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Whether we like it or not — and let’s be honest, usually not — making mistakes at work is inevitable. No employee enjoys revealing to the entire world, not to mention their boss, how badly they failed. But it does happen, even to the people who just had one, an only, a single simple job on their to-do list and still managed to mess everything up.

Thanks to the 673k-member-strong corner of Reddit aptly named 'One Job,' we get to see a galore of cases when the inability to complete the simplest of tasks produced hilarious results. It’s an entertaining online community that’s on a mission to collect a side-splitting collection of pictures that brings occupational mishaps to broad daylight.

As people have been keeping themselves busy (or rather lazy), we at Bored Panda have scoured the page for the newest batch of pictures to share with you all. So continue scrolling for some of the funniest and hilariously miserable cases and upvote your favorite ones! And if you’re still screaming the classic "you had one job!" phrase, check out our earlier pieces on this feature right here, here and here.

#1

Yes. Effort Definitely Involves No Effort

Yes. Effort Definitely Involves No Effort

SombreSilver Report

#2

Odd Placement For That Particular Sign

Odd Placement For That Particular Sign

InCaRnAt3 Report

Whether it’s recklessly painted road markings, signs put up in the most unfortunate places, or hilarious attempts at photoshop that leave everyone confused, it’s easy to laugh at these funny instances of occupational mishaps. But in reality, nobody likes to talk about failure at work, and especially have it posted on 'One Job' for thousands to see.

Everyone knows it’s human to make mistakes. But for many, the idea of taking accountability and facing consequences for their actions often seems like an absolute nightmare. So what happens when you actually fail at work and how can you emerge from the situation with your head held up high? We asked the experts.

#3

The Last Batch Of Spanish Passports Have "PAO" Written As "PA0" And People Cannot Get On Planes Because Of It

The Last Batch Of Spanish Passports Have "PAO" Written As "PA0" And People Cannot Get On Planes Because Of It

MarxFuryRoad Report

#4

Lmaoo What Is This

Lmaoo What Is This

joepohlen Report

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

I feel like you’re on the hook for hiring anyone who says they’re the “masters of light”

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Bored Panda reached out to Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES, the founder and career coach behind Caffeinated Kyle who carries nearly a decade of expertise in Silicon Valley with one simple goal in mind — to help people find jobs they love.

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Elliott told us that many of the professionals he speaks with are afraid to vocalize their failures, so the issue seems to be widespread across different industries. "One reason for the quietness around purported failures is that people feel shame when they mess up. This is especially true among people who tie much of their self-worth to their work or define themselves by their jobs," Elliott explained.

"It can be helpful to process feelings of shame, embarrassment, or unworthiness that may arise when you make a mistake," Elliott added. "Also, take time to recognize the positive benefits and advantages of failing at work. Ask yourself if it was truly a failure or merely a learning experience that you can reflect upon."

#6

I Don’t Know, That Wall Might Be Up To Something

I Don’t Know, That Wall Might Be Up To Something

EliotJC533 Report

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

That camera has seen too much and is taking a break from all the horrible things happening in the world

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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, explained that another reason why people hate talking about failure is because they equate it with being fired.

"There’s a lot of fear around that," Leonardi said. "The type of failure they experienced may or may not be irreparable, but taking accountability and facing whatever consequences arise as a result is generally going to be the best course of action, and can even engender respect." The career coach advised to own up to your failures, "let the chips fall where they may" and learn the lesson the experience brings.

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"It’s only a mistake if you don’t learn anything," Leonardi reminded us of the old adage. "If you do make a mistake, be sure that you forgive yourself after processing what happened and learning the lesson. It’s very important not to keep beating yourself up about it."

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Sally Heady, a career coach and cognitive hypnotherapist based in the UK, let us in on the psychology of professional failures. According to her, making a mistake often makes us feel vulnerable as we attach meaning to our failure.

"Instead of simply recognizing a human error or something that didn't work, we make it about us — that the failure is somehow a reflection of who we are and that we've fallen short of our own standards or the standards of others," Heady told Bored Panda.

Not to mention, the judgment we humans place on failure makes it hard for us to accept it. Heady said that mistakes are often swept under the carpet, which creates the assumption that if someone fails: "a) they're incompetent and b) they don't deserve to be in the role they're in. Neither of these assumptions are necessarily true — everyone fails to some degree in their work and often those failures lead to important lessons resulting in greater success further down the line."

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#9

Looks Good From My House!

Looks Good From My House!

Tricky_Camel Report

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

I bet no-one's failed a field sobriety test here since they put in the new road 😆 😂

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#10

Photoshoping Can Be Hard

Photoshoping Can Be Hard

LeapofAzzam Report

#11

New Bathroom At Work

New Bathroom At Work

reddit.com Report

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

Well, at least you'd know without trying the door that it was occupied.

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Unfortunately, some people become obsessed with avoiding failures at all costs. "That’s how you would define a perfectionist," Leonardi said. "There’s usually an underlying lack of self-worth or deep insecurity with themselves, so trying to control as much as they can is a way many people deal with a fear of not being loved or feeling safe or both."

Cognitive hypnotherapist Heady also added that people who fear making mistakes often take a risk-averse approach to their careers. Sadly, this can result in "toxic over-working, burn-out or deep dissatisfaction in what they do because they haven't dared to take risks that would stretch and satisfy them."

#12

I'm Not Sure How To Get Passed The 1st Page Of This Survey

I'm Not Sure How To Get Passed The 1st Page Of This Survey

switchblade_80 Report

#13

Something Tells Me A Floating Home Actually Needs To Float

Something Tells Me A Floating Home Actually Needs To Float

ParadeSit Report

#14

Designed The Restaurant Menus, Boss

Designed The Restaurant Menus, Boss

nochancess Report

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

Weird name for a restaurant, "Logo Here", but if the food is great, that's all that matters :)))

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But when it comes to the urge to be flawless at work, it sometimes comes from the employer, not the employees themselves. "The avoidance of failure often arises in workplace cultures that don't allow space for people to make mistakes," Coach Elliott told us. "This can occur when leaders and managers create an environment that breeds perfectionism and doesn't allow people to innovate."

#15

An Apartment Installed New Siding And Choked Their AC Unit By Enclosing It

An Apartment Installed New Siding And Choked Their AC Unit By Enclosing It

Sorry_Sorry_Im_Sorry Report

#16

To Paint A Sign

To Paint A Sign

Flapu7 Report

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cateharris avatar
Amused panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disability spot designated specifically for a disabled couple. Disabled singles not permitted in this parking spot.

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Alarmingly, forbidding ourselves to experience failure can come at a great cost. It can create a massive amount of stress and anxiety, and even prevent us from learning what we’re capable of. "If we don't let ourselves fail, [...] we have less resilience because we're not flexing the muscle of picking ourselves up after the failure, reflecting and moving forward with greater wisdom," Heady explained.

Working toward a level of perfection that, let’s face it, doesn’t exist, can even lead to burnout. And when failure inevitably arrives, Heady said "we'll take this to heart and see it as a huge personal setback which will slow us down and stop us from learning and growing from the failure. Failure really is a great teacher, even though it's not much fun to go through."

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#19

“Hung Up The Flags Boss”

“Hung Up The Flags Boss”

Phantom-pheonex Report

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

Raising a flag upside down is the international symbol for distress. Perhaps the staff of McDonald's is being held hostage? 🤔

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Meanwhile, Elliot argues that if someone has indeed been able to avoid mistakes at work, then they’re likely to have been playing it too safe. "Failure is inevitable at work, particularly as you progress through your career. Learning how to quickly rebound from your mistakes will set you up for a successful career."

Elliot advised employees everywhere to lean into failure. "But don't stop there. Take it a step further and make a habit of failing. You might even find it helpful to set a goal of failing X times per week or month in order to build up your resiliency."

"Another alternative is you are actually making mistakes because everyone makes mistakes, but colleagues don't feel comfortable confronting you about them. Be open to feedback and growth," Elliot added.

#21

Looks Like Tacobell Couldn’t Find The Inside Of A Taco

Looks Like Tacobell Couldn’t Find The Inside Of A Taco

carlewurtz Report

#22

Did They Really Not Think Before They Wrote That Down?

Did They Really Not Think Before They Wrote That Down?

NotSpanishInqusition Report

#23

‘Anti-Graffiti’, Huh? (Waterloo Bridge)

‘Anti-Graffiti’, Huh? (Waterloo Bridge)

williambash Report

When facing failure, Heady revealed that her rule of thumb is this: there's no failure, only feedback. "Failure is simply an indication that something isn't working — when you have a more inquisitive approach to failure you can then take action to improve and work on the things that need changing."

"A famous example of this is Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb, who made thousands of unsuccessful attempts before succeeding. When he was asked about this, he said 'Results! Why man, I have gotten lots of results! I know several thousand things that won't work!'" the coach concluded.

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#26

Since 14 Together 20 / Together Since 1420

Since 14 Together 20 / Together Since 1420

Some-Faithlessness75 Report

#28

I Have The Hypothesis That They Were Wrong

I Have The Hypothesis That They Were Wrong

nadie___3 Report

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

thanks for the red circle btw, really needed to see what needs to be seen

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#29

Took Me A While To Figure This Out. It's An Upside Down Ear

Took Me A While To Figure This Out. It's An Upside Down Ear

Numerend Report

#30

A Solar-Powered Parking Meter... Under A Tree

A Solar-Powered Parking Meter... Under A Tree

that1edgyfox Report

#31

Ordered A Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger Without Tomato. Got Only Tomato

Ordered A Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger Without Tomato. Got Only Tomato

Geryoneiis Report

#32

Somebody Forgot To Add The Chips Before Baking

Somebody Forgot To Add The Chips Before Baking

adgvogamer Report

#33

Bought A Melon, Received A Lemon

Bought A Melon, Received A Lemon

visionarytune Report

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

Could've been worse. What if you ordered Melon Husks and gotten Elon Musk instead?

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#34

Wait I Remember That Character, It's Super-Man!

Wait I Remember That Character, It's Super-Man!

Beautiful_Fishing569 Report

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

My first thought looking at the picture was: "something is wrong with these peanuts"

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#35

Guy Writes "Water Million" Then Translates It To Arabic

Guy Writes "Water Million" Then Translates It To Arabic

NourEldin21P Report

#36

The Roundest Table I Ever Did See

The Roundest Table I Ever Did See

CasFromSask Report

#37

Dude Sneaks Scissors On To Plane But Gets Water Bottle Confiscated By TSA

Dude Sneaks Scissors On To Plane But Gets Water Bottle Confiscated By TSA

Eaglescoutgamer Report

#39

Just Installed The Buttons Boss

Just Installed The Buttons Boss

Nichopr Report

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

I'm more worried by the the "no lift" sign. If there is no lift, what do the buttons do? Heaven and Hell?

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#40

Placed The No Parking Sign, Boss

Placed The No Parking Sign, Boss

fagermo Report

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cateharris avatar
Amused panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Council worker: Hi, I'm calling to update you about your report that people keep parking their cars on the verge directly in front of your property causing an obstruction. We've investigated and we are going to install signage that should prevent any vehicles parking here.

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Note: this post originally had 44 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.