Employee fired after he put up "stop crying" sticker in office washroom– But why!

Time of India

09-05-2025

In an unexpected twist of events, an employee has gone viral on Reddit after sharing their story of being fired due to a harmless prank. What started as a light-hearted April Fools' joke, intended to add some humour to the workplace, ended in termination, raising serious questions about workplace culture, humour, and personal responsibility.
The sticker that caused an uproar
The incident in question revolved around a sticker that was placed in a company washroom above the mirror. The sticker read: 'Employees must stop crying before returning to work.' According to the employee, the intention behind this was simply to offer some humour for April Fools' Day. The employee even mentioned that Human Resources (HR) had been informed of the prank and had no objections to it, suggesting where the sticker could be placed.
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However, when the employee returned to work the next day, they noticed that their personal items were no longer where they had left them. It didn't take long for them to realize that something serious was about to happen.
'I went into work the next day and noticed all my things weren't where I left them, so I knew immediately I was getting suspended for it. I had full intentions of admitting it and speaking with him about it, so that's what I continued to do that morning.
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I didn't want anyone getting blamed,' the employee wrote in their post, expressing their concern over the situation.
The unexpected outcome: Fired
Despite the employee's intentions to own up to their actions, things took an unexpected turn. When they spoke with their boss to apologize, they were informed that they would be let go from their job. 'He then told me we have to let you go. Not sure why he said we, HR was not there,' the employee explained.
After working at the company for ten months without any previous problems, the employee was surprised by the decision. They said the conversation also referred to an earlier disagreement over the use of two-dollar coins (toonies), but they believed it had nothing to do with their dismissal.
Emotional aftermath
The employee shared that they were disappointed and upset by the termination, especially since they felt responsible for their team and were seen as a leader in the workplace.
'My heart is broken because a lot of the staff believed in me as a leader. My ex-boss cried too after everything was said. Which I thought was weird. It's like he expected a fight from me. Or to beg for my job. But that's not my character,' the employee shared, emphasizing the emotional toll the situation took on them.
Reactions from the online community
The Reddit post quickly drew attention, with many users expressing sympathy for the employee and questioning whether the firing was fair.
Some recommended contacting a labour board for guidance, while others noted that without clear proof of HR's approval, taking legal action could be challenging.
The story has also sparked a wider debate about the balance between humour and professionalism at work. It raises questions about how management interprets workplace jokes and whether a lighthearted comment can really lead to such serious consequences in a corporate setting.
Image credit: Reddit/ @Dear-Description3215