Employee Told Off The Awful New Store Owner, And It’s Hilariously Good
Almost every working individual has likely daydreamed about giving their bosses a piece of their mind and making a grand exit. If you haven’t entertained such thoughts, don’t fret – you may be on the younger side.
The tale shared by u/LocalLiBEARian on the r/IDontWorkHereLady subreddit will give you a taste of that experience. He stands as one of the fortunate few who actually lived it.
Granted, this story is set in the 1980s, a time when finding alternative employment was comparatively simpler. Regrettably, the pandemic has shifted the landscape, but we hold out hope for change.
While we await that shift, let’s savor instances of employees breaking the mold like this:
Our protagonist worked at a substantial company that began offloading franchises due to lackluster business performance. His workplace was acquired by an individual named Ken, though the official transition took some time. Over the span of six weeks, the OP collaborated with Corporate’s Head Honcho team to prepare for the handover. Yet, Ken kept attempting to assert authority:
“He insisted on changes to displays, specific product orders, and so forth. The HH team had already instructed me to disregard his demands, resulting in my responses such as: ‘No, Ken. I’m employed by Chain, not you, and this isn’t your store yet.’ Predictably, this triggered Ken’s indignant outbursts, accompanied by declarations that I wouldn’t act in such a manner once HE was in charge.”
On the final day under the Company’s ownership, the OP helped conclude operations before handing over the store to Ken:
“Once that was done, something close to the following happened.
HH: Alright, Ken, we’re finished. The store is now under your control. (They begin packing to depart)
Me: Just confirming; Chain no longer owns this location… Ken is the one in charge now, correct?
HH confirms, prompting me to step out from behind the counter. Naturally, Ken starts shouting. (I believe shouting was his default mode.)
Ken: WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE HEADING?
Me: Home, doesn’t it seem obvious?
Ken: YOU COME BACK HERE THIS INSTANT AND RESUME YOUR POSITION BEHIND THAT COUNTER!
Me: (composed) No. I don’t answer to you.
Ken: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, NO? I WARNED YOU THAT THINGS WOULD CHANGE ONCE I TOOK OVER, AND NOW YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT =I= COMMAND YOU TO DO!
Me: (sporting a BROAD grin) You’re simply not comprehending, are you? (Ken appears baffled) Yes, you’ve purchased the store, you’ve acquired the inventory… but you have NOT acquired the employees, and certainly not me. So, let me reiterate one final time, in the hopes that some semblance of functional cells exists within your vacant head: I. AM. NOT. YOUR. EMPLOYEE. I never was, and I never will be. Furthermore, as Chain Store #1234 no longer exists, I’m no longer tethered there either. As my presence is no longer required here, (nodding toward HH team) I’m departing.”
Ken was left bewildered, realizing he had no one to man the register:
“Naturally, I can’t resist… as I swing open the door, I glance back, bestowing Ken with my most customer-friendly smile and a chipper ‘Have a pleasant day!'”
According to the OP, the store shut down for a couple of days while Ken scouted for new employees, but his reputation had already been tarnished. When the store finally reopened, it soon faced its demise.
Commentary echoes both praise for the OP’s actions and observations that many sale contracts include stipulations that workers remain on staff post-acquisition… although their compliance isn’t mandatory. This safeguard is intended to protect them, an aspect the OP didn’t desire:
Creating a work environment based on respect is the cornerstone of successful business, yet unfortunately, this notion eludes some individuals.
