Manager ‘Karen’ Denies Worker Funeral Leave, Regrets It

In the labyrinth of office politics and corporate hierarchies, there exists a lifeline for many workers: unions. These collective bodies serve as a bulwark against exploitation and injustice, fostering solidarity among employees in their shared pursuit of fair treatment and equitable conditions. Through collective bargaining and mutual support, unionized workers navigate the complexities of the workplace, advocating for their rights and lending a helping hand to colleagues in need. In today’s story, we delve into the world of union workers in offices, exploring how their collaborative efforts create a network of assistance and empowerment amid the challenges of corporate life.

In a tale shared on the MaliciousCompliance subreddit by u/Oncewasaworker, a former union delegate at a large firm recounts a poignant incident involving a coworker’s denied request for leave to attend his late grandmother’s funeral. Despite earnest appeals to the manager, identified as Karen, the coworker faced unwavering resistance. Faced with this injustice, OP resolved to take matters into their own hands.

Scroll down to read the complete story.

Source: Reddit

1. If the manager won’t talk to me then I will talk to HR myself.

2. OP used to be a former union delegate at a large firm where a Karen-type manager also used to work.

3. At the firm where OP was employed, generous leave allowances were the norm, surpassing those offered by many other companies. Moreover, unused leave days accrued over time.

4. One day, a fellow union member named Max requested bereavement leave from the manager to attend his grandmother’s funeral. Despite Max’s insistence on the importance of attending the funeral, his leave request was rejected.

5. Rejected by the manager, Max turned towards OP for help.

6. The OP confronted Karen on this issue but was once again rejected by her. So, determined to address the matter, OP decided to raise it during the quarterly union meeting held later that day.

7. In the meeting OP raised some important questions regarding Max’s situation.

8. The executives were stunned after hearing all this and promptly apologized to Max, granting him the leave he needed to attend his grandmother’s funeral.

9. Karen received a scolding from her seniors, but no serious punishment was meted out. Following the incident, other managers underwent training on employee rights, compassion, and related matters.

Now that you have read the story, it’s time to see what Redditors said about this. Read till the end to see other people’s opinions on this. 

10. One Redditor expressed gratitude to OP for supporting his co-workers and allowing Karen to experience the consequences of her actions.

11. The firm provides such a generous amount of leave..seems like a dream.

12. OP said that once a senior had eight months of paid sick leave when he was injured in an accident.

13. Indeed, all’s well that ends well.

14. The director’s protection of Karen won’t last forever.

15. Worker’s unions can sometimes achieve remarkable outcomes.

16. It’s always entertaining to read stories where individuals like Karen experience the consequences of their own actions.

17. Witness the power of labour representation when utilized effectively.

18. Was Karen denying Max’s leave based on ethnic and cultural differences?

19. Love to hear such stories…Keep up the good work.

20. Nepotism doesn’t always guarantee a favourable outcome.

The Reddit community praised OP for advocating for his coworker and confronting the unfair manager, highlighting the significance of workers’ unions in corporate settings. They emphasized how the union’s intervention helped Max receive the support he needed when facing challenges with management. Let us know your thoughts on the story in the comments section below.

Stay tuned for more stories!