Employee gets called out for 'disloyalty' by management. Redditors react: 'They have no right..'

Switching jobs is frequently considered a standard aspect of progressing professionally. When someone finds a role offering greater advantages or compensation, it’s not unusual for them to seize the chance and move forward. Yet, one employee’s decision to do just that led to unexpected backlash. A Reddit user recounted an incident involving his coworker, who faced criticism after leaving the company despite having just accepted a promotion.

According to the user, the coworker had recently moved up from the position of coordinator to that of Supervisor within the sales department. He accepted the upgraded role and agreed to the updated salary package. However, before formally assuming his new responsibilities, he handed in his resignation upon receiving a more attractive offer from another hospitality business. This decision did not sit well with the Sales and HR leaders at the organization. They confronted him in a public setting, accusing him of being disloyal,” “irresponsible,” and of “manipulating the system to his benefit.” Their reaction stirred debate among team members, many of whom sided with management, believing his actions were inappropriate.

The Reddit poster challenged this viewpoint, arguing that the company’s reaction was hypocritical. He pointed out that if the employee had been underperforming or if the business had needed to cut staff, they wouldn’t have hesitated to let him go without moralizing about loyalty or ethics. “They’d have chalked it up to business and moved on,” he noted. “So why is it considered a betrayal when an employee makes a similar choice in their own interest?”

Another observed, "I'm an HR and i would say that the HR managers have no right to reprimand him publicly. It could've been a private conversation and they should've dealt with the matter accordingly. Also the HR's should have a thick skin with these kind of issues, it will happen more than once in their career. That is why many companies offer the new promotional salary three months into the new role, with back pay."

The post sparked widespread interest online, prompting a variety of opinions. One commenter stated, “He prioritized his and his family’s well-being. Leadership maturity is tested in such situations, and he now knows what staying would’ve been like. Every story has layers. You shared the matter thoughtfully.” Another user agreed, saying simply, “He made the right choice.”

Others criticized the double standard at play. One person remarked, “Nothing wrong here. Companies fire employees unexpectedly all the time. Can workers call out HR in the same way?”

An individual claiming to be in Human Resources offered a broader take. “Publicly shaming him was inappropriate,” they said. “A private dialogue would have been more professional. HR professionals should be prepared for such scenarios—it’s part of the job. That’s why some firms only adjust salaries after a few months in a new role, offering retroactive pay.”

They also cautioned that such career moves might cause problems later. “Your friend could struggle in future interviews. Explaining sudden departures can be tricky, and background checks might complicate things further.”