Starting a new job usually brings a mix of relief and cautious optimism, especially after a stretch of unemployment. But for one employee, that hope faded almost immediately. In a post shared on Reddit, the worker said he was fired just three days after joining a private equity firm, allegedly for not staying beyond the office hours discussed during his interview.
Fired Within Days of Joining
The employee explained that he had been out of work since mid-December and decided to use the holiday period to spend time with family before restarting his job search. When he received an offer with strong compensation, he accepted it despite having some concerns about the industry.
During the hiring process, he said he was clearly told the role would run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, the night before his first day, he received a message pushing his start time back by an hour. He did not see that as a major issue.
On his first day, when 5 p.m. arrived and he prepared to leave, he sensed hesitation from colleagues. The following day, he reached the office at 7:30 a.m., completed tasks, and asked detailed questions to understand internal systems. He wrote that he was praised for identifying past errors and asking the right questions.
Still, when 5 p.m. came around again, a consultant reportedly told him there would need to be a discussion about the hours he was putting in. He said he was informed that since it was month-end closing, he was expected to stay until the work was done. In response, he pointed out that he had been told the job was 8 to 5 and that he had responsibilities outside of work, though he was willing to start earlier if needed.
He adjusted his schedule the next day and stayed until 6 p.m. Despite that effort, the following morning he was called aside and told the company did not think he was a “good fit.” When he asked whether the decision was performance-related, he said he was only told it was not a good fit.
“I’m just completely fed up with companies having this kind of control,” he wrote. “I know what I’m capable of.” He added, “I’m. Just. Tired.”
Previous Workplace Disappointment
The worker also shared that this was his second recent setback. He had earlier worked for three months at a family-run business that, according to him, promised innovation and fresh ideas but resisted change. After giving honest feedback during a performance review about systems not being supportive of growth, he was let go within a week.
Looking back at his latest experience, he questioned the expectations tied to salaried roles in the United States. In the comments, he wrote, “Apparently in the great ole US of A, a salary means you need to put in whatever time they want you to put in?” He also said that when he reminded the consultant about the agreed 8-to-5 schedule, he was told, “well during closing, you’re expected to stay til the work is done.”
Strong Reactions Online
The post triggered a wave of responses from other users on Reddit. One commenter asked why anyone should be expected to remain beyond agreed hours. Another wrote that salaried employees in the US often find that official hours do not mean much in practice.
A separate user noted that most employment in the country does not come with formal contracts, leaving workers with limited leverage. Others also shared personal stories of managers expecting late hours without prior clarity.