When “Soon” Means Never: How One Employee Nuked His Boss’s Bonus (and Weekend)
Let’s be honest: Few things are more infuriating at work than a manager who dangles a carrot in front of your nose and yanks it away, week after week. “Soon,” they say. “Just a little longer.” The raise, the promotion, the respect you’re owed—forever postponed to a mysterious, mythical future.
But what happens when an employee decides “soon” means “never”—and takes matters into their own hands? Enter u/Cicche, whose epic tale of workplace pettiness and righteous revenge on Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge is the stuff of office legend.
The Tale of the Vanishing Raise
Picture it: Early 2000s, Canada. The telecom industry is in flux. Two major companies merge, and with the threat of unionization looming, corporate dangles a juicy raise—up to $3.50 an hour—for all service reps in the east. The catch? Local area managers are in charge of actually handing out the pay bump.
Our protagonist, u/Cicche, expects a bit of a wait. After all, one manager covers seven or eight stores. But by February, the raise is nowhere in sight. Each time Cicche inquires, the manager brushes him off with that dreaded word: “Soon.”
Weeks turn into months. By May, after hearing “soon” five or six times (and catching wind that other areas already got their raises), Cicche realizes what’s up: The area manager is dragging his feet to fatten his own quarterly bonus—a classic case of “the boss gets richer while you get excuses.”
The Art of Nuclear Petty Revenge
Most people would grumble, maybe vent to coworkers, or even just accept defeat. Not Cicche.
He crafts a four-page, meticulously detailed letter outlining how the area manager is screwing over employees—and, for good measure, how a union might start looking mighty appealing. But timing is everything. Cicche waits for the perfect moment: the Friday before a long weekend, right after the manager brags (again) about his Muskoka cottage and his scenic plans.
At 4 p.m.—just late enough to ensure maximum inconvenience—Cicche hits send, emailing the letter straight to the company president and CEO. The boss won’t just get chewed out; he’ll have to cut his lakeside escape short to deal with the fallout.
When Petty Turns Powerful
The result? Instant karma, delivered express.
By Saturday morning, Cicche’s manager is forced to drive all the way back from his cozy cottage to Toronto, tail between his legs, to apologize in person. Not only does he promise the long-delayed raise, but he also makes it retroactive to January—for everyone in the area, and at the maximum rate.
But the cherry on top? The manager’s weekend is ruined, his bonus likely in jeopardy, and he’s now the star of a legendary office tale. Cicche, meanwhile, gets thank-you calls from employees across the region, all grateful for the gutsy move.
Lessons in Petty (But Effective) Revenge
What makes this story so satisfying isn’t just the revenge—it’s the strategy. Cicche didn’t just blow up at the first sign of trouble. He collected evidence, checked in with other stores, waited for the perfect moment, and made sure the boss’s pain was as acute as his own frustration had been.
It’s a masterclass in using corporate bureaucracy against itself. And, let’s be honest, it’s every underappreciated employee’s dream scenario.
Some might call this nuclear. Others might call it justice. Either way, it’s a reminder: If you’re in a position of power, don’t take your people for granted. Someone might just be waiting for the perfect Friday afternoon to send an email that blows up your weekend—and your bonus.
Have You Ever Gone Nuclear?
So, dear readers: Ever pulled off a legendary act of workplace revenge? Or daydreamed about it while your boss muttered “soon” for the hundredth time? Drop your stories in the comments below—we’d love to hear about your own petty (or not-so-petty) victories!
And remember: If you’re going to mess with your employees, make sure they’re not smarter, more patient, and better at timing than you are. Otherwise, you might find yourself driving away from the lake… and straight into a storm.
Inspired by the original post from u/Cicche on Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge
Original Reddit Post: He said soon a few too many times, so I went nuclear