When life hits you with unimaginable tragedy, the last thing you expect is a guilt trip from your boss. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to Hillary Zinks, a makeup and effects artist who also worked as a restaurant server to make ends meet.
When her sister suddenly fell into a coma, Zinks barely had time to process the shock before rushing to be with her family. Naturally, she informed both of her bosses—but their responses couldn’t have been more different.
One showed kindness and understanding. The other? Let’s just say they were more concerned about their shift coverage than her sister’s life.
A Boss with a Heart
Zinks’ first boss, a well-respected figure in the film industry, immediately put things into perspective.
“Hillary, please go home. Do whatever you need to do. Be with your family. Be with your mom. There’s no job in this world worth missing life over.”
Coming from someone with immense industry experience, those words hit hard. Zinks later said this response made her feel like a person, not just another replaceable worker.
@hillary.yourmlm this gets good. Wait until the end.
♬ original sound – hillary.yourmom
But if you think all bosses have that kind of empathy, brace yourself—because her second boss had a very different take.
The Cold, Corporate Response
Zinks also texted her restaurant manager to let them know she wouldn’t make it in. Their response? A masterclass in heartlessness.
“I do understand, and I’m sorry for what you’re experiencing… but why are you only telling me two hours before your shift?”
Yikes. But wait—it gets worse.
The manager continued:
“It’s my job to create a positive work environment for all staff. We have a fifty-top today and only two scheduled staff members… We will make it work, we always do. It just makes it hard on the crew that does show up.”
Imagine being in the middle of a personal crisis and receiving that message.
She Quit—In the Best Way Possible
Zinks was fuming. As she drove to the hospital, she realized something: she couldn’t work for someone who saw her as nothing more than a shift on a schedule.
So, she quit.
But she didn’t just send a resignation text—she made sure her former boss truly got the message. Along with her notice, she sent a photo of herself holding her sister’s hand… while flipping off the camera.
Talk about a mic-drop moment.
A Message for Bad Bosses Everywhere
Zinks later shared her experience on TikTok, where she has over 500,000 followers. Her story struck a nerve, sparking conversations about toxic workplaces and how employees deserve to be treated like humans, not just numbers on a schedule.
“We don’t need to work for people who barely see us as humans with emotions and families,” she said. “I hope anyone who has that type of experience has the means and courage to quit. And I hope managers who would’ve done the same take a step back and learn.”
Here’s hoping she found a new job with a boss who actually values their employees—because no one deserves to be treated like this.
Would you have quit too? Let us know in the comments!