Employee fired for being 20 minutes late for the first time in 7 years; coworkers plot to rehire without risking their own jobs

Imagine showing up to work on time every day for more than seven years, building a reputation as someone your team can rely on, and then losing your job the very first time you arrive late. That unsettling scenario has got massive upvotes after being shared on Reddit. a worker allegedly being.

The incident was posted in the r/OfficePolitics forum, where a user claimed their colleague, known for a spotless punctuality record, was fired after showing up just 20 minutes late for the first time in 7 years. “This happened on Tuesday and today we just found out he was fired for being 20 minutes late FOR HIS FIRST TIME EVER,” the poster wrote.

Colleagues plan ‘late-in’ protest

The employee’s coworkers say they are preparing a form of protest in response to the firing. The post claims that starting next Monday, several workers intend to deliberately arrive late in solidarity with the dismissed colleague. “Next Monday me and ALL my coworkers will be late and will continue to come in late until they rehire him,” the poster said.

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This 'late in' protest plan quickly gained traction online, bringing thousands of upvotes and sparking debate about workplace fairness, employee loyalty, and management decisions.

Reddit users debate the real reason

While many commenters expressed support for the workers’ planned protest, others questioned whether tardiness was truly the reason behind the termination. One commenter suggested the incident might only be the official explanation. “Assuming this isn’t a made-up story, being late was the excuse, not the cause,” one user wrote.

Another commenter echoed the sentiment, arguing that companies rarely fire reliable employees for a single late arrival. “They were looking for a reason to fire. No company fires a good employee for being late 1 time.”

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Stories of different management styles

The discussion also prompted users to share their own workplace experiences. One commenter recalled arriving 45 minutes late during a snowstorm in Chicago, explaining how their boss responded with understanding instead of punishment. “I noticed you got here late, and you're obviously a bit flustered,” the boss reportedly said after seeing the employee arrive in a cab.

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The commenter said the manager suggested calling ahead next time but treated the situation as understandable given the circumstances.