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

In the Netherlands: They point at the clock, look on their wrist, put a finger against their forehead and wave you out. ( Look at the time. See how late it is? Are you crazy? Off you go, idiot.)

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

I could not get away with this at my customer service job (or any customer service job I've worked at), and I live in the Netherlands

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

63 subs in approximately an hour is one sub per minute. I'd like to see this horrible woman do better.

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

They'd also have to bake a lot of bread. I'm a subway worker and we alot of the time have about 30 loaves

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

63 subs last minute? Let the hell swallow this piece of asshole with all of his baguettes and reviews.

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

I think this subway shop needs a designated dueling area for situations like this.

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

She would’ve been beaten with 63 foot long subs. One. Sub. At. A. Time.

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

I actually need to start yoga to prevent killing someone but this sounds more effective!! Where do i sign up?

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

That's not a regular order that's like catering! I would want to refuse orders like that if that were my job

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

That is barely a minute per sub. Yes you should get to fight them.

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

I am surprised they even agreed to take the order. The Subway in our small town would not have that much bread cooked at one time. The lady should have thought ahead and ordered at least a day ahead so the store could have been prepared. That Subway needed a bonus for filling that order in the time it did. She would have NEVER gotten away with it in our small town.

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

you think an hour is a long wait for such a large order? Get a grip.

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

Just been reminded of the utter anarchy feeling of last day in a retail job. Finally getting to speak to customers the way they speak to me. I’d sometimes quit jobs just to get that feeling.

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

She was probably the only one working too. I've yelled at other customers many times when they're being abusive to employees. The employees are afraid to say anything in fear of losing their minimum wage job. That's where we as other customers need to step up and protect them from assholes like this. I have zero issues with confrontation when it comes to these issues.

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

Imagine the possibilities. You walk in the store and get chased down by employees screaming he's my one for this week. Would make a lot more exciting and unpredictable shopping adventure than just pick, pay, leave option we have now.

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

I worked at a cafe/bakery and we would deal with things like this periodically. You know, people who seemed to have forgotten that their mother's/father's/husband's/wife's birthday falls on the same date EVERY YEAR and feel bad that they forgot so they NEED 3 DOZEN CUSTOM FLAVORED, CUSTOM DECORATED CAKE BALLS IN TWO HOURS!! The thing is, the owner of the shop was terrified to tell any customer "NO!", despite the fact that adding last minute orders like this to a baking/decorating staff that is already neck deep in orders was REALLY bad for the mental health of her staff. Which probably explains why she's had a 90% staff turnover in the past year... (Thank GOD I'm not there any more!)

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

even if they took 1min per sub... 63 sub... at least an hour! are you dumb for not calling for that?

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

omg a former supervisor in a union shop I used to say this to my coworkers. One slap a year to one employee because of the nonsense they make us deal with

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Natalia Maciel
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have been amazed that they put together a sub a minute!

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

People like that deserve to get stabbed in the eye with a fork.

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

I think the whole thing is reasonable. Nothing wrong with getting a bunch of sandwiches and nothing wrong with the lady being annoyed by it. Everyone needs to get over it on both sides. It’s not even a big deal.

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

It is getting that many sandwiches made without advanced ordering and getting upset when it takes time to make them all.

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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
Community Member
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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