Boss Criticizes Employee With Broken Bones For Sitting On A Stool, Changes His Tone Immediately When He Quits
The job industry and the work conditions that employees are subjected to can sometimes feel dystopian, soulless, and robotic, without a scrap of empathy to be found when you need it most. As it turns out, for some managers, technicalities and strictly following procedures are far more important than the health of the employees themselves.
That’s exactly what redditor u/hestolemysmile proved when he shared how he quit his job after getting criticized by his boss for sitting on a stool… even though he had two broken bones in his foot. You’ll find the full text message exchange below, Pandas.
The redditor also had an update for everyone after his post on the r/antiwork subreddit went absolutely viral. It was the top-awarded post on Reddit, got a whopping 235k upvotes (and counting!), and got more awards than we can count. The amount of support redditors gave the author of the post is astounding and is likely to restore at least part of your faith in humanity.
A fulfillment warehouse worker with two broken bones went viral after sharing what happened when he sat on a stool at work
Image credits: hestolemysmile
Here are the messages that made the employee quit his job immediately
Image credits: hestolemysmile
The most astonishing part of the entire story might be the fact that redditor u/hestolemysmile managed to not only get all of his work done with two broken bones but he was also the top-performing employee in the fulfillment warehouse that day.
However, for the redditor’s boss, the fact that he sat on a stool was seemingly more important than being efficient and comfortable. Frankly, it’s no surprise that the author of the post decided to quit then and there. While making big career decisions can be scary, it was very obvious that the redditor felt relief after he quit: “I’m done being bullied by anyone… People like my former boss and family treat people like they own them, and it’s our responsibility to show them that they absolutely do not.”
Luckily, the redditor has enough savings squirreled away that he’ll be able to keep food on the table for a few months while he makes the transition into another, better career path. In fact, he told Reddit that he’s already applied to a few places, but will take a week off to get some rest, spend time with his family, and clean up the park near his home.
The most magical thing? Redditors have been sending the author actual job offers! It’s moments like this that really make you realize that the internet can be a force for good and that online communities like Reddit have the power to change the world for the better, when they’re at their best and most empathetic.
Quite a few people have been thinking about changing up their careers, even if their current jobs aren’t terrible. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a lot of creative burnout and some people simply want a change. Just last week, I reached out to Twitter user Kierra who helps people pivot into tech, especially data-related roles. She opened up to Bored Panda about how she’s been feeling about her job recently.
“I’ve been working in this current position for some years and I’ve been looking for a change. The work isn’t terrible, but I’m not quite as interested in what I’m doing as when I first started. I feel as though others might be feeling the same way. COVID has been rough on everyone in some aspect of life, even if it’s just burnout. So many people are tired of being stuck in their pandemic routines and want a fresh start, something new and exciting… or even freeing.”
According to Kierra, whether or not someone should quit their jobs depends on the individual circumstances of the job. If things are truly toxic, you should get out ASAP. Otherwise, you should consider looking for a new job while still at your old one, for various reasons.
“I always recommend people to look for a job while they are at their current role, mainly for job security and financial reasons. Searching for a new role can take some time and quitting a role cold turkey without any savings can make the job hunt even more stressful,” she told Bored Panda.
However, if you’re in a toxic workplace environment that’s causing a lot of mental and physical strain, you should move on as soon as you can. “I consider that a different situation and I would advise one to leave as soon as they can. Your health is always more important than a job.”
Reddit users have been incredibly supportive of the employee. Here’s what they had to say
Meanwhile, internet users shared their own similar experiences at work
I can't believe the US thinks it's the best country in the world and doesn't even allow workers to sit down during shifts.
American here, the greatest country in the world my ass. The only people who matter are the rich.
Load More Replies...You know, in the UK, the cashiers have chairs. They can sit, stand, switch. Our groceries still get scanned through just the same.
It makes no sense to force retail workers to stand. They act like it "looks unprofessional" to sit, but go to a corporate office or bank -- the receptionist or bankers will be sitting.
Load More Replies...In Europe everyone sits down at checkouts. Bloody ridiculous that it's like a badge of honour in the US that you have stand all day.
Not a badge of honor at all, in fact quite the opposite. Just submission to sadistic assholes for a paycheck.
Load More Replies...I am sickened by the idea that someone with a broken foot is not only NOT being given paid time off to heal, but is being spied on after the fact by someone who only cares about a meaningless rule, and gives no thought to the worker or his achievements. I use Amazon a lot, but man, would I support it if all those warehouse workers walked out and didn't come back. Some don't get breaks at all, and some get toilet or food breaks so short that they have to actually run there and back to be on time. It's disgusting.
When I worked at Whirlpool call center, they were more concerned with stats then actually helping the customer. They have what is called "save a call" which is a nice way of saying you verbally pat the customer on the head and sent them on their way without really addressing their issue. I, on the other hand, got reprimanded for long call times because I took the time to solve their problems. When confronted with this, I asked the manager why I got high praises from customers (proof because they left compliments on our customer feedback line) and did he have any information as to how many of my customers called back with further complaints. Companies are no longer interested in customer satisfaction or employee performance...it's all about numbers and saving money for the big bosses bonuses. I'm glad I work somewhere now where helping the customer is not only appreciated, employee comfort and happiness is also a priority.
I got in trouble for longer call times once when we had a micromanager in charge. I was a sales manager for a financial company and outsold every other sales person there. Sales is a relationship business. Micromanager got fired not long after. He caused so much problems in morale and complaint added up. I won the sales manager award for outselling everyone in the west coast (several offices,) while being the only woman on team.
Load More Replies...I'm not really sure why people think your work is somehow worse because you're sitting down. If anything, this shows that your work is better when sitting down.
Working in manufacturing in the early 2000's, they deemed chairs on the line unacceptable. A couple co-workers and I went to the office and took THEIR chairs, and hid them. Hilarity ensued. Bosses were NOT amused (Union shop)
Good! Boss sits the whole time in his comfortable chair but his employees can not sit a minute. So wrong!
Load More Replies...I had a boss watch me on camera, every single day. For hours. Whenever I looked at my phone, he called the store. If I closed my eyes longer than a microsecond, he would call the store. If I was doing my work, he would call just to tell me to redo everything. I waited for our Christmas event where hundreds of customers were flowing through the door. I was the only cashier while my boss got tipsy. Of course it's Christmas so everyone thinks they are entitled. Making me mad on purpose. So I put my coat on and I left without saying a word. They lost a lot of product that night. They had contacted me saying it was my fault. But I never even bothered calling back to hear the sob story.
Reminds me of the time I got written up for not wearing my uniform (it was just a shirt with the store logo on it) at my department store job. It was the weekend and I wasn't working. I was shopping.
Crazy! There must be people who are so satisfied when they can write up someone.
Load More Replies...I took early retirement this March, year and a half early. I was getting no help w/ intern who would not mask properly, from boss, or union, among other things. The stress of the job, The lack of respect from grad students, just made me realize I was so over this job. ex Boss still hasn't forgiven me. We were friends 27 years. I guess that's over. It hurts. But the stress is way down.
Maybe not. I worked at Nintendo of America's call center and they were the same way about time off during the holidays. We did make time and a half though....
Load More Replies...Hitting "Send" after that last text must have been positively orgasmic.
People, please look into ALL the evidence before you make a knee jerk jump to conclusions. This manager should’ve checked with everyone around this employee to see if there was a good reason for him to sit. Then factor in his productivity while sitting before you even consider calling to yell at him during his off hours—-which in itself was wrong, as the manager could have waited until the guy came in to work to discuss it (and not do so in front of other employees), whereby he would’ve seen for himself that they guy had a broken foot. A little fact-checking could’ve avoided this whole situation.
This reminds me of when I told my boss I was being admitted to the hospital for preterm labor. 2 days later I got a snotty email about her expectations that employees call out sick each day they are unable to show up to work. We work in the hospital, she is a nurse and she still didn’t connect the dots: preterm labor + a supervisor sending out a birth announcement = I’m on maternity leave right now.
Amazon, right? Must be. Only they have such a shitty attitude and absolutely NO respect for people who work for them.
People Don't care. They only care about money and it seems like hurting others as well. Well a lot of people anyway. It's just sad and it's never going to change.
Honestly, it begs the question as to why so many people are forced to stand all day. I think about this for checkout clerks. What is the point in not having a stool available for them throughout the day?
Sales numbers and perceived business culture by the customer. You want to buy from the clean store where the employees are busy cleaning and on their feet - not the one with the butcher asleep and drooling into the meat. That's the reason, not saying it's a good one
Load More Replies...Only in the US are people expected to stand for their entire shift. Here in Spain, unless your job directly involves standing/walking around, you are allowed to sit.
Hahahahaha. Nah, not only in the US. Most of the world has worse work with longer hours and worse pay.
Load More Replies...There is an attitude amongst the manufacturing community that, if an employee is sitting down they are not working their hardest. If you are sitting, you are loafing. Total BS and management loves it.
That boss should have checked his performance before he got in his face. His performance was better sitting down. HR should really should have notified the boss about the broken foot too. That's something the supervisor should be aware of. He was smart to quit. I'd be concerned about losing health insurance since he's got an injury. Same with the pregnant woman.
In my 20s I was preg. Worked at Krystal's (White Castle knock off) nights. One manager hated that I leaned against the sink while I did dishes. She threatened to write me up Every time. Finally the GM got it out of her that she didn't like how my big ass looked leaned over. Like wtf, chick?
That's crazy. An employee with broken bones is forced to work when they should remain on sick leave until their bones heal, and now manager is mad that they sit on a stool.
The classic "I'm unsecure, probably because I'm under-/un-qualifed to be a manager, so instead of learning and leading i'll be a micromangeing nitpicking asshole which is the only thing I know how to do."
I am a little confused. Did he not have a cast on his foot? Was he not using crutches? That stuff should have been visible on the camera.
It's entirely possible his foot was hidden by a counter or whatever work surface he had and his crutches were off camera or hidden by the same work surface. Or the boss was so hyperfocused on OMG THIS EMPLOYEE IS SITTING that he didn't see the obvious.
Load More Replies...WhennI first started in banking our branch manager threatened to take away the seats behind the teller line if people sat while performing transactions. A real company drone.
I've worked in a few different banks over the past 10 years. All of them told us not to sit unless we were in the office. It's so lame.
Load More Replies...Someone's overly defensive and passive-aggressive attitude shows a lack of professionalism. Especially since he's got a family to support. The boss had every right to question. This asshat decided to escalate too quickly and disrespect his boss, then seek approval for his terrible behavior.
This isn't surprising at all. Have you ever worked a job where the majority of employees slacked off and just 'looked busy' anytime the boss was around? In a productivity-based environment reviewing CCTV footage is more "useful" than walking around because you can watch it at 10x speed and see just how much slacking off was happening. Micromanagers love to focus on irrelevant details, especially when their personal preferences are concerned. My boss suffered a weeklong fixation on the strip of magnets I installed above my workstation to hold my most-used tools, in spite of there being no rule against it, and no reason NOT to have it.
Load More Replies...I can't believe the US thinks it's the best country in the world and doesn't even allow workers to sit down during shifts.
American here, the greatest country in the world my ass. The only people who matter are the rich.
Load More Replies...You know, in the UK, the cashiers have chairs. They can sit, stand, switch. Our groceries still get scanned through just the same.
It makes no sense to force retail workers to stand. They act like it "looks unprofessional" to sit, but go to a corporate office or bank -- the receptionist or bankers will be sitting.
Load More Replies...In Europe everyone sits down at checkouts. Bloody ridiculous that it's like a badge of honour in the US that you have stand all day.
Not a badge of honor at all, in fact quite the opposite. Just submission to sadistic assholes for a paycheck.
Load More Replies...I am sickened by the idea that someone with a broken foot is not only NOT being given paid time off to heal, but is being spied on after the fact by someone who only cares about a meaningless rule, and gives no thought to the worker or his achievements. I use Amazon a lot, but man, would I support it if all those warehouse workers walked out and didn't come back. Some don't get breaks at all, and some get toilet or food breaks so short that they have to actually run there and back to be on time. It's disgusting.
When I worked at Whirlpool call center, they were more concerned with stats then actually helping the customer. They have what is called "save a call" which is a nice way of saying you verbally pat the customer on the head and sent them on their way without really addressing their issue. I, on the other hand, got reprimanded for long call times because I took the time to solve their problems. When confronted with this, I asked the manager why I got high praises from customers (proof because they left compliments on our customer feedback line) and did he have any information as to how many of my customers called back with further complaints. Companies are no longer interested in customer satisfaction or employee performance...it's all about numbers and saving money for the big bosses bonuses. I'm glad I work somewhere now where helping the customer is not only appreciated, employee comfort and happiness is also a priority.
I got in trouble for longer call times once when we had a micromanager in charge. I was a sales manager for a financial company and outsold every other sales person there. Sales is a relationship business. Micromanager got fired not long after. He caused so much problems in morale and complaint added up. I won the sales manager award for outselling everyone in the west coast (several offices,) while being the only woman on team.
Load More Replies...I'm not really sure why people think your work is somehow worse because you're sitting down. If anything, this shows that your work is better when sitting down.
Working in manufacturing in the early 2000's, they deemed chairs on the line unacceptable. A couple co-workers and I went to the office and took THEIR chairs, and hid them. Hilarity ensued. Bosses were NOT amused (Union shop)
Good! Boss sits the whole time in his comfortable chair but his employees can not sit a minute. So wrong!
Load More Replies...I had a boss watch me on camera, every single day. For hours. Whenever I looked at my phone, he called the store. If I closed my eyes longer than a microsecond, he would call the store. If I was doing my work, he would call just to tell me to redo everything. I waited for our Christmas event where hundreds of customers were flowing through the door. I was the only cashier while my boss got tipsy. Of course it's Christmas so everyone thinks they are entitled. Making me mad on purpose. So I put my coat on and I left without saying a word. They lost a lot of product that night. They had contacted me saying it was my fault. But I never even bothered calling back to hear the sob story.
Reminds me of the time I got written up for not wearing my uniform (it was just a shirt with the store logo on it) at my department store job. It was the weekend and I wasn't working. I was shopping.
Crazy! There must be people who are so satisfied when they can write up someone.
Load More Replies...I took early retirement this March, year and a half early. I was getting no help w/ intern who would not mask properly, from boss, or union, among other things. The stress of the job, The lack of respect from grad students, just made me realize I was so over this job. ex Boss still hasn't forgiven me. We were friends 27 years. I guess that's over. It hurts. But the stress is way down.
Maybe not. I worked at Nintendo of America's call center and they were the same way about time off during the holidays. We did make time and a half though....
Load More Replies...Hitting "Send" after that last text must have been positively orgasmic.
People, please look into ALL the evidence before you make a knee jerk jump to conclusions. This manager should’ve checked with everyone around this employee to see if there was a good reason for him to sit. Then factor in his productivity while sitting before you even consider calling to yell at him during his off hours—-which in itself was wrong, as the manager could have waited until the guy came in to work to discuss it (and not do so in front of other employees), whereby he would’ve seen for himself that they guy had a broken foot. A little fact-checking could’ve avoided this whole situation.
This reminds me of when I told my boss I was being admitted to the hospital for preterm labor. 2 days later I got a snotty email about her expectations that employees call out sick each day they are unable to show up to work. We work in the hospital, she is a nurse and she still didn’t connect the dots: preterm labor + a supervisor sending out a birth announcement = I’m on maternity leave right now.
Amazon, right? Must be. Only they have such a shitty attitude and absolutely NO respect for people who work for them.
People Don't care. They only care about money and it seems like hurting others as well. Well a lot of people anyway. It's just sad and it's never going to change.
Honestly, it begs the question as to why so many people are forced to stand all day. I think about this for checkout clerks. What is the point in not having a stool available for them throughout the day?
Sales numbers and perceived business culture by the customer. You want to buy from the clean store where the employees are busy cleaning and on their feet - not the one with the butcher asleep and drooling into the meat. That's the reason, not saying it's a good one
Load More Replies...Only in the US are people expected to stand for their entire shift. Here in Spain, unless your job directly involves standing/walking around, you are allowed to sit.
Hahahahaha. Nah, not only in the US. Most of the world has worse work with longer hours and worse pay.
Load More Replies...There is an attitude amongst the manufacturing community that, if an employee is sitting down they are not working their hardest. If you are sitting, you are loafing. Total BS and management loves it.
That boss should have checked his performance before he got in his face. His performance was better sitting down. HR should really should have notified the boss about the broken foot too. That's something the supervisor should be aware of. He was smart to quit. I'd be concerned about losing health insurance since he's got an injury. Same with the pregnant woman.
In my 20s I was preg. Worked at Krystal's (White Castle knock off) nights. One manager hated that I leaned against the sink while I did dishes. She threatened to write me up Every time. Finally the GM got it out of her that she didn't like how my big ass looked leaned over. Like wtf, chick?
That's crazy. An employee with broken bones is forced to work when they should remain on sick leave until their bones heal, and now manager is mad that they sit on a stool.
The classic "I'm unsecure, probably because I'm under-/un-qualifed to be a manager, so instead of learning and leading i'll be a micromangeing nitpicking asshole which is the only thing I know how to do."
I am a little confused. Did he not have a cast on his foot? Was he not using crutches? That stuff should have been visible on the camera.
It's entirely possible his foot was hidden by a counter or whatever work surface he had and his crutches were off camera or hidden by the same work surface. Or the boss was so hyperfocused on OMG THIS EMPLOYEE IS SITTING that he didn't see the obvious.
Load More Replies...WhennI first started in banking our branch manager threatened to take away the seats behind the teller line if people sat while performing transactions. A real company drone.
I've worked in a few different banks over the past 10 years. All of them told us not to sit unless we were in the office. It's so lame.
Load More Replies...Someone's overly defensive and passive-aggressive attitude shows a lack of professionalism. Especially since he's got a family to support. The boss had every right to question. This asshat decided to escalate too quickly and disrespect his boss, then seek approval for his terrible behavior.
This isn't surprising at all. Have you ever worked a job where the majority of employees slacked off and just 'looked busy' anytime the boss was around? In a productivity-based environment reviewing CCTV footage is more "useful" than walking around because you can watch it at 10x speed and see just how much slacking off was happening. Micromanagers love to focus on irrelevant details, especially when their personal preferences are concerned. My boss suffered a weeklong fixation on the strip of magnets I installed above my workstation to hold my most-used tools, in spite of there being no rule against it, and no reason NOT to have it.
Load More Replies...
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