Disabled employee fired for refusing to work extra 20 hours; boss says 'role isn't a good fit'

The boss's only justification for the layoff was that 'this role isn’t a good fit.' (Representational)

An employee shared their story of being laid off for refusing to work 20 extra hours on Reddit’s popular antiwork subreddit, sparking discussions on toxic work environments and the struggles of navigating the current job market.

The employee recounted how their refusal to overextend themselves led to their dismissal from a mid-sized advertising company, that the worker cannot name due to an NDA. The crux of the issue? Setting healthy boundaries. After their boss tried to assign an additional project, demanding 50% of their time, the worker pushed back, pointing out their already packed schedule.

Their boss countered by comparing them to another employee who worked until 2 am, a situation the worker refused to emulate, especially since that colleague was likely earning triple their salary.

Within days of this disagreement, they were called into a meeting with HR, a move they immediately recognised as a sign of termination. Despite having led their team to record-breaking revenues, the boss's only justification for the layoff was that "this role isn’t a good fit."

Posts from the antiwork
community on Reddit

The worker's story resonated with many, touching on broader themes of exploitation, particularly in the tech and advertising industries. In another comment, the individual revealed a deeper personal struggle, having been disabled and listed as terminal until the age of 25. They had hoped to pursue a career as an accountant but are now facing PTSD and other mental health challenges, complicating their job search.

Many users in the comments responded with support. "The tech job landscape is pretty bad but does seem to be improving slightly. Cr***y time for a layoff, but I’m glad you held your ground," wrote one commenter. Another added, "Sorry you’re going through that. I hope you have and get the support you deserve."