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Intern Fired on Day 1 for Leaving Too Late
9 Mar
Summary
- Intern was fired for refusing to return to the office after official hours.
- The company partner cited philosophical differences in efficiency and profit.
- The job paid 200 RMB ($28) daily, less than $2.50 per hour.

An intern experienced a surreal first day at an SAT prep firm, ending in termination for refusing to return to the office after hours. The intern had stayed until 6:30 PM to complete tasks, exceeding the official 9 AM to 6 PM work hours.
Upon reaching home, the intern received a demand from the Partner to return to the office immediately at 7:30 PM, despite no emergency. When the intern stated they could not make it back, they were fired on the spot.
The Partner reportedly justified the termination by stating the company prioritizes efficiency and profit over employees' personal time, asserting a philosophical misalignment. The intern noted the low daily pay of 200 RMB (approximately $28), which translated to less than $2.50 per hour.
The intern's Reddit post detailing the incident garnered significant attention, with many users sympathizing and criticizing the company's exploitative expectations. This event underscores the difficulties faced by interns and young professionals navigating the job market.




