35 Times Bosses Wrote Such Delusional Notes, These Employees Just Had To Shame Them Online (New Pics)
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.
This post may include affiliate links.
Just Turn It Off
Shout Out The Worst Place I Ever Worked (Minimum Wage, Of Course)
At My Significant Other’s Workplace (Which Is Also My Old Workplace) Absolutely Terrifying
It is if you tell them to shove their job straight up where the sun dont shine.
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.
My Boss (Gun Store) Put This Up In Break Room Today
I keep hearing it over and over the blaming of inflation on government leaders, as if it's not happening all over the world. Some people just can't see past the end of their noses.
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I don't understand people who have to be so political that they can't leave it out of the workplace or have to go to this extreme. I know it's a horrible thing to say but I wish Trump would just die so we can stop with these people taking out their anger on literally everyone for his election loss and maybe they can move on. I mean he'll be 110 years old and die in his bed and there will still be conspiracy theorists who think he was poisoned to death by the dirty liberals or something. According to Conservatives, liberals are both the dumbest people ever and so clever they can commit all of these conspiracy crimes with amazing precision and they're super geniuses creating robots and are elite and .... it's like, can you not step back and see how dumb this is? I'm just so tired of it. And it's this weird childish behavior they have that is what drives me so crazy. It's like they're saying ''neener neener butt face!' like a child. Except a child grows up and doesn't behave this way anymore. These people are so insecure and ignorant they can't help but do this kind of stuff and now it's bleeding out to places where you used to be able to get away from it, like your workplace and non-political public places like restaurants. Ugh.
I don't want Trump to die, because then he'd become a martyr. Ideally, he'd be committed and get the help he needs.
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Stop. Blaming. Biden. And read a book on how global economics work. or even a single page of a book about it.
I'm sorry, "read a book"? These shitheads don't even read their precious bibles.
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I mean, there are an awful lot of leftist gun owners out there and some of them could own gun stores too, but it seems like the majority of gun store owners are right-wing jerks.
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WHO IN THE H*LL IS GOING TO PAY $5 FOR A DRINK?!? Dang, I'll bring in my own $1.79 drink from the convenience store!
I'm hoping that the employees start bringing in snacks and selling them for a lower price. You know. Capitalism. Just to f**k with this a*****e.
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He's probably one of those who puts Biden stickers on gas pumps. These people should realize other countries are dealing with inflation as well. Is that Biden's fault too?
According to Republicans, he is. It's the eternal paradox, how they argue that he's a dementia-addled moron, and also a Machiavellian emperor wrecking havoc on the world like a supervillain. They're not particularly bright.
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I guess Biden's also responsible for worldwide inflation, right? Because that's how inflation works?
Yep, Biden caused inflation and under Trumps ‘enlightened’ leadership, nothing bad ever happened in the US.
Just like blaming gas prices. Its the gas companies who are profiting off of the Russia Ukraine war. Joe Biden isn't the reason that gas prices are rising, its Putin's fault (saying its' Putins fault is probably getting me on a list somewhere.)
That's when everyone should just pull together and contribute $2 a week. If everyone does that, someone can buy a weeks worth of snacks and drinks for everyone. Tell boss man he can't have any.
What the store owner wanted to add at the end: "Or else I'll shoot you"
Hey US! It’s not all about you. This is happening all over the world. Gas prices in Europe are way worse than yours. And as for me, I’m not paying $8 for a box of cereal.
I try to be apolitical nowadays, but the government isn’t to blame for inflation. And this employer will likely need to reassess their marketing before too long.
Biggest problems causing inflation. The war on Ukraine, the global shipping crisis, extreme weather and profiteering from them. In capitalism the president has just about 0 say in the prices. You want government mandated prices on things, try communism 😂
Everyone should turn in the same notice letter: This exact picture and most of the language, but just change the drinks and snack references to all of you not coming in to work and the boss being left completely alone to do it all—-Effective Immediately! “Durrr”!
So in my very corrupt country (Brazil), threatening your employees to vote a certain way is illegal, and you would be prosecuted and sent to prison for this. eg: vote Republican, or I'll start charging you for snacks,
Glad I don't work there or Harry Brown would find a big pile of "brown" on his desk.
What drink/snack costs $5? How much has he inflated his prices? Also, if his employees are that easily replaced, do you really want to work for him?
I wouldn't have an issue with not having free stuff, but I certainly would take issue with his threats.
Yeah, um... records profits while cutting staff is not the fault of Biden, but he is attempting to hold corporations who are responsible to account and is being roadblocked by republicans feeding their idiot followers a narrative that Biden is in control of the economy all while the GOP and their cronies who own the corporations are reaping record level profits off of their idiot followers who are blaming Biden who is actually trying to help them.
Gee...I bet he thinks the we all cheated at the polls and keeping the "true" president out of office
Bet when inflation starts to right it self, snacks and drinks will never be free again. Making money off your employee's misery is a d**k move.
What an a Hole, this boss. for thismrounbd of inflation look no further than putin and his florida followers.
I would not work for an employer who would use politics as a means to punish workers. Keel politics and religion out of the work place.
I wish there was a simple way to explain to this sort of person how things work. But, it’s not likely if this is the level of intelligence they are working with.
For some reason, I first thought this was a picture of Leslie Nielsen. Took a minute. And I hope the boss of that store goes of business or grows a brain. But since it's a gun store going out of business would be best.
I Work For USPS. Corporate Likes To Send Out Messages Almost Every Day To Carriers. This Was The Message Today
Found This Sign At A Local Dinner. Decided To Eat Somewhere Else. Sounds Like A Horrible Place To Work
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.
I Can’t Remember If This Has Been Posted Before But Gotta Love Their Motivation Technique
He Hasn't Even Been Dead A Week
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."
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.
My New Manager Wrote This Up Today. Non-Union Grocery Business In Ohio. What Are My Options? Is This Legal?
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.
Don't Worry We Won't
I'll let my car look like I just drove it through a sewer before I'd use this car wash.
Great Sign To See Outside Your Hr Department
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."
Bout That Life
We get it, you sexually harassed your female employees until they quit after two weeks.
I’m Furious. This Email Was Sent To My Daughter About Discussing Pay Rates. What Are Next Options?
If you are in the US this is illegal according to the Department of Labor. Most employers do not know labor laws.
I Got This From The Company I Work At In The Mail Today
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."
Apparently My Manager Thinks This Is A "Motivational" Sign To Keep Up Morale In The Workplace
How About Paying A Living Wage?
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.
Guarantee They Don’t Pay Enough. Pay More!
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.
This Is What My New Manager Handed Out At Her Introductory Meeting
Found On Facebook
At the time they wrote this, we had had 4 years of "conservative values", incarnate in the Orange Mussolini.
This Sign At My Work. They Will Charge Staff For Anything As Minimal As A Broken Ice Cream Cone
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.
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.
"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."
This Slide From The Stanley Parable
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.)
Found This Old Gem In My Camera Roll
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?
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."
My Girlfriends Last Job Has An Interesting Response To Quitting
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.
Saw This While Shopping. This Is So Degrading
Walked Into Upper Management’s Office Today And Found This Gem
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
"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."
No Raises But We Know Times Are Tough. No One Got A Raise, But Hey They Got Ramen Noodles
This Showed Up In An Obscure Corner Of The Hotel I Work At
Duh Parents… Your Money Problems Are Solved!
In 2013 I Worked At A Fro-Yo Shop Where The Owners Intensely Watched The Cameras; Store Has Since Closed
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.
I Posted A Bit Ago About An Antagonistic Sign, The Business Added Another One
I may be sleep deprived, but reading "pizza family" made me picture calzones as the pregnant mommy pizzas that give birth to pizza rolls...
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
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.
Verbal Warning For Going To The Bathroom Can I Sue?
Sign Posted In A Walgreens Bathroom
Note: this post originally had 53 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.
"nO oNe WaNts tO wOrK aNYmOrE". Mate, no one wanted to work in the first place! We just like things like clothes and food and shelter....
Also, there was a post about how businesses/mangers/bosses have been saying that saaaame line since at least 1880. If there were truth in the line at all, the world would've ended nearly a century ago. We would all be living in some anarchic dystopia. As it stands now we are moving there but not because "no one wants to work anymore". It's partially due to all kinds of shitty labour laws/violations, low pay/lack of raises (less than livable wages), and dealing with shitty micromanagement.
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I have 3 words for you. Unions, unions and unions..... America seems to be a horrible place to work.
Each of these made me think: Contact ACLU, NLRB, and local media. Why? B/c news stories do a lot of damage a lot faster than lawsuits.
No one is rewarded enough to afford to live at what these jobs pay. Pay the f*****g people enough to live comfortably or close your business.
Wow. So you expect people to be robots, get paid next to nothing and smile about it? Good luck.
What about the one that expected the staff to smile and write a report about drug usage - to be discussed at the next meeting?
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What is amazing to me is the expectation of these businesses have of their employees. Their attitude is "If I, as the business owner/ manager come in with a dog turd on my shoe and tell you, the employee, to lick it off, not only should you comply, but be happy to have the opportunity to do so". Crazy way to think. These examples are result of corporate welfare, coddling, and the snowflakes who embraced it.
Business owners need to realize they NEED employees so their business can succeed. Pay them a decent wage and treat them with dignity, for f***s sake.
Worked at an office. Receptionist asked for a raise, they said no. She quit. They yelled at me for not letting them know she would do that. I told them I told you but you didn't take it seriously. They hired a woman who waited for the third ring before answering the phone. That was her main job.
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Saying no one wants to work is like asking kids about their dream jobs. No one in their right mind dreams of working, it's a necessary evil because we like sleeping indoors and eating.
The majority of these small business should have never been. There's two type of people that open a small business. People that have a good product, understand how to run a business and are able to adapt to changing customer demand. The other people are folks that are basically unemployable due to their difficult personality. The only way they can find employment is to be their own boss. People that think they're running a business but in reality it's barely running it's self with the support of ill appreciated workers. These shitty owners feel that business is failing because it's everyone else's fault and not their own.
Too many people think they can sit back and hire others to work while they are "entrepreneurs". We worked 7 days a week for 6 years before we started taking Sundays off and added time to the other days.
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Americans cry about inflation. Guess what?! It's all around the world and US is not the world. Many countries have higher inflation than you, much, much higher.
And do people in your country never complain about inflation? Must be nice!!!
Load More Replies... Instead of calling out the politicians who denied the pandemic, a lot of bosses seem to blame the politicians who are getting us out of the resulting inflation and problems. It was world wide...how could an American president be blamed for world wide inflation and shortages. If the democrats were that powerful...
Most people are perfectly happy to work ... just not for c**p wages and no benefits.
You mean I could have just given my period a talking-to instead of having life-altering surgery?
coming from the Netherlands, are US-citizens really this thick when it comes to politics and social values? I realize (read: hope) that these signs are probably more the exception that the rule... but over here I have never ever seen anything like this. It would probably get the news as some sort of laughable novelty item.
Good for you? Yes, we are suffering. No need to rub it in.
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"nO oNe WaNts tO wOrK aNYmOrE". Mate, no one wanted to work in the first place! We just like things like clothes and food and shelter....
Also, there was a post about how businesses/mangers/bosses have been saying that saaaame line since at least 1880. If there were truth in the line at all, the world would've ended nearly a century ago. We would all be living in some anarchic dystopia. As it stands now we are moving there but not because "no one wants to work anymore". It's partially due to all kinds of shitty labour laws/violations, low pay/lack of raises (less than livable wages), and dealing with shitty micromanagement.
Load More Replies... I have 3 words for you. Unions, unions and unions..... America seems to be a horrible place to work.
Each of these made me think: Contact ACLU, NLRB, and local media. Why? B/c news stories do a lot of damage a lot faster than lawsuits.
No one is rewarded enough to afford to live at what these jobs pay. Pay the f*****g people enough to live comfortably or close your business.
Wow. So you expect people to be robots, get paid next to nothing and smile about it? Good luck.
What about the one that expected the staff to smile and write a report about drug usage - to be discussed at the next meeting?
Load More Replies... What is amazing to me is the expectation of these businesses have of their employees. Their attitude is "If I, as the business owner/ manager come in with a dog turd on my shoe and tell you, the employee, to lick it off, not only should you comply, but be happy to have the opportunity to do so". Crazy way to think. These examples are result of corporate welfare, coddling, and the snowflakes who embraced it.
Business owners need to realize they NEED employees so their business can succeed. Pay them a decent wage and treat them with dignity, for f***s sake.
Worked at an office. Receptionist asked for a raise, they said no. She quit. They yelled at me for not letting them know she would do that. I told them I told you but you didn't take it seriously. They hired a woman who waited for the third ring before answering the phone. That was her main job.
Load More Replies... Saying no one wants to work is like asking kids about their dream jobs. No one in their right mind dreams of working, it's a necessary evil because we like sleeping indoors and eating.
The majority of these small business should have never been. There's two type of people that open a small business. People that have a good product, understand how to run a business and are able to adapt to changing customer demand. The other people are folks that are basically unemployable due to their difficult personality. The only way they can find employment is to be their own boss. People that think they're running a business but in reality it's barely running it's self with the support of ill appreciated workers. These shitty owners feel that business is failing because it's everyone else's fault and not their own.
Too many people think they can sit back and hire others to work while they are "entrepreneurs". We worked 7 days a week for 6 years before we started taking Sundays off and added time to the other days.
Load More Replies... Americans cry about inflation. Guess what?! It's all around the world and US is not the world. Many countries have higher inflation than you, much, much higher.
And do people in your country never complain about inflation? Must be nice!!!
Load More Replies... Instead of calling out the politicians who denied the pandemic, a lot of bosses seem to blame the politicians who are getting us out of the resulting inflation and problems. It was world wide...how could an American president be blamed for world wide inflation and shortages. If the democrats were that powerful...
Most people are perfectly happy to work ... just not for c**p wages and no benefits.
You mean I could have just given my period a talking-to instead of having life-altering surgery?
coming from the Netherlands, are US-citizens really this thick when it comes to politics and social values? I realize (read: hope) that these signs are probably more the exception that the rule... but over here I have never ever seen anything like this. It would probably get the news as some sort of laughable novelty item.
Good for you? Yes, we are suffering. No need to rub it in.
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