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Teacher Can’t Hide The Joy After Sneaky Coworker Steals Her Job, Only To Get A Harsh Reality Check
Woman in black checkered dress stressed indoors near whiteboard with notes, illustrating job comeuppance concept.
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Teacher Can’t Hide The Joy After Sneaky Coworker Steals Her Job, Only To Get A Harsh Reality Check

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Every loyal employee aspires to reach the mountaintop of their chosen career. Those who do it right will work diligently until they reach the summit. But some would rather take a shortcut to the top, even if it means sabotaging a colleague’s career.

This is what a teacher did when she misled her superior and ultimately stole her coworker’s leadership position. However, she soon realized that she wasn’t fit for the job’s obligations as she struggled through every step like an amateur. 

Meanwhile, her colleague got to enjoy a lighter workload as she cheekily shared the story online. 

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    Some employees take an unethical approach to their job, all for the sake of getting ahead

    Stressed woman standing in office holding her head, reflecting on the comeuppance of colleague who stole her job.

    Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

    A teacher experienced this with one of her colleagues, who took advantage of her hearing disorder

    Woman sits back watching the comeuppance of colleague who stole her job, reflecting on workplace struggle and justice.

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    Woman reflecting on colleague who stole her job, enjoying the comeuppance after a difficult workplace experience.

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    Text excerpt introducing Tenny, a well-liked tennis coach, before the story about a colleague who stole her job unfolds.

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    While she did lose her leadership role to her manipulative coworker, she did get the last laugh

    Text excerpt showing a woman discussing losing her leader position due to inconsistency and disrespect toward colleagues.

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    Workplace vultures aren’t held accountable for their actions

    Woman sitting back at office meeting table, watching colleague who stole her job shake hands with a man.

    Image credits: pexels (not the actual photo)

    Experts have a term for people like Tenny in the story: workplace vultures. As the name suggests, these are the manipulative and opportunistic employees who do everything for their career gain, even if it means stepping on someone else’s toes. 

    Here’s the thing: workplace vultures typically get away with their behavior. According to psychotherapist and executive coach Joan Kingsley, upper management may choose to look the other way because these toxic employees “are contributing to the bottom line.” 

    “They may be very good ‘yes people,’ people-pleasers, so they know how to please their bosses,” Kingsley told SHRM.

    In other cases, companies tend to tolerate such destructive actions because of financial constraints. As business consultant Allison Carmen explains, the cost of recruiting, severance, and lawyers is an expense the company would rather not incur. 

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    Entrepreneur and former Shark Tank guest Matt Higgins refers to this kind of employee as the “hijacker.” As he told Inc., these people are often troubled by their colleagues’ successes because they want it all for themselves. 

    When handling a hijacker, Higgins advises being assertive. As he explains, the person will be less likely to mess with someone who exudes confidence. 

    Dr. Heidi Brooks, an organizational behavior lecturer at the Yale School of Management, advises against escalating the situation to a point where things can get heated. She emphasizes the importance of staying calm and professional and avoiding emotional outbursts. 

    “It’s their character and integrity at stake, not yours,” Dr. Brooks said. “Beware of how much the messages of a bully can get under your skin and get internalized. Stay grounded.”

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    The author deserves credit for handling the situation the way she did. She let karma do its thing, and it did deliver. It also likely taught Tenny a valuable lesson on sabotaging others for her own gain, and she would be dealing with the fallout for a while. 

    People in the comments expressed joy in Tenny’s struggle

    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation where users discuss workplace challenges related to job theft and comeuppance.

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    Conversation about woman’s colleague who stole her job and the importance of filing ADA accommodations early.

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    Woman reflects on her easy retirement job while witnessing the comeuppance of colleague who stole her job.

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    Poll Question

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    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Read less »
    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Rugilė Baltrunaitė

    Rugilė Baltrunaitė

    Author, Community member

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    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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    Rugilė Baltrunaitė

    Rugilė Baltrunaitė

    Author, Community member

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    What do you think ?
    Paul C.
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was a self employed carpet fitter and the company I contracted to most, serviced a lot of nursing homes, including a cancer hospice. Taking up and removing old carpets with multiple "spillages" was unpleasant. A surgical mask was of the upmost importance, so I negotiated a higher rate for the work as no one else wanted to do it. Another fitter heard of the better rates and insisted on taking some of the work. He did one room and removed himself from the contract!

    The Starsong Princess
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Op should have said “this is a very reasonable accommodation for my disability, but I suppose we can take it up formally under ADA” and then waited for a response.

    walkabout
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the public school arena I think that what she did was best. There are plenty of battles to choose from; fight the ones that have meaning to the mission as well as your own mental health. Often the thing you’re fighting against is built on sand.

    Load More Comments
    Paul C.
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was a self employed carpet fitter and the company I contracted to most, serviced a lot of nursing homes, including a cancer hospice. Taking up and removing old carpets with multiple "spillages" was unpleasant. A surgical mask was of the upmost importance, so I negotiated a higher rate for the work as no one else wanted to do it. Another fitter heard of the better rates and insisted on taking some of the work. He did one room and removed himself from the contract!

    The Starsong Princess
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Op should have said “this is a very reasonable accommodation for my disability, but I suppose we can take it up formally under ADA” and then waited for a response.

    walkabout
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the public school arena I think that what she did was best. There are plenty of battles to choose from; fight the ones that have meaning to the mission as well as your own mental health. Often the thing you’re fighting against is built on sand.

    Load More Comments
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