Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/1vsc5bv/are_they_intentenially_torturing_me/

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The original was posted on /r/antiwork by /u/John1The1Savage on 2026-08-19 04:28:58+00:00.

I didn't really want the promotion, but I was the obvious choice. The job is difficult with a high turnover rate. I said no at first, I was holding out for another position that I really wanted. I was on track for it and I believe I've more than earned it. They said I "need to do your time" before I could have the job I wanted. I've done 5 years, how much more time? Finally I talked myself into accepting the job. Or I let them talk me into it I guess. I convinced myself it would be good. Convinced myself I would enjoy it. Convinced myself that I wanted the challenge. I interviewed. I asked them for the job, after they spent a week asking me to ask them for it.

They invited me out to a steakhouse for lunch. I spent 24 hours anticipating a promotion offer, not the one I really wanted, but something. Progress. If I could do it, handle the job, it might even be enough money to buy a house after a couple of years.

The lunch was a consolation prize. Thanks for playing but we're going with an outside candidate. And oh, by the way, we're restructuring your current role. All the most difficult aspects of your job? That's what we want you doing full time now. We're creating a new role for all the easy stuff. Your welcome to apply.

This.. is fucked up, right? This is not how you treat people? Or am I wrong? Is a steak that I couldn't taste in the moment a nice gesture? Or is exercising control over people's lives the only thing that gives them satisfaction? I forced myself to chew and swallow so I didn't offend the powers. I need to puke. I need a shower. I would have happily supported the external hire, but that wasn't enough. They wanted to reject me. They needed me to want it so they could have something to take away.