I Refused to Go to an Emergency Meeting Because I Work Remotely—Now HR Stepped In
Workplaces are changing fast, especially with more people working remotely and companies setting new expectations. Sometimes, what seems like a small decision can create big consequences at work, leading to conflict between employees and management. Recently, one of our readers shared a personal story about facing this kind of challenge with HR.
Amanda’s letter:
Dear Bright Side,
I work in the marketing department of a small company with around 30 employees. Since 2022, I’ve been working remotely.
On Monday, right at noon, my manager called me and said I had 40 minutes to show up at the office for an emergency meeting.
I told him, “Sorry, but I don’t follow last-minute orders. I’m not a robot.”
A little later, I was shocked when HR sent everyone an email announcing:
“Dear colleagues,
Following the urgent meeting earlier today, we would like to inform you that the new management, now overseeing the company, has decided to grant higher compensation to certain departments. Please see the attached file for the percentage increase your department will receive.
Best regards,
Human Resources”
I couldn’t believe it. The meeting was to announce new leadership and raises. For more than a year, there had been rumors about this, but many of us had lost hope. Suddenly, it was finally happening.
But just two hours later, there was a knock at my door. It was a deliveryman handing me an envelope. Inside were papers from HR. I froze. My contract will not be renewed when it ends in two months. There was even a note:
“We expect full commitment, and unfortunately, you didn’t show it today. Since you weren’t present at the meeting, we are sending these documents directly to your home so you don’t need to come in.”
I felt crushed. I was being fired because I refused to rush to the office—even though I’ve been a remote worker for years.
Was I wrong to stand my ground? Or was the company unfair in how they treated me?
Yours,
Amanda
Your response was short, unprofessional and bordering on rude. Emergency means they were unable to provide more notice. If you were unable or unwilling to attend, you should have made a more acceptable excuse, such as transportation issue at a doctor's appointment, etc. You could have even suggested attending via zoom or something. I don't blame the company for thinking you are not a team player or committed employee, and not renewing your contract.
What really gets me in the HR email it said some departments were getting a higher compensation. I would say their job was getting a pay increase as well. The showed a lack of commitment.
This was not an "emergency" meeting - was something like a major account at stake - were "all hands needed on deck" ?? No.
At best, it was a gross misrepresentation but it was really a corporate lie. More accurately, there's a "new sherriff" in town and they wanted to flex their muscle and test loyalty.
If the company is ready to LIE like that on DAY ONE, imagine what they're willing to do down the road. So move on.
That said - your response was completely non-strategic for you. It would have been better to go - if for no reason, out of curiosity. Your response to them removed your options. OUCH. You could have accepted the raise, and then moved on at a time of your choosing, not theirs.
Good luck :-)
You were wrong. Your response should have indicated some effort to make the meeting. Even if you had to bring your child along. ..Or whatever was interfering with your effort to get there.
Personally, I felt your response, "I'm not a robot," was smart-alec and unprofessional. Your company had given you the privilege of working at home, and you showed no appreciation for that. You need to grow a work ethic.
You were wrong! you deserve to get fired.
You should have went to the meeting it would have been better and they would not have fired you.
It sounds like your job wasn't important to you. And, you weren't important to them, either. Go find another job. You were looking when you found that one. And, your employer was looking for an employee when they found you....there are always 2 sides to a coin.
An emergency constitutes last minute actions, otherwise itt would be a scheduled appointment/meeting. For it to be important enough for your boss to call you, you should have gone and you really shouldn't tell your boss to go shove it especially since you knew your contract was coming due and changes were coming.
Your contract was ending in two months. Your response to their request to attend an emergency meeting resulted in them choosing not to renew your contract. Sounds like a bad decision by you and a good decision by the company. Learn and move on.
One of the best stories I have read. It was glorious hearing that this person got fired. When did employees start believing they wielded power at companies. If it isn't unreasonable, how do you tell your company no where work is concerned. The whole unlawful firing thing has to be from Europe. You would have no leg to stand on in the U.S.
I have no idea why you would choose to speak to your boss that way and not expect consequences. Your choice of words sounds like a bratty teenager.
Your boss is not your friend. Even if you are friends with the person who is your boss, when they are acting as your boss, your friendship is sidelined. What you say in a professional context carries professional weight. And, in a professional context, you told your boss off. Your boss was also merely relaying instructions, meaning that, by extension, you told off THEIR boss: the new leadership, and the person who decided you weren't the kind of employee they wanted to oversee.
You made the choice to use abrasive words instead of gently communicating the inconvenience. You did not "stand your ground". That implies a level of dignity you did not hold. What you did was get snooty, act entitled, and, by consequence, show your direct boss that you aren't worth defending to the new leaders.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes
Your wrong and I can totally see why your fired. I'll say it again.... It was an emergency meeting, this doesn't happen every day. You should of gotten off your ass and went in. If your child had an emergency ,you'd go. If they stated you were no longer going to be remote, you have a choice then to stay or leave, this wasn't the case.
It was an EMERGENCY meeting
just bc it is not in your letterhead job description doesn't mean they won't add it to it but this... It's not my job stuff is the reason your outta there
Sometimes you have to take one for the team..
Unless you live 2 hours away from the office, there was no reason to refuse to show up for a meeting. You have a really crappy attitude and actually deserve to lose your job.
Not wrong to stand your ground. But they're not wrong to get rid of you. Everyone wins
"I don't follow orders!". To your boss 🤦. Of course you got fired.
Well if you hadn't said "I DON'T FOLLOW ORDERS, I AM NOT A ROBOT", and maybe said "I don't have transportation right now " (I know UBER), perhaps they wouldn't have canned you. Your abrupt refusal told them all that they needed to know about you. You weren't a team player. Presentation is EVERYTHING. Would you eat a perfect meal served on a garbage can lid? It doesn't have to be Fine China but a clean plate would be great. Think about it 🤔
Cheryl. Exactly. Right? They were belligerent to THE MANAGER who called them. Did they really expect it to turn out well? It would have been better if they had explained they did not have transportation or even that they needed to change clothes and would get there as soon as possible, but they might be a little late, and asked if it would be okay?
Thank you, Amanda, for opening up about your story. It’s clear you’re not just dealing with being let go, but also with the shock of how quickly things shifted after years of loyal remote work.
Here is our advice to you:
Treat the dismissal as potentially unlawful
Sounds shady to me, retaliatory. Get your recent work reviews and head to the NLRB... or equivalent.
You were hired as a remote worker, and suddenly, your refusal to appear in person was used against you.
Review your contract and keep every email, call log, and HR note. Consult an employment lawyer to check if the company breached agreements or discriminated against your working arrangement. Even if you don’t go to court, knowing your legal ground can protect you or push for severance.
Use the missed raise as motivation
I don't understand why you couldn't participate via Zoom or the regular way you connect remotely... sounds like a setup.
It stings to miss out on the raise, but this also shows the company didn’t truly value you.
Channel that energy into finding a workplace where flexibility and results matter more than last-minute demands. Highlight your remote success since 2022 in your CV, framing it as proof you can thrive without micromanagement.
Reclaim the narrative with your colleagues
You behaved in a childish way. Your response comes off as ENTITLED. You could have chosen a softer way of saying no. You said you don't follow last minute "orders" That's a clear cut decision you made to blow your boss's request off. I'm not surprised at all that they've chosen not to renew your contract.
Right now, management may have painted you as “uncommitted.” Reach out privately to trusted coworkers and share your side of the story—that you weren’t warned about the office change and were punished for working the way you always had.
This protects your reputation in the industry and could open doors to opportunities through colleagues who understand your value.
Turn this into a career reset point
Were all just a number unfortunately just how society is with this type management they'll have large turnovers.
After years of adapting to remote life, this firing can be a chance to build work around your terms.
Explore freelance projects, consultancy, or companies with strong remote-first cultures. You’re not starting from zero—you already have years of experience balancing independence with results. This isn’t just an ending; it can be the push toward a role that respects the life you’ve built.
Gemma faced her own conflict after making a simple choice. For her birthday, she picked a vegan restaurant, but her non-vegan friends refused to split the bill. Do you think they were right?
Comments
The " I'm not a robot" is what got you canned. I would have fired you too.
It wasn't what you said, it's how you said it. You showed complete and utter disrespect. Also, clarifying questions are your friends. "Boss, what is the nature of this emergency? The 40 minute window is a little tight for me. I don't want to be late. Can I remote in?" If your boss is not a complete tool, they'll tell you it's something big and to your benefit to show up.
If the boss was a good boss he/she would have been more considerate of his employees
Work on your delivery of denials. You came across as entitled. New leadership equals new outlooks, and you soured their outlook on you. And understand that even remote workers need to go into the office at times, sometimes on short notice. I don't think you have any legal recourse, since they are going the non-renewal route instead of firing you.
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