Imagine walking into a store to buy a new TV, and the employee helping you suddenly starts talking about how lavender oil can fix your stress. That’s what happened to Max, a 30-year-old manager at a big retail store, when one of his top workers started pushing essential oils at work.
Her name was Sam, and she used to be great at her job. But after joining an MLM, she began selling oils to customers and coworkers, right on the sales floor. Max gave her several warnings, but she didn’t stop. She was even competing with the store’s own products.
In the end, Max decided to fire her. His boss agreed it was the right call. Still, some coworkers say it was too harsh and that Sam was just trying to earn extra money.
Now people are split, was Max being fair, or did he go too far?
 lol). Thanks to everyone for you judgement on this. I really appreciate you all.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/43277-08.jpg "This Boss Fired an Employee Who Was 'Just Trying to Make a Living'")
When Side Hustles Crash the Checkout LaneTalk about a retail rollercoaster!
Max’s story is a masterclass in navigating the murky waters of workplace rules and MLM enthusiasm. Sam was a stellar employee, but her obsession with selling essential oils during shifts turned her into a walking infomercial. After three warnings and no change, Max and his boss pulled the plug. But with coworkers calling him out, was Max’s decision a fair boundary or a harsh overreach? Let’s unpack this cart.
Max’s frustration is relatable, nobody wants their store turned into an MLM pitch fest. Sam’s oil-pushing wasn’t just annoying; it broke explicit company rules against side businesses on the clock. Plus, since the store sells essential oils, her hustle was stepping on their toes, potentially costing sales.
On the other side, Sam’s defenders argue she was just trying to make ends meet, and firing her felt like swatting a fly with a sledgehammer. But here’s the kicker: ignoring warnings after a month of chances isn’t exactly employee-of-the-year behavior. This saga shows a bigger issue: the rise of MLMs in workplaces.
A 2023 Federal Trade Commission report found that 99% of MLM participants earn little to no profit, yet many feel pressured to recruit or sell aggressively, often blurring professional lines FTC, 2023. Career coach Alison Green puts it bluntly: “Workplace policies exist to protect the business and employees, ignoring them risks chaos” Ask a Manager, 2023.
Max’s call aligns here: Sam’s side gig disrupted the store’s vibe and bottom line.What could’ve been done? Max gave Sam multiple chances, but a formal write-up before firing might’ve shown tougher love while covering his bases. For Sam, respecting the workplace boundary, or selling oils outside work, could’ve saved her job. If you were Max, would you have given her one more shot? Let’s hear your take!
Reddit’s popping off like a Black Friday sale!
This Redditor didn’t hesitate to call it out for what it was—Sam wasn’t just breaking a rule, she was running her own business inside someone else’s.
![[Reddit User] − NTA. She was going under your nose and running a business in your business. Also, I believe the company you're thinking of is dōTERRA, one of the most predatory companies, second only to Young Living.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/43277-11.jpg "This Boss Fired an Employee Who Was 'Just Trying to Make a Living'")
rootingforthedog backed the manager completely, pointing out that Sam’s pushy behavior wasn’t just awkward, it could’ve hurt the store’s business.
TopsideScarab didn’t mince words, saying this wasn’t just a bad call, it was a clear violation of store policy. Comparing Sam’s behavior to letting outside solicitors walk in and pitch products, they argued Max had every right to shut it down.
EvocativeEnigma kept it blunt, saying if Sam was on the clock, she should’ve been doing her actual job, not pushing her MLM. There’s a time and place for side hustles, they argued, but chatting about essential oils during work hours definitely wasn’t it.
TheNonDuality summed it up with no room for debate, Sam got four warnings.
BBMcBeadle offered a biting analogy that hit home, saying letting Sam stay would be like working at Burger King while selling Big Macs from your trunk. It’s not just wrong, it’s ridiculous.
RoyallyOakie was stunned anyone would think this behavior was okay, saying it’s hard to believe an employee could be that clueless.
guy_in_wisconsin laid it all out like a closing argument—firm, detailed, and impossible to ignore. He pointed out that even before Max said a word, Sam likely knew her actions were out of line, especially since the store sold similar products. And after being told clearly to stop? She agreed, then kept doing it anyway.
MonkeyKing_Sunwukong didn’t sugarcoat it, saying that in most workplaces, peddling a side hustle on company time wouldn’t earn you a warning, it’d get you fired on the spot. In their eyes, Max was more than fair.
Xiaodisan sided with Max but took a more reflective approach, pointing out that most companies have strict rules against personal advertising on the clock—and Sam had more than enough time to fix her behavior.
Are they ringing up wisdom or just adding to the noise?
Max’s retail drama is a wild ride through workplace rules and MLM madness. Firing Sam for her oil-pushing antics sparked a debate: was Max protecting his store’s integrity, or did he swing the axe too soon?
Should Sam have seen the writing on the wall, or were her coworkers right to defend her hustle? How would you handle an employee mixing business with MLMs?
Drop your hot takes below and keep this checkout-line chaos rolling!
