The HR Grinch Who Stole Secretaries’ Day—And Got Exactly What She Deserved
Every workplace has its resident villain—the micromanaging boss, the fridge thief, the email-all-caps guy. But rarely does one encounter a villain so spectacularly tone-deaf and cold-hearted that they become a cautionary tale for an entire city. That’s exactly what happened when a notorious HR director decided to “improve” office culture by banning joy and firing employees like it was a competitive sport. Grab your popcorn, because this is the story of the HR Grinch who tried to steal Secretaries’ Day…and got a taste of her own medicine.
When HR Goes From Helpful to Heartless
Back in the mid-90s, Redditor u/TokyoGirl888 worked as an HR manager at a company where kindness and camaraderie were part of the job description. There were turkeys and cash at Thanksgiving, heartfelt celebrations for Secretaries’ Day (now known as Administrative Professionals’ Day), and a culture that genuinely valued employees’ contributions. It was the kind of place where HR worked for the people—not against them.
But when TokyoGirl888 gave her notice and began training her successor, the company brought in a new HR director—the villain of our tale. Her first order of business? Ban Secretaries’ Day. Why? Because, in her view, if one boss forgot to celebrate, it might lead to hurt feelings or even lawsuits. (Yes, you read that right. Someone thought employees would lawyer up over a missed bouquet.)
And that was just the beginning. One by one, all the small but meaningful company traditions were axed. No more collective gratitude, no more turkey-giving, and certainly no more heartfelt celebrations for the overworked aides who kept the place running.
Firing With Flair (And Malice)
But the new HR director didn’t stop at canceling fun. According to those who stayed behind, she seemed to take an “unhealthy pleasure” in firing people. In one jaw-dropping incident, she fired a woman in front of her children—on Take Your Kids to Work Day, no less. With no prior warning, the family was marched out of the building by—get this—the mailroom guys, who apologized profusely as the kids cried. (Because, of course, the company didn’t even have security guards.)
Contrast this with the previous HR regime, where letting someone go involved career counseling, resume help, and leads on new jobs. The cold efficiency of the new HR director made everyone uneasy—and rightfully so.
Karma Has Entered the Chat
But as the saying goes, what goes around comes around. Within a year of her reign of terror, the HR director herself was let go. And, in a delicious twist of poetic justice, the company decided to give her a taste of her own medicine: no notice, no references, a walk of shame to her car, and the entire office watching (some even clapping). Word spread quickly, and soon, no company in town wanted to hire her.
It wasn’t a perfect mirror-image of the pain she’d caused—but it was close enough to satisfy everyone who’d watched her dismantle their workplace culture.
The Lesson: Culture Is More Than Compliance
So, what can we take away from this corporate cautionary tale? For starters, HR isn’t just about following rules or covering legal bases. It’s about fostering an environment where people feel valued and seen. Traditions—no matter how small—matter. They build camaraderie, boost morale, and remind people that their work is appreciated.
And perhaps most importantly, leadership by fear and joylessness is a surefire way to alienate your team and earn a reputation that follows you long after you’ve left the building.
What Would You Have Done?
Have you ever worked with a real-life HR Grinch? Or seen karma arrive just in time for someone who truly deserved it? Share your stories in the comments below! And remember: sometimes, the petty revenge stories aren’t just satisfying—they’re a roadmap for what not to do when you’re the one in charge.
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Original story via u/TokyoGirl888 on r/PettyRevenge
Original Reddit Post: Mean HR lady’s comeuppance