Boss Denies Employee’s Short Leave, So She Joins A Month-Long Soccer Tournament And Leaves Boss Stunned

We all know that workplace frustrations can build up over time, but when it involves something as simple as taking a few days off, the stakes can get surprisingly high.

One Redditor had a leave approved by their boss months ago, only to find out that when the time came to actually take it, their boss suddenly changed his mind, leaving them in a frustrating bind. After canceling their tickets and letting go of the trip, they decided to get a little creative.

When the chance to participate in a month-long corporate soccer tournament arose, the Redditor jumped at it, knowing that the company would never stand in the way of such events.

Their participation, however, didn’t sit well with their boss, who was left speechless when they informed him of their absence. Was this petty revenge, or a justified response to bad treatment? Read on to find out how this situation unfolded.

A worker’s leave gets canceled, so they sign up for a month-long company soccer tour

In this Reddit post, we see a classic case of frustration, miscommunication, and a little bit of ironic revenge. The poster (OP) had asked for a short leave to visit their parents, which was granted by their boss a month in advance. However, when it came time to finalize the arrangements, OP was met with an unexpected roadblock.

The HR department, citing unforeseen staff shortages due to festivities, was unable to provide a substitute for OP’s branch, which led to a tense back-and-forth between OP and their boss. Eventually, OP gave up on the leave, cancelling their plans and feeling humiliated in the process.

This situation sparked feelings of betrayal and disappointment, especially after OP had made personal arrangements based on the confirmation of their leave.

But what followed was a satisfying twist: OP applied for and was selected to participate in a company-sponsored month-long soccer tournament. This wasn’t just a hobby for OP; it was a career move.

Participation in such high-priority events within large corporations typically grants a level of protection from day-to-day work demands, as the company places value on these extracurricular activities. So, in the end, OP’s “revenge” came in the form of getting paid leave of sorts, without the need for approval from their boss.

The psychological dynamics at play here are quite interesting. OP’s initial reaction, giving up on their short leave and swallowing the humiliation, likely stemmed from a desire to preserve their sense of dignity and avoid further conflict.

According to psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini’s principles of influence, people are more likely to accept an unfair situation if they feel it’s in their best interest to avoid confrontation.

However, OP’s subsequent decision to apply for the soccer tournament was an act of reclaiming control, or what psychologists refer to as “empowerment revenge.” This subtle form of revenge doesn’t involve direct retaliation, but rather a clever strategic move that reasserts personal boundaries and restores balance.

Moreover, OP’s actions resonate with what Dr. Ian McKee of Adelaide University suggests about people’s tendency to seek retribution in situations where they feel their authority has been undermined.

OP was initially denied something they had every right to expect and instead of aggressively fighting back, they took an alternative route that still allowed them to win, and perhaps even more than they would have with their original leave.

In the end, this story highlights how frustrations can sometimes lead to creative solutions. OP didn’t need to argue or escalate the situation further. Instead, they took advantage of a new opportunity, highlighting the importance of patience and keeping a level head, even when things seem unfair.

These are the responses from Reddit users:

This group admired the petty but effective responses

These commenters highlighted situations where employers tried to manipulate time off

These commenters shared examples of workplace misunderstandings

This group laughed at the absurdity of corporate tournaments

Was OP justified in turning the tables on her boss after being denied a simple five-day leave? Or did she take it a step too far? One thing’s for sure: when life hands you a leave denial, sometimes it’s better to grab your soccer cleats and go play on your terms. What do you think? Did OP handle this brilliantly or was there another way she could have approached it? Share your thoughts below!