How My Toxic Nonprofit Job Came Back to Haunt Them—Years Later
Let’s be honest: anyone who’s worked in the nonprofit world knows that sometimes, the only thing thinner than the budget is the patience for office politics. But what happens when a toxic workplace gaslights the wrong employee—only to discover, years later, that payback really is a dish best served cold? Grab your popcorn, because this is one tale of petty revenge that hits all the sweet spots.
Picture this: You’re working hard for a nonprofit with a noble mission. You believe in the cause, you’re giving your all… and yet, the office is so toxic you practically need a hazmat suit to get through the day. If you’ve ever been gaslit by a boss or had your job “mysteriously” morph into less and less, you’ll relate to every moment of this story.
Let’s break down what happened to Reddit user u/StormySue, whose rollercoaster job journey on r/PettyRevenge is the stuff of modern workplace legend.
The Gaslighting Begins: StormySue landed a gig at a small nonprofit with a great mission but, as it turns out, a management style straight out of a psychological thriller. After owning up to a public mistake (and, by their own admission, giving the kind of apology that could win an Oscar), they expected to be fired. Instead? They got the old “It’s fine, just be more careful” speech. Relief, right? Not so fast.
The next day, their main responsibility was handed off to someone else. When asked why, management did the classic gaslighting shuffle: “What? No, nothing’s changed. Everything’s normal!” Sure, Jan.
Then came the office holiday party drama: told by their manager it was “full-time staff only,” only to get a follow-up email from the CEO’s assistant asking for an RSVP. Classic move—nothing says “team spirit” like being excluded, then guilt-tripped for not showing up.
The Inevitable “Budget Cut” Like clockwork, StormySue was called in after the holidays and told (surprise, surprise) that their position had been eliminated for “budgetary reasons.” Of course, within six weeks, a new employee popped up on the company website with a suspiciously familiar job description. If you’ve ever been pushed out under mysterious circumstances only to see your role “miraculously” reappear, you know the feeling.
But here’s where StormySue’s story goes from sad to satisfying. Fast forward a few years: they’ve moved on, landed an awesome job at a respected company, and are thriving. Fate intervenes when their new employer considers partnering with—wait for it—the very same nonprofit that treated them so poorly.
The Sweetest Petty Revenge Thanks to an honest conversation with their friend and HR guru Michael, StormySue’s new company not only pulls the plug on the partnership—they blacklist the nonprofit altogether. The cherry on top? The nonprofit never finds out why. They just see a huge opportunity evaporate, all because they messed with the wrong person.
Lessons in Long-Term Karma Let’s be real: Not every bad workplace gets its comeuppance, and not every gaslit employee gets the satisfaction of a full-circle moment. But StormySue’s story is a reminder that toxic organizations rarely get away with it forever. Treat people badly, and you never know which bridges you’re burning—or who might be holding the match years later.
This saga also highlights a few universal truths about toxic workplaces: - Gaslighting is a red flag—if you’re constantly doubting your own reality, it’s not you, it’s the job. - Office shenanigans (like party exclusions or vanishing responsibilities) are rarely as “normal” as management pretends. - Sometimes, the best revenge is simply moving on, thriving, and letting karma handle the rest.
Smash the Mug, Not Your Self-Esteem The next time you’re tempted to settle for less or let a bad workplace erode your confidence, remember StormySue and their ceremonial mug-smashing. Sometimes, catharsis is as simple as breaking old ties—and maybe a company-branded coffee cup.
Conclusion: Living Well Is the Best Revenge Have you ever had a job where you felt undermined or gaslit? Did karma ever catch up with your ex-bosses? Share your best (or worst) workplace stories in the comments! Because as StormySue proves, sometimes the universe really does keep the receipts.
And if you’re stuck in a toxic workplace right now: hang in there. Your own petty revenge might just be waiting around the corner.
What’s your favorite tale of workplace karma? Let’s hear it below!
Original Reddit Post: Gaslight me at my job? Ok well I won't always work here...