Stock photo of an office party. Photo: Getty Images
October 23, 2024 | San Francisco, California: A newly hired assistant at a mid-sized tech consulting firm in San Francisco was terminated after reportedly using company funds to organize an elaborate “farewell” party, despite having no intention of leaving her job.
The assistant, identified in a Reddit post by her boss as Lily, allegedly used the firm’s credit card to cover catering, decorations, a custom cake, and a bartender station in the break room, with the total expenses nearing $2,000.
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According to a post by the unnamed company owner, Lily joined the firm a few months ago and appeared to be competent in her role, though she occasionally overstepped professional boundaries.
In the post, the owner describes her assistant as having a “quirky personality” and noted that she “sometimes blurred professional lines.”
The situation escalated during a recent work conference that required the owner to be out of town, giving Lily the opportunity to proceed with her surprise “farewell.”
Upon returning, the boss was taken aback to find out that Lily had neither quit nor informed her of any plans to leave.
Instead, Lily admitted that the party had been part of a “social experiment” to test how valued she was within the company, hoping that her colleagues might urge her to stay.
Shocked by the deceptive use of company resources, the owner terminated Lily’s employment immediately, stating that the assistant’s actions amounted to a misuse of company funds and a clear breach of trust.
In her post, the owner shared, “Not only did I never receive a resignation from her, but she also hadn’t actually quit.”
When she confronted Lily, she was met with explanations that the party was merely a way to assess the company’s appreciation for her.
Lily reportedly called her actions “a creative way of bonding with the team” and expressed frustration after her firing, taking to social media to accuse her former employer of being a “soulless boss” who lacks “respect for mental health and personal exploration.”
On Reddit, where the employer first shared the story, commenters overwhelmingly sided with the boss, many expressing disbelief at Lily’s actions.
One user wrote, “Using company funds for a personal party without authorization is a serious offense.”
Another urged the owner to pursue legal action, suggesting that she should report the matter as fraud or theft.
“Trust is vital in a workplace, and she completely breached that trust,” added a commenter.
Some individuals, reportedly friends of the employer, questioned whether immediate termination was the right approach and suggested lesser penalties such as docking Lily’s pay or issuing a warning.
The employer admitted feeling conflicted but felt that Lily’s behavior left her no choice, citing the significant misuse of funds and the breach of trust.
As news of the incident gained traction online, further comments emerged both on Reddit and social media.
Some users have cast doubt on the legitimacy of the account, with one Redditor claiming, “I’m calling fake bs on this,” citing inconsistencies in the poster’s profile history.
The company owner, however, has maintained the account’s authenticity and said she was initially hesitant to share such details but felt the need for public feedback on her decision.
Experts in human resources and workplace ethics also weighed in.
According to HR consultant Sarah Bennett, misuse of company resources—especially for personal expenses without prior approval—typically constitutes grounds for termination.
Bennett explained, “In any workplace, even small expenses require proper authorization. The situation here involved substantial costs, so the employer’s response was appropriate.”
The incident has also sparked discussions on professional boundaries in the workplace.
While some argue that Lily’s attempt at a “social experiment” demonstrated creative thinking, others see it as a misguided display of entitlement.
“The workplace isn’t a platform for testing social theories at the company’s expense,” noted legal analyst Jason Tan. “Using the company’s resources without consent is an offense that employers cannot overlook.”
Since her dismissal, Lily has reportedly continued her social media campaign against the employer, publicly criticizing the decision as unfair and lacking compassion for what she describes as her “personal exploration.”
This has raised additional concerns for the employer, who is reportedly considering further action to address any potential harm to her business’s reputation.
Some Reddit users have advised the boss to consult legal experts on issuing a cease-and-desist order to prevent any defamatory statements from spreading online.
At the time of reporting, no further legal action has been taken by the company, and it remains unclear if any charges will be filed.
Nevertheless, the story has drawn considerable online attention, with thousands of individuals debating the fine line between creativity and professional misconduct in today’s workplace.
My man is taking fictional posts and churning them into content for articles. You should find another job.
You know this is a fake reddit post, right?
What the fuck happened to journalism?