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Workplaces and offices are their own ecosystems. And, frankly, it can be a real jungle in there, dear Pandas. Among the forests of cubicles and the plains of open-space hot desks, in between the towering water coolers and coffee machine islands, you’ll find the natives. They’re industriously typing away on keyboards and working so hard, they’re making their mice squeak. They’ve exchanged cozy bonfires and the sounds of nature for warmly-glowing screens and headphones full of strange sounds. And they look a lot like you and me.

Office life comes with its own quirks, jokes, dreams, and even nightmarish problems to tackle. Anyone who’s ever worked in one knows that there are just as many bizarre cons as there are pros. But what would any workplace be without any humor? We thought we’d bring a smile to your face, so today we’re featuring the popular ‘Employee Tears’ Instagram project and its relatable work memes.

Quite a few of these had me giggling so hard, I had to excuse myself and be alone for a few minutes because of how close they hit to home. Grab yourself a big cup of coffee, a donut or two (or a healthier option if there are any around!), and have a see for yourselves, Pandas. Don’t forget to upvote the memes you liked the most and be sure to share them with your friends. Preferably during work hours so they can catch a break!

More info: Instagram | Twitter

Last week, I spoke to cloud engineer and data analytics consultant Kierra about switching careers, figuring out if we need a fresh start, and how we should view job satisfaction.

The expert, who helps people pivot into new roles, told Bored Panda that employees should think about changing careers "when they’re bored, feel like they’re undervalued, or feeling like work is causing their mental/physical health to suffer."

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Chucky Cheezburger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A-forking-men... This makes it harder to set actual, realistic goals for people that want to have a life beyond working.

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"I think it’s rare to feel certain [about career change], especially when your financial stability is on the line but it’s important that you always advocate for yourself, even when it might not feel 'great,'" Kierra noted that it’s difficult to know if your decision to switch jobs is objectively right. However, you have to do what feels right for you, even if things seem scary.

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Kierra said that open and regular communication and consistently checking in with employees is what managers should aim for. 

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the child
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

found it https://www.boredpanda.com/stolen-office-lunch-shrimp-fried-rice-zak-toscani/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

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"Asking at least biweekly will allow them to learn how each individual on their team works and what is important to them in their career. This can help the manager to adjust what goals and tasks the people they manage should work on… to get the best out of their role and to maximize their career,” she told Bored Panda.

In Kierra’s opinion, job satisfaction is very subjective. However, things like a higher salary can help motivate workers to do better. 

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"Most would probably say money [increases job satisfaction] since it’s needed for survival, but there are many people who are out there doing what they love even though it might not pay well. In reality, I think people want to work a job where they feel appreciated and heard in all aspects (from career goals, innovative ideas, compensation, etc)," she said.

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Thinker Dell
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And when the whole house is burning, they ask you why didn't you say something earlier. When you say you did, they ask you for e-mail proofs. Then they make you admit the whole thing was your fault.

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Valisbourne Spiritforge
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is because the US is no longer a country, it's a corporation and the almighty dollar is king.

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The expert added that managers and the companies themselves ought to be the ones helping motivate their employees and keeping them interested in their jobs in the long run.

"Perhaps one should try to find roles where there’s lots of opportunity for growth and internal transfer in the event you would like to try something else," she mentioned what the employees can do themselves.

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So, dear Pandas, which of these work and office memes were your favorite ones? Have you ever worked in an office? If so, what were your most and least favorite parts about the whole thing? Let us know in the comments. Meanwhile, if you’re in the mood for some more memes about work, you can check out Bored Panda’s articles here, here, and here.

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Valisbourne Spiritforge
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, the whole 'commitment to working' thing. I work with a guy who spends 16 - 20 hours a day at work. He's SO proud of it and thinks the company likes it too (I'm sure they do). Sadly, if he'd just shut his mouth and stop socializing, he'd get everything he does all day done in about 4 - 5 hours and be a happier person.

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Richard Hunt
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember of dreaming about making the amount of money that I'm starving on now 😶

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Auntriarch
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got bollocked by the manager of the other office for not recognising him on the phone and asking for his name. The reason I didn't recognise him was that I had only started that morning, being a temp while the usual secretary was on leave. But he didn't recognise that I wasn't her... And yes, for the whole month I asked him his name, every day. Because my job was to transfer calls to the person I was actually working for with the name of the caller, not to pander to the inflated egos of twats

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Serial pacifist
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, who's daddy? I would like to be the grandpa who sits in the armchair and watches TV all day.

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TitanFoxX
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, but people who respond quickly also want it of their todo list. You are not the only one who is busy. Besides, you have no idea how much time people already wasted before their email reached you :-)

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Al Cook
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually that's not true in most places. Though there are legally mandated holiday accruals in most permanent jobs, the actual dates you take off must be agreed at the company's discretion.

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troufaki13
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also offer you a chance to look at their brand new super expensive sports car

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rspanther
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the same look I give the when the boss says do it this way and you saying it won't work, and surprise it doesn't work.

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Ozacoter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That reminds me to the place where I worked for the first time. When I left they were demanding a master in biology/vet, fluent spanish and english and minimum 6m experience for free internships!

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Al Cook
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its safe to say, everyone of working age in an office environment, has done this AT LEAST once. Some people I know seem to make it part of their daily routine!

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Andy Acceber
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. I once had a woman go on an absolute tirade that our private business didn't have a Christmas tree in the lobby. It was the weirdest complaint, but she was livid.

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Ozacoter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got in trouble for using popcorn instead of raisins to fill one toy for our primates. Popcorn was allowed dont get me wrong, but that toys description said raisins so my f****d up coworker (who tought that was my boss) made a huge issue out of it. The toy was just a log with small holes in it to hide food. You could theoretically put anything that fits inside, from seeds to peanut butter. But no, the example said raisins so I am a monster for puting something else.

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Ryan Deschanel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then, you remember it means you are now unemployed and broke... And your secret snacks were still in your drawer.

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Chucky Cheezburger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jeez gawd I feel this so damn much....I dont CARE about whatever the hell you're yammering about Just please Shut. The. Fork. UP!!!!!

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Al Cook
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, this is f*****g ridiculous. I've looked into banning this, but it's legally tricky and hard to enforce.

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KMill
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2 years ago

I read somewhere that in Japan, non-smokers get an extra 6 days of vacation to make up for others’ smoke breaks.

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Chris
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I arrive at work half an hour early to account for smoking breaks. I also encourage my team who don't smoke to take ten minutes away from their desk every hour.

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Become a coffee addict and take 15 extra breaks at the coffee machine.

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Demi Zwaan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which is why I always joined the smoke breaks or took my own tea breaks. No reason to have some people get more breaks than others.

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Kanuli
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously we would sometimes sit and talk to our supervisor for 30 min. Since he was in charge, we didn’t mind, and I didn’t mind the passive smoke. He even invited me personally a few times to join him so we could talk some more. Cool guy. It’s a shame we didn’t stay in contact, although I tried.

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ZAPanda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's ok, if your life is sucking so much that you need to use cigarettes to get away from it, probably death by cancer is a merciful release.

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Eric Lafleur
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Using the obligation to pray (...) several times a day works too, until HR catches up to it. I've seen this several times.

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Random Anon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh I don't care if my staff goes for a f*g. Hell I don't even care if they are drunk. As long as they deliver at the time they are supposed to, I don't even care if they turn up in the office.

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Marik
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We all are required to take a 5-minute monitor-break once an hour, and will be reminded by the teamleaders if we miss it. At the same time we are required to check if there are enough people working to hold up the customer support (so that they are served in time). For checking we need to mark our places with break-pulshies (little hippos). There are never enough available. Additionally I get weird looks of the other smokers for not running outside to smoke half a cigarette and rushing back. Basically we get frowned at for not taking breaks on time, and for not being back on time.

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Stacy Parker
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always tell new employers (I work freelance) that just because I don't smoke, doesn't mean I don't need smoking breaks. And, I take them.

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Howard Moody
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found this was always allowed if the big boss was a smoker.

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Mike Ieva
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't need to smoke for that... Just tell them you are going for you smoke break... And come after your walk

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine caring what someone else does at work. Just do your own thing and take your breaks or don’t. Don’t try to micromanage people you aren’t even the boss of, how sad and lame.

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Lady Cadaver
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I gave up smoking, I would take up murdering and i dont think anyone at work would appreciate that. I dont take lunch or tea breaks, instead a take about 6 5 minute smoke breaks, so we are even.

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Tom Spade
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I kind of smoke while I work. The environment is enriched with eye-burning fumes, glycerin, frequency drives running at infrasonic levels, and a screener running at a super toxic 60hz. And I'm the only one there. So yep, no f***s given, no f***s received...

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Raven Sheridan
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally, a job I'm qualified for! Now if they actually expect me to work... Well, that's a different matter entirely.

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Given that I have formulated my explanation in a way that is understandable even for a comatose asparagus, I assume further correspondence on this subject is superfluous. Kind regards, "

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read somewhere that more American people are starting businesses. I guess a lot of them realised that you earn much more if you are the boss.

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Ryan Deschanel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"We are a family"... Translation : "I expect you to dedicate your entire life and energy to my own pleasure, and you should get used to gaslighting, guilt-tripping, and cult-like team-building bullshit."

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Raven Sheridan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"If you hate your job, you don't just quit. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way!" - Homer Simpson.

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Ryan Deschanel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Until HR remembers that they can't control your life oustide of work and you will sue them if they ever try to punish you.

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Kanuli
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are free...as long as we can live with the consequences...or accept them anyway.

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ZAPanda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

unless I CC the boss in the clear so you see that she/he/they got CC'ed.

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Valisbourne Spiritforge
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd love to have a work space half this cheerful. Our company banned everything like this from desk space as being "unprofessional". Somehow, the managers batman office didn't change though.

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TitanFoxX
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in NL, Europe, it is illegal to block day off requests, unless there is a very very VERY important reason to do so.

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