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Article created by: Donata Ruzgaitė
At this point, we all know that it’s a red flag if your employer claims “you’re all family.” But it’s also not great if they decide to treat their workers like machines rather than humans.

It’s no secret that the workplace has been becoming increasingly toxic in recent years. And one way that bosses love making their employees feel uncomfortable is by posting insulting messages for them.

Bored Panda has scoured the internet to find some of the worst notes companies and employers have published in their workplaces, so we’ve gathered the most shocking ones down below. Good luck scrolling through this list without becoming infuriated, and keep reading to find a conversation with anti-capitalism expert James Foster, who runs Metapolitic on Facebook and Instagram!

#1

My Job Threatened To Withhold My Paycheck To Ensure No One Left Early; I Responded Accordingly

Workplace sign warning employees about clocking out early and a legal employee response about pay and labor laws.

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    #2

    Nice Sign I Saw

    Sign at workplace humorously explaining staff are human, reacting unpredictably under pressure, highlighting employee motivation challenges.

    Massive_Yak_8360 Report

    #3

    Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On

    Sign at workplace reads did you know our servers survive on your tipping kindness highlighting employee motivation.

    M7plusoneequalsm8 Report

    #4

    I Left My Job Shortly After Receiving This Prize For My Good Work

    Hand holding a workplace sign offering an extra 10-minute break with strict rules, reflecting employee motivation signs.

    No-Satisfaction-749 Report

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    #5

    Came Into Work This Morning To Find This Taped To The Wall. Boss Went On A Tirade Against Me And Co-Worker Yesterday For Taking To Each Other With No Customers In The Store

    Workplace sign stating work is not meant to be fun with a minion cartoon saying work is not your daycare truth.

    MrHatesThisWebsite Report

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    #6

    "Time Theft"

    Workplace sign warning employees not to hide in bathrooms while clocked in, highlighting time theft consequences.

    The managerial mindset. Why not ask why someone would do such a thing, instead of putting up signs all around the bathroom?
    All the managers here are jerks who rarely respect my 30-minute break time, let alone be kind or empathetic.
    If I’ve learned anything working in food service or any job, it’s that unhappy workers are unproductive workers.

    DeathlessQuotient Report

    #7

    Place I Worked For A Month

    Workplace sign about no time off requests in November, December, and New Year, reflecting employee motivation and workplace rules.

    One of the worst places I’ve worked. Super short-staffed, managers are buddies with the crew, always had issues with pay. Was only there a month before I left. Glad I’m not employed there anymore.

    tortilini-houdini Report

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    #8

    A Sign In My Hospital Reminding Nurses To Bill Patients For A Pillow. Yeah USA

    Sign at workplace humorously instructing employees to charge pillows, featuring a man holding a pillow and a directional arrow.

    Phreakie Report

    #9

    I’m Probably Going To Be Fired For This, But I Don’t Care

    Handwritten workplace sign about tips and cashier, one of many signs at workplaces showing less motivation.

    Cherry_P0pper Report

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    #10

    This Sign

    Digital workplace sign addressing employees about food policies amid rising costs, reflecting demotivating workplace messages.

    -CherryByte- Report

    #11

    Injury At Work

    Workplace sign instructing employees on injury protocol, emphasizing contacting managers and avoiding emergency room visits.

    Hello. I work at a Subway franchise in a small town in Tennessee. Tonight, my hand got crushed under the glass that separates the food and customers. I was instructed to go to the walk-in clinic if it was open, and if it wasn’t, to just go tomorrow morning. My supervisor said I could not go to the ER because she would get in trouble. I went to the clinic and they took the info from my supervisor, and the entire clinic staff thought the entire situation was sketchy. They put me in a splint for now and said to come back in the morning because the x-ray tech had already gone home. Apparently it is not being filed as worker's compensation, and instead the office (for this chain of franchises) will pay the bill in cash. My supervisor couldn’t even find any injury forms and said the general manager has never trained her on what to do in this situation. I’m scared to talk to my general manager tomorrow, because I’m worried I'll be tricked into making Subway more responsible.

    petalios Report

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    #12

    Sign Posted At A Local Dollar General. Good For Them

    Handwritten workplace sign showing employees quitting due to low pay and store closure affecting employee motivation.

    exoenigma Report

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    #13

    So This Is The Sign Posted On The Bathroom Door At Work Today

    Workplace sign stating no cell phone use and limited time allowed, highlighting employee motivation challenges.

    Sir_Garbus Report

    #14

    Local Subway Had This Posted On Their Door, I Ask The Manager What The Starting Pay Is And He Couldn't Give Me A Straight Answer

    Sign at workplace announcing reduced hours due to lack of employee motivation and job interest.

    Garlic_Sause Report

    #15

    The Place My Girlfriend Works At Just Posted This Sign In Their Break Room. The Company Had Record Profits Last Year

    Workplace sign announcing water provision stopped for the team due to a***e of privilege by employees.

    harveytheham Report

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    #16

    This Sign At A Chain Pizza Place Left A Bad Taste In My Mouth

    Please do not feed the employees sign in a workplace cafeteria behind a glass barrier with kitchen trays visible.

    blakleafeon Report

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    #17

    A Department Manager Did This To My Bike When I Had It In The Back For A Single Day

    Bicycle wrapped in plastic with a sign reminding employees to take their belongings at the workplace.

    AutismAsylum Report

    #18

    Boss Wrote "Thief" On My Check

    Note showing the word thief written by hand on a workplace document with a Santander Bank logo visible.

    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?

    OriginalNotice7957 Report

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    #19

    Charging Your Phone Is Theft Of Electricity, Apparently

    Workplace sign warning employees not to charge phones or devices, highlighting employee rules and motivation issues.

    ketchupandsalt77 Report

    #20

    Popular Sandwich Chain Had This Tip Sign

    Handwritten workplace sign about tipping rules placed near a payment terminal, illustrating employee motivation issues.

    I saw this, this weekend. I was shocked, to say the least. It's a popular sandwich chain that has over 200 locations in the US. Not sure what to do, but I did give them a cash tip in the moment. DFW, TX was where I saw this nonsense. Thoughts on what I should do next to help the employees? Or do I let them do something? Not looking to get anyone canned, even though their owner is clearly a POS.

    shibbyman342 Report

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    #21

    Saw This Sign At McDonald’s And Thought It Belonged Here

    Workplace sign warning employees about bill acceptance rules and potential suspension or termination consequences.

    honeygar Report

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    #22

    My First Job Has Crazy Fees

    List of employee fees including handbook, training, payroll, uniform, and hiring processing costs at a workplace

    thumbsup7up10 Report

    #23

    Punishment For Talking About Wages

    Workplace sign warning employees about pay discussion policy, highlighting gossip and pay cut consequences.

    ThanosRuler555 Report

    #24

    This Sign Posted At Our Shop. Don't They Know I Need At Least 3 Days Off A Month For My Mental Health

    Company policies sign at workplace humorously outlining sick, personal, and vacation days, reflecting unmotivated employee signs.

    sleepybot0524 Report

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    #25

    I Have No Words

    White tumbler held by a person with the phrase related to employee tears, highlighting workplace signs and employee motivation.

    SlingshotSweatpants Report

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    #26

    Recent "Sweat Pledge" My Wife Was Asked To Sign Before Employment

    SWEAT pledge document outlining work ethic and motivation principles for employees in a workplace setting.

    Casbaxter Report

    #27

    Is This Even Legal In USA?

    Workplace sign explaining sandwich reward system with survey code, illustrating employee motivation and workplace humor.

    Fort__Waffle Report

    #28

    I'm So Done With This Petty, Stupid Garbage

    Workplace sign warns employees about no free snacks, call-off rules, and consequences, showing unmotivated workplace environment.

    doughnutsprinks_ Report

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    #29

    $90,000,000 In Sales And This Target Store Rewarded The Workers With Cupcakes. Yes, Cupcakes

    Gold balloons shaped as 90 with cupcakes and a yellow sign celebrating sales, showcasing workplace motivation signs.

    UnionDrip Report

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    #30

    We Got A New District Manager

    Workplace sign listing strict food rules and smoking policy, reflecting unmotivated employee environment.

    I honestly liked my work environment up until now. We got switched to a different district, so now we have a different district manager. I get that everything on here is pretty much industry standard at this point, but she really gets the point across that we are not people to her. She's worse in person.

    Remote-Acadia4581 Report

    #31

    Posted On All The Operating Room Doors Today

    Workplace sign with a daily affirmation about personal responsibility, part of motivational signs at workplaces.

    mykarachi_Ur_jabooty Report

    #32

    Dollar General Management With An Inspiring Message To Staff

    A handwritten workplace sign on a chair instructing employees not to sit at the register, showing unmotivated employee signage.

    Whadyagot Report

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    #33

    My Local Denny's Has This Sign In Plain View

    Sign at Denny’s restaurant reminding servers about adult beverage sales and limiting discounts to increase check averages.

    Pretty aggressive sign at my local Denny’s posted right behind the counter. Been here 15 minutes and already heard a worker complain about being shorted a day on their paycheck. No wonder it’s always short-staffed.

    ParteesHere Report

    #34

    CFO Hung This Up

    Handwritten motivational workplace sign comparing doing nothing versus making small consistent efforts with math calculations.

    They gave everyone the option to either come in when the building didn't have clean water and just clean, or stay home. Most people chose to stay home. They were really mad, so many people didn't volunteer to come in, despite the fact that they "gave us the option".
    This was also after they refused to pay us after we had no water at all and made us use sick time or take it unpaid to cover it.

    macdennism Report

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    #35

    Saw This Posted On The Schedule After A Coworker Called Out Sick. Is This Even Legal?

    Handwritten workplace sign stating no calls out allowed due to short staff, reflecting employee motivation issues.

    OkDelivery4270 Report

    #36

    Employees Need A Doctor's Note To Eat At Work

    Workplace sign announces cancellation of family meal and restrictions on employees bringing outside food, affecting motivation.

    MiladyWillDo Report

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    #37

    Is This Even Legal? Stopped At A Restaurant For Lunch And Saw This Sign In The Employee Area

    Workplace sign stating no personal items allowed in the building, part of unmotivating employee signs collection.

    Cheek_Sorry Report

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    #38

    This Sign At My Work. They Will Charge Staff For Anything As Minimal As A Broken Ice Cream Cone

    Handwritten staff notice about breakages and damages requiring staff payment at workplaces with unmotivated employee signs.

    whatthef__ck Report

    #39

    I Saw a Bunch Of These Signs In The Checkout Area Of Home Depot. Because Uncomfortable Employees Work Harder

    Workplace sign telling cashiers no sitting allowed without a doctor's note, showing lack of employee motivation.

    IamtheRealDill Report

    #40

    Defacing "Motivational" Propaganda Posted By Management. Removed Within 24 Hours

    List of daily workplace reminders and zero talent traits for employees, highlighting motivation and work ethic signs.

    Gyushi Report

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    #41

    This Is The Sign Outside HR Today

    Workplace sign with bold text spelling out no, illustrating humorous employee motivation signs at workplaces.

    winsockie Report

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    #42

    Surely It Has Nothing To Do With $2.17 Per Hour And No Benefits. Oh, And Please Make Sure You Pay My Staff For Me And Tip

    Handwritten workplace sign asking for patience and kindness due to short staff, reminding to tip employees.

    KingdomCulture Report

    #43

    A Thoughtful Message From Management

    Workplace sign with motivational message using boat and storm emojis, highlighting employee support and teamwork.

    BikeGlass2335 Report

    #44

    Gross "Do Not Sit Unless You Have Doc. Note"

    Snack bar counter with various energy bars and a sign warning employees not to sit unless they have dog notes in a workplace.

    MosiahJasper Report

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