Profit versus people is an age-old debate in which the latter doesn’t usually stand a chance. In capitalism, money is often the main concern of most corporations. Meanwhile, employees are viewed as an expense to be cut in order to make even more earnings.
This sad yet true reality is often shared by people on the r/antiwork subreddit. We at Bored Panda have gathered some of the most bizarre notes and messages from workplaces that show how scary late-stage capitalism has become. From needing a doctor’s note to eat to taking employees' tips, scroll down to find instances where unemployment might sound more enticing than whatever these workplaces are offering.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with Darren A. Smith, chief executive officer of Making Business Matter, who kindly agreed to answer a few of our questions.
This post may include affiliate links.
Ever Since I Have Found Stability In My Career, I Feel More Empowered To Respond To Recruiters Like This:
Sad That People Need To Be Reminded Of This
My vet has a sign on their door that says something along the lines of they won't tolerate bad behavior from the pets or the owners.
And Some Have Super Yachts While Their Employees Are Drowning
In 2023, soft-skills training company Making Business Matter (MBM) conducted a study trying to find where businesses put their focus—people or profit.
The aim was to find out if organizations that publicly state caring for their employees are telling the truth. They also tried to reveal if companies are really making the proper investment in the development and well-being of their employees.
In the report, the researchers claim that they chose such a particular focus because it hasn’t been done before. Interestingly enough, they are the first to bring these facts to light by looking at publicly available annual reports.
I've Been Giving Employers A Piece Of My Mind
Makes Me Even More Mad If Possible. What Do You Think?
Wow.. I wouldn't be suprised if the rich who are in charge really think that way and do everything to make our life even more miserable just so we consume endlessly. Everytime I read something like this I just feel like a sad little puppet..
We All Know About "Shrinkflation". Can I Coin The Term, "Trickflation"?
Pure evil. And this is from a company that makes money hand over fist - or should I say hand over trotter?
We were lucky enough to get in contact with Darren A. Smith, chief executive officer of Making Business Matter, who told Bored Panda, "Our People vs. Profit report analyzed the top 100 global companies’ annual reports and showed that 76 companies mentioned profit words more than people words.
Only 16 companies mentioned more people than profit words. Roche Holdings was #1 with a ratio of 1:0.3, which means that for every people they mention, they only mention profit 0.3 times. At the other end of the scale, #100 was Samsung, which had a ratio of 1:7.1, which means that for every person they mention, they mention profit 7.1 times."
85 Degree Bakery Enabled Tips On Their Point Of Sale Devices. Tips Don’t Go To Workers; You’re Just Giving The Company More Money
That was exactly my immediate concern when I first heard of selve serve check outs etc giving a tip prompt. Who does that money go to? Depressing, yet not surprising, to have my bad expectations met.
Paramedic
Popular Sandwich Chain Had This Tip Sign
Their main finding was that “85 out of 100 companies focus more on profit than people in their annual reports, even in today’s climate of emphasizing employee happiness.” Well-being and mental issues are some of the aspects that organizations are simply glossing over in their yearly reviews, with 21 businesses not mentioning these keywords in their documents at all.
17-Year-Old Employee Ends Up In Er Before Scheduled Shift, Her Mother And Grandmother Both Call In On Her Behalf. Still Gets Fired For Not Personally Calling In.
A SMOCK! They are holding the last paycheck hostage over a SMOCK? THAT IS HELLA ILLEGAL.
Am I Wrong To Be Irritated By This?
That's on managers. It's why they make the "big bucks". Manager can't find coverage, manager does the job themselves.
Boss Wrote “Thief” On My Check
"Filed a wage theft report against my former employer, was told he only paid 80% of what was owned, but I sucked it up. When I picked up the check at the Department of Labor, it had 'THIEF' boldly written on the subject line. Super awkward, unfair, and embarrassing, especially with others witnessing it. Is there anything that can be done?"
Is that not defamation - publicly accusing someone of something that you know isn't true?
They also revealed a common disparity between the values that the companies publicly communicate and those their annual report focuses on. “A key example of this is Toyota, which claims ‘Kaizen’ as one of their core values, meaning ‘continuous improvements’, and yet has a total of zero learning mentions,” the study writes.
My House Burned Down Two Months Ago, And I'm In A Fight With The Insurance Company. My Neighbour Has Concerns
Over 14,000 California Disney Workers Authorize Strike
Tired of the Mickey Mouse type of management they've had to put up with.
Employees Need A Doctor's Note To Eat At Work
Anyone with hypoglycemia or diabetes should consult a lawyer familiar with the Americans With Disabilities act.
The main takeaway from this study is quite clear: most businesses agree, at least on the surface, that people are an important asset of any company. However, too few are willing to apply this logic to their policies and daily management. Instead of putting employees and their well-being first, they often look for short-term solutions like slashing labor costs, office expenses, etc.
Found On Facebook
And This Is Just In One State
Do I File A Wage Theft Claim?
Sadly technically legal. Just another reason tipping culture is major effed up.
Businesses that solely focus on the numbers forget that it's the people who make those figures happen. "A ‘numbers business’ becomes very transactional, treating their people like just another resource, and eventually the company loses its reason for being. As Simon Sinek would say, ‘the why’. Why do we do this?
Because money is a way of keeping score, not a reason. Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, didn’t start because he wanted to make a profit, though it was a welcome bonus, no doubt. He started McDonald’s because he wanted to give the customer a consistent hamburger," says Smith.
This Sign Was Posted In A Popeyes Next To The Customer Restrooms
My Husband Is An Repair Technician Working On Their Fridge
Gee he's a walking red flag right there. So was the conception voluntary or just a trap to keep her there?
Came Into Work This Morning To Find This Taped To The Wall. Boss Went On Tirade Against Me And Co-Worker Yesterday For Taking To Each Other With No Customers In The Store
Sadly, many companies have proven that it's possible to have a sustainable business that focuses on profit over people. "Samsung might be a case in point," Smith tells us. "A business such as that will consistently win by having something else. In Samsung’s case, they may not have a focus on people, but they do focus on profit through innovative designs and diversification."
Is This Allowed
However, "for most businesses, a path of focusing on profit over people is usually a short one because it is the companies that treat their people well, have a people culture, and develop their people, that attract the best people. Not the ones who pay the most, and this is becoming ever more important with the new generations," Smith reassures us.
Dollar General Management With An Inspiring Message To Staff
We Got A New District Manager
Currently working at a food plant and we ABSOLUTELY let people take home our less than sellable product. Middle managers who do this are control freaks who suck to work with.
But there is a way companies can be profitable and compassionate at the same time. In fact, as Smith mentioned, businesses that thrive tend to be the ones that embrace this idea. A Gallup study has found that by prioritizing employee well-being and offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, work-life balance initiatives, growth opportunities, and encouraging open communication, companies can see 21% higher profitability. Other benefits include lower turnover, better customer service, and a reduced risk of safety incidents.
When My Grandfather Passed Away, My Boss Asked For A Funeral Note. Wtf Is A Funeral Note?
When my kids came to my dad's funeral, we gave them a certificate from the funeral parlor, so they could have the day off from their jobs.
Injury At Work
How Legal Is This?
Reminds me of a friend who got fired for calling out on New Years day.
Smith believes that what companies can do to value their staff more is to start by asking for their opinions. "But act on what you receive," he warns. "It’s worse to ask and do nothing than to ask and implement something."
He also adds, "Train line managers to give feedback regularly. Not just ‘well done’ but add the why. ‘You did well today because’. It is the way that makes the difference. If people know what and why they did well, they’ll do more of it."
A Note From Management When I Used To Work Here
Lastly, he recommends, "Offer all staff development programs that achieve behavioral changes. Not one-day training courses because they deliver now. Programs that change people’s behaviors for the better."
Employer Complains On Facebook About Casual Employee Taking Time Off For Birthdays
Those Pesky Workers
What would anyone expect? You got to pay the brewery workers more so of course the customer has to pay more.
How Does Alex Manage To Be On Call On A Weekend Away??
Note Posted At Job…
Place I Worked For A Month
The “Suggested Tips” Section On The Receipt From The Hipster Bar We Were Just At
Someone Keeps On Flipping The Sign In The Supermarket
Well....you could always buy a water filter that will put the price at somewhere between 1/1000 and 1/10,000 of that planet destroying plastic bottle.
Navigating Malicious Compliance: Share Your Stories
I Got A Raise 4 Months Ago And It Is Finally Implemented
wow. What shall it be, OP? A ferrari, or a lambo? Now that you are rich and all.
Look At This
How desperate do you have to be to work at a place like this? But I guess that's the point.
Ez Stop In Kinsley, Ks Still Pays Poverty Wages
Fun Giant Eagle Memory
How greedy do you have to be and how little do you have to care about employee morale to penny pinch on f*****g cooler water.
“Time Theft”
Kroger Requires Full Time Workers To Have Open Availability
An Owner Put This Up For The Workers
Found This On A Door While Waiting For A Table At A Restaurant With My Family
“Please Check-In On Your Poor, Struggling Ceos…”
Owner Of The Spa I Used To Work At Responds To A Review Left By A Client Who Is Upset That The Massage Therapists Are Forced To Rely On Tips
Is This Even Legal? (Must Be Flexible 12 Hr Days)
Hospital Has Money For Bs But Not Safe Staffing
The employee is most likely in crisis due to not being able to afford life.
The Job Hunt Has Been Exhausting And I'm So Tired Of These Type Of Descriptions
"Instead Of Paying Your Waiter/Waitress Their Expected Wage, Donate To Charity!" I Barely Get Tips Because Of This
This does not seem to be a problem. The Loaves & Fishes Center is a non-profit organization with volunteers staffing as servers. They provide free meals for people in need of a meal. Asking for tips to go to another worthy non-profit seems pretty good.
Posted By A Facebook Friend. 6 Months Of Mandatory Overtime??? She’s Also Pregnant With A 1 Year Old At Home
This Is A Bad Sign…
Just so you know, many, probably most, of the doctors out here find such policies inappropriate and sometimes dangerous. If you have an infectious routine illness (cold, flu, covid, etc..), being forced to go to a doctor only to get a note, exposes the doctor and all in our building to the virus solely because the boss doesn't beleive adults know when they are sick. It wastes resources, wastes your valuable time you could be recovering from whatever ailed you, ends up overwhelming urgent cares or ED's without good cause, and we generally feel insulted for you that an employer would treat you like this. I for one always make sure when I have to write such a note, to add in as much time off as the patient wants, quote labor laws threatening the employer if they don't submit to my medical advice, and occasionally add a statement about how the patient being required to get a note for this is medically unnecessary and employee should be exempted from all future Dr note requirements.
"Up To" $13.00 An Hour
Fulltime And Get Complaints Of Me Taking Care Of Work. Funny Thing Is I Didn't Go Over 40 Hours
No Details
I Found This Note In The Elevator At My Hotel
If The Sign With Arrows Is Not Clear Enough, How Bout The Big Hamper?
Absolute Jerk
Lying To Populate On More Ppls Searches. Hybrid Remote Pool Cleaning?
Ah, Yes, What A Wonderful Array Of Benefits. (Boredom So Browsing Indeed.)
Thought This Was Funny
Crazy Neighbor Gets Mad At Friend For Dropping A Single Strand Of Hair And Tapes Up The Hair As Evidence
Just Saw This On A Job Application, Absolutely Insane
My Wife Found This In The Break Room Today
Tortology... Teenagers are NOT supposed to be dependable. They are supposed to be learning and growing as people and making mistakes and fùcking off crappy part time jobs that pay shìt wages and then having fun... IT. IS. CALLED. BEING. A. TEENAGER. If you don't like it then pay an adult a living wage to do the job and not cut price wages. One day those teenagers will be running the world and I hope to god they scrèw you over in new and imaginative ways.
Look At What Booster Juice Thinks Is Appropriate To Send To Their Employees While They Sit In Back Watching The Videos Of Said Employees Working
"If you cannot find something to do, then ask." Take a long walk off a short pier.
The Gas Station Blaming Your Bank For Any Holds
I don't see the problem with this. Costco has a near identical message on their pumps. It is SOP in a lot of places to put a hold on your CC before they let you pump the gas because if the card isn't valid they can't exactly get the gas back. As opposed to point of sale in a store where they would just have you leave the unpaid merchandise behind. My Citi card seems to clear the holds quickly. Not really sure since I pay my card off every month. But for some folks close to their limit this can be a problem and it really is waiting for the bank / credit card company to clear the hold.
George’s In La Jolla, Ca
Got This Gem
Merhcandise Cunsomption Policy At A Grocery Store
Found In A Break Room At My Job
“Resolve *any* Issues That May Be Causing Delay Of Payment”
So a collection agent then. Let me guess: the job title is different so they don't pay the traditional collection-agent commission.
At My Workplace Today
20 Months Later, They Finally Admitted I No Longer Worked There
Not dumb. I think there is a law (USA) where your old employer has to give you 'X' months to find a new home for your 401K money. That's because if you take possession of the money - even to reinvest later - you pay penalty / taxes on it. If you roll it over to another qualified retirement investment you don't. But they made it so employers have to give you time to do that. I actually still have my 401K money in the same account as it was when I worked there. But after a year or so they started charging me a modest fee each year for handling the paperwork. I still have the option of moving the money - just haven't done so.
Sign On The Way Into A Local Restaurant
The fashion to label this sort of thing as the bad face of capitalism is all wrong. It's the bad face of America and its lack of protection for individuals. Elsewhere in the capitalist world these sorts of shítty rules and policies are simply not tolerated.
When corporations can get their candidates elected because they can spend a lot more money than you or I, they get the laws they want.
Load More Replies...it crazy that Americans are always saying that they live in the greatest country on earth but the way they treat their workers the fact people go broke if they have to go to the hospital people arguing against gun control despite all the mass shootings based on the 2nd amendment which was based on guns that on average fired 3 rounds a minute by a trained soldier. Kinda proves that its not the case
I'm not saying america is the greatest country on earth...I'm saying I'd really like to move to Europe.
Load More Replies...The fashion to label this sort of thing as the bad face of capitalism is all wrong. It's the bad face of America and its lack of protection for individuals. Elsewhere in the capitalist world these sorts of shítty rules and policies are simply not tolerated.
When corporations can get their candidates elected because they can spend a lot more money than you or I, they get the laws they want.
Load More Replies...it crazy that Americans are always saying that they live in the greatest country on earth but the way they treat their workers the fact people go broke if they have to go to the hospital people arguing against gun control despite all the mass shootings based on the 2nd amendment which was based on guns that on average fired 3 rounds a minute by a trained soldier. Kinda proves that its not the case
I'm not saying america is the greatest country on earth...I'm saying I'd really like to move to Europe.
Load More Replies...
