A good workplace atmosphere is truly a blessing. Cozy headquarters, friendly coworkers, and tolerant management are the stuff dreams are made of. It’s no surprise we want more than just a paycheck from a job – we spend more than half of our day in the office.
Sadly, we often hear more workplace horror than success stories. It’s 2023 and Amazon still hasn’t normalized bathroom breaks for their workers. Bored Panda reached out to the author of Work Jerks: How to Cope with Difficult Bosses and Colleagues, Louise Carnachan, to talk about workplace rules and jerk bosses. You can find the interview below.
This selection of ridiculous rules from horrible bosses and management is an ode to the exploited and the unappreciated. So upvote the notes you find the most absurd and let us know in the comments if you have a story about an entitled boss.
This post may include affiliate links.
Looks Like Jer Got To The "Finding Out" Part Thanks To Shelly
Bored Panda reached out to Louise Carnachan to chat about difficult people at work. Louise is a trainer and organization development consultant with 23 years of experience under her belt. She’s worked with companies like Boeing, Starbucks, McDonald’s and many hospitals and medical centers on the West Coast.
In 2022, Louise wrote a book Work Jerks: How to Cope with Difficult Bosses and Colleagues to help people deal with difficult people at work. She’s not only an expert in this area, but has been in the trenches herself. Work Jerks offers practical solutions on how to stop dreading going to work and make it something you enjoy.
85°C Bakery Cafe Enabled Tips On Their Point Of Sale Devices. Tips Don't Go To Workers. You're Just Giving The Company More Money
Eat And Get Laid Off. Snitches Get $20
When it comes to demands from bosses, Louise says anything that is illegal, unethical or unsafe can definitely be considered out of line. She gives three examples: “Being asked to commit fraud by double billing or billing for services never rendered. ‘Fudging’ numbers to make the department’s production look better than it actually is (or any lying). Being required to do work for patients or customers without the proper credentialing or training.”
Louise provides tips on how to deal with toxic management in her book Work Jerks. She also shared some advice with Bored Panda. It depends on how toxic your boss really is, but there are a few strategies. “If the situation is frequently causing you sleepless nights, you may want to find other employment as soon as you can,” Louise adds.
This Is At My Significant Other's Workplace, Which Is Also My Old Workplace. Absolutely Terrifying
This Was Posted At My Boyfriend's Old Job At A Grocery Store
I Found This Posted In My New Office
“The narcissistic leader is probably the most toxic because everything is about their gain,” Louise begins. “They’ll throw you under the bus if they need to divert attention away from their misdeeds. A strategy with them is to stay friendly but do not get caught up in their inner circle. It may not feel as good to stay out of the chosen group but it’s a lot safer.”
“Do not give them any personal information that is important to you because they are not beyond using it to demean or threaten. Don’t gossip about other employees with them. And look for job opportunities away from this person unless it’s clear they’ll cycle through quickly.”
Shout Out To The Worst Place I Ever Worked. Minimum Wage, Of Course
So My Best Friend Just Got This Email From Work
For a country so proud of their freedom of speech they sure try to muzzle the people.
What Cell Phone? Call The Landline, Maybe I'm At Home
However, annoying behavior from a boss doesn’t always mean grounds for taking action. “There’s a difference between a manager's poor communication style and bullying or harassing behavior,” Louise says. “The former is highly irritating but the latter is illegal.”
“Report harassment through whatever channels are available to employees (union, boss’s boss, human resources, EEOC, whistleblower hotline, ombuds office). Worry about retaliation keeps many from reporting but if there are enough of you, you can form a coalition,” Louise advises.
I Make $15 An Hour
Strictest Rule In Office About Returning To Work After Lockdown
This Is Terrible
"Do not sit unless you have a doctor's note."
What if your manager is constantly looking over your shoulder at work? “Being micromanaged is less toxic but it can make going to work miserable,” Louise admits. “Assuming you know how to do the job, ask what it is you need to demonstrate for them to trust you’ve got this. If it’s a habit they are unaware of (and you have a decent relationship with the boss), ask if you can give them a heads up when they forget and intrude on your work.”
I Found This In The Break Room In My New Office. This Can't Be Legal, Can It?
Injury At Work
I Found This At A Local Drive Through Store
Taking on a leadership position can be daunting as well. Louise invites us to look at things from the perspective of a person doing the managing. “Most people are thrown into leadership positions because they’ve been there a while and were very good at their job – not because they’ve demonstrated competence in leading others, which is a totally different job.”
You're In School, Working Two Jobs And Attend Church? You're Going To Need A Proof
This Was Recently Posted At Work
They mean bowel movement (I.e., taking a dump). I'll poop in the dark. I can clean up using the braille method. I'll shake the manager's hand on the way out.
I Make Over Minimum Wage Here In Utah. Is This Legal?
Leadership, therefore, is also a skill that people need to learn – but few are given the opportunity. “Unless you’ve had a role model to follow, you’re probably at sea about what to do,” explains Louise. “Leadership training and coaching can help immensely but not every organization makes this available. There are many good books and leadership classes you can take on your own or through your professional organization.
It's Time To Find A New Job?
I love geniuses who write with a yellow marker on a white surfacd...
Stop Stealing My Electricity
This Sucks
The biggest mistake a newbie leader can make is to strive to be liked. “Being loved is a terrible goal for a leader and can lead to all sorts of dysfunctional behavior like trying to be buddies with the staff, gossiping or being too soft on performance,” warns Louise. “The leaders most people say were their best boss ever tend to have similar characteristics, although the personalities may be completely different.”
There's No Way This Is Legal Right?
Owners Throw Out All The Chairs In Store Because They Don't Want Employees To Sit Down
Next month: 'All employees are required to continuously jump up and down on the spot while on shift. Ceasing to jump up and down will result in termination!'
Employer Says Employees' Break Times Are Before They Reach The Work Site And After They Leave The Work Site
Well, if it's before or after your shift, it's not actually a break. A break is exactly what it says. It breaks up the working shift.
Louise shares some qualities that a good boss should have: “The commonalities of great leaders are that they ask questions, listen, know something about their direct reports’ lives (as in what’s important to them, not by being intrusively personal)."
Daughter Received This Rule List On Her First Day Of Work
My New Manager Wrote This Up Today. Non-Union Grocery Business In Ohio. What Are My Options? Is This Legal? I've Already Told Them I Will Not Be Signing It
Illegal in US https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights/your-rights-to-discuss-wages#:~:text=You%20also%20have%20the%20right,way%20for%20having%20that%20conversation.
Figured Y'all Would Appreciate This Sign In My Place Of Employment
“They tell people what they are doing well and what they appreciate, are clear about goals and direction, have high expectations of themselves and their team members, don’t shy away from difficult conversations, and aren’t afraid to admit when they make a mistake,” the author says.
Is This "Rule" Even Legal?
A Senior Nursing Manager Was Handing This Out In The Hospital To Workers
What a load of carp! The most important reason people give for joining a union is they want to be treated fairly. The 'doom and gloom' suggestions is simply not how unions work! you are more likely to experience these situations in non-unionised settings.
Obviously dispersed by the corporation that doesn't want a union formed. Unions aren't magic, and have their downsides, but there is a reason corporations fight up to and beyond the legal limits against union formation, and it's because they are better for the worker, not for the corporation.
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Was in a union. Lost my job to someone with more seniority and absolutely zero experience in my job title sooooo... I agree with be informed. I am not anti-union but what they are saying is all true!
That's true, though. Seen it over and over again. People with seniority turn into DBs because they can.
i was a member of a union IAM. lay off was done by seniority only. so whether you did a good job or a bad job, iv you were there for a long time you were safe. I knew machinists that couldnt read a micrometer, but had been there long enough that they were lay off proof. I was #79 in line. so when they laid off 80 people I got hit too. it didnt matter how good of a job I did. I could sit and not do anything like the senior guys or work my a&% off. i was #79. when it came time for mass layoffs, the company did more for us than the union. the union still wanted us to buy a union card
Its always hilarious to see companies put that sh*t out. For the ENTIRE time that youve worked there they treat you like garbage, use you, take advantage of you, under pay and tell you that you're replaceable. Then miraculously as soon as unions come into.the conversation they care about your well being and just looking out for you not exploiting you and lining their pockets? Get F**ked MGMT. Sad part is how many people are stupid enough to believe it.
So your saying being chummy with the boss will no longer guarantee the pick of the litter?
Unfortunately, this could be true. Also, the unions in the US are not always very helpful to the extent that trying to get them to help you out after you paid in for your entire career and they do not return emails or call you when they say they are going to, when you clearly have a case and need help.
Truth the unions do not want you to know. Unions benefit the seniors and hurt the juniors. The real power is to deny you your best tool for getting more income--voting with your feet. Thus you have to rely on the union.
Bs propaganda to try and put people off being in a union
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Is This Legal ?
If a leader successfully acquires the aforementioned qualities, the result is more than being loved. “These are people who are not only respected, they often are the role models for future leaders,” Louise explains. “Not surprisingly, former staff members stay in touch with them after they leave because they have been mentors, not just bosses.”
What Are Sick Days?
Sign Posted At My Friend's Job, Hospital Behavioral Health Unit
My Second Job Recently Changed Managers
Nice To See Management Following Their Own Rules
My Management Just Implemented A New Company Wide Rule
I reserve the right to tell you to fűck right off.
New Work "Rules" And They Wonder Why They Are Short Staffed
When calling off to work, please remember that you are not required to give a reason. Call up, tell the appropriate person that you won't be coming in. Don't ask ... tell. If you feel you must say something additional, say it is for personal reasons. Those words. "Personal reasons." Best bet is to give absolutely no reason at all. Confirm that the person has received your message. Do not discuss the issue. Wish them well and hang up. But here's the most important step that makes everything else work: Be a valuable employee that doesn't call off for b******t reasons.
Is This Even Right?
Just Started A New Job, And This Tardy Policy Is Ridiculous
I don't know. I've heard from so many employers how they would just like employees to show up and show up on time. I don't think that's an unreasonable expectation if you're running a business. I don't agree with the fines in this case, but write ups and possible termination don't seem out of the question. I would think it's understood today that when people start a job, they're told the starting time and it's a given that they have to be there on time. If they don't like the starting times, they're free to not take the job or look for another one. And it does sound like in this case, people have been abusing the situation.
My Job Involves Walking For Hours At A Time. We Also Don't Get Breaks At All, Even For 12+ Hour Shifts
Wow Points
Translation: We are guilting decent people into freely providing marketing data we desperately need for free. As a Brit, I find NA tipping culture odd. Sorry, it just doesn’t make sense to me that the government sets a minimum wage then allows certain types of companies to pay a tithe of that because tips. Americans are amongst the most generous people I know but why…why would you force someone to live on assumed generosity?
Panera's New Rule Just Prevented Us From Charging Our Phones
Why Would They Make Such Horrible Rules?
A Compilation Of The Empty Threats Posted By Management In My Work Group Chat In Just The Past 3 Days
I would love to see someone try to write me up because I left an McDonald's wrapper in my car.
No Words
You Can't Eat The Food That Is About To Be Thrown Out. By The Way, 7 Billion Dollar Company, Gas Station Smashing Sales Records
This Was Posted In The Break Room Of The Hair Salon My Girlfriend Works At
I mean.. I GET it.. but also it wouldn't make me think bad about the business if an employee said any of that to me. If they were all, everything is amazing I would know they were lying 🤥 just be honest and have a chat, that's the 2nd main reason people go!
My Boss Would Rather Throw Food Away To Make A Point Than Feed Her Employees. They Already Don't Pay Us Because We're Servers Who Makes Money From Tips
What A Great Sign To See Outside Your HR Department
This Was Posted In Various Places At Work
Seriously, who does that? You never get that much back from the govt. to quit and live comfortably.
Is This Even Legal? Fresh Post At Work
A Great Message To Send Employees Who Already Make Below A Living Wage
Forced Loyalty Program
The restaurant I work at is forcing servers to get loyalty program sign-ups. Servers get paid $2 an hour, and this restaurant heavily relies on lifetime servers to basically run the place. FOH and BOH are constantly understaffed. We're all just sick of it. This is the final cherry on top for some of us. Any ideas on how to handle this?
New Rules After Both Managers Called Off New Year's Day
Our Boss Made Us Sign This And Put It In Our File
She even told us that we can't speak outside of work either. I'm pretty sure this is illegal. She can't tell us what we can or can't say. She also made an idiot of herself, accusing us of starting rumors when it was actually her and another supervisor who misinterpreted something they overheard. They created this weird story without actually going to the source and clarifying. She also mostly complained about her hard job and all the extra hours she had to work. She makes nearly 100k a year. We get less than half of that even though we are all college-educated and board-certified.
When I Used To Work At This Fast-Food Restaurant, They Hung This Sign Up. I Took A Snapchat Of It And Talked To The Management
This Got Posted Where My Girlfriend Works. She Gave Her Two Weeks Notice Already
New Rules At Work. I'm Turning In My 2-Week Notice ASAP
"2023 new rules
Please read, initial each item and sign/date at the end.
1) Calling in sick will require a dr. note when returning.
1st offense - sent home, write up
2nd offense - write up, 2 day susp.
3rd offense - write up and could face termination.
2) Come to work on time and in full uniform every shift. You will be sent home to get correct uniform. You must have a ** **
shirt, hat, and blue jeans or khaki pants. Shoes must cover toe and heel, no holes. Use a hair tie for long hair.
1st offense - sent home to get uniform. If you don't return with it, write up
2nd offense - write up, 2 day susp.
3rd offense - write up, 3 day susp.
3) If a manager asks you to complete a task, you're to do it. Do not ask why? Do not ask another manager, we all have the same answer."
Posted In The Bathroom At My Work
Any Thoughts On A Local Stores New Rules? I Can See Multiple Ethics Violations Already
Rules I Have To Agree Before Starting Working At A Certain Place
Written by a supervisor who was recently the subject of some gossip, I suspect…
Phone Rule
this is normal for most jobs especially where customer data is concerned as could breach data protection laws
McDonald's Rules For Drive-Through Employees
I don't mind this one. Damn checkout clerks in my grocery store on phones with customers in line.
Rules In The Break Room At Work. What A Way To Boost Morale
All legitimate managers are ones who come up with those solutions. That's part of their job, isn't it?
New Rule, But Don't Know How To Tell The Staff? Threaten Them
I Found This Little Gem On Craigslist. Settling For That 1980s Work Ethic
What Should I Do About This? I Don't Know If They've Committed A Crime Yet By Just Posting It Or If I Need To Wait And See If They Did Steal From Me
If you work overtime by law they must pay you. Post a dept of labor poster below it about wage theft. You can find them on the Internet. And report them to your state's dept of labor
Under Our New Management
Places Like This Are The First Ones To Complain About Nobody Wanting To Work
Policies At My New Job
Ridiculous Time-Off Policy. Maybe I’m Wrong, But This Includes Taking Just One Day Off. A 90-Day Notice For One Day?
Work Rules At Disney World
"Hey Guys, We're Gonna Keep Understaffing Departments"
So… learn/do everything you should learn/do in a job of a hardware store and get a free piece of fruit- just a guess… As for getting ‘swag’.. aren’t they given that as uniforms?? Urghhh! This is terrible, all of it. I doubt ANY employee was rushing to do it.. Choose your own schedule for a week!! But NO, no holidays, no busy days, no, you cannot work LESS hours even though you completed this ridiculous ‘motivation’ first… Btw: learning these so called skills will just be so they can make you a floater and send you anywhere in the store they need to. 🙄
I Saw This Sign At McDonald's And Thought It Belonged Here
This Sign
So you're speaking in code words whose meaning is whatever you say - after the fact.
This New Rule
Not ridiculous. Employees have a habit of not only bunching their time off around the holidays, but also waiting to the last minute to schedule it with management.
This One
A Local Restaurant Really Thought This Would Make People Want To Work For Them
My Friend Works At A Local Gamestop That Pays 10$ An Hour With No Commission Structure. These Are The Expectations For Selling Warranties On Games
Amazon Up To Its Usual Tricks
I Found This In The Wild And Just Thought I'd Share
This Passive-Aggressive Whiteboard
Is My Boss Crazy? Anyone Else Deal With The Weird Whiteboard Rules?
New "Time Off" Rules At Work
This Sign Posted At My Job Is Really Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud
Or maybe ask yourself why your employees may not be able to feed themselves?
This Was Posted When I Came Into Work Today. I Work At A Whole Foods In VA
Yeah. No
Several Employees At My Company Were Forced To Sign "No Talking" Contracts
Apparently, My Manager Thinks This Is A "Motivational" Sign To Keep Up Morale In The Workplace
I "Love" Old People. They Complained So Much That Now, If We Get Seen With Earbuds, It's Instant Termination
Even Face Without Makeup Isn't Okay
Someone Doesn't Like Labradoodles
That's not a full job description. It's not any sort of job description.
From Management At Work
Posting From The Toilet At My Work
All Of Our Notes From Management Are Priceless
Well, they're right. Proper footwear can be vital. Headphones etc. can be dangerous distractions. If you're injured while e.g. wearing flip-flops instead of proper shoes/boots, it could endanger your entitlement to any compensation.
Posted Just Inside The Administrative Hallway
This Posted On The Doors Of The Restaurant Where I Work
This Sign Is Posted Right Above The Scheduling Board At My New Job. I Won't Be Staying Here Long
Surely it is up to management to arrange staffing? Isn't that what they are paid for?
My Wife Just Sent Me The New Sign On Their Break Room Door. She Works In The ICU
1) How and why do people become so delusional as to think that this is in any way acceptable treatment of employees? 2) I can't believe how lucky I am to live in a "socialist hell hole " where this kind of behaviour is illegal, and I have rights that protect me from this shįt.
People need money, and these are mostly places that employ young unknowing people.
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I am really glad to live in a country where nearly every single one of these entries would actually be illegal...Somehow American employers seem to have failed to notice the abolition of slavery.
Most of these are illegal in the US too. These employers/managers are either ignorant of the law or hope their employees are.
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As a manager, I don't understand this attitude. Even in management, you're a LEADER! You lead people, not bully and badger them. Could never treat my staff like these people do, not allowing someone to sit?! Wtf... Bullies
I'm a union officer with education in employment law. When my kids to start working. We're going to sit down with the employee handbook and go through line by line.
Is there anything worse for morale than getting into work and finding a passive aggressive list?
Unfortunately, there's nothing remotely passive about many of these.
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I worked at a major, now bankrupt, retailer. They instituted many of these mostly illegal policies over the years. Each time, they'd end up getting sued and ending the policy ,only to enforce a different one a year later, and then they'd get sued again. This went on the entire 15 years I worked there. They never learned.
Many are illegal in the US too. You cannot be prohibited to discuss pay. The problem is they can fire you for some other made up reason eaasily.
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1) How and why do people become so delusional as to think that this is in any way acceptable treatment of employees? 2) I can't believe how lucky I am to live in a "socialist hell hole " where this kind of behaviour is illegal, and I have rights that protect me from this shįt.
People need money, and these are mostly places that employ young unknowing people.
Load More Replies... I am really glad to live in a country where nearly every single one of these entries would actually be illegal...Somehow American employers seem to have failed to notice the abolition of slavery.
Most of these are illegal in the US too. These employers/managers are either ignorant of the law or hope their employees are.
Load More Replies... As a manager, I don't understand this attitude. Even in management, you're a LEADER! You lead people, not bully and badger them. Could never treat my staff like these people do, not allowing someone to sit?! Wtf... Bullies
I'm a union officer with education in employment law. When my kids to start working. We're going to sit down with the employee handbook and go through line by line.
Is there anything worse for morale than getting into work and finding a passive aggressive list?
Unfortunately, there's nothing remotely passive about many of these.
Load More Replies... I worked at a major, now bankrupt, retailer. They instituted many of these mostly illegal policies over the years. Each time, they'd end up getting sued and ending the policy ,only to enforce a different one a year later, and then they'd get sued again. This went on the entire 15 years I worked there. They never learned.
Many are illegal in the US too. You cannot be prohibited to discuss pay. The problem is they can fire you for some other made up reason eaasily.
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