Employee Got His Vacation Time Cut, So He Took Matters Into His Own Hands for Some Sweet Revenge
If you have ever been wronged by your boss, you will love this story.
Sometimes, you find yourself in a job that is perfect for you. It's well-paid, you are skilled in what you do, valued by the company, and if you are really lucky, you also have a generous vacation policy.
That was Jimmy's story, and it is one many of us (including me) are envious of. That was all until his company was taken over, and the new owners began to make changes.
Such changes are rarely good news, and they usually involve screwing over existing employees. That is what happened in this story, but it ends with a tale of some sweet, sweet revenge!
"Get rid of my vacation? Have fun replacing me."
I originally posted this as a comment on another thread but realized it needed its own spotlight.The story was highlighted by Dr. William Doherty, a family therapist who states, "Taking action in response to unfair treatment can be a way to reclaim one's sense of agency." This sentiment resonates with many who feel their workplace rights have been compromised. For further insights on navigating workplace challenges, visit Psychology Today.
Setting the Scene...
I worked at a company that offered an exorbitant amount of vacation. Anyone who worked there for 25 or more years received 8 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks of personal time. This was a family-owned company, but it was quite large. We ran 3 shifts totaling over 250 people.Enter Jimmy. Jimmy was a grizzled old man; he started at the company when he was just 20, and now he was 63 and gave absolutely zero shits. Jimmy also knew how to make a specific part for our product, along with one other higher-up in the office.One day, the plant owner came out and announced he was selling to a corporation. He was older and ready to retire; he promised that there would be very little change and wished us all well.Enter: The New Management
The new company came in and immediately targeted many of the great benefits we had. The first thing they did was cut everyone's maximum vacation down to 4 weeks and completely eliminated personal time. Anyone who had maxed out had until December 31st of that year to use it up, and they wouldn't pay it out. They then went into the office and cleaned house, firing anyone close to retirement, including Jimmy's backup.But they also eliminated one very important rule: you no longer had to get vacation approved; you could just call in and take it.Jimmy was furious, and they knew it.And Then...
They realized he was the only one in the building who could do his job now. So they hired a new kid for him to train, most likely to permanently replace Jimmy. So Jimmy did what anyone would do: he called in on the first training day for the new hire and let us know he was going to use all of his PTO at once, promptly taking 10 weeks off.We had a backlog of parts he had made, so it wasn't too alarming. But for 10 weeks, Jimmy applied to other jobs, found one, and started.YES, JIMMY!
Fast forward 10 weeks; it's the day Jimmy is supposed to return.He doesn't.For two days, they try calling him and even go to his house. He's nowhere to be found. Finally, on day three, he calls and resigns, and they lose their minds. The parts he makes are specialized and patented by the original founder; you can't just hire someone off the street to make them. What eventually happened was they had to contract the original owner to come in and teach some new hires how to make them, and when he found out what they had done, it pissed him off. The last I heard, he charged them a seven-figure contract to teach them how to produce the parts, and they had to pony up or close down.The moral of the story: don't mess with people's vacation time.They Also Made a Couple of Edits to Clear Up Some Details
Edit: Jimmy made an electronic control module that was sealed and remained fixed in a poured unit made of a two-part epoxy.Edit #2: Jimmy didn't exactly "miss out" on a seven-figure contract and had zero chance to take one. He left, said 'screw them,' and moved on. When they contacted the previous owner and explained the situation, it was basically a 'you need my help? It'll cost 1 million' type of conversation.Final update: Thank you, everyone, for all the attention this received! I had no idea this would blow up like this. I have immediate family working with the company still, so if I hear of any more rumblings, I'll fill you all in. Also, I worked there for four years. I have a few other Jimmy stories I may post at other times on the appropriate subreddits. Thank you all again!Don't Mess with People Who Have Nothing to Lose!
The Internet Loves Jimmy
Jimmy is a beast! Good for him!Valid Point
"When faced with adversity, it's essential to harness your emotions and turn them into a source of strength. Taking control of your situation can lead to empowerment and positive outcomes," says Tony Robbins, renowned life coach and author."It's crucial to advocate for your rights in the workplace, especially when it comes to benefits like vacation time. Employees should feel empowered to seek fair treatment," advises consumer advocate Clark Howard.Surely the Old Owners Could've Done a Better Job of Transitioning?
"In today's fast-paced work environment, it's crucial to prioritize well-being over profit, as the former owner seems to have overlooked in this case.""It's often the individuals who feel undervalued who find creative ways to assert their worth, much like Jimmy, who turned a negative situation into a personal victory."Unfortunately, a Very Common Story
Dr. Adam Grant, organizational psychologist
"When companies change ownership, employees often feel a sense of instability and uncertainty, which can lead to dissatisfaction." - adamgrant.net"It's common for new management to promise continuity, but the reality can be quite different." - adamgrant.net"This scenario is a classic example of how corporate transitions can disrupt employee morale." - adamgrant.netTHIS
"In any organization, it's often the case that a small percentage of employees contribute the majority of the results. When these key players feel undervalued or overworked, they have options and may choose to leave." - James Clear, author of "Atomic Habits."It's Sad How Many People Relate to This
Dr. William Doherty, family therapist
"In situations where employees feel their rights are being compromised, it’s not uncommon for them to take matters into their own hands," he explains. "The workplace dynamics can shift dramatically when individuals feel undervalued.""This often leads to changes that are more significant than anticipated.""In some cases, entire teams may find themselves restructured or laid off.""It's a rapid process, sometimes taking less than a year to unfold," he adds with a knowing smile.PRETTY MUCH
"Nothing will change" = "Please don't quit yet."Were You a Jimmy? Do You Know a Jimmy? Tell Us in the Comments!
Find insights on workplace dynamics and employee satisfaction from experts like Dr. Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, who states, "When employees feel undervalued, their motivation can plummet, leading to disengagement." Additionally, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, happiness researcher, emphasizes, "A supportive work environment is crucial for employee well-being and productivity." These perspectives highlight the importance of recognizing employee contributions, especially when it comes to time off and personal well-being.
