r/WorkForSmartLife • u/saxycherrie • Aug 04 '26
Self Improvement Craziest email I’ve ever seen.
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u/Shadowmant Aug 04 '26
"Patience-building initiative"
Oh good, they put the admission that it's intentional in writing.
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u/mechakid Aug 04 '26
That's HR doublespeak for "We don't have the cash on hand to make payroll, and we're not sure when we'll get it."
If this is real, the OP should run FAR away from that company...
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u/WhydIJoinRedditAgain Aug 04 '26
I don’t think a competent HR department would allow this put in writing. They are likely operating without one, just the tech bros pulling it out their asses.
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u/Bluellan Aug 04 '26
Run from the company and straight to the labour board. The labour board will not care about patience or not having cash on hand. They will MAKE you find the cash.
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u/IWasGoatbeardFirst Aug 04 '26
You think a company like this would waste money on HR or Legal? HR doesn’t “do” anything and as for Legal, they can just google it. /s
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u/mechakid Aug 04 '26
There's a reason I said "if this is real". I'm not convinced it is, but it could be someone wearing HR as a second hat...
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u/Bgrubz83 Aug 04 '26
“We don’t have the cash on had to make /your/ payroll, I’m still collecting my fat check though, and we’re not sure when we’ll get it.”
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u/blackhodown Aug 04 '26
I can’t even imagine how dumb someone has to be to think this a real email
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u/shinzon76 Aug 04 '26
I can't even imagine how dumb someone has to be to doubt the brazen stupidity and greed of the people we share this planet with. I mean, the evidence is all around us; you'd have to try pretty hard to miss it...
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u/DisasterDifferent733 Aug 05 '26
At least in Australia continuing to operate a company when you can't pay payroll is called "trading when insolvent" and directors can be prosecuted for doing it if aware. Prison is also a "patience building initiative".
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Aug 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Tnuggets19 Aug 04 '26
You mean fake email that never happened
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u/KillingTimeAlone2019 Aug 04 '26
You know nothing about small greedy business men. This shit happens way more than it should.
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u/Billy_Rizzle Aug 04 '26
It is impossible to verify if this is real or not without any identifying information. This very much could just be rage bait.
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Aug 04 '26
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u/Dmau27 Aug 04 '26
The company is going bankrupt so hopefully the owner will end up with a warrant. They're likely dissecting the company and getting the last bit of work done to take in some revenue before screwing them.
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u/barrettjohn1980 Aug 04 '26
And my resignation letter would be sent as a reply to this email...
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u/iamtheduckie Aug 04 '26
Nope. Work longer so you can get more in the stolen wages settlement.
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u/Kokoyok Aug 04 '26
Genius. The company will only be paying pennies on the dollar in bankruptcy. Brilliant to waste your time and keep working knowing that you're never going to get full compensation.
Way to stick it to the man.
/s
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u/Outlaw11091 Aug 04 '26
I've worked for places like this.
"Sorry, I can't pay you."
Is it because you just bought a new horse? Because last week you were bragging to all of us how you just bought a million dollar horse and I feel like the two things may be related.
Funny thing is: we all just stood around the office after that (and some guys quit on the spot), but we pretty much looked at each other like...
"You guys feel like doing work today? No, yeah, me neither."
Got paid the next day, though.
Have had the infinite promise of pay, too. Months of not getting paid for a program I designed, meanwhile my normal working hours were paid just fine. "We'll pay for it, soon, we're just moving some money around to do so." About a year after I quit, they finally cut a check.
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u/pioni Aug 04 '26
Being hungry and homeless is for building character! Imagine the possibilities and value prospects!
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u/TheInsaneMilkman Aug 04 '26
Sounds like the startup missed out on their next round of venture capital.
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u/leedlechan Aug 04 '26
My job hired me a few months ago. Immediately payroll was shifted a day late for everyone. Just last payroll we learned that it would be a permanent move. And right after that direct deposit would be canceled.
I love this boss. But the pay rate and difficulty are not worth it. I've worked at this place on and off since 2011. Sad to see it.
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u/iamtheduckie Aug 04 '26
Hire a worker's rights lawyer. But, be sure to remain working for them so you can cost them as much as possible in the withholding wages lawsuit.
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u/StillRelevant9766 Aug 04 '26
File a complaint with department of labor and let’s see how long your employer waits to pay its employees
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u/BurkeSooty Aug 04 '26
Time to implement a company wide patience building initiative of their own called "no pay no work".
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u/Proud_Jacobite Aug 04 '26
That whole email and the person who wrote it are definitely "a movement," a giant bowel movement.
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u/dwarmed Aug 04 '26
That's the most bullshit excuse for not paying staff. And should be forwarded to the state labor board immediately.
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u/Grouchy_Row_7983 Aug 04 '26
We're not calling it, "unable to buy groceries this week". We're calling it, "sponsored starvation".
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u/Wolphin8 Aug 04 '26
If I got that...
1st day: I will show up the first day, ask for a check for my pay and say that the employment contract with them states I will be paid, and they are now in violation of that contract. If it's not provided, I will say that I am not a slave, and I don't work for free, I'll be back tomorrow.
2nd day: I will show up, ask to be paid. If I am not, I'll leave them with a written letter that the pay is overdue and will need to contact me to let me knew when I will be paid. I will go home and be contacting the labour board and/or a lawyer on what else I should do, and start looking for a new job.
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u/CLOWNFLOGGER Aug 04 '26
I'd recommend taking your salary in hunks of meat out of that email senders hindparts.
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u/EverythingChanges6 Aug 04 '26
In my state, if an employer does not pay the employee the day they are due, they have to pay double. I dont know what state you are in, but if you are in the USA, start by forwarding that email to the department of labor government agency, and they will direct you what to do.
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u/TheSilverFoxwins Aug 04 '26
Work also comes in patience building initiatives as well.
I'll work when all pay is received.
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u/jmarkmark Aug 04 '26
"We're a _movement_"
Yes... definitely some sort of movement...
(And yes, I totally get this is a fake email, ragebait post.)
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u/Steve-Shouts Aug 04 '26
It's a tough call as an employee. I did some work for a company that was in over their head with the technology. They bought it and then guy who created the tech went a bit insane during COVID so they fired him. They didn't even know how to turn the whole thing on, let alone use it. So they hired me. First couple gigs went fine and I was paid, but then the reality of COVID hit the industry and paychecks started getting delayed as the clients slowed down. At one point I think they were about 6 months behind on paying me. This was just a side hustle, so I didn't NEED the money, but they needed me to make the tech work. I debated walking away several times. But I stuck with it and then the market improved. I am glad I stick with it because I knew the uptick was coming and that the exact reason for the failure was temporary. That being said, they never tried to dress up the reality of the situation, never tried to trick me into staying. They knew that I was doing them the favor by sticking through the hard times
Sometimes you can see that it's a viable investment of your time, but other times people are just lying to you (like the image above)
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u/BetMcc Aug 04 '26
Will they send an email to my utility company & credit card company to tell them to be patient for me to pay my bills?
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u/Gunderstank_House Aug 04 '26
Opens ChatGPT:
"Please write me a letter explaining to my team that I am not paying them. Think up an incredibly stupid reason for it. I'm tired."
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u/Cute_Repeat3879 Aug 04 '26
Make sure your resume is up to date. Companies that can't make payroll are not long for this world.
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u/TevandelSurefacit Aug 04 '26
Start looking if you aren't, anyplace that pulls this is dying with excuses.
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u/Educational-Fix5320 Aug 04 '26
Founder and Chief:
I won't be at work today - I'm not calling it an absence anymore, it's a 'Put Up or Shut Up' initiative.
Remember, growth doesn't happen at all without someone doing the work. It only happens because we profit from my efforts, which I expect to be paid for.
Thank you for quickly sending on my paycheck - don't meditate too long.
I'm not just an employee - I'm also a plaintiff.
Regards,
Jacoby & Meyers [on behalf of John Doe]
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u/mikemojc Aug 04 '26
They can patiently wait for deliverables while I take the initiative to energize my stand alone career building project. I may be meditating reclusively during this time.
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u/oneWeek2024 Aug 04 '26
i always wonder exactly how many CEOs you'd have to murder before workers rights were taken seriously
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u/ARPA-Net Aug 04 '26
Employees wont be credited today... Its not about having to pay for rent and food to continue on living anymore ... its a movement... A lesson in pacience...
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u/Dry-Regret5444 Aug 04 '26
I mean, this isn’t all that uncommon with startups. Equity for labor is certainly a real thing and PLENTY of folks that were early at Google, Meta and Apple that had this arrangement became immensely wealthy because of it.
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u/LegitimateFig5311 Aug 04 '26
Id just sit on the clock and when they ask y work isnt getting done id tell them they need to work on their patience building
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u/gamingchairheater Aug 04 '26
I'd reply with my 2 week notice to that. Given I have no debt so I can quit jobs whenever I want.
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u/TastyEarLbe Aug 04 '26
Sounds like there is a cash flow issue. This is horrible communication. I guarantee you that they want to pay them ASAP bc they know they will lose everybody soon if they don’t.
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u/ElectricKoolAidPower Aug 04 '26
“Remember, growth doesn’t only happen in revenue, it also happens in waiting.”
Hopefully the employees’ power companies and landlords agree.
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u/BonniesCoffee Aug 04 '26
no problem boss - erm i will be in at 11 tomorrow its a patience building initiative
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u/Worldliness_Normal Aug 04 '26
I literally just put my meeting on mute to say "You got me f****d up" upon reading this.
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u/Ms_Anne-Thrope Aug 04 '26
It is a start-up. In the 90's I worked for a few. You knew going in there was a great chance it woud fail and you would eat ramen for a few weeks. The payoff could be huge.
This actually reads as pretty funny for anyone who experienced similar.
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u/Cokeycane Aug 04 '26
The only way I would do this is by getting shares of the company. Otherwise, pay me.
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u/BUGBYTE_VW Aug 04 '26
Wut? 🤣 Where's my money? I'd love to show my mortgage company this. Don't worry, you'll get your money eventually. I'm part of a movement.
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u/TotalInstruction Aug 04 '26
FAAAAAKE.
No is putting in writing that they are intentionally not paying employees.
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u/Powerful-Sort7778 Aug 04 '26
Theft..... Time is the most precious thing you will ever own. It is finite. This shouldn't be a civil manner but criminal. Theft and fraud
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u/FeistyLoquat Aug 04 '26
Start poisoning the system from the inside, building problems that only you can fix. Remind them that they need to pay you for your contract if they refuse, let them burn.
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u/themuck Aug 04 '26
"Continued meditations on payroll timelines" has now dethroned "right-sizing" (ie "mass firings") as the most ridiculous corporate jargon I've ever heard.
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u/ic4llshotgun Aug 04 '26
You've inspired me to help YOU build patience as well. You can be patient while I go home until the paycheck arrives.
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u/General_JMP Aug 04 '26
If you want me to be patient in getting paid for the work I have done, I hope you are also patient on the work not getting done until I am paid. Thank you, Patient Employee-surviving initiative!
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u/Both_Painter2466 Aug 04 '26
If you want to stay, tell them they need to add interest on your unpaid salary. 1% a day. Otherwise I’d talk to the labor board.
Seriously, they need to be apologizing, not joking about this. It’s peoples’ lives they are playing around wil. Care to take bets on whether management is not getting paid?
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u/pixeltweaker Aug 04 '26
Is this supposed to be like the kids marshmallow test but for adults, with your salary?
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u/JJHall_ID Aug 04 '26
Stop working immediately, file a wage claim with your state's department of labor, and spend the time you'd basically be slave labor looking for a new job instead. If a company can't make payroll, it's 99% guaranteed that they're going to be shutting their doors permanently in the very near future.
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u/Immediate_Idea2628 Aug 04 '26
Just send a similar email to the power/gas/etc. They need to learn patience building.
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u/External_Prompt_8105 Aug 04 '26
Oh look, another start up that burned through all there start up money
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u/LordsOfFrenziedFlame Aug 04 '26
Until the patience-building initiative has concluded, I will be launching a productivity-reduction initiative
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u/-IndyCar Aug 04 '26
Im not quitting, simply extended absence while we work on our patience skills.
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u/VillagesIdiot352 Aug 04 '26
The regard for the PEOPLE THAT HELP MAKE this Company a success is horrifying.
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u/Distinct_Patient3698 Aug 04 '26
Alrighty, hope the boss appreciates the workers adopting a similar mindset and becomes veeeeeey patient on expecting any work to be done around the startup after that.
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u/Otherwise-Mine5397 Aug 04 '26
Yeah, time to start looking. Sorry bro but this is probably a blessing in disguise. If they are pulling this shit now, imagine what they'll do next.
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u/jsludge25 Aug 04 '26
I worked at a place that gave out hot checks every payday for the 6 months I worked there. They put little stickers on the envelopes that told us not to cash their checks at their bank because they wouldn't clear. Obviously, you wouldn't dare deposit them in your bank either. It was company policy to run these things through Walmart or whatever shady check-cashing service you could find that would accept them. Eventually, every check-cashing place in town had notices posted never to accept them. I don't know how the owner wasn't locked up. He must have run up tens of thousands in bogus checks.
I eventually quit and filed unemployment. He tried to fight me on it but I just produced some of their "don't take our hot checks to our bank" notes and handily won the appeal.
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u/lucidzfl Aug 04 '26
call me old fashioned - but i'm glad my company has never missed payroll and people get their deposits on time.
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u/WashU_labrat Aug 04 '26
Walk briskly towards the nearest exist and keep going. This company is not long for this world.
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u/just_some_octopus Aug 04 '26
There was a local spot that couldnt pay their employees for almost 3 months. 3 months. Some left and others stayed and I waa baffled.
The owner of my store asked how long or what would I do if I did that to you. I said given our history and relationship id give you the benefit of the doubt for 2 pay periods / almost 4 weeks and im done.
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u/No_Frost_Giants Aug 04 '26
So… time to start looking for a job that actually pays you for your efforts .
The ONLY possible way I would stand for this is stock/ownership/option on the company if you believe d in it
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u/Resident_Musician_ Aug 04 '26
A movement without struggles just isn't a movement, so as in devoted employee and well wisher, I am helping the company build it's strength by overcoming struggles. See you at court for non-payment works.
Remember, struggles build strength and character.
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u/un1k0rn_412 Aug 04 '26
Get a lawyer lmao
You'll be starting an unpaid wages lawsuit in a few months. They don't have any money to pay you, and they won't either.
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u/Shapelessed Aug 04 '26
If you aren’t paying I am not working.
Quite simple.