in the main post reflects very poorly on you.

It seems like you're trying to get a termination letter even though you quit the job?

romanhn
I'm sorry this happened to you - nobody should be forced to consistently work on weekends without prior consent, let alone be let go for refusing.

That said, there is an important lesson here. Tying one's identity to one's place of employment is a losing proposition. You can feel loyalty to your team, your colleagues, perhaps even your manager. But loyalty to the company is misguided, it will not be reciprocated. You need to put yourself first and treat this as a business transaction that it is.

At the end of the day, this situation sucks, but believe me, it won't be long before it starts fading and mattering less and less. Wish you the best.

sambhu
Thank you for your words, it was really hard for me to Live around holding to this level of unfair, unprofessional act from the employer that goes around with big words of employee well being and bla bla.
qthrowayq0909
That sounds like a sweatshop from hell. I also find it hard to believe that 5+ years rolled by without incident in such a place. Could it be that you were just ignorant of similar cases?

Anyhow, that was clearly a toxic place where you shouldn't spend more time.

Best of luck on your next job.

paulcole
If you're in the US and you can get a doctor's support the ADA can be applied to migraines. Covered employers must provide reasonable accommodations and the process is designed to be (relatively) employee friendly.
sambhu
Unfortunately, its a outsourcing company based in Nepal but the parent company is in Denmark.
op00to
You're fired. Take a deep breath. This doesn't define you. You will find a new job.

I think you are a good engineer who put many years into a company! Be proud of that. You're also a person who stood up for yourself! Be proud of that as well. Most people wouldn't stand up for themselves.

Take a walk, if you can. Maybe 4km. Don't think about work, career, or anything. Just see whatever you can see.

After you get back from your walk, acknowledge all the positive things you've done at work, and think briefly about the negative parts. 15 minutes tops. Put it all aside. It's done now, don't dwell anymore.

You're now able to tell what a bad employer looks like. Find a new job, and continue to stand up for yourself! You will find an employer that values you.

sambhu
Thank you, I am doing it today.