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Having a terrible day at work can be frustrating, overwhelming, and even demoralizing. Whether it's a challenging project, an annoying colleague, or just a series of misfortunes, sadly, there are plenty of reasons you might feel like you're a failure.

But as Sigrid and Bring Me The Horizon sang, "It's just a bad day / Not a bad life." And one of the ways to recover is by venting online. So we at Bored Panda decided to remind ourselves that the universe hasn't conspired against any of us. From time to time, everyone runs into some (undeserved) adversity.

Continue scrolling to see all the messed-up nonsense people have had to deal with on the job! And when you're done, see more fails previously posted here.

#1

I Work In Mosquito Control. Everyday I Go Into Vacant Lots, Holding Ponds Swamps, Low Areas, Woodlands And Onto Residence Properties. This Is Typical Of What I Find

I Work In Mosquito Control. Everyday I Go Into Vacant Lots, Holding Ponds Swamps, Low Areas, Woodlands And Onto Residence Properties. This Is Typical Of What I Find

I've lost my faith in humanity. What we do defines us and this is what we do. We are not stewards of the land or caretakers. We are a blight. We are just vultures picking at the carcass of a dying world.

ObadiahRain Report

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

I wanted to say some people are like animals, but animals wouldn't make such a mess :(

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#2

I Work As A Valet And Make $3.85/Hour And I Received This As A Tip

I Work As A Valet And Make $3.85/Hour And I Received This As A Tip

AyeBenji Report

Getting dealt a bad hand at work isn't the end of the world. Especially for content employees. According to Annie McKee, Ph.D., who is a best-selling business book author and advisor to top global leaders, from CEOs of Fortune 500 companies to government officials, those who are engaged with their jobs and colleagues work harder — and smarter. But that's quite rare.

"Far too many couldn’t care less about what’s happening around them," McKee wrote in Harvard Business Review. "For them, Wednesday is 'hump day' and they’re just working to get to Friday. And then there’s the other end of the bell curve — that nearly one out of five employees is actively disengaged. These people are sabotaging projects, backstabbing colleagues, and generally wreaking havoc in their workplaces."


#3

Sorry Class, My Dog Ate Everyone's Homework

Sorry Class, My Dog Ate Everyone's Homework

paulathekoala95 Report

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Deborah Harris2
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and this young boys and girls is the result of feeding your teachers' doggo all those treats ..well played :D

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#4

As A Practical Joke, Some Coworkers Wrapped My Office In Foil. In The Process, My 30" LCD Monitor Was Accidentally Turned On, And It Boiled Itself

As A Practical Joke, Some Coworkers Wrapped My Office In Foil. In The Process, My 30" LCD Monitor Was Accidentally Turned On, And It Boiled Itself

Here's what it looked like when I unwrapped it.

daroon Report

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

I hope this came out of their paychecks and you were given compensation for this damage.

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#5

Got Fired For “Telling The Boss How To Do His Job” When All I Did Was Say “We Can’t Obstruct A Fire Escape”

Got Fired For “Telling The Boss How To Do His Job” When All I Did Was Say “We Can’t Obstruct A Fire Escape”

Sudden_Chard8860 Report

"Disengaged, unhappy people aren’t any fun to work with, don’t add much value, and impact our organizations (and our economy) in profoundly negative ways," McKee explained.

"It’s even worse when leaders are disengaged because they infect others with their attitude. Their emotions and mindset impact others’ moods and performance tremendously. After all, how we feel is linked to what and how we think. In other words, thought influences emotion, and emotion influences thinking."

#6

If You're A Parent And Let Your Kids Make A Mess Like This

If You're A Parent And Let Your Kids Make A Mess Like This

dillonconnerty Report

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

I understand that kids are really messy, and it is hard to take care of them, but have some respect and clean up after them.

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#7

Two Domino's Workers After Their Shift In San Antonio, Texas Today. All Food Gone In 4 Hours

Two Domino's Workers After Their Shift In San Antonio, Texas Today. All Food Gone In 4 Hours

THE_SAUCE_OF_LEGENDS Report

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#9

Consequences Of Working In A -10°C Lab Where I Have To Wash My Hands 40 Times A Day

Consequences Of Working In A -10°C Lab Where I Have To Wash My Hands 40 Times A Day

reddit.com Report

McKee thinks it’s time to finally blow up the myth that feelings don’t matter at work.

"Science is on our side: there are clear neurological links between feelings, thoughts, and actions. When we are in the grip of strong negative emotions, it’s like having blinders on," she said. "We focus mostly — sometimes only — on the source of the pain. We don’t process information as well, think creatively, or make good decisions. Frustration, anger, and stress cause an important part of us to shut down —the thinking, engaged part. Disengagement is a natural neurological and psychological response to pervasive negative emotions."

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#10

Two Teams Of Builders Was Building A Bike Lane "On The Right-Hand Side" (Mariupol, Ukraine)

Two Teams Of Builders Was Building A Bike Lane "On The Right-Hand Side" (Mariupol, Ukraine)

anthonybsd Report

#11

2 Hours Into A 10-Hour Shift When A Passenger Asks If I Know About The Stowaway On My Bus

2 Hours Into A 10-Hour Shift When A Passenger Asks If I Know About The Stowaway On My Bus

El_Dief Report

#12

I Work In A Mall With An Indigo Book Store And Found This Yesterday, It Really Pissed Me Off

I Work In A Mall With An Indigo Book Store And Found This Yesterday, It Really Pissed Me Off

xlliminalityx Report

#13

New Guy Tried To Empty The Fryer Grease Into A Plastic Bucket

New Guy Tried To Empty The Fryer Grease Into A Plastic Bucket

walskov Report

However, it’s not just negative emotions we need to watch out for. "Extremely strong positive emotions have the same effect," McKee said.

"Some studies show that too much happiness can make you less creative and prone to engage in riskier behaviors (think about how we act like fools when we fall in love!). On the work front: I’ve seen groups of people worked up into a frenzy at sales conferences and corporate pep rallies. Little learning or innovation comes out of these meetings. Throw in a lot of alcohol and you’ve got a whole host of other problems."

So it sounds like having your suspenders stuck in your chair every once in a while can be actually quite beneficial.

#14

They Can't Pay A Living Wage But I'll Waste Hundreds On Food Waste

They Can't Pay A Living Wage But I'll Waste Hundreds On Food Waste

sirpentious Report

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#15

Stayed At Work For The Storm. This Is The Road I Take Home

Stayed At Work For The Storm. This Is The Road I Take Home

BoneReject Report

#16

Got Laid Off Today With Zero Notice, Found All My Stuff Already In A Box When I Got To Work

Got Laid Off Today With Zero Notice, Found All My Stuff Already In A Box When I Got To Work

Shrek1onDVD Report

#17

Over 2,000 Pounds Of Fresh Pork Being Rejected By The Walmart Distribution Center Because The Sell By Dates Occur When Their Stores Are Closed For Thanksgiving

Over 2,000 Pounds Of Fresh Pork Being Rejected By The Walmart Distribution Center Because The Sell By Dates Occur When Their Stores Are Closed For Thanksgiving

This product will still be safe to eat for the next 15 days but they won't even attempt to sell it. This will end up in a dumpster today.

OTTER__VOMIT Report

Since nobody can prepare for the unexpected (just the way they can react to it), it isn't surprising that workers worry about other things.

"One could argue that today's employees are as equally stressed as their predecessors, but for different reasons," said Jodi Chavez, president of Atlanta-based Randstad Professionals, a segment of Randstad US, which provides finance, accounting, HR, sales, marketing, legal staffing and recruitment services. "They fear having their jobs outsourced to another country, have anxiety about how best to work alongside new technologies such as automation and robotics, have increased financial pressures with rising student loan debt and late retirement, and feel pressure to be 'on' and answering e-mails 24/7."

#18

Absolutely Shattered

Absolutely Shattered

skeetac Report

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

I genuinely thought it was either ice or a perfectly timed photo of water coming outta the truck-

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#19

At The End Of Shifts, We Split The Tips Evenly. We Had More Than 50$ Of Tips And My Coworker Had To Leave About 10 Minutes Early She Ended Up Taking All But 2.50$

At The End Of Shifts, We Split The Tips Evenly. We Had More Than 50$ Of Tips And My Coworker Had To Leave About 10 Minutes Early She Ended Up Taking All But 2.50$

TMOJBAR Report

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

I'd call her out and then cut her out of the next tip split..give her only $2.50 in shares

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#20

I Collect Carts At Walmart. Please Stop Being Lazy And Return Your Cart To Where It Belongs

I Collect Carts At Walmart. Please Stop Being Lazy And Return Your Cart To Where It Belongs

Connect-Salamander88 Report

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

It kills me--lazy bastards push the cart all over a huge store, but they can't walk ten steps to the cart corral.

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In difficult times, you need to find an internal reserve of energy and hope to help you make your way through. In other words, you need to tap into your resilience.

"Like so many other human traits, resilience can be woven into the fabric of one’s being (nature) and/or it can be learned (nurture)," career and business coach Marjie Terry said.

"One’s natural disposition may lead them to always look on the bright side or to look for the silver lining. For others, with an accumulation of life experience, they develop a resilience perspective and realize that, as the old saying goes, what doesn’t break you makes you stronger. They develop an ability to recognize that it’s important to keep going even when life hands you challenge after challenge—they develop perspective."

Sometimes, there really isn't much else we can do but endure. And laugh!

#22

Something Went Wrong With The Line Painting

Something Went Wrong With The Line Painting

vickiintn Report

#23

Paint Truck Breaks Long-Standing Speed Record - Hits 88 MpH

Paint Truck Breaks Long-Standing Speed Record - Hits 88 MpH

Puggleky Report

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#24

Colleague Definitely Drew The Short Straw On Email Naming Conventions

Colleague Definitely Drew The Short Straw On Email Naming Conventions

JonnyHF Report

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g90814
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had a lot of foreign contractors work at my company at one time, we had a "last name first initial' email naming policy, I was always sure to ask them first if the naming was ok and not inappropriate for their language, and was always sure to check new names. We could also set up aliases if they wanted a 'personalized' favorite email name.

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#25

Sgt. Vanderheiden Got His Suspenders Stuck In A Chair Yesterday, But Some Helpful Friends Came To The Rescue

Sgt. Vanderheiden Got His Suspenders Stuck In A Chair Yesterday, But Some Helpful Friends Came To The Rescue

AppletonPD_WI Report

#26

Guy At Work Dropped So Much Oil We Got Invaded By The US Government

Guy At Work Dropped So Much Oil We Got Invaded By The US Government

BroThisJose Report

#27

Girlfriend Works At A Local Target And Had A Family Stroll In And Do All This

Girlfriend Works At A Local Target And Had A Family Stroll In And Do All This

Sylron Report

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

Ahh, retail. I worked in vitamins and supplements. Having flashbacks to families with undisciplined children who loved to hurl the glass vitamin bottles onto the floor.

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#28

Coworker Found A Surprise At The Bottom Of Their Cup This Morning

Coworker Found A Surprise At The Bottom Of Their Cup This Morning

MedicMac89 Report

#29

When You Have A Long, Active Day Surrounded By People, Then Get Home, Take Off Your Work Pants, And Just Stare At The 6" Tear Straight Down Your Back End

When You Have A Long, Active Day Surrounded By People, Then Get Home, Take Off Your Work Pants, And Just Stare At The 6" Tear Straight Down Your Back End

Katiari Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was closing late one night and it was just me and the restaurant GM. I was getting ready yo leave and he notices a bar towel in my back pocket. Then he realizes I've just worked an 8hr shift with torn pants. He quietly hand the towl back and wishes me a good night.

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#30

Last Night Someone Tried To Steal A Car From The Dealership I Work At

Last Night Someone Tried To Steal A Car From The Dealership I Work At

Shambhala87 Report

#31

I Finished Rolling My Silverware After An Eleven-Hour Shift, Only To Have The Drawer I Loaded It In The Break And Fall To The Floor. I'm So Done With Today

I Finished Rolling My Silverware After An Eleven-Hour Shift, Only To Have The Drawer I Loaded It In The Break And Fall To The Floor. I'm So Done With Today

Bad_Ju_Jew Report

#32

5 Minutes Into My Maintenance Shift I Get Called Up To The Public Bathroom, This Is What I Found

5 Minutes Into My Maintenance Shift I Get Called Up To The Public Bathroom, This Is What I Found

KDN1692 Report

#33

Can't Get Into Work This Morning Because The Closer Didn't Realize They Took Home The Core To The Door Lock

Can't Get Into Work This Morning Because The Closer Didn't Realize They Took Home The Core To The Door Lock

redcobra762 Report

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#34

I'm A Night Custodian At A High School. This Is What The First Day Of School Looks Like

I'm A Night Custodian At A High School. This Is What The First Day Of School Looks Like

unwanted-tomatoes Report

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

I honestly saw the picture and thought it was the last day of school (where some schools let the kids throw all of their papers as a celebration) before I saw the caption. How does this happen on the first day though?

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#35

Colleague Stepping On A Wet Concrete

Colleague Stepping On A Wet Concrete

Jakolcz Report

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

Yikes! Cement burns are a serious thing! Let’s hope he cleaned up thoroughly and quickly.

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#36

Coworker Drove A Forklift Over A Can Of Oil

Coworker Drove A Forklift Over A Can Of Oil

FinestShang Report

#37

Fresh Refurb At The Pub I Work At And Someone Decided To Write A Review Of The Paint Job

Fresh Refurb At The Pub I Work At And Someone Decided To Write A Review Of The Paint Job

"You didn't sand or undercoat these doors!"

Sister_Ceres Report

#38

Bought Myself A Little Chair For When I Have To Program Robots For Long Hours At A Time At Work. Someone Over Capacity Borrowed It On The Off Shift

Bought Myself A Little Chair For When I Have To Program Robots For Long Hours At A Time At Work. Someone Over Capacity Borrowed It On The Off Shift

hatturner Report

#39

I Literally Just Got Home From My First Day Of Work

I Literally Just Got Home From My First Day Of Work

Ducksoap74 Report

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

Scrolling thorough these posts do US citizens actually have any workers rights?

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#40

I Live In A Tiny Town (Less Than 10,000) And There's Only One Road In And Out. Whenever There's An Accident, Traffic Gets Jammed. It's My First Day At My New Job

I Live In A Tiny Town (Less Than 10,000) And There's Only One Road In And Out. Whenever There's An Accident, Traffic Gets Jammed. It's My First Day At My New Job

Tinystalker Report

#41

First Day On The Job As A Pool Attendant And Some Lady Thought It Was A Good Idea To Dump An Entire Chocolate Fountain Into The Sink

First Day On The Job As A Pool Attendant And Some Lady Thought It Was A Good Idea To Dump An Entire Chocolate Fountain Into The Sink

fjt123 Report

#42

Testing Out Our New Printer. Left The Room For 5 Minutes And Came Back To This

Testing Out Our New Printer. Left The Room For 5 Minutes And Came Back To This

thenewkelly Report

#43

A Colleague Tipped Over 7 Crates Full Of Wine Bottles

A Colleague Tipped Over 7 Crates Full Of Wine Bottles

Djuztinn Report

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#44

My First Day As A Delivery Guy At Domino's

My First Day As A Delivery Guy At Domino's

Ononas Report

#45

When You've Had A Bad Day At Work, Just Remember Someone Else's Work Day Is Probably Much Worse

When You've Had A Bad Day At Work, Just Remember Someone Else's Work Day Is Probably Much Worse

realJeff60Days Report

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

Eh. They’ll be fine. Just tap the lids a few times before ya open ‘em.

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#46

This Is The "Black" Coffee I Just Ordered From The Vending Machine At My Work. Good Morning To Me

This Is The "Black" Coffee I Just Ordered From The Vending Machine At My Work. Good Morning To Me

Gnarly_Sarley Report

#47

Spilled Half A Pot Of Hollandaise On The Floor At Work. The Majority Of It Went Underneath The Cooler

Spilled Half A Pot Of Hollandaise On The Floor At Work. The Majority Of It Went Underneath The Cooler

VampireDanny Report

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unfilteredCigarette73
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well...c**p..I guess slide it out and start cleaning there is probably something else under there too

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#49

On My First Day As A Janitor Assigned To This Area Of My School, The Rain Flooded Everything

On My First Day As A Janitor Assigned To This Area Of My School, The Rain Flooded Everything

OJILOBOS Report

#50

Key Broke Off Inside The Lock To A Very Important Work Door. Wonder How Much Trouble I Am In

Key Broke Off Inside The Lock To A Very Important Work Door. Wonder How Much Trouble I Am In

Twaynesty Report

Note: this post originally had 143 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.