Read the wild text exchange between an Aussie worker and his boss after his leave was suddenly cancelled: ‘Bali trip booked’
An Australian worker has quit his job after receiving a text message from his boss canceling his overseas holiday without asking him first.
The wild text exchange was posted by Michael Sanz, a business owner and outsourcing expert who often shares people’s “bad boss” experiences online.
He shared the conversation between the worker, Noel, and his boss, Nick, on TikTok, telling his followers: “You’re not going to believe this message I just sent.”
The first message is from Nick, telling Noel that his leave has been canceled as he needs all hands on deck as he tries to replace a staff member who has just resigned.
‘We can move back a few months. I let HR know that things have now changed for you. I appreciate your understanding,” the boss wrote.
Mr. Sanz then says exactly what all his followers were probably thinking: “This guy sounds like a tool; it automatically cancels without any conversation.”
Noel, the employee, responds that he understands how “frustrating” this situation would be for the company, but explains that he cannot change his plans.
“I cannot cancel my leave because it is my brother’s wedding in Bali, all flights are paid and my children are in the wedding party,” he wrote.
“I booked this seven months ago, so canceling is not an option.”
The first message is from Nick, telling Noel that his leave has been canceled as he needs all hands on deck as they try to replace a staff member who has just resigned
Nick reiterates to the employee that he will have to change his plans after the employee, Noel, tells him he cannot cancel a travel booking made months earlier.
Nick then asked the employee to shorten his leave from three weeks to three days on the weekend.
“I’m not sure what you can do for three weeks in Bali, haha,” he added.
Mr Sanz then said he would be “furious” if he were the worker because the boss is “joking” about a completely unreasonable request.
Noel then replied: ‘I hate that the company is in this position but I can’t cancel or change it.’
“I haven’t had leave for three years, and it’s no one’s business how I spend my leave.”
He then reiterated that he could help more before he goes on leave, and suggested they bring in some temporary workers to cover the portfolios until they can find a replacement.
But his boss replied bluntly: ‘Mate, I can’t emphasize enough, your leave is cancelled, we just can’t do that. I’m sorry.’
Clearly frustrated by Nick’s lack of compassion, Noel informed his boss that his leave would start ‘from today’.
“While I’m away, I’ll think about whether working with a company that doesn’t promote boundaries is a place I really want to work,” he wrote.
He also added that he would send this “totally unreasonable” exchange to HR.
Mr Sanz praised the employee, saying he had been polite and did not have to justify his annual leave.
“His vacation should continue and the running of the company should be left to the entrepreneurs,” he said
“They should get a temporary worker or a virtual assistant there, someone who can help carry the administrative burden while the staff is off.”
Since being uploaded, the video has been viewed more than 700,000 times and received hundreds of comments from stunned viewers.
“Is this even legal?” someone said.
Another said they would “resign.”
In the comments, Mr Sanz confirmed that Noel has since found a new job.