Why I Left My Job on the First Day: Stories from the Workplace Battlefield
Ever walked into a new job with stars in your eyes, excited for a new adventure, only to be smacked with the realization that it was more of a nightmare than a dream? If so, you're definitely not alone. There's a whole subreddit, r/AskReddit, teeming with tales of employees who noped out of their jobs on day one, and folks, the stories range from hilariously absurd to downright shocking.
The Faux Office Desk
Imagine waltzing into your new dream job, only to find that your "desk" is a sideways cardboard box inside a dim closet. Yep, that happened to a user who promptly grabbed their purse and walked right out. A temporary workspace, they said. Temporary my foot, they thought!
The Unescapable Smell of Cats
A cleaning gig gone awry isn't exactly news, but this particular story raises eyebrows. One person showed up for a weekly cleaning job only to discover the client lived with 27—yes, 27—cats. Everywhere you turned, there were cat litters, cat beds, and, let's just say, unpleasant deposits left by the cats. The scent sticks with you, even 20 years later.
Cooking Up a Storm… Unintentionally
When you're hired as a front desk clerk and instead get a job description that includes chef duties for your boss, alarm bells should ring. One user was asked to whip up meals and clean for the hotel's owners, leading to a swift exit stage left. Let’s just say, cooking up a resignation letter was probably more satisfying than preparing that first dinner.
From Secretary to Salesperson Overnight
Being hired as a secretary might lead you to expect filing and phones, not having to shill vacuums before you can even sit at your desk. Imagine the surprise of walking into what's supposed to be a cushy office job to find out selling vacuums is part of the deal. Good thing vacuums weren't the only things sucking that day, and out they went.
Can't Even Go to the Bathroom in Peace
Here's a doozy: you get told there's a seven-minute cap on bathroom breaks, which include a trek across a sprawling office. That's corporate efficiency for you! Sometimes, it's not about what's on the resume, but how quickly you can run to the loo and back.
A Cardboard Welcome
And if you thought your first-day story was bad, picture this: a user's "desk" turned out to be a literal cardboard box turned sideways. Complaints about it being "temporary" fell on deaf ears, and they quickly opted for a more permanent departure instead.
Never Forget: You Can Always Leave
These firsthand accounts serve as a reminder that no job is worth your peace of mind. If the writing (or cardboard box) is on the wall, feel free to pick up your purse, backpack, or dignity and walk away. Sometimes, knowing when to quit is what leads you to your real dream job, one that hopefully comes with an actual desk.
Got a similar first-day disaster story? We want to hear it! Drop your tales of workplace horror—trust us, they can't be worse than having to dismantle PCs in a suit when you thought you were hired as an IT engineer. Follow us for more incredible (or incredulous) workplace stories.