‘This is a joke right?’ Boss goes viral for trying to cancel worker’s annual leave

A boss is going viral for the wild demand he made while an employee was already on leave with one calling it “sickening”.

A boss is going viral for asking a worker to cancel their annual leave in the middle of their holiday. Yes seriously.

UK Workplace expert Ben Askins, who has found his sweet spot online by sharing anonymous but wild text message exchanges between bosses and employees, has found yet another baffling exchange.

There’s also no warm-up with this exchange. The boss doesn’t even with pleasantries; instead they fire off a text a text explaining that they are “sorry” to do this but there’s been a “mistake” and they’re going to have to can their worker’s annual leave.

“I am going to have to cancel the second half of your annual leave this week. You’ll need to be in the office Thursday and Friday,” the boss texted.

“Huh? But I’m already in Mexico,” the worker replied.

The boss was texting this to a worker while the worker was already on holidays! Picture:

The boss then completely ignored the fact they were in a foreign country and continued to demand the worker return.

“Sorry but like I said there’s nothing I can do. I am going to update the system now saying you’ll be in,” the boss fired back.

The worker desperately tried to apply some logic to the situation and points out again they’re in a different country.

“I won’t be in. I’m literally in another country there’s no scenario where I can make it back in time,” the worker claims.

The worker was just trying to enjoy a holiday. Picture: istock.

The boss seemingly ignores the message and tells the worker, “you will have to” move your flights around before claiming they found a return flight for Wednesday evening.

“This is a joke right? You aren’t seriously asking me this?” The worker texted back.

The boss confirmed it was not a joke.

“I am not asking. I am telling you the situation. I appreciate it isn’t ideal, but too many people are off Thursday and Friday, so you’re just going to have to be back here by then,” the boss demands.

The employee refused to give in and informed the boss that he could “do what they want,” but they wouldn’t be returning to work early.

“Even if I wanted to come back in time, which I can’t, I wouldn’t. If you push this! I will be reporting you,” the worker said.

Ben slammed the boss. Picture: TikTok/BenAskins

He pointed out it wasn't the worker's problem if people are away. Picture: TikTok/BenAskins

Mr Askins immediately slammed the boss and pointed out there’s no excuse to make such outrageous demands.

 “Oh come on. You must know you’re not allowed to do that,” he said.

“He has obviously made a mistake. He has got the roster wrong. That sounds like a problem for sure, but it certainly isn’t the poor employees’ in Mexico’s problem.”

The workplace added that annual leave is a “right, not a privilege,” and no boss can interfere with it just because it is convenient for them.

Online people were shocked.

“This first mistake is replying,” one noted.

“I wouldn’t even respond,” another said.

“I’d report it anyway. The boss has to learn,” someone else said.

“I would report him. He ruined her holidays. I would get a new holiday for the distress he caused,” another said.

“I actually genuinely hate bosses and managers who think they own you simply because you work for a company! It’s sickening,” someone else shared.

Originally published as ‘This is a joke right?’ Boss goes viral for trying to cancel worker’s annual leave