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Leading other people is as much a noble pursuit as it is a great responsibility. Any employee hopes to work with a manager who helps them develop new skills, prosper at work, and strive for success. But unfortunately, a good boss is rarely a given. The world’s chock full of leaders who start to pressure, exploit, and micromanage workers as soon as they get the tiniest amount of power.

Some even reach new lows by enforcing outrageous office rules, demeaning their workers, and downright making their life a living hell. Well, if we can all agree on one thing, there’s only so much an employee can take. Many frustrated souls who had the "pleasure" of dealing with an out-of-touch boss make sure to document their toxic antics and rightfully shame them online.

We at Bored Panda scoured the internet and compiled a collection of extremely infuriating notes and messages bosses had the audacity to display at work. So sit back, pull your chair closer, and get ready to feel your blood boil as you continue scrolling through this list. Keep reading to also find an interview with a nationally recognized career coach, Kristina Leonardi. Then be sure to upvote the signs you see as completely irrational and share your own encounters with delusional managers right below in the comments.

Psst! If you think you can handle even more workplace madness, check out Part 1 of this feature right here.

#1

Just Turn It Off

Just Turn It Off

Smil3yAngel , twitter.com Report

#2

Shout Out The Worst Place I Ever Worked (Minimum Wage, Of Course)

Shout Out The Worst Place I Ever Worked (Minimum Wage, Of Course)

MinionsAndWineMum Report

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fu yu
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a prime example of lack of knowledge. If this tacky note was written in the U.S. it violates labor laws

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#3

At My Significant Other’s Workplace (Which Is Also My Old Workplace) Absolutely Terrifying

At My Significant Other’s Workplace (Which Is Also My Old Workplace) Absolutely Terrifying

RedQueen303 Report

How many times have you heard, "People leave managers, not companies"? Whether you believe it or not, there’s a grain of truth in this old adage. In fact, according to a survey from GoodHire, a leading provider of employment and background screening services, this is the very reason that pushes workers to hand in their resignation letters.

In the report, the researchers surveyed a total of 3,000 full-time American workers, an equal number across ten of the most popular job sectors, to better understand manager-employee relationship dynamics. The results show that while 70% of employees revealed they strongly enjoy or somewhat enjoy working for their manager, 82% said they might quit their job because of a bad one.

#4

My Boss (Gun Store) Put This Up In Break Room Today

My Boss (Gun Store) Put This Up In Break Room Today

xenomoog Report

#5

I Work For USPS. Corporate Likes To Send Out Messages Almost Every Day To Carriers. This Was The Message Today

I Work For USPS. Corporate Likes To Send Out Messages Almost Every Day To Carriers. This Was The Message Today

pyromat1k Report

#6

Found This Sign At A Local Dinner. Decided To Eat Somewhere Else. Sounds Like A Horrible Place To Work

Found This Sign At A Local Dinner. Decided To Eat Somewhere Else. Sounds Like A Horrible Place To Work

ima_lesbean Report

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To learn more about horrible bosses and how their behaviors affect the well-being of their staff, we reached out to Kristina Leonardi, a holistic career coach, personal growth expert, speaker, and author of Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower the Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul. She explained that more often than not, a bad manager is the root cause of a worker’s departure.

"When reviewing their work history, many of my clients were happy with their jobs and, for example, would rate the actual role a 7 or 8 (on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best). But it would come down to a 3 or 4 almost always because of issues with their boss. In other words, they might have really liked their role and function and would have stayed there, but the toxic environment created by their manager is what made them leave," Leonardi told Bored Panda.

#7

I Can’t Remember If This Has Been Posted Before But Gotta Love Their Motivation Technique

I Can’t Remember If This Has Been Posted Before But Gotta Love Their Motivation Technique

fatninjainvegas Report

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KJ
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So they want you to rob your own workplace to make extra cash, great advice.

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#9

He Hasn't Even Been Dead A Week

He Hasn't Even Been Dead A Week

IceCreamManwhich Report

The career coach pointed out there are different levels of toxic bosses. "Some behaviors are more benign albeit annoying, like micromanaging. Others are more obvious and heinous — like having no boundaries, gaslighting or being disrespectful or verbally, physically emotionally, or sexually abusive."

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Every employee has at least one story about an awful supervisor. But the dire reality is that bad managers are abundant, and they have the power to turn a potentially fulfilling work environment into an enormous misery. More alarmingly, they can take a toll on our well-being. Leonardi explained that leaders who opt for negative behaviors at work can lead to employees having depression, anxiety, poor physical health, and low self-esteem. "Having a toxic boss creates additional stress and stress can cause or trigger a variety of illnesses, both mentally and physically," she added.

#10

My New Manager Wrote This Up Today. Non-Union Grocery Business In Ohio. What Are My Options? Is This Legal?

My New Manager Wrote This Up Today. Non-Union Grocery Business In Ohio. What Are My Options? Is This Legal?

jrbiff18 Report

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Donkey boi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. Take photo of notice. 2. Openly discuss pay with colleague in front of manager. 3. Record conversation with manager when they take disciplinary action. 4. Contact lawyer & file lawsuit.

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#11

Don't Worry We Won't

Don't Worry We Won't

EntrepreneurSolid Report

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PickleRick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll let my car look like I just drove it through a sewer before I'd use this car wash.

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#12

Great Sign To See Outside Your Hr Department

Great Sign To See Outside Your Hr Department

statiky Report

According to Leonardi, harmful behaviors should not be tolerated. "However, the problem is that people often can’t even see how toxic a situation is because they are on some level familiar with it," she added. This often means "they are playing out their family dynamics in their work situation, usually with their bosses filling in as their mother or father with the same patterns of personalities and interactions. So in a weird way, as bad as it might be, it’s what they are used to or comfortable with, which means they can’t always perceive it as being unacceptable and detrimental."

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#13

Bout That Life

Bout That Life

Shouldthavesaidthat Report

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PurpleDoople
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We get it, you sexually harassed your female employees until they quit after two weeks.

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#14

I’m Furious. This Email Was Sent To My Daughter About Discussing Pay Rates. What Are Next Options?

I’m Furious. This Email Was Sent To My Daughter About Discussing Pay Rates. What Are Next Options?

JoePatowski Report

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Nancy Martin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you are in the US this is illegal according to the Department of Labor. Most employers do not know labor laws.

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#15

I Got This From The Company I Work At In The Mail Today

I Got This From The Company I Work At In The Mail Today

turtlesinarace Report

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PickleRick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like some BS from grade school. Sadly, it's not.

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The GoodHire poll revealed that most employees in the American workforce feel irritated by a manager who is overbearing, micromanages, and expects them to work outside of working hours. When it comes to supervisor traits workers deem as positive, the responses were fairly simple — employees wish to have a boss who is authentic and honest. The researchers stressed, however, that "while quitting because of a bad manager is a huge and important decision, oftentimes those decisions are made because of consistent unhappiness at work.”

"Workplace dynamics have changed drastically," GoodHire’s COO, Max Wesman, said. "Now, employees have more leverage so managers need to step up and work on being better managers, and that includes showing empathy, improving transparency, and keeping the lines of communication open. Our survey is telling us that when employees aren’t satisfied, they’ll quit because they see the thriving job market and other opportunities available to them."

#16

Apparently My Manager Thinks This Is A "Motivational" Sign To Keep Up Morale In The Workplace

Apparently My Manager Thinks This Is A "Motivational" Sign To Keep Up Morale In The Workplace

WinnebagoWreckr Report

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LH25
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have that many employees in tears at work, they aren't the problem.

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#17

How About Paying A Living Wage?

How About Paying A Living Wage?

josolomo4 Report

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PickleRick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should have hired more staff with THEIR "handout". A huge portion of the relief went to businesses just like this with very little accountability. Apparently this business didn't use it to provide for employees.

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#18

Guarantee They Don’t Pay Enough. Pay More!

Guarantee They Don’t Pay Enough. Pay More!

TyrionsShadow Report

By now, you’ve probably heard about the great resignation — a quitting trend that doesn’t seem to quit. Feeling tired of being treated like a piece of machinery, employees started voluntarily leaving their positions in droves after the pandemic rattled the world. Well, it looks like the quitting spree shows no signs of slowing down. In June, another 3.9 million people moved their talents elsewhere in the US alone, all in search of better pay, better opportunities, and overall better treatment.

#19

This Is What My New Manager Handed Out At Her Introductory Meeting

This Is What My New Manager Handed Out At Her Introductory Meeting

WHOA_____ Report

#20

Found On Facebook

Found On Facebook

RDSHammer Report

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Mario Strada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the time they wrote this, we had had 4 years of "conservative values", incarnate in the Orange Mussolini.

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#21

This Sign At My Work. They Will Charge Staff For Anything As Minimal As A Broken Ice Cream Cone

This Sign At My Work. They Will Charge Staff For Anything As Minimal As A Broken Ice Cream Cone

whatthef__ck Report

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pink_panda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked at a restaurant where they tried to charge servers for broken glassware or missing tableware. These sort of losses over time are expected and it's illegal to dock a server's pay for them.

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However, some people may be lucky enough to love their jobs but unfortunate to be stuck with delusional bosses. If you can relate to any of the entries you find in this list, yet feel unsure of how to handle your out-of-touch supervisor, Leonardi had a few pieces of advice to share.

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"First of all, take responsibility and reflect on how you got yourself into that situation and/or how long you have endured it. Is the boss the person that hired you and were there any red flags that you ignored in the beginning? If you had no control over the boss you now have, were there opportunities to leave at any time?" The career coach stressed that taking responsibility is important. "That means if you had the power to get yourself into the situation, you have the power to get yourself out of it."

#22

This Slide From The Stanley Parable

This Slide From The Stanley Parable

bananadragonborn Report

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InvincibleRodent
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is satire, but the fact that it's more or less indistinguishable from the rest of the list is telling. (The Stanley Parable is a great game, btw. Really fun, everyone who hasn't played it yet should check it out.)

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#23

Found This Old Gem In My Camera Roll

Found This Old Gem In My Camera Roll

Happykittens Report

#24

Manager Instigating New “No Sitting” Policy - Work In Retail In UK, Nothing In Employee Handbook Or Contract To Say We Can’t Sit When There Is No Work To Be Done. Thoughts?

Manager Instigating New “No Sitting” Policy - Work In Retail In UK, Nothing In Employee Handbook Or Contract To Say We Can’t Sit When There Is No Work To Be Done. Thoughts?

GeorgiaMariaa Report

While it may seem like a tough lesson, it reminds you that you always have other options, Leonardi added. "Acknowledging the value that you bring and recognizing and honoring your own self-worth are often the underlying issues. Addressing that is often part of what the experience is trying to grow in you. Know that you are empowered to make better choices for yourself with the right perspective, strategy and professional help, if needed."

#25

My Girlfriends Last Job Has An Interesting Response To Quitting

My Girlfriends Last Job Has An Interesting Response To Quitting

Particular_Ticket_85 Report

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PickleRick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I smell legalities with this but I could be wrong. I will say though that when the national standard in the US for a tipped staff member is $2.13 an hour, and has been since the mid 80's, it's not a privilege. An employer should be shot for thinking or saying that it is. If they believe it is, that only shows why they shouldn't be in business.

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#26

Saw This While Shopping. This Is So Degrading

Saw This While Shopping. This Is So Degrading

Jynyvieve Report

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#27

Walked Into Upper Management’s Office Today And Found This Gem

Walked Into Upper Management’s Office Today And Found This Gem

Rickehr Report

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Anxiety Artist
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

11. Writing this 12. Managing 13. Skill 14. Paying better wages 15. Being nice 16. Working 18. Following your own rules 19. Following labor laws 20. Not being a dictator

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"Life is a classroom," Leonardi said. "It just so happens we spend most of our time and energy at our jobs. No matter what the situation, take a step back and reflect on what the universe is trying to teach or show you in order for you to break patterns and know your value. Then, you are able to get to a place where you can truly thrive."

#28

No Raises But We Know Times Are Tough. No One Got A Raise, But Hey They Got Ramen Noodles

No Raises But We Know Times Are Tough. No One Got A Raise, But Hey They Got Ramen Noodles

lovinit1010 Report

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Sue User
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine acknowleging that you pay so little that your employees need food assistance.

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#29

This Showed Up In An Obscure Corner Of The Hotel I Work At

This Showed Up In An Obscure Corner Of The Hotel I Work At

Toaster_Oven101 Report

#31

In 2013 I Worked At A Fro-Yo Shop Where The Owners Intensely Watched The Cameras; Store Has Since Closed

In 2013 I Worked At A Fro-Yo Shop Where The Owners Intensely Watched The Cameras; Store Has Since Closed

cosmicmae Report

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Jef Bateman
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked at a place with a demagogue of manager who was always trying to catch people doing the wrong thing. Everybody hated her, but the owners thought the place couldn't run without her. When she finally left, things cruised along just as well as before, and employee retention went way up. Micromanagers are bad for business.

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#32

I Posted A Bit Ago About An Antagonistic Sign, The Business Added Another One

I Posted A Bit Ago About An Antagonistic Sign, The Business Added Another One

IRideZs Report

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Firstname Lastname
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I may be sleep deprived, but reading "pizza family" made me picture calzones as the pregnant mommy pizzas that give birth to pizza rolls...

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#33

My Availability Has Always Been Strictly Mon-Fri. I Spoke To A Manager When I Saw This Sign And Was Told I Will Be Working That Day, Regardless Of My Availability

My Availability Has Always Been Strictly Mon-Fri. I Spoke To A Manager When I Saw This Sign And Was Told I Will Be Working That Day, Regardless Of My Availability

Clumsy_Cheeseburger Report

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keighterz
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right. But usually when companies have big events like inventory it’s still mandatory unless you have something like a doctor’s note or a funeral. Seems like this is just a generally known thing. Inventory requires all employees. My old workplace used to bring in temps for inventory because there’s just so much to do.

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#34

Verbal Warning For Going To The Bathroom Can I Sue?

Verbal Warning For Going To The Bathroom Can I Sue?

OhDrewzy Report

#35

Sign Posted In A Walgreens Bathroom

Sign Posted In A Walgreens Bathroom

bajsbebbdd Report

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