‘I See How This Could Come Off As Offensive’: South Carolina Man Takes His Owala Water Bottle To Work. Then He Gets Fired Over The Camping Sticker On It

Losing your job can throw your entire life off balance. One day you’re paying rent and showing up for work, and the next you’re wondering how you’ll keep a roof over your head.

According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness has risen by 19.2% since 2007, with a record 771,480 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024.

The report cites the housing crisis, inflation, and stagnating wages as some of the main drivers behind that surge.

For many people, that terrifying spiral starts with a firing. That’s something a South Carolina man says just happened to him, making him question what his future now holds.

‘Just Got Fired Today Over A Sticker On My Water Bottle’

Greer, South Carolina-based TikToker Joshua Harbin (@theharbinator) shared an emotional video explaining how a sticker on his water bottle allegedly cost him his job. The clip has been viewed more than 130,200 times.

“I’m probably not in the best mindset to make this video right now, but I just wanted to be transparent with everybody,” Harbin begins. “I just lost my job.”

He says he’d only been at the company for a few weeks when a co-worker noticed his water bottle.

“I’ve had this paracord cover that I made for my Yeti bottle for a very long time,” he says, explaining he made it to keep the bottle protected but also to cover a sticker a previous work colleague had complained about before.

“I can see how this could come off as offensive, but it’s referencing a camper,” he explains. He then reveals the sticker. It reads, “I hate pulling out.”

“Woman at my most recent job was asking about this,” he continues. “I told her that exact same story. She said, ‘Let me see.’”

When he showed the colleague the sticker, she allegedly didn’t mind it. “She laughed and said, ‘I don’t find that offensive,’” he explains. “That was over three weeks ago. Nothing else was said.”

Is It Really About The Sticker?

Two days before the firing, however, Harbin says he stood up to his immediate supervisor. He says his supervisor had approached him “cursing and yelling and screaming.” “I told my immediate supervisor that if he didn’t know how to come to work to speak to people with kindness, that he should step down,” he says.

After that exchange, Harbin says things changed quickly.

“That was two days ago. And then all of a sudden today I was let go because of this sticker,” he says. “They told me it was a no-tolerance environment.”

Now, Harbin says he’s trying to pick up the pieces. “I’ve put in eight applications in the past 30 minutes. And I’m about to apply for unemployment and keep digging,” he says.

“Just got fired today over a sticker on my water bottle. I won’t name names, but this one stings,” he added in the caption. “I’ve worked hard, showed up, and tried to be real every step of the way. If you’ve ever been blindsided or felt replaceable, you’re not alone. I’m not done. Not even close. I’m just tired of surviving.”

His Story Isn’t Uncommon

Harbin’s experience isn’t unique. On Reddit, users have shared similar stories of being fired or disciplined over shirts, stickers, and other personal items deemed inappropriate.

Harbin’s experience echoes similar stories shared online by workers who say they were disciplined or terminated over personal expression at work.

On r/camphalfblood, one user described being written up at a grocery store for wearing an orange “Camp Half-Blood” T‑shirt from the Percy Jackson book series. “My manager claims coworkers think I’m wearing ‘a white nationalist t‑shirt,’” they wrote, explaining that only the words “half blood” were visible under their apron.

In another post on r/coworkerstories, a Redditor said they were fired for placing a satirical sticker in a staff washroom that read, “EMPLOYEES MUST STOP CRYING BEFORE RETURNING TO WORK.” Despite allegedly receiving the go‑ahead from HR, they said their boss terminated them on the spot.

Commenters Offer Support

In the comments, users were on Harbin’s side, offering him words of empathy and support.

“When 1 door closes another opens …. U will find something so much better,” one user wrote.

“I don’t know you, but keep your head up. I’m sorry for all of what’s happening to you, remember all your followers and likers are following your journey dude,” another said. “They used the sticker as a cover up, none of it’s your fault. Keep your head up high and keep fighting all these battles in your life. You’re doing great.”

Others gave their advice. “Wrongful termination lawyer asap,” one suggested.

“File for unemployment immediately. No HR means they more than likely won’t fight the claim. If they do they more than likely will not be sided with, and if they do you appeal every decision. You are here for a reason do not give up, blue collar is hard enough, keep your head up,” another added.

Harbin has previously shared that he’s supporting his son and has started a fundraiser to help stay afloat while he searches for a new job.

BroBible has reached out to Harbin via TikTok direct messages.