My VP called me a fucking idiot so I stood up to him and put him in his place. Am I going to get fired?

As someone with experience with this kind of thing, including more severe matters, I think the response probably overstepped in two ways:

1. You insinuated physical violence when based on the written content of your post, it doesn't seem that the VP did that.

2. You left the office.

For those two reasons, I think it's very possible that they would act adversely against you.

By the same token, having been in similar positions and taking bold stances, I have ultimately had these things accrue to my favor, but there was a measure of equanimity and grace there too. I think a rapprochement session where you disavow your insinuation could work to your advantage, but the way forward is somewhat fraught.

PS: Separately, you should never quit. If people want to get rid of you, you can get severance/unemployment that way. Quitting absolves them of all of these things. Make them take action against you.

You need to get some sleep man. It's really hard to keep emotions in check when consistently sleep deprived. One long night's sleep and even one Saturday to recharge will put you in a much clearer frame of mind to evaluate things. If you're already considering quitting Monday you can at least take that beforehand for yourself. I can't speak for whether this is a job you should walk away from or whether he'll escalate things. It seems like the way you're evaluating things is being influenced by the fact that you're still heated from the interaction and strung out from the hours. So all I can say is put yourself in the best position to make a decision from more stable ground.

W mans you did what i daydream of

Congrats on BofA

Most healthy IB colleague chat

This is clearly chatgpt

Take a deep breath. This is just a job, you are free to walk away anytime you feel the tradeoff is not worth it to you. Set your boundaries, and accept the consequences of those boundaries. 

That said, insulting you was not a crime. Your threatening physical retaliation may very well be, and most workplaces have zero tolerance for this type of statement,  so I would not be surprised if you were terminated, and your employer will record it as termed for cause.  If you wish to resign instead, do so promptly; in any event, your future with this company is over, so time to move on. Next time control your emotions and think carefully before you speak.

Make them fire you, I wouldn't quit

Who gives a shit if you get fired. You’re obviously miserable.

I'll do anything right now to be in a position where I'll get yelled at in exchange for a salary significantly above 60k of First World currenc

Kind of dumb. If you had reported it you would’ve had the upper hand. Now he does. Probably try to hug it out and agree neither of you will try to get each other fired. Maybe move groups or something

I doubt this happened. This level of detail feels like a product of your imagination/fantasy. Anyone actually in your shoes wouldnt make it so easy for coworkers to know who you are.

Go to a boxing class if you have aggression to unwind. If you insist on being aggressive with a vp, be way more cagey than this dumb shit. Pretend to be offended over an issue that would make HR nervous and make the threat more subtle. Maybe with your body language rather than words he can repeat verbatim to get you canned. Lol this is absurd 

During my seven years in banking, I never or observed any such hostile interactions. I am not doubting your VP called you a fucking idiot, but the most important thing is how has your performance been to date. People don’t typically break at first instance, for someone relatively senior like your VP to lose his cool makes me wonder whether he reached his breaking point with your performance. As I said, during my seven years at a BB, never observed such expletives. Ppl might act passive aggressive, but not in this format 

Secondly, I understand you might not have slept well for 3 days, but nobody is counting hours here. What matters is the task is done in time. If you can’t get it done in time, flag it earlier so additional support is parachuted in 

Either way, regardless of whether your story is true or not and wthether your action was justifiable or not, the writing is clear for you. You should exit this firm, and maybe even the industry (this behavior will look terrible on you) 

Many people, especially the risk-averse type in banking, have never stood up for shit in their lives. If this story is true, it's respectable even though some people will disagree. You're a man and a human being so a man should address you with the respect that you address another man and a human being, even if they're your superior in the workplace. If he wouldn't talk to you like that on the street where he knows he can get punched in the face then he shouldn't talk to you like that in the office with your career hanging over your head.

Unfortunately, you may not be built for IB and Wall Street. It takes a certain personality type to play and thrive in the game of office politics with an asshole boss, and you may be too real for this type of work. Not everyone is built to put up with this shit every day and then take some more shit their boss throws at them. You could have swallowed your pride, played the office politics game, and reported him for something to HR, or just found a new job. However, if this story is true, you're the type of dude to take it outside. That may work at a construction sight or a car shop but not an IB.

For what it's worth I think he deserved it, and hey Ray Dalio punched his boss in the face and started Bridgewater so you may find your way on Wall Street after all.

I wish this ended with you breaking his eye socket but understand that may have messed up bonus 

If I had a dollar for every time my MD called someone (analysts all the way to directors) shit for brains or straight up called them retarded in the middle of a live deal I’d have enough money to retire early. Once my md made the same vp (female) cry for a different reason everyday for weeks because of the yelling.

Reads a bit like fanfiction but I’ve seen worse shit in the office and people got over it. Shit, one time the belligerent guy got a raise out of it. Sometimes grown men yell at each other.
 

If you actually do this for real though, stick to the yelling. Implying violence is where it gets unprofessional. 

I'll take things that didn't happen for 500

and if it did you're an idiot for threatening physical violence this isn't a favela lmfao 

I would have an informal chat with someone in hr just to cover yourself.

As an aside, whenever I read these posts I’m always surprised. I can understand yelling at juniors when I am a rockstar MD. You’re untouchable at that point and can be a bully with zero consequences.

But a VP yelling at an associate? When I was a VP I was so worried the juniors would give me a bad 360 review, I would be so nice to them. You don’t really add much revenue potential as a VP. You’re basically an associate that makes a lot of money, so why rock the boat? I would be so worried about the blowback, I never yelled at a junior. I guess I also have a decent home life, so crapping on a kid would not bring me much pleasure either. And I always just skate by at work, so I guess I never cared enough about the work to actually get mad.

But how come all these VPs and directors feel so confident to degrade juniors?

Don’t banks have 360 reviews? Or is it just my BB?

pack it up buddy you're cooked 

Employers are like dating. You have a little dance to get the offer. When you commit to a relationship or a job, you have some fights for some people. You make up or you break up. If you really need the money, I'd have a heart to heart with the VP and put childish things aside. It was just a low blow argumentative stance by him, maybe he was out of line, but maybe you should also suck it up. It's just a job, this isn't your wife or kids rubbing you the wrong way.

This is a key point in your career where you can rise above and become a good politician. Invite the VP out for drinks, but say drinks are on him (jokingly but serious). Get hammered together, have some laughs. We are all human beings. Everyone has problems and makes mistakes. 

pulling VP aside and setting boundaries on behavior - good

threatening bodily harm - beyond stupid

Respect. I say just ride it out. Why fold the cards prematurely? If they’re gonna can you let them can you. Set yourself up strategically with a letter of rec from somebody else that agrees he’s a dick and then if it happens then whatever you’re good to move on.

Get some rest. If you still want to find a different role start doing that and quiet quit, make them fire you and if they dont give you proper severance you can drop some hints of legal action and test waters - this is a he said vs he said situation. The VP will also be considered a dumbass for this situation, it doesn't reflect well on anyone.  He is not in the clear. 

Finance is full of total losers, these aren’t the brightest minds and many have unhealthy life outlooks. People think they are smarter than they are in finance bc they get highly distilled info and think they understand an industry well, they are full of amateur speak and bullshit. 

 You sound like you'd do better in an environment that is less psychotic and less full of retards, you may find that in some more chill roles like AM or you may just need to get an MBA and go to a decent company that takes behaviors and soft skills seriously. They do exist, outside of  finance. 

Good luck. Its ok to fuck up early in your career, but you have to learn from it and move on. 
 

ALWAYS play the game. ALWAYS.

If this isn't bait then rest up and chill. 

If he wants to get you fired, maybe he will be able to then it doesn't matter.

If he doesn't, then you'll stay on. He's probably just as scared as you. You will look really good if you can get past this (and you'll probably always have something on this VP). 

I'd suggest having a 1-1, say the team is obviously under a lot of pressure but it's in everyone's interest to work together cohesively. In that spirit, accept his apology and agree to move forward. 

If you can find it in yourself to forgive not only will you make life easier for yourself, but you'll set an example of professionalism. 

If he does it again then I'd suggest uppercut.

You do need to recognize what a serious mistake you made. The office environment has changed, and even a slight whisper that you suggested workplace violence will send any reputable employer running away from you. HR will only confirm dates of employment and salary,  but things like this have a way of getting out. You would be wise to apologize and recognize that you crossed a line, even if you were goaded I to it.

For him to report you to HR and/or fire you, he would have to detail what he said to you in front of the group--making him look like a shitty leader. 

You are probably safe.

I have never being spoken to in that manner at an employer but a threat of physical violence is not the appropriate response.

Sit down with him 1-1 when you get back and own up to your mistake as well, and that you want to move forward.

There is a reason why teams in the military are tight-knit, and it isn't because there is no friction or conflict. This may bring the two of you closer. 

Hire an assassin 

You dropped your 👑 king

I think you messed up by threatening him. You can’t do that in a place of work (even if some of these folks do need to get chin checked for the first time in your life).

I’d take the day or 2 off to cool off and then talk to the VP. I’d say you should apologize for the way your response went and that was due to sheer exhaustion and stress, but emphasize you will not tolerate disrespect. This is a professional environment and we are all adults who deserve basic respect, even when people are unhappy with performance. You were right to not tolerate what he was doing.

I did the a similar thing the night before printing a pitch when the MD was yelling at us at 4AM (after 2 weeks straight of 4AM nights) cuz the deck wasn’t in a good spot. I didn’t threaten, but I did firmly stop his tirade as I refuse to be yelled at. I was then no longer on the circle ups the rest do the night, but that’s fine. I do feel bad for the first year who had to handle the rants the rest of the night tho.

You should be able to tolerate a verbal meltdown without physically threatening someone.

And your VP shouldn't be responding to your threat with an apology.  

I hope someone more senior finds out and replaces you both with adults.

(redacted)

Don’t respond so they don’t have receipts. All you need is the apology. If he’s been a continuous A-hole to you, I’d rat him out tbh

why don’t ppl ever drop the firm name or hint which one it is so ppl can avoid this culture? even if most of them are high demand there’s always gonna be better firms to steer to.

Agree with what Isaiah said. Per the update, invite him to drinks and talk it out clear the air. It's an act of good faith and you extending this olive branch will make him build some trust in your relationship again.

The only thing I'll add is you should not quit if you like the work and want to be in the industry long-term. These assholes that can't control themselves and berate people generally wash out or get rightfully ID'd as MF's that no one wants to work with or for (I know these people exist and are prevalent)

Get some rest, ride it out, and evaluate your options. Don't do this guy the courtesy of quitting. Worst case - find another job and then torch this dude in your exit. 

delete