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Original poster

Walking back into a ****storm tomorrow

564 replies

ThrowMeAwayTheVeryNextDay · 25/08/2025 22:10

I've been away on holiday for a week, back in the office tomorrow. There was a bit of a crisis happening before I went so I wrapped up as much as I could and did a decent handover. It's all blown up, my boss (CEO) has been sending furious emails and I've spent the week keeping a face on for DH and the DC while lying awake for hours at night thinking about it. My team have handled it like troopers but have also been messaging me and have set up a meeting first thing tomorrow before CEO gets in so I'm not blindsided, bless their thoughtfulness.

I'm going in extra early to clear my desk before my team get in, in case I'm getting fired. I don't know how I'm going to hold it together TBH. I've told DH that it's bad, but not how bad. He just said it's a bank holiday, don't worry about it until tomorrow. I'm tired, my holiday was ruined and I just want to go in and get it over with.

OP posts:
MolluscMonday · 25/08/2025 22:11

What on earth’s happened??

ninjahamster · 25/08/2025 22:12

Goodness, I hope things aren’t as bad as you think x

Chazbots · 25/08/2025 22:13

All things pass....

Is the crisis within your control?

AntiBullshit · 25/08/2025 22:16

If the issue has been caused by you why didn’t you make your self available for the first day of you holiday to clear it up.

if it is not your mistake why would you be getting fired?i

Arlanymor · 25/08/2025 22:17

I really, really hope that it's not as bad as you think - and having been at a distance it will definitely feel worse than if you were there in the middle of it all last week, but because you've been more arms length you will fill in the gaps in your knowledge with fear and anticipation. Which is a very human thing to do.

Maybe we can help if you share a bit more context? Nothing outing of course, but if we knew a bit more we could come up with strategies for you?

WaxingGibbon · 25/08/2025 22:18

Before moving straight into clearing your desk territory, what can you do to address the actual issue?

cryinglaughing · 25/08/2025 22:20

Try and get some sleep so you have a clear head for what is to come.
I do think you should share with your DH how you feel it may pan out.

I do hope it isn't a sackable situation, that's not nice for anyone ☹️

WaitWhatWhatWait · 25/08/2025 22:21

I know this fear in the pit of your stomach feeling, really hope it's not a bad as you think.

Original poster
ThrowMeAwayTheVeryNextDay · 25/08/2025 22:22

I was properly on holiday, out all day on various tours, no laptop so not able to make myself available or I would have done.

I had to make a judgement call while CEO was on holiday, did my best with the information I had available and kept him informed but facts have since come to light that would have made me call it the other way. Very public, lots of juice for competitors, lots of regulator scrutiny. CEO furious, investors furious.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThrowMeAwayTheVeryNextDay · 25/08/2025 22:24

I have already been in contact with the CEO to explain and apologise. That toned down his messages somewhat but I won't know exactly what's fixable until I get the full story tomorrow.

OP posts:
Hollieandtheivie · 25/08/2025 22:24

Wishing you all the best for the morning. Hope it's one of those situations that are worse in our heads than in reality. Sounds like bad luck than bad judgement.

realslimshade · 25/08/2025 22:25

ThrowMeAwayTheVeryNextDay · 25/08/2025 22:22

I was properly on holiday, out all day on various tours, no laptop so not able to make myself available or I would have done.

I had to make a judgement call while CEO was on holiday, did my best with the information I had available and kept him informed but facts have since come to light that would have made me call it the other way. Very public, lots of juice for competitors, lots of regulator scrutiny. CEO furious, investors furious.

What else could you have done though with no other info at the time? You’re not psychic

SabrinaThwaite · 25/08/2025 22:26

ThrowMeAwayTheVeryNextDay · 25/08/2025 22:22

I was properly on holiday, out all day on various tours, no laptop so not able to make myself available or I would have done.

I had to make a judgement call while CEO was on holiday, did my best with the information I had available and kept him informed but facts have since come to light that would have made me call it the other way. Very public, lots of juice for competitors, lots of regulator scrutiny. CEO furious, investors furious.

I’d say CEO should have been on top of it, should have been contactable on holiday.

That's why they are CEO.

Jeevesnotwooster · 25/08/2025 22:26

There may be a crisis but doesn't sound like you're at fault here. If someone has to go (and not clear to me that they should) sounds like it should be CEO not you.

Short of gross negligence, they aren't going to be able to fire you on the spot. And if they try to get a good employment lawyer pronto.

Rattyandtoad · 25/08/2025 22:27

I think you need to keep phrasing 'with the information I had at the time I made this decision which was the best outcome with the info I had. Unfortunately we now have more info and know that is not the case but this could not have been predicted at the time ' good luck

MarthaLou · 25/08/2025 22:28

All the best for tomorrow. Hoping it’s not as bad as fear. You did your best with the info you had at the time and sound like your team have your back. Good luck.

FGSWhatNow · 25/08/2025 22:30

Eeek, it sounds like you did your best based on the info you had available at the time. Have you got a very factual summary of events that you can keep up your sleeve to give to the CEO? Even if it's just some bullet points on an email or powerpoint setting out the info you had at your disposal, the options that were available to you, the rationale for your decision, when the new info came to light and how that changes things, and next steps? Basically keep it factual, and show them that you made the right call at the time. If you go in all flustered and acting like it was your fault it'll be easy for them to act as though it was your fault. Keep things calm and show you can help resolve the situation. Good luck, that feeling when you hear something has gone wrong is horrible, at least it sounds like your team is on your side and have your back.

WaxingGibbon · 25/08/2025 22:31

You’re getting excellent advice here. You made the best judgement call you could, based on the information you had at the time. This is a horrible situation to be in but it doesn’t sound like it’s of your making. I wish you a good nights sleep before the morning and I hope all goes ok for you.

YesHonestly · 25/08/2025 22:31

I hope tomorrow goes ok for you OP.

You did what you could with what you knew at the time. I’m sorry your holiday was ruined.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 25/08/2025 22:33

So just wait to see. You have explained here you made the best decision you could have with the facts at the time.

Everyone can make a decision based on hindsight can't they? But it's too late. So instead of fearing the CEO, I'd be putting my armour on and getting ready to fight.

Original poster
ThrowMeAwayTheVeryNextDay · 25/08/2025 22:33

Thankyou. Right now, I don't even want the job. Just the pay, please! I really, really needed that holiday. We're going into our busiest period, pressure is on (not that it ever stops) and I just want to rock in a corner with my hands over my ears until it goes away.

OP posts:
SabrinaThwaite · 25/08/2025 22:44

I’d put together a timeline of the available information and how that informed the decision making process.

But (from the perspective of a DH that was not C suite but was expected to be available on holiday for meetings and decisions), I’d still be bouncing it back to the CEO who seems to have abrogated their responsibility.

merryandbrightdelight · 25/08/2025 22:48

At the time you did what you could with the information you had, and I’m sure you did your best. Good luck for tomorrow - but remember, you were making the decisions on your CEOs behalf for a reason, and that is that your judgement is trusted. You made the call you felt was right at the time

ManchesterLu · 25/08/2025 22:51

Was it your fault? Is it in your job contract that you need to be available in these kinds of extenuating circumstances? Unless or or both of those things are a "yes", you have nothing to worry about, and they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

AmoozzBoosh · 25/08/2025 22:51

There's a pretty good, short, podcast from the BBC called When it Hit The Fan - all about PR and communications. They had an episode just in the last week I think in which they discussed this sort of public relations disaster and how those in charge (i.e. your CEO) need to not lose their shit, take a step back and calmly, rationally guide the business, board & investors through the storm.

Might be worth a quick listen to, op, if nothing else it will hopefully help remind me you that just because youe CEO can't handle a crisis, doesn't mean you're screwed.