Workplace exits can be awkward, but one employee’s last day took a turn no one saw coming. After returning from their honeymoon, they were called in for what should have been a routine meeting — only to find themselves being let go by a boss who burst into tears. In a twist of roles, the employee ended up comforting the very person firing them.
Mismatch Between Role and Expectations
On Reddit, the employee, shared that they joined the company last September expecting to work in a specialized capacity. But soon after starting, it became clear that the role involved a full-spectrum workload far beyond what was originally discussed. One major assignment, known as Project A, stood out for all the wrong reasons — it had nothing to do with the employee’s background and revolved around a product that didn’t even exist yet.
Though the project was troubled from the start, the manager admitted they needed someone from the team to be attached to it, so the employee stepped up. As the work dragged on, it became clear to many in the team that the project was unlikely to succeed, but they continued with it nonetheless.
Things took another turn when the employee experienced a sudden medical emergency, leading to a week-long break. On return, they shifted to part-time work with their manager’s support, a temporary arrangement meant to ease recovery and accommodate upcoming wedding plans. Despite the reduced hours, they managed to stay on top of multiple responsibilities and supported other teams — all while Project A remained the weak link.
Strange Signals Before the Fall
A few weeks before their wedding, the employee noticed a drop in workload and sensed a change in the manager’s behaviour. Anticipating potential trouble, they quietly began exploring freelance opportunities.
The real surprise came after their return from the honeymoon. The manager invited them for a coffee chat — and unexpectedly broke down in tears while delivering the news that the company had decided to let them go. The employee recalled offering emotional support as the manager confessed she had tried to delay the firing and even admitted to being deeply unhappy at the job herself.
A Cathartic Conversation, Then a Cold Letter
The conversation ended on an unexpectedly heartfelt note, but it was followed by a formal letter stating the reason for termination as “untrustworthiness.” The employee, baffled by the claim, viewed it as a poor explanation for what was really a management-level decision tied to the doomed project.
Though the firing may have come at a strange moment — on the very day they returned from a major life milestone — the employee expressed relief. The job, they said, had become a chaotic experience, and Project A had always felt like a disaster waiting to happen. The moment of being laid off turned unexpectedly emotional, but also freeing.