My wife passed away on a Monday. I came in on Tuesday because we needed the insurance. My boss looked at me and said, “Grief is a distraction. Stay focused.”

@youngam904

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Why it worked

The video likely resonated due to its raw emotional honesty and the relatable, albeit harsh, depiction of workplace dynamics during personal tragedy. The unexpected twist and the creator's stoic delivery create a powerful narrative.

Summary

The creator shares a story about their boss's insensitive reaction to their grief after their wife's passing. The boss later experiences a similar tragedy and the creator reflects on the irony.

Structure

1Wife's death and creator's return to work
2Boss's dismissive reaction to grief
3Creator's stoic response
4Boss's personal tragedy
5Boss's return to work and interaction with creator

On-screen text

My wife passed away on a Monday. I came in on Tuesday because we needed the insurance. My boss looked at me and said, “Grief is a distraction. Stay focused.” I said nothing. I sat at my desk for 8 hours and did not cry once. 7 months later, he lost his own son. He took 6 weeks off. When he came back, he walked straight to my desk.

Transcript

My wife passed away on a Monday. I came in on Tuesday because we needed the insurance. My boss looked at me and said, “Grief is a distraction. Stay focused.” I said nothing. I sat at my desk for 8 hours and did not cry once. 7 months later, he lost his own son. He took 6 weeks off. When he came back, he walked straight to my desk.