Imagine firing someone who is the only one at the company who knows how to do a really important job.

That sounds horrible for the company, but for the fired employee, this could actually end up working out really well!

In today’s story, one valuable employee was fired, but it really backfired for the supervisor!

Let’s read the whole story.

Let me go? Fine. You’ll lose millions.

This was around 10yrs ago. I’ve always been very technical minded & was able to read blueprints, construct complex devices, weld (mig, tig, stick. Certified in fact among other things.)

I took a high paying job with a company that made several things for railroads. The job entailed most of my skills, I mentioned above.

It sounds like a great work environment.

It was a very small department, in fact there were only 2-3 of us. But we got along great & challenged each other. Which led to higher production. (Sadly the one other guy in my department left for a better job which left me by myself.)

My supervisor was great as well; liked to joke around with me, left me alone to focus on my work & had my back when I needed him.

We actually assembled Signal Enclosures & Mast & Ladder Houses for railroads.

Then there was a change in ownership.

Fast forward to 3yrs later & the owners buy a much bigger location & move the whole company.

As you might expect, several departments get shuffled.

Yep, my department gets folded into a completely different department that has no clue what I do.

At first, it was fine but it starts to go pear shaped pretty quickly.

The new supervisor wasn’t nearly as great as the old one.

My new supervisor seemed good at first. But I quickly realize he’s a “snake in the grass.”

For example, I had to help the prototype department assemble a new, lighter type of mast & ladder house. So I’m printing out issues & suggesting fixes, etc.

New supervisor is not happy.

He keeps coming over huffing, groaning under his breath, standing over my shoulder, etc.

The supervisor was not happy.

He finally interrupts and asks in an angry voice “How much longer will this take?!”

I respond “I have 4 more hours today. And eights hours everyday after that.”

He looks puzzled. So I explain “This is my department. This is where I work. These are my responsibilities. So if it takes two months, that’s how long it takes.”

Almost as if to get the last word in he says “You work where & when I tell you!” And storms off.

The employee had to sign a letter.

Next day I’m called into the office & they force me to sign a letter that states, I now work in my new supervisor’s department.

Fine by me.

I watch from a distance in my “new department” as all the stock, hardware, parts, orders, etc. of my “old department” begin to rack-up. And since I’m the only one that works in that department, or rather, used to work in that department…lol. Nobody is doing a thing about it.

It really backfired.

After about 2 weeks, my old department is a disaster. With items being thrown wherever it would fit.

Orders had began to miss deadlines and higher-ups wanted answers.

Sure enough, I get called into the office where the new supervisor blames me for everything. But wouldn’t let me get a word in.

Of course, they let me go without any reason or paperwork.

The supervisor was wrong to feel relieved.

The look of relief on my new, ex-supervisor’s face when I walk out was priceless.

He had no clue what was coming…

I leave with a smile plastered to me face. Because I knew something they didn’t; I was the only one that knew how to build the mast & ladder structures.

I relaxed at home for around 2 weeks because I knew I would be getting a call from them.

They definitely called.

I ignore the first dozen calls.

Then I answer : “can you come back & build, train new hires, etc for your department?”

“Sure.” I say “for $20,000.” (Now that may seem like a lot but it wasn’t. They made millions from these. So there really was only one option; pay me $20k or lose millions.)

They had no choice by to give in.

Long story short, they went back-and-forth with me but finally conceded.

I received $20k for two days work & they were helpless.

The cherry on top was my new, ex supervisor was fired for being a nitwit & costing the company $20k.

That worked out well! They definitely fired the wrong person.

Let’s see how Reddit reacted to this story.

This person shares a story about their dad.

He could’ve charged even more.

This person comments on a specific phrase.

Another person comments about management.

That supervisor made a big mistake!

If you enjoyed that story, read this one about a mom who was forced to bring her three kids with her to apply for government benefits, but ended up getting the job of her dreams.