Leaving a job doesn’t always mean leaving it behind. One Redditor, u/antiworkthrowaway234, knew that all too well. After managing critical IT infrastructure for a company, they figured their exit wouldn’t stop the calls from coworkers needing help.
So they got ahead of it. “I was the only one who knew about tons of our IT infrastructure, and I anticipated that I was going to get tons of texts and phone calls from former coworkers,” they shared.
Instead of fielding questions for free, they set up a formal contract and tripled their former hourly rate.
“I anticipated tons of texts and phone calls.”
— u/antiworkthrowaway234
The boss did not take it well
The move didn’t sit right with the ex-boss, who reportedly called the rate “outrageous.” According to the Redditor, management had a long-standing habit of leaning on former employees for free help. But this time, they ran into someone who knew their worth.
“I'm the first person who's left the company who hasn't just provided this sort of help for free indefinitely,” they said.
“He thinks my rate is outrageously high.”
— u/antiworkthrowaway234
The boss went so far as to warn staff not to contact their former coworker unless it was absolutely necessary. But that, the Redditor said, was the point of the contract in the first place.
It was never about the money
The Redditor made clear this wasn’t a cash grab. They’d only billed eight hours total. “He's just offended that I have the audacity to demand payment for my work,” they added, suggesting the boss wanted free labor, not fair compensation.
Reddit users were quick to show support, with many saying this kind of boundary-setting was long overdue in workplaces.
“It sets precedent for others who leave.”
— u/takemyderivative
Others are doing the same—and loving it
Redditor u/IntelligentLake joked that the original poster wasn’t charging enough: “Really, who does that? You're supposed to charge much more, so you can use that money to pay for the liability insurance you're supposed to have as a contractor.”
And some had success turning similar situations into money—or just a little revenge. “I did this and set my rate insanely high in the hopes they wouldn’t call,” said u/Aromatic_Quit_6946. “They had to call me so much that they tried to rehire me. Said nope, but for $10,000 I will train someone (never expected a yes). I had a really good vacation that year.”
“I had a really good vacation that year.”
— u/Aromatic_Quit_6946
Know your worth—even after you leave
Setting boundaries with a former employer shouldn’t be revolutionary, but it is. The Redditor’s story highlights a bigger cultural shift happening in workplaces: people are no longer willing to give away their skills just because “that’s how it’s always been.”
Got niche knowledge when you leave a job? Don’t be afraid to put a price on it. Your time is valuable—and asking to be paid for your work isn't outrageous. It's just fair.
One mom was forced to extreme measures after her son was mistreated by his school.
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Ron Lach
Representative photo by Isaac Quesada | 
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Swol is known for his good vibes, and for reacting to negative commentary. TikTok | 
The point of the gym, according to Swol, is to be there in the first place. 
21 everyday phrases that make people silently scream inside
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.