ADVERTISEMENT

No job is ever going to be ‘perfect’—there will always be something that needs to be tweaked and fixed, always something to grumble and mumble about. At the same time, it’s incredibly important to have good working conditions, competent and positive management, a sense of purpose, and room for financial and career growth. If you’re waking up every morning dreading the day ahead, if you’re burned out beyond belief, something’s wrong and you need to fix it.

While some workers might be too timid (or too calculating) to raise their voices about important workplace issues, others throw caution to the wind and speak up. This article is about them. Bored Panda is featuring tweets from people who weren’t afraid to complain about their work and the job industry online, and some of them make some pretty good points.

Check out what they had to say, and as you’re scrolling down, remember to upvote the tweets that spoke to you the loudest, Pandas. Care to share a few thoughts about the tweets? Got some ideas about work-life (or, well, life-work) balance that you’d love to get off your chest? Tell us all about it, as well as your relationship with work, in the comments.

Workplace expert Lynn Taylor was kind enough to share her thoughts about the difference between complaining and constructive criticism to Bored Panda, as well as why it’s important to have potential solutions to problems in mind and to learn to ‘manage up.’ Lynn is the author of ‘Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job’ and the head of the fashion brand ‘Behind the Buckle.’

"Diplomacy is what delineates complaining from constructive criticism—and good versus great employees. Strong emotional intelligence is at the core. And that’s a key trait of successful business leaders,” she shared with us.

#3

They Couldn’t Care Less, Because They Don’t Care At All

DiorDark Report

According to workplace expert and author Lynn, complaining is different from constructive feedback in three ways:

  • “Complaining is a one-way street. Venting about a problem is rarely constructive. That is, unless you follow the complaint with actionable ideas.
  • Conversely, constructive feedback creates a more two-way, open dialogue, with conflict resolution as the ultimate goal. Here, the person having issues actually wants to see a change, whereas a complainer is often someone who doesn’t expect anything to change. Their negative attitude can ultimately be self-fulfilling.
  • There’s a fine line between complaining and wanting a mutually beneficial outcome. And that centers around knowing what your objectives are before you rant. Often, when people think about the outcome expected beforehand, they shift from a venting mindset to one of positivity. Their people savvy skills pave the way for better results.”

According to Lynn, the author of ‘Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant,’ a positive aspect of a complaint is that you’re aware of the situation and trying to change the challenging circumstances. However, she argues, you have to be willing to take that to the next positive step.

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Most Companies Want Your Soul, Too

87tskin Report

Add photo comments
POST
purplezebra avatar
SillyPandaBunny
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because some religious nut forced their thinking on everyone, telling us what is moral and what is not. Like how is the beauty of one’s body bad? If someone wants to share that who cares!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Ain't That The Truth

DanPriceSeattle Report

Add photo comments
POST
glowingsun2002 avatar
BadCat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever notice it's the people who don't care, don't obey, defy all the naysayers, go against the grain, take the biggest risks, drop out of college/high school, quit their first job because they can't stand being ordered around by a low paid manager who become the biggest successes? The difference between us and them is they have 0 notion of empathy, so scared of failing they'll do anything to stay ahead, focus only on their business and money, and basically be the very type of people we hate. Think about that for a moment.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“One of the best pieces of advice I can give to career-minded professionals is that before you issue a complaint verbally or in written form, have solutions ready,” she said. “Bosses are pre-disposed to wanting the least amount of burden on their plate, as they feel they have enough already. So when employees drain bosses with additional problems but offer nothing on the flipside, it’s career-limiting.”

Bosses tend to view complainers as people who have weak problem-solving skills. “You will ascend faster to senior management with such traits as independence, wisdom, resourcefulness, and patience to see a problem through. You may not have all the answers, but giving it your best shot is imperative,” the workplace expert told Bored Panda.

“Also whining to your colleagues is bad news because word can spread rapidly through office gossip. No one can eliminate commiseration or complaints from the workplace, as we’re all human. But everything has a degree… and everything has an outcome,” Lynn noted that employees should be careful about how they vent their dissatisfaction and anger.

ADVERTISEMENT
#7

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

DadaBaseThought Report

Add photo comments
POST
glowingsun2002 avatar
BadCat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I took quiet quitting literally. Only the managers and a few supervisors knew I put in my 2 weeks and some of them just found out today. I'm glad. The way I have been treated in the last 2 weeks really showed how they really felt about me.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Screw You Guys, I'm Going Home

pdmtz Report

Add photo comments
POST
jameskramer avatar
James016
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣 I would love to have seen the reactions. Reminds me when I dropped my son off at school one day. As he was walking in he had this interaction with the head teacher: HT “Good morning”. SON: “No” and he carried on walking

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

“And of course, on social media, complaints can leave a permanent footprint—and the damage can run deep when you’re affecting your company’s reputation. Badmouthing a company publicly can also get you into legal hot water,” she pointed out that complaining isn’t as simple and straightforward as some would think. You have to be aware of the potential consequences.

“Managers expect you to share your issues privately and not drag the company through the mud. It’s also a dealbreaker for most prospective employers, as they don’t want to ‘be next.’ When raising an issue with your boss, you must put yourself in their shoes and realize they expect to work through solutions with you, that hopefully, you recommend.”

Workplace expert Lynn told Bored Panda about ‘managing up’ as a worthwhile skill to learn. According to her, it’s the antithesis of complaining and means deploying constructive criticism when necessary.

ADVERTISEMENT

“If you’re managing up properly, you’re a problem solver for your boss, not the other way around. You’re there to make life easier for your manager. That said, you should never suffer in silence. People should complain when their boundaries are crossed or when their job becomes untenable. For example, if that’s the case, you would want to complain to management or HR or a combination thereof,” she stressed the importance of speaking up when there’s something legitimately wrong.

“In my book, ‘Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job,’ I talk about the acronym CALM. That stands for Communicate, Anticipate, Laugh, and Manage. When you have conflict at work, the first thing you need to do is stay calm. Think things through before speaking; you’ll get a better result,” she said.

“Also, ‘anticipate’ their answer. If you’re complaining, the automatic reaction in business is, ‘Okay, so what do you suggest?’ And oftentimes the employee does know the answer better than the boss, as they’re closer to the situation.”

#13

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

MishimaKitan Report

Add photo comments
POST
vasanaphong424 avatar
Vasana Phong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is my week: wake up at 5:30 to get ready, clock in at 8:30, out by 5-traffic due to the construction, home by 5:40, Saturday run around do all errands/ clean house, Sunday to mom’s ,help her there, get home later in evening, prep things for work, sleep, repeat. I know someone has it worse, just giving you my schedule

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile, the L part of CALM stands for ‘levity’ (i.e. humor), “which helps when you’re struggling with an issue, assuming your boss is not toxic. For example, levity reduces tension barriers and can smooth the way to conflict resolution.”

Finally, the M in the acronym means ‘manage.’ “That’s using positive and negative reinforcement to affect behaviors. People ages 2 to 62 are no different when it comes to core human emotions, such as praise, fear, and rejection. So when you have something negative to say, couch it in between ‘positive bookends.’"

The workplace expert shared an example of how an employee might use the CALM approach when speaking to management about a problem. You could try something like this: “‘I really like my job. But something set me back yesterday and I wanted to talk to you about it.’ That’s followed by constructive criticism. At the end of the conversation is something like, ‘Thank you for taking the time to talk through this with me. I really do enjoy working here and with you.’”

ADVERTISEMENT
#17

This Belongs Here

Pizar_III Report

Add photo comments
POST
glowingsun2002 avatar
BadCat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because it's treated like it is a crime. I was forced doxxed hours after coming back from a terrible respiratory infection and flu (this was long pre-covid), and berated and HR believed I was sick because I "couldn't handle the job". I literally called them at the hospital, barely able to speak and I sounded like I had emphysema. At the hospital. When I called they were begging me to try to come in. A week later, I wasn't completely feeling better but well enough to stick it out and the supervisors were complaining how my voice was sounding. They were explaining to me how I was sounding like I was oblivious at the same time purposely sounding like that and told me to stop. When I told them I had Bronchitis the jerk said "So? I had a cold and I don't sound like that. Now stop sounding hoarse." I could have taken his damn headset wires and wrap them around his neck and smash a monitor in his face. I had a lot of violent thoughts in that job.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

KimberDin Report

Add photo comments
POST
lulugrepe avatar
a fruity dream of delusion
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HAH- that is acutally something i wonder about vampire stories.. of all the things you can do, you chose high school???

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Lynn suggested choosing courage over comfort and taking the leap to air your concerns at work. “Just use a heavy dose of emotional intelligence and take a positive, constructive route.”

The responsibility shouldn’t just fall on the employees’ shoulders when it comes to adopting a more constructive approach to criticism. Managers also need to heed the complaints that might come their way.

“Employees are mere mortals and tensions can run high in the office. So it behooves management to encourage feedback—even if it doesn’t come in the most diplomatic form. Managers who operate in a vacuum will never succeed long term. They are only as good as their team,” Lynn explained.

“Strong business leaders can also model the right behavior for sharing criticism. For example, in meetings, successful executives know how to use diplomacy and share feedback constructively,” the workplace expert told Bored Panda.

“When emotionally intelligent managers who have an issue with an employee’s opinion or action share their contradictory perspective, employees don’t even feel they have been challenged! They set the example.”

#21

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

H3KTlC Report

Add photo comments
POST
kris10rpres avatar
Kristin Gullard
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boss reduced all our hours to 35 a week and we are all so much happier. And everything still gets done.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

There’s a lot to be said for voicing your opinion, especially when you’re scared of the consequences. How you phrase things, the tone of voice that you use, how you approach difficult managers—all of these things matter.

If your goal is to make some long-lasting changes in a potentially toxic or high-stress environment, then it’s vital to be diplomatic and empathetic, even if you don’t really feel like it. Rudeness and abuse should not be tolerated in the workplace. Though it’s also important to remember that your superiors are also human beings just like you—imperfect, probably overworked, and not fully aware of their flaws. As in all areas in life, clear communication wins the day.

No matter how awesome or terrible your coworkers are, at the end of the day, you yourself bear the weight of responsibility for your own happiness, job satisfaction, and ambitions. Yes, your job should absolutely give you a fair wage, opportunities for growth, and provide at least some greater purpose for your daily tasks to help keep you motivated.

But beyond that, it’s really down to you to find that deeper, personal meaning in your daily grind. If your workplace has pretty adequate work conditions and management isn’t squeezing you dry, it might be time to reevaluate how you approach work as a whole. Some people might feel burned out because they always go above and beyond without receiving any tangible reward, and sacrifice their health and free time for this. Others find that they simply aren’t passionate about their jobs beyond making enough money to keep a roof over their heads and putting food on the table. Whatever the particular issue might be, solving it should be priority number one.

Life coach Lindsay Hanson put it very well during her interview with Bored Panda, that each and every one of us is responsible for setting the boundaries for what we’re willing to tolerate. Both at work and elsewhere.

"If you feel that there's nothing you can do to change the situation and the company or people involved are unwilling to change, then you have to decide whether you're willing to stay in that environment or not," she said.

#26

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

PatrickFreivald Report

Add photo comments
POST
sueuser avatar
Sue User
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the best explanation for quiet quitting i have ever seen.

View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

DrakeGatsby Report

Add photo comments
POST
jameskramer avatar
James016
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The 4 and a half months I was furloughed during the pandemic were the best despite having to take a 20% pay cut. Got to spend time with my family that I never would have done. I got to switch off completely from work. There was also a prolonged heatwave so I spent every day out in the garden sunbathing. So much that my psoriasis cleared up for a while. Mentally I felt better than ever.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

"A good question to ask yourself is, even if this toxic situation were to change, would I still want to work here?" the life coach noted this is something every employee should genuinely answer for themselves when considering the future of their career. It helps inform their next decisions, whether they should stick it out and help change things for the better, or bite the bullet and change jobs.

According to Lindsay, the very idea that you can’t change your work situation due to various reasons, whether it’s the pandemic or something else, is very limiting. “There are still companies hiring. There are still ways to make money on your own. There is always a way to change your current situation—telling yourself you're stuck feels very limiting,” she shared some thoughts on how to get past the idea that you’re ‘stuck’ in your current position forever.

"Again, it comes back to what you're willing to tolerate. You can do everything in your power to bring attention to the toxic situation and attempt to change it. And at the end of the day, you always have control over your own mindset, how you're reacting to the situation, and how much you let it affect you,” she said.

#28

The Whole Thing Is Just One Big Scam At This Point We Need To Get Rid Of It

urmomsuckedmeoff Report

Add photo comments
POST
sofacushionfort avatar
sofacushionfort
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or an EMT’s annual salary equals 20 half-hour trips in the ambulance where she works.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Emotionally Checked Out Of The Week By Then

KingPZe Report

Eddy Ng, the Smith Professor of Equity & Inclusion at Queen’s University, reminded Bored Panda that if there are constant derogatory comments and unwelcome jokes at work, then a human rights complaint might be the best way forward. Employers can be held responsible for inaction.

"If repeated complaints about the toxic workplace to the manager or HR fall on deaf ears, then it is indicative that the employer is not taking the concern seriously and it's the cue that you should switch employers/workplace," he said.

At the same time, if your employers actually show signs that the organization is responding to worker feedback, it’s worth acknowledging this. "If management makes an effort for change, then it would be an opportunity to assist with that change," he said.

"Generally, it is easier to look for another job while you are still in one, so you don't have to explain gaps in employment or past problems with a prospective employer," the professor told Bored Panda earlier. He added that switching careers can be the perfect opportunity to take stock, engage in some career planning, and explore how to transition to new and perhaps even different positions.

Retooling and adapting can help you switch career lanes. Hopefully, something that you feel gives you a much greater sense of purpose, satisfaction, and, well, happiness. Where the only complaints you hear at your new job concern not microwaving fish in the kitchen.

#36

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

wyldepepper Report

Add photo comments
POST
jasonmills avatar
Jason Mills
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad someone finally said they like working. I love working, its part of who I am.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Preach!

Expired_Cookiez Report

Add photo comments
POST
jnjulian1983 avatar
Jessica J.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've got TWO Bachelor's Degrees, and I am just now crossing the $30,000/yr line...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

It Really Is

mrmgwilson Report

Add photo comments
POST
glowingsun2002 avatar
BadCat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've sacrificed sleep just to get as much time to myself as possible.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

freeblackgirl Report

Add photo comments
POST
spaceace11840000 avatar
4th Account
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didnt ms do this in a country and their workers productivity go up by 20%?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#42

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

PhillyBeardBul Report

Add photo comments
POST
michaellargey avatar
Michael Largey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And people in charge who have a healthy work life balance will ruin yours just so they can keep theirs.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

Cpin42 Report

Add photo comments
POST
lulugrepe avatar
a fruity dream of delusion
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sometimes it feels like you just plunged straight from a warm sauna to a fridge, honestly

View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

emjstacey Report

Add photo comments
POST
maxrobitzsch avatar
Max Robitzsch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering the specific weight of work is heavier, that should balance.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

AqeelahCarrim Report

Add photo comments
POST
998espressos avatar
Keblr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was a perfectly acceptable sacrifice 50 years ago when the office job alone paid for a house, multiple cars, multiple kids, and a stay at home wife

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#48

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

sunbleach3d Report

Add photo comments
POST
c_devine avatar
Seedy Vine
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because we all have to keep paying for the same piece of land over and over and have our wages and expedutires taxed even though that money has already been taxed over and over.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

People-Complaining-About-Their-Job

ThaTanMamba Report

Add photo comments
POST
michaellargey avatar
Michael Largey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bosses are right that it is possible to be in the office and not do your job. Example : them.

View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 82 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.