Employer Deceives Worker About Layoff, Hires Cheaper Replacement, Then Begs For Assistance

You know that feeling when someone dumps you, ghosts you, and then suddenly shows up months later like nothing happened? While it’s always tempting to be the bigger person, there are times you just need to put it in the back pocket.

That’s basically what happened here, except instead of a messy breakup, it was a job layoff that wasn’t quite what it seemed. Today’s Original Poster (OP) was let go under the guise of needing someone “more qualified,” until one day, their ex-boss slid into their messages to ask for a 2-step verification code to access a system they were locked out of. Talk about nerve.

More info: Reddit

There’s this saying that says burning bridges just might leave you stranded on the wrong side of the river, and yes, this is an example

Laid-off employee pondering next steps, holding a box with office items in a modern workplace.

Image credits: tsyhun / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The author was laid off from their job after being told the company needed someone with more expertise, and the boss completely avoided them

Laid-off employee discussing being fired, expressing disbelief at boss's excuses after three months.

Text about a laid-off employee whose boss avoided communication, directing them to HR for offboarding.

Image credits: Prejudice-Much

Person entering two-factor authentication code on a laptop login screen.

Image credits: rawpixel.com / Freepik (not the actual photo)

They would eventually find out someone who had even less experience was hired in their place

Laid-off employee receives unexpected 2FA code request from former boss months later.

Text discussing laid-off employee ignoring a two-factor authentication code request from boss.

Image credits: Prejudice-Much

Laid-off employee working at desk, using a computer, and looking focused in a modern office setting.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Months after they were laid off, they got a notification that the boss was trying to log into the system, which was requesting a code

Text about a laid-off employee clarifying a system used for state payments.

Text on a screen about company account access, mentioning EIN and security questions related to a laid-off employee.

Image credits: Prejudice-Much

The boss eventually reached out to the author and demanded the code, which they refused to give

The OP was laid off three months prior. Actually, they were told their role required someone with director-level experience, only to later find out a junior hire was trained to take over instead.

However, what had made it so frustrating for the OP was that instead of a proper offboarding process, the manager completely avoided them. No handover, no final instructions. Just radio silence.

One day, after three months of no contact, they received a notification that the boss was trying to log into one of the systems. Unfortunately, the two-step authentication could only be done through the OP’s phone, so it was interesting for them to see their ex-boss keep trying to log into the system for two days with their username and password.

Finally, the boss had no choice but to reach out. They acted as if nothing had happened and asked them to provide the code, which OP refused to give.

Office scene with employees at desks, focusing on communication and two-factor authentication dynamics.

Image credits: drobotdean / Freepik (not the actual photo)

To better understand the complexities of layoffs and firings, Bored Panda reached out to Dara Faronbi, an HR expert who shared valuable insights into how companies handle these situations and the risks involved when they don’t do it properly. When asked about how common it is for companies to disguise a firing as a layoff, she explained that while it’s not unheard of, it’s not a frequent practice and shouldn’t be.

“Layoffs often signal financial struggles or ineffective workforce planning, which can reflect poorly on a company,” she noted. In contrast, firings require proper documentation, making them harder to mask as layoffs. She explained that more often, companies encourage voluntary resignations for performance-based issues rather than outright terminations.

The conversation then turned to the importance of a proper offboarding process, something that can protect both the company and the departing employee. Faronbi stressed that failing to handle offboarding correctly can open the door to “legal drama.” “Keeping thorough records is essential because if an ex-employee makes claims, the company can defend themselves,” she explained.

She emphasized that poor documentation can also create issues when HR needs to provide references for future employers, before adding that layoffs should be managed with tact to prevent hostility. While employers aren’t legally required to disclose reasons for termination, Faronbi emphasized that transparency helps ease tensions and avoid backlash.

We also asked whether former employees should assist their previous employers after being let go, especially in cases like this one, where access to company accounts was still active. “Employers need to correctly assume that fired employees won’t be willing to help,” she joked, adding that it’s unrealistic to expect cooperation from someone who has been let go.

The bigger issue, however, lies in how HR handles access to company systems, which all falls back to the importance of proper offboarding. “No employee should leave while still having access to company accounts, whether they resigned voluntarily or were laid off,” she warned. Removing access to emails, passwords, and internal systems is crucial to preventing risks like data breaches, theft, or impersonation.

Netizens expressed their frustration with employers who mishandle layoffs and make unreasonable demands on former employees, pointing out that once the employee has left, their obligations are finished. Others also mentioned that these situations are often rooted in poor management decisions and corporate negligence.

What do you think about this situation? Do you think employers should still be able to reach out for help after an employee has left? We would love to hear your thoughts!

Netizens insisted that they were not wrong for refusing to give the code, given the manner in which they had been laid off

Reddit comments about a laid-off employee discussing two-factor authentication issues with a company phone.

Laid-off employee discusses sudden job termination and company's request for email access months later.

Text conversation about a laid-off employee dealing with a boss who rehired less qualified staff.

Text exchange on using personal equipment at work after employee layoffs.

Discussion about risks for laid-off employee asked for authentication code by boss.

Screenshot of a humorous exchange about a laid-off employee's response to a request for info.

Former employee discusses billing and system setup after being ghosted by boss, who requested two-factor code months later.

Forum discussion about laid-off employee's two-factor authentication code request.

Reddit discussion about laid-off employee's boss asking for a two-factor authentication code.

Reddit comments discussing a laid-off employee ghosted by their former boss asking for a two-factor authentication code.

Response to boss requesting two-factor authentication code, employee demands $100 per hour as contractor.

Comments discussing a boss's failure in handling two-factor authentication for a laid-off employee's login.

Online discussion of laid-off employee's boss request.

Reddit comment suggesting referring the ghosting boss to HR for contractor rates.

Text comment on karma and ignoring ex-boss's request for authentication code.

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