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American companies are facing unprecedented challenges trying to find enough employees. According to the latest data, there are over 10 million job openings in the U.S. but only around 6 million unemployed workers.

As the country experiences a labor shortage, people are expressing their desire for livable wages, reasonable hours, remote work, healthcare, and it doesn't seem like they are asking for too much. However, some higher-ups still don't get the memo.

To show just how much some bosses are detached from reality, we at Bored Panda compiled a list of the most absurd write-ups they gave their employees. Apparently, toilet breaks and even tying up your shoelace can get you in trouble now.

#1

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness

C_Speazy Report

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    #2

    Subpoenaed As A Witness And Written Up For Obeying Court Subpoena. We Live In Hell

    Subpoenaed As A Witness And Written Up For Obeying Court Subpoena. We Live In Hell

    stillabadkid Report

    At the height of the pandemic, more than 120,000 businesses closed, and more than 30 million U.S. workers were unemployed. Since then, job openings have steadily increased, while unemployment has slowly declined.

    Then, in 2021, employers ended up adding an unprecedented 3.8 million jobs. But at the same time, millions of Americans have left the labor force. In fact, there are more than three million fewer Americans participating in the labor force today compared to February of 2020.

    #3

    My Buddy Got Written Up At Work After Some Complaints. His Supervisor Thought It Was Hilarious Though

    My Buddy Got Written Up At Work After Some Complaints. His Supervisor Thought It Was Hilarious Though

    imgur.com Report

    Syrah
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Am I the only one that sang that?

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    #4

    Wearing AirPods

    Wearing AirPods

    AnalogKid91 Report

    #5

    I Was Written Up For Being Late To Work

    I Was Written Up For Being Late To Work

    aaron777666 Report

    Wilf
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is it with Americans seemingly timing their workers to the second? Unless you're an air traffic controller or a heart surgeon, what does it matter if you start work at 08.59 or 09.03?

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    Right now, the labor force participation rate is 62.1% (down from 63.3% in February 2020). And there are multiple reasons why workers are sitting out.

    The U.S. Chamber surveyed unemployed people who lost their jobs during the pandemic on what is keeping them from returning to work. One in three (33%) women indicated that the need to be home and care for children or other family members has made the return to work difficult or impossible. More than a quarter (28%) of men noted that their industry was still suffering and not enough good jobs were not available to return to work.

    The survey also revealed some are still concerned about COVID-19 at work, indicated that pay is too low, or said they are more focused on acquiring new skills and education before re-entering the job market.

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    #6

    Written Up For Throwing Up At Work And Not Being Able To Afford A Doctors Note To Explain Why

    Written Up For Throwing Up At Work And Not Being Able To Afford A Doctors Note To Explain Why

    bigtitsandrecords Report

    General Anaesthesia
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're so sick that you leave work, without pay. You can't afford a doctor's note. So naturally you get written up. Let me guess, land of the free, home of the brave.

    LuckyL
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And throwing up in a restaurant should lead to being send home automatically!

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    Chich
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would make sure that if I was sick i would spend as much time near the supervisor as possible. Let them share the joy :)

    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait.... you have to pay for a doctor's note? WTF?

    Random Panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't pay for the actual note, just the visit to the doctor, who then writes the note.

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    similarly
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, definitely! If I ran a restaurant, I'd absolutely want a sick employee in the establishment. smh.

    K Sarfo
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I identify with the anger-wrinkles on that paper 🤣

    Michelle A
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine would exactly the same! It would see write up, sign it, leave bosses office ,immediately ball it up and toss in trash without really reading it...then remove from garbage while thinking "let me see what these a@#$&*@%$s said!

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    Vinchenski
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "The restaurant suffered immensely due to her abrupt departure from he scheduled shift." Assuming she isn't the only chef in the place, I am failing to see why they would suffer "immensely".

    Penny Lost
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "The restaurant suffered immensely due to her abrupt departure from her scheduled shift." Methinks the restaurant would've suffered a great deal more had she stayed & thrown up all over the food and customers 🙄

    Suezn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because everyone wants someone that's throwing up to continue working in a restaurant.

    Victor Trejo
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The restaurant suffered immensely....because one person didn't finish their shift...🙄

    Seedy Vine
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to wait tables in a U.S. tourist destination. The norovirus would run through us all and we'd be taking turns puking in the bathroom because none of us could get a day off. This happened regularly, like every few weeks. For years. Good times.

    Beth L
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see they are a bartender. Report this to the health inspector.

    Jaden Alexander
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I bet the restaurant would have "suffered" even more "immensely" if this person vomited on a customer or in the middle of the dining room.

    Lizzie Lola
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At a restaurant they legally CAN'T let you work if you're vomiting for 24 hours. This is ridiculous! 🤦‍♀️🤬

    Kirk Mckeever
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "The restaurant suffered Greatly".......well....she must good employee--why doesn't she get a RAISE!!

    Colin Timp
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Many employees do this now. Sick time paid with a doctor's note; but going to the doctor can cost more than you'll make in a day. Especially if you're a tipped employee, because they only pay you your hourly rate; which can be $2.13 an hour.

    Kat Hague
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The same happened to me. I came to work even though I didn’t feel well. My stomach got to feeling like I was going to vomit so I told my boss I had to leave. I threw up in the parking lot before I to my car. I almost pooped myself before I got home. I was very! Sick, still wrote me up😠

    Waco Bayless
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who runs to the doctor every time they vomit? That's a good way to get labeled a hypochondriac.

    Cammy Cat
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's when u just go ahead and throw up in the middle of the restaurant and they say "sorry patrons! They won't let me go home sick"

    Donna Cheung
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "The restaurant suffered immensely"... so if she threw up in the food/ her colleagues/ the diners instead, the restaurant would not suffer?

    Phil Green
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ..."With liberty and justice for all..."

    Janet Graham
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The restaurant would have suffered more immensely had she hurled all over the dining room. Next time, barf on the boss.

    MediumPimpin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's when you anonymously report every health, safety, fire code violation you see.

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    #8

    My Boss

    My Boss

    olafthebent Report

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    #9

    Found On Facebook. Someone From My Town Got Written Up, Suspended For A Day For Helping Save His Family From Eastern Kentucky Flood

    Found On Facebook. Someone From My Town Got Written Up, Suspended For A Day For Helping Save His Family From Eastern Kentucky Flood

    billybobhaha Report

    Alhara
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the public should know what company this is.

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    Enhanced unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, and not being able to go out and spend money during the lockdown all contributed to Americans collectively adding $4 trillion to their savings accounts since the start of 2020.

    The extra few hundred dollars a week from enhanced unemployment benefits (which ended in Sept. 2021), specifically, led to 68% of claimants earning more on unemployment than they did while working.

    #10

    Added To The Schedule 6 Minutes Before The Start Of The Shift And Got Written Up For Being Late. I'm So Done At This Point

    Added To The Schedule 6 Minutes Before The Start Of The Shift And Got Written Up For Being Late. I'm So Done At This Point

    Sinbinnedskater Report

    Chich
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people should not be put in any position of authority, no matter how small.

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    #11

    Ageism

    Ageism

    Clamders Report

    #12

    Got Written Up While Off The Clock…

    Got Written Up While Off The Clock…

    Mariocraft95 Report

    Nimues Child
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "We walk out as a team"?! I'm curious about what business would require this.

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    #13

    Covid Nurse

    Covid Nurse

    Lovecarnievan Report

    John Topper
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was a problem everywhere in Healthcare. I'm a paramedic meaning locked in the back of a confined space with them for extended periods. I became a specialized critical Covid transport medic. No one got hazard pay. No medics, emts, nurses or doctors. We all got shafted. That's why every hospital and doctors office is so short staffed. Everyone quit.

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    In the Chamber's survey, 28% of women cited others in the family making enough money that working full-time is not as critical as the reason they have not re-entered the workforce.

    For comparison, just 17% of men said the same. But overall, higher ncome and savings bolstered people's economic stability—allowing them to continue sitting out of the labor force.

    #14

    Boss Couldn't Find Time To Discuss A Raise. So I Started Informing Customers Of My Low Pay. Got Wrote Up So I Stole All The Write UPS & Trashed Them, Kept Mine Because I Was Proud Of This

    Boss Couldn't Find Time To Discuss A Raise. So I Started Informing Customers Of My Low Pay. Got Wrote Up So I Stole All The Write UPS & Trashed Them, Kept Mine Because I Was Proud Of This

    GALLENT96 Report

    #15

    Not Me, But I Had To Do This To Some Other Poor Schmuck

    Not Me, But I Had To Do This To Some Other Poor Schmuck

    punkwalrus Report

    Janet Graham
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Feeling bad about it is not standing up for the guy.

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    #16

    This Was Several Years Back, But My Gm Used To Post Notes Like This All Over The Place. Yes, Employees Got Written Up For Having Water Bottles Under The Registers. He Ended Up Getting Fired For Stealing Money From The Store, Apparently

    This Was Several Years Back, But My Gm Used To Post Notes Like This All Over The Place. Yes, Employees Got Written Up For Having Water Bottles Under The Registers. He Ended Up Getting Fired For Stealing Money From The Store, Apparently

    kevorkian-scarf Report

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    #17

    Written Up

    Written Up

    DARTH_VISER Report

    Juanita Austin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Was a switchboard operator in a downtown law firm. Owner yelled at me in front of a roomful of attorneys for being TOO POLITE to callers. My second and LAST day 😜

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    Also, as of October 2021, the pandemic drove more than 3 million adults into early retirement. In all, the number of adults 55 and older being detached from the labor force due to retirement grew from 48.1% in Q3 of 2019 to 50.3% in Q3 2021.

    #18

    I Got Written Up For Being 20 Minutes Late Friday (We Start At 6). From My Boss This Morning:

    I Got Written Up For Being 20 Minutes Late Friday (We Start At 6). From My Boss This Morning:

    AlcibiadesTheCat Report

    #19

    My Friend's Kid Dawson Is Savage. He Was Written Up At Work So He Posted It, But Not Before He Spell Checked It

    My Friend's Kid Dawson Is Savage. He Was Written Up At Work So He Posted It, But Not Before He Spell Checked It

    mreastvillage Report

    Deborah B
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    TBH, I wouldn't want an an employee saying that "all the managers were in the back with d***s in their hands" in the hearing of customers / management. It's vulgar and insolent. If the employee is making a quiet complaint to a co-worker they're friends with, that's one thing. If they're saying it loud enough to be overheard, then getting a verbal warning for a first offence or a write-up if it's part of a general attitude problem is not unreasonable.

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    #20

    I Was "Written Up" For Very Minor Stuff

    I Was "Written Up" For Very Minor Stuff

    nakko Report

    Kady LaHaie
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I worked activities at an old folks home I was written up for "watching TV in the day room." I was watching TV, but it was after I had punched out and I had the time cards to prove it. I was waiting for my mom (who also worked there) to finish her shift. They tried to write me up and my 5 foot mother flattened everyone in the office with nothing but words. They tore up the paperwork.

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    #21

    I Got Written Up Today

    I Got Written Up Today

    connorsuttonabr Report

    Some employees who either left work or stayed unemployed opened their own businesses. Over the last two years, nearly 10 million new business applications were filed and in 2020 alone more than 4 million new businesses were started.

    #22

    New Leave Policy And Yes You Get Write UPS For Unscheduled Leave

    New Leave Policy And Yes You Get Write UPS For Unscheduled Leave

    dodo-spiritz Report

    Joe Blowe
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How do you give 14+ days notice for bereavement? Have a coworker whose sister did in her sleep. How would she have known that 2 weeks ahead of time?

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    #23

    Was Late Today And Was Going To Get A Suspension Because I Had "Already Called Out Too Much For This" Due To My Finger Being Cut Open Earlier This Week.. [screw] Burger King

    Was Late Today And Was Going To Get A Suspension Because I Had "Already Called Out Too Much For This" Due To My Finger Being Cut Open Earlier This Week.. [screw] Burger King

    noimnotawookbro Report

    Nathan Jones
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    No sympathy. I'm a chef, and last week at work I cut open my finger so severely that I severed an artery. This was after 5pm. I still clocked in at 9am the following morning for my shift. The worst part was actually having people assume I was cut by a knife. My knife skills are on point, I was cut by the sheet metal edge of the door on a salad bin in the kitchen. Smdh.

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    #24

    Well, If You Have To Be Written Up For Something

    Well, If You Have To Be Written Up For Something

    DavidHendu Report

    LuckyL
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    IF only one on this list was fake - this is the one.

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    #25

    Got Written Up

    Got Written Up

    iuallison Report

    Alhara
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right, and your name is Princess Allison. Sure.

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    Meanwhile, there has been a 'Great Reshuffle' among workers. ‘The Great Resignation’ worked its way into our vocabulary as the shift of our labor force started to become apparent—and the hashtag #quittok even went viral as social media users posted about quitting their jobs in search of more free time or better opportunities. I guess some of the people who received these write-ups may be using the same hashtag in the near future as well.

    #26

    My Friend Got Written Up At Work Last Week. I Guess You Can Say They Are Pretty Laid Back There

    My Friend Got Written Up At Work Last Week. I Guess You Can Say They Are Pretty Laid Back There

    drizzt5623 Report

    #27

    Written Up For Saying No After Closing

    Written Up For Saying No After Closing

    cyanwren Report

    Chuck Freiman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wren was borderline insubordinate. After being informed that the patient had been told by her doctor to bring the form back, Wren should have ended her little snit fit and accepted the form. She's lucky that she didn't get fired.

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    #28

    A Friend Got Written Up At Work The Other Day

    A Friend Got Written Up At Work The Other Day

    Kawphy Report

    Jacqueline Pie Francis
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know a lot of employers are awful, but some employees are s***-stirrers. Sierra sounds like a pain in the butt

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    #29

    Written Up

    Written Up

    Report

    #30

    I Got Written Up For Wearing The Wrong Shoes At Wendy’s. Should I Accept The Write Up, Refuse To Sign It Or Just Walk Out. I’m Thinking Of Walking Out?

    I Got Written Up For Wearing The Wrong Shoes At Wendy’s. Should I Accept The Write Up, Refuse To Sign It Or Just Walk Out. I’m Thinking Of Walking Out?

    Bright-Outside-2707 Report

    Kim Shott-Holub
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You boss is in the right, you're a walking OSHA hazard. The fact that you don't think you're doing wrong shows you didn't pay attention to any paperwork you signed about uniforms or OSHA when you got the job. I would've sent you home for the day.

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    #31

    I Got Written Up At Work This One Time... .i Was Drunk

    I Got Written Up At Work This One Time... .i Was Drunk

    d*ckholehurts Report

    Chuck Freiman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You show up at work and got written up. I'm not seeing a problem with you getting written up.

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