22/10/2026
Well, this is certainly one meeting you don’t want to be invited to. In Goodfellas (1990), Joe Pesci’s Tommy DeVito was under the impression that he was finally receiving a long-overdue promotion. After years of dedicated service, handling difficult situations, and demonstrating an exceptional commitment to the organization, Tommy was ready to become a made man. He arrived dressed for the occasion, unaware that upper management had an entirely different agenda.
Unfortunately, the promotion process had encountered some complications. Several unresolved workplace incidents, including a particularly serious disagreement with a fellow associate, had apparently made their way to senior leadership. Rather than address these concerns through the usual disciplinary procedures, management elected to arrange a private meeting. No formal warning, no written correspondence, and no opportunity to bring a representative.
What followed was perhaps the shortest performance review in company history. Tommy was given neither the promotion he expected nor the opportunity to appeal the decision. His years of service were acknowledged with an immediate termination, effective on the spot. A harsh reminder that no matter how valuable you think you are to the organization, HR always has the final say.
