“You Can Keep Your £70k”: Staffer Gets the Ultimate Payback on a Cheap Boss

There is a certain type of fantasy we all entertain after a bad day at the office. We imagine walking out the door, winning the lottery, and never having to answer another email again. But for some people, the line between workplace fantasy and reality gets very blurry.

A fascinating story resurfaced on Reddit recently about high-stakes finance and even higher-stakes revenge. It involves a tech employee in the late 90s, a very wealthy but stingy boss, and a “forgotten” investment account that turned into a retirement fund. The storyteller claims they were cheated out of a promised commission, so they decided to keep the rest of the winnings for themselves.

It is a tale that dances right on the edge of legal trouble and moral justice. Let us open the file on this financial thriller.

The Story

Okay, we really need to pause and process the sheer scale of this story. Most office pettiness involves stealing a stapler or taking an extra long lunch break. Walking away with nearly two million dollars is in a completely different galaxy. It feels like the plot of a Hollywood heist movie.

I admit, part of me wants to high-five the OP for outsmarting a greedy boss. It is satisfying to see someone refuse to be bullied. However, my anxiety is also through the roof just reading about the legal risks. It is a wild reminder that sometimes the biggest secrets are kept by the people sitting right next to us in the cubicle.

Expert Opinion

This story touches on a concept psychologists call the “Psychological Contract.” This is the unwritten set of expectations between an employer and an employee. When an employer breaks this trust—like refusing to pay a promised commission—it can trigger intense feelings of betrayal.

Research from the Journal of Applied Psychology indicates that when employees feel “morally injured” by a boss, they are significantly more likely to engage in “counterproductive work behavior.” This can range from working slower to, in extreme cases, finding ways to reclaim what they believe they are owed.

Dr. Paul White, a psychologist and workplace expert, notes that financial appreciation is a primary language of respect in business. “When an agreement is violated, the employee no longer views the relationship as a partnership,” he explains. “They view it as a conflict zone where they must protect their own interests.”

In this specific case, the OP rationalized their actions as a form of “evening the score.” While the legality is certainly questionable, the psychology is clear. The boss’s greed created a vacuum of loyalty. When you treat people as disposable, you lose the right to expect their honesty in return.

Community Opinions

The comment section turned into a heated debate room. Readers were torn between cheering for the “little guy” and pointing out that this sounded a lot like a crime or a work of fiction.

Some users cheered for the financial revenge.

Many readers suspected the story was made up.

Others questioned the legality of the move.

How to Navigate a Situation Like This

If you ever find yourself in a situation where a boss or client refuses to pay you what was promised, please do not follow the OP’s example. “Self-help” remedies, like keeping company assets or funds, can land you in serious legal trouble. You want to be the plaintiff in a lawsuit, not the defendant.

The best first step is to refer back to your written agreement. Keep a paper trail of every conversation. If the amount is significant, a consultation with an employment lawyer is worth the investment.

Often, a firm letter from an attorney is enough to remind a greedy employer of their obligations. It is better to fight for your money through the proper channels. That way, you can enjoy your earnings without looking over your shoulder for decades.

Conclusion

This story serves as a wild example of what happens when greed meets opportunity. The boss tried to save a few thousand dollars and ended up losing a fortune because of his own negligence. Whether fact or fiction, it is a cautionary tale about the cost of dishonesty.

Do you think the OP was justified in keeping the money, or was this plain theft? How would you handle a boss who refused to honor a written contract? We would love to hear your take on this high-stakes drama.