A while back, I stumbled across a wild story on Reddit that’s stuck with me. This guy—or maybe gal, usernames are vague—posted about their time as a stock boy at a local grocery store. They were 18, just starting out, and shared this brutal reality. Here’s how it went down, based on their post. They started as a stock boy, heard the owner was a jerk, but after three weeks, they actually kinda liked the guy. He seemed gruff but fair, and things were okay. Then they got moved to produce, which meant more hours and more cash. Stacking apples and trimming lettuce paid off, but the schedule was a killer—out at 11 PM, back by 5:30 AM. Barely enough time to crash before doing it again
About a month into this produce gig, they got slammed with strep throat. Not just a scratchy throat, but fever, hospital-visit-level strep. One day, they left early, barely standing, and the next day, they’re hooked to an IV. They called the owner to say they couldn’t come in. The convo was short and savage. “I won’t be in today, I’m not feeling well,” they said. “Well, don’t plan on coming in for any of your other shifts then,” he shot back, and hung up. Fired, just like that. No “get well,” no nothing—just a dial tone.
They were still at that age where parents swoop in, and their mom called the owner, ripping him a new one. He told her they didn’t seem to enjoy the job. Thing is, they *did* like it—they’re just shy, quiet by default, and I guess he read that as misery. They weren’t dancing around the produce aisle, but they showed up and worked hard. Oh well, lesson learned, they said. Reading that, I felt for them. At 18, getting canned over something like strep throat is brutal, especially with a boss that heartless. It got me thinking—what could they have done differently? So, I came up with seven steps I’d share if I could comment back. Here’s my take, for them and anyone else stuck with a jerk boss.
Step 1: Confirm the Firing in Writing
When that owner hung up, they were too stunned to react. I get it—18 and sick, you’re not thinking straight. But they should’ve followed up with something in writing. A text or call saying, “Just to confirm, am I fired because I called out sick yesterday?” would’ve nailed it down. If he didn’t reply, a voicemail or email would’ve worked too. Save whatever comes back—or the fact he ghosted—as proof. That call was so blurry, and without evidence, it’s their word against his. Having something solid could’ve helped later, whether for unemployment or just to sort out the mess in their head.
Step 2: File for Unemployment Benefits
Getting fired left them with no cash flow, and they didn’t even think about unemployment. Big miss. They should’ve checked their state’s rules—some places let you file if you’re dumped for no good reason, like being sick with a doctor’s note. They had hospital records from the strep visit and those insane shift schedules. Just go online or hit an unemployment office, quote the owner’s line—“Don’t plan on coming in for other shifts”—and make the case. They weren’t slacking; they were in the hospital. Thatောင်း That could’ve kept them afloat while they hunted for something new, instead of scrambling with nothing.
Step 3: Request a Reference or Exit Statement
Even with a jerk owner, they’d earned some credit after weeks of work. They could’ve asked a coworker or shift supervisor for a reference—something easy like, “Could you vouch for my work in produce?” If they were feeling gutsy, they could’ve even called the owner later: “I’m job hunting—can I list you as a reference for my time there?” Worst case, just slap it on the resume as “ended due to health related scheduling conflict.” He misread their shy vibe, but they showed up and did the job. That’s worth something, and it could’ve kept the gig from being a total bust.
Step 4: Reflect and Adjust Your Work Boundaries
Those late nights and early starts trashed them, and they didn’t see it till they got sick. Hindsight’s a beast. They should’ve figured out what was too much and set limits. Next job, go for better hours—something that doesn’t leave you half dead. Practice saying, “I can’t do that shift—it’s too close to my last one.” Tell new bosses upfront: “I work hard but need a schedule that keeps me healthy.” Shyness made it tough to speak up, but that schedule helped tank them. Pushing back a bit would’ve saved them from crashing.
Step 5: Leverage Your Network for a New Job
Post firing, they didn’t know where to turn, but they had people. Their mom was ready to fight—she could’ve asked, “Know anyone hiring for something low key?” They could’ve hit up store coworkers: “Where’d you land after that place?” Or walked into local spots with, “I worked produce at the grocery store—any part time roles?” Mom’s reaction showed they had backup. Leaning on that could’ve landed them something quick, dodging more jerk bosses.
Step 6: Prepare a Response to Explain the Firing
Job interviews loomed after that, and they didn’t want it haunting them. They could’ve practiced: “I enjoyed the job, but the hours got tough, and when I got sick, the owner let me go unexpectedly.” Add, “It taught me to find roles that fit my energy better.” Run it by a friend to keep it smooth, not salty. Their quiet nature could’ve been misread again—new bosses might’ve pegged them as trouble. Short and positive keeps it about their work, not the drama.
Step 7: Educate Yourself on Worker Rights
At 18, they had zero clue what a boss could legally do. They should’ve googled their state’s labor laws—sick leave rules, firing stuff for part timers. Ask a parent or someone older, “What do I do if a boss pulls this again?” Bookmark the Department of Labor site for quick checks. In some states, firing someone for being sick isn’t even cool without more steps. Knowing that back then could’ve given them a spine—or at least the guts to call it out next time.
What I Took from Their Story
That owner’s snap firing over a real illness was icy. They liked the job—produce, more hours—but his attitude and their shyness flipped it into a trainwreck. He saw quiet as not caring, when they were just grinding through. Mom’s call was a solid try, but it didn’t fix squat. If they’d taken these steps, they could’ve cushioned the fall and come out sharper. Confirming it, filing for unemployment, grabbing a reference—that’s control. Boundaries, network, a good story, and rights knowledge—that’s the setup for next time.
Reading their post taught me plenty about work, bosses, and growing up fast. At 18, you don’t expect to get axed for something you can’t control, but it happens. Jerks like that owner live for power trips, and they don’t care who’s in the way. They were lucky it was just a grocery gig, not some career killer. Still, it hit hard—enough to make me brainstorm what I’d do different. These steps aren’t fancy, just real. They’re about shielding yourself when the paycheck signer’s a clown.
Why This Hits Home for Newbies
If you’re young and green, tales like this are a wake up call. You think a job’s simple—show up, work, get paid—but guys like that owner can flip it fast. Those rumors about him being a jerk? They should’ve listened harder. Three weeks of liking him didn’t erase the signs. The late nights and early shifts were a tip off too—any place that runs you dry without a blink isn’t worth it. When they got sick, they figured he’d cut slack. Nope. That’s a boss who sees you as a gear, not a human.
These seven steps are about owning it when you’re low rung. Getting fired sucks, but it doesn’t have to bury you. Writing it down keeps you sane. Unemployment buys time. A reference flips a bad end into something usable. Boundaries dodge burnout. Your network—family, pals, whoever—pulls you up. A solid story for interviews keeps the past off your back. And knowing your rights? That’s juice you didn’t know you had.
After that Reddit read, I didn’t linger on it too long. I was pissed for them—mostly at the unfairness—but I let it go. Life at 18’s already a circus, and that job just piled on. If I’d known then what I do now, I’d have told them to call back, demand proof, and file unemployment that week. I’d have said skip Mom’s yelling and get her to scout jobs instead. Next gig, I’d walk in with, “I’ll bust my ass, but I need sleep too.”
The owner was a tool, no doubt. Firing them for strep was low, and hanging up was just weak. But they played a part—not speaking up, not pushing back, letting shyness paint them wrong. These steps would’ve shifted some power their way. They’re not about payback or big scenes—just quiet, smart plays to stay afloat. Next time they’re with a boss who’s all rumors and no soul, they’ll clock the flags. And if he pulls that again, they’ll have this in their pocket.