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Having a boss that cares about you is the best. Encouraging your personal and professional development, making you feel like a valuable member of the team, even saying a simple "thank you" really contributes to job satisfaction.

Sometimes, however, it feels like this boss doesn't even exist. Like they're just a fictional character, created by some business management faculty to trick students into joining the workforce.

Take this viral thread for example.

It started with a tweet by comedian Kevin McCaffrey. In it, McCaffrey recalled the time when he told his manager that his grandma had died before a double shift he was scheduled for. Their response? "Can you just work one shift?"

As the tweet blew up, people started replying with baffling phrases they heard from bosses themselves. Below are some of the most delirious ones.

Bored Panda got in touch with McCaffrey to learn more about the story behind his famous tweet. "I was a server in Anderson, Indiana for 4 months in 2003," he said. "Was I happy with it? No, haha, but I don't blame OG. It was a good server job in the area, the employees were very cool overall."

McCaffrey doesn't really remember what the real reason was that day, but he has a theory. "The TV department at Ball State's activity fair (called SuperParty) where people sign up for what shows they want to work on for the year. I was the host and EP of a late night talk show, and they wouldn't let me take the day off. I wasn't gonna miss it, so fake grandma had to have a bad day."

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Employees-Complain-Worst-Bosses-Sayings

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Bella Jones
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmm .... she was happy to ignore the roaches up until the employer upset her. Not cool. Not cool at all.

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The main thing McCaffrey took away from all the replies his tweet got was that "management, in every job, is delusional."

"They demand far more than they're willing to give almost everywhere, and expect people who are clearly working survival jobs to bail on everything in their lives to deliver unlimited salad and breadsticks for 2.13 an hour and an average of about 10% tip," he said. "I also learned that there are plenty of people very mad that I lied in 2003 at the Anderson Indiana Olive Garden and missed that shift."

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A study by CareerBuilder.com shows that a whopping 58 percent of managers said they didn’t receive any management training. Let that sink it. Most managers in the workforce were promoted because they were good at what they did, not because they made the people around them better. This statistic might explain their lack of competence. Our leaders aren't trained to lead.

Here's another interesting fact for you. Leigh Branham, author of The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave revealed that 89 percent of bosses believe employees quit because they want more money. I bet any boss would love this statistic to be true (because it basically pardons them from wrong-doing) but it is simply not true. Only 12 percent of employees actually leave an organization for more money.

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Employees-Complain-Worst-Bosses-Sayings

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Max
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, 99% of people in food service are there just because they get paid. It's not really a 'calling' or 'career'.

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Marcellus the Third
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a bit perplexed that work would even have the right to know your Dr, let alone ring them on a whim.

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A Harvard Business Review survey revealed that only 49% of full-time workers responded that they had "a great deal of trust" in those working above and alongside them. 

That becomes a bigger problem when you consider their other research which has found that positive teams that trust each other are more productive, creative, and resilient and improve the organization’s overall effectiveness.

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

Good riddance! Some employers don't want you to be educated because you will quit then anyway. Best be out of that environment.

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Recognition is the number one thing employees say their manager could give them to elevate their job satisfaction to new heights. Sadly, as you can see from the tweets, not every boss gets it. Global studies prove that when it comes to inspiring people to be their best at work, nothing else comes close—not even higher pay, promotion, autonomy, or training.

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Employees-Complain-Worst-Bosses-Sayings

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Gallup discovered that one of the most important decisions companies make is simply whom they name manager. However, its analytics suggest they usually get it wrong. In fact, Gallup found that companies fail to choose the candidate with the right talent for the job 82% of the time.

Gallup estimates that managers account for at least 70% of variance in employee engagement scores across business units, and this variation is in turn responsible for severely low worldwide employee engagement. Gallup reported in two large-scale studies in 2012 that only 30% of U.S. employees are engaged at work, and a staggeringly low 13% worldwide are engaged.

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If only they listened more.

#21

Employees-Complain-Worst-Bosses-Sayings

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James016
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t know how it works in the USA but that must be a health and safety violation.

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N G
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not 3 days to get over it. It's 3 days to sort the paperwork. They're not offering "grief leave".

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Caroline Nagel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, you have to admit that here in Belgium we can take extra paid days off to mourn. Most Americans don't have paid holiday, let alone twenty days or more. That's the strength of the unions for you. Which are as good as non-existent in the USA I gather.

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kjorn
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when my dad dies 20 years ago, a monday morning, my boss bring me to his office and talk to me during 1 hours and just give me the rest of the week off. i was always faithfull to that boss. never leave that company until i have to change city. good bosses makes good employees. shitty bosses makes shitty employees

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Bex
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother died 15 years ago. I'm not over it. That's not what those three days are for. Be glad she has home. Three days is more than most folks get.

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Stille20
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's standard. It's 2-3 days to take care of family stuff. After that you can usually use sick time or PTO

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

She was given three days to make necessary arrangements. She was not expected to be "over it" in that time. I know it's hard, but the living must go on regardless of how they feel.

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Fiona C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of these comments are depressing. Just because you also only get X days doesnt make something okay. We experienced a tragic family death where we didn't get the body back for over a week, I'm sure its longer for some circumstances. It's not all about paperwork. Context and individual circumstances are important

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N G
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Employers should absolutely consider individual circumstances when granting compassionate leave - with reasonable flexibility (a good employer should have given you, in your example AT LEAST a fortnight, minimum). But what this is about is grief. Some people may never get over the loss of a loved one, but the employer cant keep them on the payroll indefinitely until they feel able to come back to work. Some people want to come back after a few days because it keeps their mind off things and is a welcome distraction. I believe the OP is probably quoting her mother's employer's policy - because some kind of standard needs to be in place - what should also have been in place is additional wording that allows for more flexibility for circumstances. The employer is not expecting them to "get over" the loss in 3 days. That is not what the policy means.

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Spork420
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My work allows 2 days off unpaid for bereavement. But it has to be an immediate family member.

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Mili Del Rio
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A minimum of five days should be the norm everywhere. When a a family member passes there are many things to sort through NOT even taking into account the utter sorrow. I know from personal experience when I lost my parents, brother and niece (at different times ) I was a total mess. Thank God I at least had the 3 bereavement days) but did need to add two vacation days for travel, not every funeral is within the 3 days either. Most employees are very loyal to their employers and work crazy schedules or hours at the drop of a hat. The bereavement leave should be a nonissue.

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

One place I worked Compassionate Leave was based on seniority. Junior staff got 3 days, senior 5. As if status had anything to do with grief, the tasks in life that need to be done. People might not agree but it seemed wrong to me. They did change it a few years later. After that most places I worked gave two weeks compassionate leave.

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LuckyL
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what I love about German law. You can have a doctor give you a note about being unable to work. It's not sick leave. It's just being unable to work

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sturmwesen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why we have to do it without a certain colleague for weeks. It wouldn't do any good for us if he worked while his thoughts sre elsewhere.

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DKS 001
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the company I work for gives us only 2 days paid off for bereavement. After that it comes out of our sick/vacation time or not paid.

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Cory Tollman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We get three but it's only for close family members. Parents, siblings, grandparents. Not for aunts or uncles unless they raised you. I don't know if it would cover nieces or nephews.

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J-Yogi-Temp-Mom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

3 days is what I get as well. But, only if it is my mother, father, spouse or child. if my granny passes or my auntie that is with out pay.

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Kay blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The company I used to work for would give you two weeks paid bereavement leave but only if it was a child under 18 or your husband/wife, if you weren't married you didn't qualify.

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Zillyboy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how long one should get to recover from a loss of parent. Or a loss of child. Or a loss of dog. Maybe it could be like those medical plans for kids where you get a certain amount for the loss of a finger, a certain amount for a loss of finger and an eye, and so forth.

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Perfumista Perfumista
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What we have where I work as well. It used to be a week 20 years ago, but not any more. A grandparent or aunt/uncle/cousin would be 1 day.

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CrunChewy McSandybutt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, that's the standard here in the US. I don't know how many days would be appropriate, though. I guess it's a discussion that needs to be had.

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Katherine Boag
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should be able to use your sick leave and annual leave and not lose pay.

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Nikki Sevven
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IDK why Steven Peeters is getting downvoted. Three days is typical in the US for bereavement leave as well. Steven was merely reporting the standard in his country. Why downvote for that?

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Tattii Perez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hosnestly it doesnt matter what happens... teachers only get 3 days off the whole year

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Robert T
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bereavement care varies incredibly from country to country. This is likely to be the legal minimum that had to be offered. More compassionate businesses will offer quite different levels of support. I was told to take as long as I needed, which was several weeks, and they paid me. There comes a point when you have done all the paperwork and just want to get back to work to take your mind off losing someone. It does not mean you are over it.

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Kiss Army
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We get up to 5 days depending on travel distance and such but usually through the day of the funeral plus the day after but not more than 5 days but they do not have a problem with us using our personal leave if we need more time.

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Penny Kemper
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

3 days is normal grievance but some places give you more for parents, only. It's dumb I know.

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Donna Cheung
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I work, we don't get any mourning days. You either take your annual leave, or if you have a doctor's note or good justification, you are allowed to take unpaid leave.

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Momma Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was my 19 when my dad died. My step sister got ONE day off to attend his funeral because he wasn't her "real dad". He raised her from when she was two years old.

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Lexi Mitchell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So should the school just keep paying her until she’s over the death? I mean I get it, it seems callous and unfeeling, but they can’t just keep paying you leave until you’re “over it.” Especially since you’ll never be over it.

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Scarlett Fox
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, 3 days of bereavement leave is common for most workplaces if it's an "immediate family member" (child, parent, spouse, sibling). All other family members they'll only give you 1 day, if that. It's not right.

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InfectedVoice
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same here in UK but managers can use their discretion and give more if needed, I had 4 paid days off when my dog died, I was in a state and couldn't work, my boss knew that and was happy for me to take time, I only had 2 days off when my grandad died, the dog hit hard.

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Robert Baldwin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Canada you can take up to 5 days for bereavement leave, and you have the option to take an additional 5 days of "personal leave". It's not a lot when a parent, spouse or child has died, but honestly would you want to work for someone that expected you back at 100% after even a week?

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Rukkia
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, that is the normal policies at most jobs. Three days for immediate family.

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John Clark1842
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public schools function on very tight budgets and probably did not have any more money for a substitute. School principal should have pulled administrators (often former teachers) into the class to cover for the grieving teacher. it is possible that the school was so small that there were no administrative staff.

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KoalaLa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's pretty normal, right? People die, life goes on. If you need more time, you go to your doctor and ask for a few extra days.

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Nymphadora Tonks
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was crying TWO WEEKS before my dog died. TWO MONTHS later I'm still not over it. FOR MY DOG!

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Mark Howell
Community Member
3 years ago

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come to England, you have to make-up the time off for the funeral

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Remi Flynne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every company I've ever worked for in the UK gave paid compassionate leave. Varied from one week to two weeks.

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Lili
Community Member
3 years ago

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I'm sorry but I don't think employers should pay for employees' grieving time. 3 days is what we get in our country too. You want more? Okay, but it's non-paid leave.

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Steven Peeters
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3 years ago

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3 days is what u get here in belgium too, i don't know what ur expecting... welcome to adult life

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#27

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KoalaLa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm all for inclusivity, but you can't expect the whole restaurant system changes because of you being autistic?

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

Why would you take paid time off over medical leave? No boss is going: " Wow, what an outstanding employee!!! Taking PTO instead of the medical leave he could have gotten. Amazing, remind me to promote him and give him a raise when he comes in." Instead they'll be like: " Jeez, what a dumb@ss. Remind me to fire him when he returns."

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Ian Koch
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they got injured while working... then she was asked to come back to work the same day. by her boss. I would say this to the boss, before quitting: Do you are have stupid.

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Derpy Dino
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow, kidney stones suck(from what ive heard) and if your pissing rocks, you need to stay home.

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