Removing $125 from an employee’s final wages may have appeared like a small issue to the company at the time. Still, the effects that followed would have a substantial impact on both their finances and their reputation.
They Were Utter Cheapskates
The OP worked at a travel agency in the late 1990s and took a job at a small family-run agency in Austin, Texas.
“Both owners also worked there along with their daughter, and they were not good managers. They were also really cheap.”
The Atmosphere Was Rife With Conflict
It didn’t take long before the toxic environment got the better of the OP, and they looked elsewhere.
“When I’d finally had enough of all of the stupid interoffice conflict, I applied and got a job at another agency where I had always wanted to work and gave two weeks’ notice.”
It Didn’t Go as Planned
The owners didn’t take too kindly to the OP wanting to leave.
“Instead, I was summarily escorted out the door within minutes of giving my notice.”
They Wouldn’t Let the OP Take the Clients They’d Accrued for the Company
This affair was back in the days of Rolodexes, where all the client info was kept: clients the OP had earned (one included a very big corporate account).
“I knew the names and numbers of all the clients that I wanted to take with me anyway. Whatever.”
They’d Paid for a Trip in the Past – And Now They Wanted That Money Back
It’s customary for travel agencies to send their agents on trips to familiarize themselves with a destination to sell it better.
“As I had never skied before, they sent me to Crest Butte for four days. The trip cost them $125, including my airline ticket, shuttle, lodging, ski pass, equipment, and 1 morning of beginner lessons.”
They Docked That Money From Their Last Wage Packet
The company had written on the stub that they had deducted that fee from the OP’s wages. As they’d behaved so appallingly, the OP came up with a revenge plot.
“I immediately spent the entire morning calling everyone that I had ever worked with there, whether I really enjoyed working with them or not. If they had spent money with me, they got a call. Everyone.”
The Former Employee Took Everything From Them
“The big account, of course, came with me along with 99% of the clientele, including those clients that I had developed through the last agency.”
After the OP had secured these clients for the new company, they put the situation to bed and didn’t think of it until some months later.
It Cost Them a Quarter of a Million Dollars
About six months after the OP quit, they bumped into an American Airlines rep, who dropped an interesting piece of information.
“He told me that the owner had whined and complained that I cost him $250,000.00 in that time period alone. All for a measly $125.00.”
Revenge is Too Sweet Not to Share
The OP shared their tale of petty revenge online and received quite a response.
“TRUE petty revenge would have been to file a wage claim with TX over the $125 they illegally deducted, then also the IRS and TX tax people (whatever they are called in TX) for misreporting the $125 as a business expense.”
His Meals Should Have Been Covered Too
The OP pointed out earlier in the tale that they themself paid for their food while on the ski vacation.
“Plus, while on the trip, they are required to provide meals. Charge them for that too!”
No One Had Sympathy for the Company
The OP’s tale garnered much approval.
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