When Cutting Corners Backfires: How a Charity’s Cost-Saving Scheme Unraveled
Picture this: you’re working for a small, faith-based charity during the pandemic. The world’s upside down, funding is scarce, and the board—bless their hearts—decides to “save money” by axing the very people who actually run the place. Sounds like your typical nonprofit drama, right? But this story, as told by u/CaseyDarling1994 on Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge, has more twists, sharper wit, and a better ending than most TV sitcoms. Spoiler: it involves an unsung hero named Alan, a pride pin, and a board that definitely didn’t see the punchline coming.
The “Cost-Cutting” Conundrum: When the Wrong People Get the Boot
As COVID swept through the country, the charity’s day centre for adults with learning disabilities was forced to close its doors, and the finances started circling the drain. The board, in their infinite wisdom, made a classic move: fire the folks who actually kept the operation afloat—namely, the author and another young staffer. Meanwhile, those spared were the minister’s wife (who also chaired the board), a church stalwart, and a guy who, as the rationale went, “had kids.” You don’t need to work in HR to spot the nepotism here.
As one sharp commenter, u/Ok-Air-5056, pointed out, “it’s rarely the people who get cut to save money [who] are actually the ones draining the company... sadly they are just low hanging fruit that can be plucked off one by one.. and then before they know it.. it’s top heavy all trunk no tree.” The board’s logic? Classic case of “keep the inner circle, lose the backbone.”
But the manner of dismissal was the cherry on this stale cake. No HR, no paperwork, just an awkward meeting at a trustee’s house. If you’ve ever had “church politics” explained to you by a group of people who never lift a finger, you’ll recognize the vibe.
Alan’s Quiet Coup: Severance, Solidarity, and Subtle Defiance
Here’s where the story takes a delicious turn. Enter Alan, the manager—described by OP as “one of the best people I’ve ever worked for.” Alan not only ran the finances, but he’d also invested his own money to keep the charity running. So, instead of letting the board’s “cost-cutting” turn into a cold-hearted layoff, he quietly ensured that both departing staff received generous severance: £6,000 for the OP, £4,000 for the other worker.
The board was livid. According to OP, “They stopped speaking to us entirely during our notice period.” Alan even offered the option of working from home, but OP chose to show up in person—smiling, doing their job, and (as they put it) “being very visibly non-religious in a space where that clearly bothered them.”
And what did “visibly non-religious” look like? Not refusing to pray, not using religious platitudes, opting out of church events, and—most iconically—rocking a pride pin in a place that had recently voted against same-sex marriage ceremonies. As u/alphaphenix quipped after reading OP’s full list of micro-rebellions: “you were surprisingly mild!” Sometimes, subtlety is the sharpest form of protest.
Aftermath: When the Real Backbone Walks Away
The fallout was as predictable as a Monday morning. About a year and a half after the layoffs, the charity shuttered its doors. Two years later, they tried reopening—only to close again within six months. Why? Alan was gone. He’d finally had enough of the board’s backroom politicking. Without his expertise (and, let’s be honest, his wallet), the whole operation withered.
Community voices chimed in with knowing nods. “If they fired the 2 people who ‘did the work’ it sounds more like a nepotistic, politics-driven charity,” wrote u/mbrasher1. “Not surprising it closed with stewards like that.” Others shared their own horror stories of toxic nonprofits, with one commenter, u/Patricio_Guapo, warning that “any organization that makes their Christianity a big part of their identity were the absolute worst people to try and work with, without exception.”
But the emotional resonance hit hardest for those who’d been on the receiving end of similar treatment. As u/SlothAndNinja recalled, “It mentally messed me up thinking they would uphold the religious values they touted… the executives that stayed are morally bankrupt.” Meanwhile, u/Alarmed-Employee-741, self-described as “heavily religious,” put it simply: “Good on you! They did you dirty.”
Lessons in Petty Revenge (and Real Resilience)
So, what’s the moral of this saga? For one, don’t underestimate the people who actually do the work. They might be the only thing between your organization and disaster. And if you’re going to wield the axe, be sure you’re not accidentally chopping down the whole tree.
But there’s more: sometimes the best revenge is living your truth—quietly, confidently, and with a dash of petty glee. As OP put it, “No shouting. No scenes. Just pure joy from me.” Wearing a pride pin, refusing to play along with empty rituals, and calling out bad behavior may not burn the house down, but it sure lets the people inside know you see right through them.
And to Alan—the unsung hero who made sure the good guys didn’t get left out in the cold—we tip our hats. As several commenters agreed, everyone needs an Alan in their corner.
Have you ever witnessed a workplace “cost-cutting” backfire spectacularly? Or outlasted a toxic board with a little silent protest of your own? Share your stories (and your best subtle acts of rebellion) in the comments below!
Original Reddit Post: Board tried to cut costs. Manager cut the cord.