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Someone Asks Managers What Made Them Fire An Employee On Their First Day, And This Story Goes Viral
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Someone Asks Managers What Made Them Fire An Employee On Their First Day, And This Story Goes Viral

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Getting fired on your first day is really something. I mean, how incompetent or just downright lazy do you have to be to lose your job just after you started it? To find out the answers to these questions, redditor Lo-Fi_Kuzco created a post, asking, “Managers of Reddit, what made you fire an employee on their first day?”

The call was immediately answered. The post has received over 16K upvotes and 5.6K comments, many of which were crazy stories that are hard to believe actually happened. One of them, however, was a little different.

Plumpuddingdog recalled a time they had to lay off an old guy before he kept falling asleep during work straight from the get-go. But what earned their response 32.4K upvotes and plenty of reddit awards wasn’t the firing. Rather, the wholesome re-hiring of the same man months later. Scroll down to learn how everything unfolded!

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Plumpuddingdog said the old guy made a good first impression. “He was very experienced and confident, a good manner about him,” they told Bored Panda. “Very much at ease. I liked him. He was clearly infirm, which I simply attributed to age, but it was a little worrisome as our workplace does have a few stairs he would need to ascend. The denial of falling asleep was frustrating, as it was easily observable when he would nod off. His fellow trainees were seeing it happen too, and I was compelled to address it with him just hours into his first day, to let him know that it would be unacceptable if it continued.”

The old guy has been back with the company for about six months now. “He sometimes seems a little drowsy, but he’s staying awake,” the manager said.

As an employee, he really seems to be a good fit. “[He has a] good sense of humor, shows empathy and understanding,” Plumpuddingdog explained. “[He] loves to help and be of assistance. Receptive to feedback. Performs generally well at his role, and is a positive presence overall. Some challenges with technology, but nothing that isn’t uncommon in that age bracket and is manageable.”

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Plumpuddingdog added that the main reason why they gave him the second opportunity was the very open and humble way in which he approached them. “I’ve had many employees in the past try to bullshit their way through being managed, or try deception to get want they want or avoid responsibility. There’s no faster way for my staff to aggravate me or lose trust than trying to pull a fast one. And I think my awareness of that is pretty good after many years of managing people!”

Here’s what people said about the whole thing

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Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Read less »
Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Mantas Kačerauskas

Mantas Kačerauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

Read less »

Mantas Kačerauskas

Mantas Kačerauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

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Ben Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was hoping there’d be more than just one story. This was a nice story, I want to read the hilarious ones...

Angela Blackburn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had an employee that began falling asleep daily - multiple times during the day. He was going through a painful divorce so at first I thought it was emotional strain. After about 3 days of this I recommended him to go to a dr as he could not stay awake- especially after eating. Turns out he was diabetic and his sugar was through the roof. Got treatment regimen to control /stabilize his sugar levels and was a stellar employee once again.

L McN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, this guy had a problem and did not know it. He was terminated rightfully. BUT, he discovered the problem (wife has sleep issues, this believing that you never fell asleep DOES happen!) and took appropriate action, and can prove that the side effect was listed. He didn't come back in a day, or a week. He came back 9 months later...this wasn't a "I'm trying to keep my job" but a "I lost a good opportunity and I found out why, now that it is fixed I hope that they can reconsider me." So, that makes a huge difference.

Scott Jackson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a problem with falling asleep at my desk for a number of years and I tried all sorts of things to combat it. I took strong caffeine tablets every day (not advisable), visited my Doctors, went outside and did star jumps, washed my face in cold water but nothing worked. Eventually the Doctors discovered I had a thyroid problem which caused chronic fatigue. Good to see an employer being understanding. It's not always black and white.

Gary Goodwin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good to see that a second chance was provided. We all need a bit of accommodation. As they say, be kind since everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about.

LadyManx
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teensy problem here. Narcolepsy is a genetic disorder. You can't get it as a side effect from a medication. It might be extreme sleepiness is a side effect but that does NOT make it narcolepsy. The only way you can know for sure is to be tested in a sleep lab.

SciFi Vortex
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How the Hell do you stay awake for 3 days on heroin? The stuff knocks people out, not keep them awake!

Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was more like day 3. She was 21, had 3 kids (by 3 guys) and had already filed for bankruptcy (the owner hired her, I have no idea why as she was MY assistant). I couldn't stand her. She changed the in house (and on-hold) radio station from smooth jazz to some hardcore rap s**t (lots of the n word). She complained when I changed it back and I had to inform her this was a place of business, not her living room. Just constant & ongoing b******t. She went to lunch and I needed to print a form that my previous assistant had created for me and was on her computer. Newbie had changed the password and refused to give it to me. I asked her if she did actually understand that I was HER supervisor and that she needed to follow instructions. Well! She had always been told to guard her password with her life. On your personal computer, you freaking idiot! I called the owner and immediately told her I was firing this b***h. The owner said she'd come down and do it personally. Bye, Felicia!

Fixin'Ta
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, kudos on the employer for re-hiring the guy after the explanation. However -- does it matter that he was an "old guy"? What difference did his age make? If he had been black or Asian or gay would the employer have made a point of including that fact? I'm so over ageism. It's one "ism" that seems to slip by without much comment.

Belince78
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Single Mom With 4 Kids Lost Her Job But Was Able To Stay On Top By Banking Continuously $1500 Per Week With An Online Work She Found Over The Internet... Check The Details........ HERE☛ c­a­r­e­e­r­3­1­.­c­o­m

WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're too European to fall for this. Unemployed mothers with 4 kids get more than that.

Load More Replies...
Ben Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was hoping there’d be more than just one story. This was a nice story, I want to read the hilarious ones...

Angela Blackburn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had an employee that began falling asleep daily - multiple times during the day. He was going through a painful divorce so at first I thought it was emotional strain. After about 3 days of this I recommended him to go to a dr as he could not stay awake- especially after eating. Turns out he was diabetic and his sugar was through the roof. Got treatment regimen to control /stabilize his sugar levels and was a stellar employee once again.

L McN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, this guy had a problem and did not know it. He was terminated rightfully. BUT, he discovered the problem (wife has sleep issues, this believing that you never fell asleep DOES happen!) and took appropriate action, and can prove that the side effect was listed. He didn't come back in a day, or a week. He came back 9 months later...this wasn't a "I'm trying to keep my job" but a "I lost a good opportunity and I found out why, now that it is fixed I hope that they can reconsider me." So, that makes a huge difference.

Scott Jackson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a problem with falling asleep at my desk for a number of years and I tried all sorts of things to combat it. I took strong caffeine tablets every day (not advisable), visited my Doctors, went outside and did star jumps, washed my face in cold water but nothing worked. Eventually the Doctors discovered I had a thyroid problem which caused chronic fatigue. Good to see an employer being understanding. It's not always black and white.

Gary Goodwin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good to see that a second chance was provided. We all need a bit of accommodation. As they say, be kind since everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about.

LadyManx
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teensy problem here. Narcolepsy is a genetic disorder. You can't get it as a side effect from a medication. It might be extreme sleepiness is a side effect but that does NOT make it narcolepsy. The only way you can know for sure is to be tested in a sleep lab.

SciFi Vortex
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How the Hell do you stay awake for 3 days on heroin? The stuff knocks people out, not keep them awake!

Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was more like day 3. She was 21, had 3 kids (by 3 guys) and had already filed for bankruptcy (the owner hired her, I have no idea why as she was MY assistant). I couldn't stand her. She changed the in house (and on-hold) radio station from smooth jazz to some hardcore rap s**t (lots of the n word). She complained when I changed it back and I had to inform her this was a place of business, not her living room. Just constant & ongoing b******t. She went to lunch and I needed to print a form that my previous assistant had created for me and was on her computer. Newbie had changed the password and refused to give it to me. I asked her if she did actually understand that I was HER supervisor and that she needed to follow instructions. Well! She had always been told to guard her password with her life. On your personal computer, you freaking idiot! I called the owner and immediately told her I was firing this b***h. The owner said she'd come down and do it personally. Bye, Felicia!

Fixin'Ta
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, kudos on the employer for re-hiring the guy after the explanation. However -- does it matter that he was an "old guy"? What difference did his age make? If he had been black or Asian or gay would the employer have made a point of including that fact? I'm so over ageism. It's one "ism" that seems to slip by without much comment.

Belince78
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Single Mom With 4 Kids Lost Her Job But Was Able To Stay On Top By Banking Continuously $1500 Per Week With An Online Work She Found Over The Internet... Check The Details........ HERE☛ c­a­r­e­e­r­3­1­.­c­o­m

WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're too European to fall for this. Unemployed mothers with 4 kids get more than that.

Load More Replies...
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