On the 25th, CEO fired me, saying his daughter would take my job. As I started packing but suddenly!

The Resignation and the Revelation

From that moment, I became a target of the president’s disdain. Day after day, I endured his constant belittling. The situation became so unbearable that I frequently contemplated quitting.

However, my loyalty to the chairman, who had always supported me, and my concern for my colleagues, who would undoubtedly struggle without my presence, kept me from leaving. I was also acutely aware that I couldn’t afford to lose my job suddenly.

Resolving to endure, I decided to bide my time, waiting for the right moment to seek a new opportunity. Then, in an unexpected twist, I was fired.

As I contemplated the sudden turn of events, I knew that resigning abruptly would create issues for our clients. With resolve, I approached the president:

“I can’t just leave without a proper notice and handover,” I insisted, my voice steady. “Your daughter would struggle with the workload on her own, especially since today is the day we handle our supplier payments.”

The president’s reaction was as fiery as I anticipated. His face turned beet red as he yelled: “Shut up! I told you to resign because my daughter is joining the company. Today is your last day. Let the payments wait until they come to collect; there’s no need to pay them upfront.”

Shocked by his response, I tried to reason with him: “Isn’t it normal to pay for something once you buy it?”

I explained patiently, as though speaking to a child. However, his next words were so irrational they left me speechless:

“If that’s the case, just threaten to switch suppliers. Tell them we won’t make the payment this time, so they should give it to us for free.”

“That’s not how business is done,” I responded, astounded by his suggestion.

“You’re completely useless,” he retorted. “My daughter has a college degree, she can handle the office work easily. As a family, she won’t question my expenses like you do. You’re all talk and no action. We don’t need someone like you in our company. Leave now!”

It became painfully clear that he wanted his daughter to take over accounting to easily justify personal expenses as expenditures.

“Oh, is that so? Just remember, I won’t regret this,” I replied, though I knew further words were futile.

With a heavy heart, I quickly gathered my belongings and left, feeling deep concern for our clients. I called Carol immediately, despite knowing she and Brenda were preoccupied with the Chairman’s health.

This issue was urgent, and I trusted Carol to handle it. Once outside, I found myself unexpectedly idle, having been fired without notice, a clear violation of labor standards laws.

If I reported this to the labor standards office, the company would face serious repercussions. Since our company participated in the middle company payment system designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises with severance payments, I could claim my severance pay and one month’s salary without haste.

There was no need to rush into another job. I left with my integrity intact, hoping that Carol could manage the situation I had left behind.

Given that I could apply for my benefits within 5 years of my retirement date and considering the labor standards office had a 3-year statute of limitations, I meticulously planned out the steps and timeline necessary for my retirement.

This allowed me the freedom to take a breather. I had been working tirelessly with overtime and weekends without a moment for myself.

Eager to explore and relax, I decided to take a day trip to the beach for some much-needed respite. After a rejuvenating day at the beach, I returned to my locker to check my phone and found it flooded with missed calls, emails, and voicemails.

Among these notifications, Carol’s email stood out. She confirmed that the payment processes had been handled smoothly and everything was in order.

This news brought a sense of relief, despite the abrupt and heated manner of my departure from the company.

Next, I listened to a voicemail from the company where I could hear the president’s voice filled with panic:

“Hey, what’s going on there? Saying I’m not the real president. Did you know about this? Explain yourself!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at his distress and his delayed grasp of reality. Continuing through my messages, another important one caught my attention: a message from the chairman himself.

Feeling the urgency, I promptly made my way to the hospital that evening. Upon arriving, I found Brenda and the president already there in the Chairman’s room.

The chairman, upon seeing me, expressed his apologies from his bed: “Donna, I’m truly sorry for my son’s foolishness.”

Anthony, still bewildered and arrogant, blurted out: “Hey, what’s going on? I’m not the official president? Explain yourself!”

His lack of understanding was apparent, but the chairman quickly put him in his place with a stern command to quiet down.

It turned out that right after I had called Carol, she had informed both the chairman and Brenda of the situation. The chairman had then confronted Anthony, who had been masquerading as president, with a pointed question:

“Do you really not know anything?”

This revelation marked a critical turning point in addressing the chaotic situation left in the wake of my dismissal.

As the president Anthony, still visibly agitated and confused, continued to raise his voice, I calmly clarified the reality of his position.

“Anthony, you never actually had any legal authority. Your role as president was essentially nominal,” I explained.

“It might seem confusing, but in business terms, ‘president’ is a title that denotes a role within the company, not a legal standing,” I continued, elucidating the distinction.

“The representative director, on the other hand, is the one who holds legal responsibilities for the company’s external actions,” I said.

“The representative director role is a formal position requiring specific legal procedures for any changes, while the title of president can be assigned or changed relatively informally within the company,” I clarified.

“Altering who is the representative director involves a more complex legal process. That’s why the position you held didn’t have the legal weight you assumed,” I concluded.

Five months ago, when Anthony was appointed president, there was significant opposition from Carol, the site manager, and veteran employees.

That’s when I suggested a strategy. Anthony would act as a figurehead president while the chairman would remain the legally responsible director.

Understanding the complexities of our company’s procedures and laws, I knew the implications well. The plan was simple: if Anthony demonstrated genuine dedication and won the support of all employees, we would then begin the legal process to formally establish his presidency.

However, if he failed to prove himself capable of leadership, the contingency plan would involve either removing him or potentially shutting down the company while Carol and the site manager prepared to start a new venture.

Despite doubts about Anthony’s capacity for change from people like Carol, the chairman and Brenda continued to have faith in him until he unjustly dismissed me, which finally opened their eyes to his inability to lead.

“If you want to be a leader, you need to learn and take care of your employees,” the chairman had repeatedly emphasized to Anthony.

Anthony, in his typical dismissive tone, retorted: “It’s not a big deal, right? Can’t we just handle the procedures now?”

“No, it’s not that simple,” the chairman patiently explained. “Our company offers stocks to employees who want them, and many have taken up that offer.”

“Donna, for instance, owns 15% of the company, making her a major shareholder. We cannot simply disregard her views,” he stressed.

As the president began to grasp the seriousness of his position, his face turned pale.

“What? I don’t own any shares?” he stammered, disbelief washing over him.

The chairman responded with a heavy heart: “I planned to pass on my shares to you once you proved yourself capable as a president. I’m deeply disappointed. Were you only interested in my wealth, thinking I didn’t have much time left?”

His voice trailed off into despair, and he slumped back, overcome with emotion. Brenda remained silent beside him, visibly upset by the unfolding drama.

Defiantly, the president shot back: “Well, I’m the eldest son! What’s wrong with claiming what’s rightfully mine? The company belongs to me!”

His words only deepened the Chairman’s disappointment.

“I can’t forgive this anymore,” the chairman declared, his voice firm.

“As the representative director and a shareholder of this company, I bear full responsibility and I have the right to call for a shareholders meeting and propose your removal,” he added.

I interjected decisively.

The president’s complexion turned ashen as he realized the gravity of the situation.

“You mean I could be fired?”

Brenda interjected.

“You were just a clerk, Anthony. Donna is the only one who spoke up to give you a chance.”

Turning to me, Brenda apologized sincerely: “Donna, I owe you an apology. I regret the trouble caused because of my love for my son. Please tell me what you’d like to do.”

Confronting the president directly, I stated: “Mr. President, I no longer wish to work under your leadership, so I am resigning immediately.”

“However, I expect to receive my severance pay along with one month salary, including unpaid overtime and holiday pay,” I continued.

“As a shareholder, I will also take action through the labor standards office to remove anyone who is detrimental to the company,” I warned.

As I spoke, the president’s face shifted from pale to ghostly white.

Continuing, I informed them: “Carol has been actively visiting clients and promoting our new company. Many clients have already decided to switch from our current company to the new one, and most of our employees are planning to follow suit.”

“That’s impossible! I’ll sue you!” the president blurted out, his voice cracking under the strain.

His threats, however, did little to deter the decisive course of action already in motion, setting the stage for a significant shift in the company’s future.

As the situation reached a climax, the chairman asserted his authority decisively: “I am the representative director, and you have no such authority,” he stated firmly.

The president crumpled to his knees, a picture of defeat.