50 Delusional Notes That Bosses Actually Had The Nerve To Display At Work (New Pics)
The difference between a wholesomely supportive and genuinely toxic job environment is the people you work with. Your coworkers, managers, and bosses from all the way up the corporate ladder have the power to either inspire you to aim for new heights or to regret every moment you spend with them.
A major thing that gets employees’ blood boiling is seeing passive-aggressive signs put up all over the office, full of worker-unfriendly regulations, practically dripping with managerial arrogance and disdain for ‘regular’ workers. (A close second, if you’re curious, is people who microwave fish at work. Don’t do that.)
Our team here at Bored Panda dove deep into the r/antiwork archives to collect the very worst office and work signs that people have ever spotted. Including some really weird looking-for-work ads. Seriously, these are all an affront to dignity and perfectly illustrate what some higher-ups think of the people they pay.
Like, who reminds you that your dog is missing you because you can't work remotely and have to go into the office?! That's just inhumane (incanine?).
Scroll down for some horrendous pics that you’ll probably want to share with your coworkers at the water cooler. Have you seen any similar signs at work? Have you personally read anything worse? Do you want to vent about your manager for no reason? Drop by the comment section and share your thoughts with us and all the other Pandas.
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The Trashy Manager
Bored Panda had a chat about managerial 'tyrants,' nonsensical rules, and passive-aggressive communication with employees with workplace expert Lynn Taylor, who was kind enough to share her perspective and answer our questions. Lynn is the author of the bestseller 'Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job,' the head of the fashion brand 'Behind the Buckle,' and also runs a popular blog on Psychology Today.
"The proverbial power play at work can be maddening, especially when Draconian managers are in their element. These tyrant bosses can be downright insulting in their regular communications. And expert bullies can create rules and regulations that make you feel like you’re in 3rd grade; the recipient of a final parental warning; or reside in a bizarre prison. Heavy-handed signage, notes, and email reminders can run amok, making an otherwise decent job quite demoralizing," she told Bored Panda.
My Job Threatened To Withhold My Paycheck To Ensure No One Left Early; I Responded Accordingly
Pay Our Teachers More!
Bright And Bold In Midtown Manhattan
There should be a law stating you must clearly reveal rate of pay from the very beginning.
Remember We Are In It Together
Why Do Not We Have Freedom?
Workplace expert Lynn shared the steps that you can take as an employee in these situations with Bored Panda:
- "First, make sure you’re seeing a pattern before taking action. Typically, the real offenders have bad office habits that are hard to break. The techniques worked in the past, so they continue, and you’ll see more than one instance. If the signage becomes repeated and overbearing, it’s not your imagination.
- Depending on the relationship you have with your boss, and if the behavior is more episodic, you may be able to approach them, using reason. For example, you might suggest an internal memo that addresses the issue and explains the importance of doing X, with a team-oriented approach. It might read something like, 'I know we’re all working hard to meet our 4th Quarter project deadlines; thank you for the extra effort,' versus signage that, in effect, says, 'Get here on time, or else!'
- If the one-on-one approach won’t work or fails, there’s always power in numbers. Discreetly speak to your fellow beleaguered office mates, and see if the demoralizing signage is making everyone want to crawl under their desks in exasperation. If so, your group can propose a civil productive discussion, starting with the manager. If that doesn’t work, there’s the boss’s boss, and after that, Human Resources.
- Remember the end goal; to change the dialogue and make it more positive. Remind your boss of the end goal, too. Subtly let it be known that the oppressive approach may backfire, the stakes, and what will have the best outcome. If the notes are redundant, petty, or nonsensical, use your best emotional intelligence and be the voice of reason.
- Don’t fight fire with fire. If you’re the lucky recipient of an insulting email or note, don’t play the game. If you witness a passive-aggressive piece of communication, don’t try and think of a super clever retort. Just ask for clarification, e.g., 'Just so I understand, are you saying you want a more detailed report?' You want this to be a win-win (and keep your job, if it’s worth keeping!).
- If the language in company signs and communications is intimidating as opposed to merely disheartening, and the situation is untenable, it is likely time to visit your favorite job board."
I’m Probably Going To Be Fired For This… But I Don’t Care
This Is Up Front And Center And My Local Ice Cream Place. Thoughts?
Subway Near Me
According to workplace expert Lynn, rather than always relying on signage or written communications to deal with sensitive topics, managers ought to have a regular forum where they can raise important issues.
"The item can be on the agenda, whether it pertains to new employee manual practices, office rules, personal time, etc. It might be a monthly staff meeting in person or Zoom call. The topics can be discussed at a regular meeting, but there’s nothing wrong with having a meeting to discuss administrative issues; get employee feedback; answer questions; and provide leave-behind materials," she told Bored Panda.
"One of the best things you can do is take excerpts from the company manual and ask the team to comply. That way, no one feels personally attacked. Consider the operative word, 'ask' for compliance; never threaten," the author of 'Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant' explained how managers might want to maintain discipline among their staff.
Rude Office Signs
Found In A Mall In My City This Weekend. Guess The Staff Finally Had Enough
Starting To See The Signs Of People Being Fed Up
"The emphasis is on 'team' because you’re only as good as your staff. Condescending notifications often backfire, but finding the positive angle that will appeal to the team is far more productive. Give your staff the benefit of the doubt; be encouraging; use emotional intelligence; and treat your staff like the adults they are. Remember the value of positive reinforcement; when employees get what you’re asking for and deliver, let them know you’re appreciative. Just be careful you don’t patronize when employees perform the task at hand privately or publicly," she said.
Meanwhile, if there are only a few employees who are consistently breaking the rules or not complying with business practices, it's best for managers not to make the entire team feel responsible. "It’s better to have private conversations with the individual employee(s) than to bring the whole team down," Lynn said.
"Finally, your employees are the best source of information that will support productivity. Consider soliciting ideas from your team on how to boost morale. If you must post signage, consider a contest on the most creative way to communicate the request. When your team is invested in an outcome, the results are almost always more favorable. The labor market is still strong, so it behooves managers to humanize their work environment, committing to motivational and retention practices."
Shout Out The Worst Place I Ever Worked (Minimum Wage, Of Course)
Show up at 9:54, leave an hour early. Because this is how it works, right?
Hot Topic Appears To Be In Hot Water
I don't think that that sign was written by a rude boss. I think it was a note that his employees left to the customers to help them understand why the shop was closed, and that it also served as a passive agressive message to a delutional manager, who had little clue on how vulnarable his business was and therefore how much he should do to satisfy his employees basic needs.
They Are Literally Admitting Jobs Don't Allow Us To Take Care Of Ourselves
There’s a delicate balance that needs to be maintained at work. On one side of the scale, you’ve got things like company morale, how inspired, creative, and motivated your employees feel, how much they trust their bosses, and how satisfied they are with their jobs and the opportunities that they’re offered. You want to know that your hard work pays off... though sometimes it totally doesn't.
On the other side of the scale are things like company profits, maintaining protocols and regulations, having a general sense of order and discipline, and keeping potentially reckless or unmotivated workers’ actions in line with the overall interests of each department.
In short, there’s no excuse for being toxic or rude as a boss; however, it doesn’t mean that every single employee is somehow above criticism. It’s human to err. And last we checked, our AI Overlords haven’t replaced any of the staff with androids (...yet).
There's This Local Café And The Last Few Times I've Walked Past I've Noticed It Has A Chalkboard Outside With Different Messages Mocking S**tty Employers On It - This Was Today's
85 Degree Bakery Enabled Tips On Their Point Of Sale Devices. Tips Don’t Go To Workers; You’re Just Giving The Company More Money
I Bet It’s Posted Right Next To A Sign Complaining That No One Wants To Work Anymore
There’s usually a deeper story behind each passive-aggressive office sign. Perhaps a manager feels underappreciated or believes that their workers are slacking off. Maybe they have a very different work ethic that’s completely at odds with the values held by younger generations. Or they had a really bad day and lashed out in an emotionally immature way.
Remember, just because someone has a fancy job title doesn't mean that they're actually a better person and more capable leader than you. You can be a leader no matter where in the corporate chain you fall.
That’s what happens when you have extremely poor communication within an organization. Managers and ‘regular’ employees need to know each others’ expectations and to enforce healthy boundaries. It all comes down to showing respect for everyone’s time, energy, and dignity, as well as looking for compromises. If either side is brow-beating the other, odds are that it’s a toxic place to work and not many people will stick around for long.
Sign On The Way Into A Local Restaurant
Came Into Work This Morning To Find This Taped To The Wall. Boss Went On Tirade Against Me And Co-Worker Yesterday For Taking To Each Other With No Customers In The Store
Just Saw This In A Mcdonald’s…
Look, at the end of the day, we’re all responsible for our own happiness, work/life balance, priorities, and what kind of behavior we’re willing to tolerate. Now, that’s no excuse for others acting like jerks and bullying you day-in, day-out. However, it does mean that we have to be proactive in sorting out the problems that drag us down at work.
That might mean different things for different people. Does your coworker keep microwaving fish and stinking up your office 24/7? Sit them down for a quick friendly chat and ask them to stop instead of putting up passive-aggressive sticky notes all over the kitchen.
Does your boss give you more and more work because you finish your tasks quicker than others? Have a discussion about a possible promotion because of your excellent results. Explain to them that there should be incentives in place to work faster instead of hard work being punished. Remind them how much you bring to the company at least a couple of times a year.
Is your boss 'quiet firing' you by subtly letting you know that you have absolutely no future career path at the company? You need to diplomatically confront them about being sidelined, hopefully, with HR acting as a witness. Odds are that your boss is extremely frightened of any and all confrontation and is taking the easiest way out by forcing you to leave on your own.
A Competing Company Is Offering Us 20 Percent More To Work For Them. Management's Response:
Recent “Sweat Pledge” My Wife Was Asked To Sign Before Employment
This can't be serious, can it? Only in America, Russia, China, North Korea et al. I'm betting the land of the free because rule #1 says so.
Update: They Changed The Sign, But It’s Not Any Better
Is your manager all grumpy that you’re not a brainwashed cultist showing absolute loyalty to the company and living every day in anticipation of going to work? Are they making you sing and dance in mandatory corporate TikToks? You might want to get HR or some other more-or-less-neutral party involved and set clear boundaries. If they keep harassing you to work unpaid overtime or guilt-tripping you to work on your days off, it’s time to have a very diplomatic-yet-honest chat about what the company is willing to offer you moving forward.
Found This Sign At A Local Dinner. Decided To Eat Somewhere Else. Sounds Like A Horrible Place To Work
My BF's Snapchat Memory From 2017 - Posted At His Old Job At A Grocery Store
Workers Are Important, Value Us
Obviously, if you’re harassed and feel unsafe at work, you need to get in touch with union representatives or seek legal help.
Meanwhile, if you feel burned out, chronically anxious, and depressed, it might do you well to speak about your issues openly with a close relative or a trusted friend. Seeking psychological help from a counselor can help solve some of these issues. Seeking help isn’t weakness. Taking active steps to solve deep-rooted issues, even if it’s going slowly, shows strength.
I Mean… The Math Checks Out
This F**king Motivational Quote When I Walked In This Morning
At Work - Where Water Isn’t Free Yo
I Just Can't With This One 🤦♀️
Mom and Dad also taught me not to get exploited by miserable employers, so yeah, not interested in your "job"!
Sign Posted At Walmart
This Sign At My Work. They Will Charge Staff For Anything As Minimal As A Broken Ice Cream Cone
Not how that works bro. If my work can charge me for broken/damaged product, then I should be able to charge them for broken damaged me. I have so many work related scars I could retire if I got paid for them. The number of times my job tried to kill me is unbelievable.
Sign At A Local BBQ Joint. (Chattanooga, Tn)
"This company will not be told by employees when we can and cannot open". ....isn't that exactly what you are doing when you blame them for your inability to open indoor dining???
This Sign Has Been Up For Months
A Department Manager Did This To My Bike When I Had It In The Back For A Single Day
The Most Toxic S**t I've Ever Seen Hanging On An Office Wall
Asked To Sign This As Part Of A Job Application. Immediate Termination!
Guarantee They Don’t Pay Enough. Pay More!
In Case You Would Like To Know What It’s Like Working At Starbucks
Who's going to Starbucks to shoot the s**t with the employees? Gimme my damn coffee and stay out of my business
Child Labour, Fantastic
I Work In A Min Wage Grocery Store. The Fire Exit Has Been Blocked Like This For Months And My Boss Threatened To Fire Me After He Saw Me Taking This Photo. What Should I Do?
Sign Posted Above The Thermostat At Work
For reference, you start to see your breath at about 13°C. About 20°C is what's generally deemed "room temperature", and 18°C is the lowest one can reasonably go inside a building where people are working/studying- even that's not comfortable for most people. Below that, you risk respiratory disease or even hypothermia if exposure is prolonged, and you aren't doing vigorous physical exercise.
Eat And Get Laid Off. Snitches Get $20
Desperate Sign At Papa John’s
Papa John himself has proven to be a thoroughly despicable person. So go f**k yourself, Papa John.
My Availability Has Always Been Strictly Mon-Fri. I Spoke To A Manager When I Saw This Sign And Was Told I Will Be Working That Day, Regardless Of My Availability. The Schedule Is Now Up And I Have Been Assigned A Full Shift That Saturday
Ask Every Customer To Sign Up For A Credit Card Or You Are Fired!
Being forced to upsell c**p nobody wants or needs is cruel. Just advertise it. Have a sign at the counter for your f*****g ripoff credit card. Your employees shouldn’t be forced to be a party to your scams.
They tried to push one on me. Almost 21% APR. I can’t imagine who thought people would go for that.
People who want to earn the Walgreens rewards? If you're able to use a credit card properly then the APR would be irrelevant.
Load More Replies...We had to upsell every papa John's phone order. People who knew what they wanted would get so frustrated and I'd flat out tell them I'm sorry sir/mam it's mandatory I ask you. And almost nobody was still mad after that bc they understood. I got caught saying it and I'd tell my bosses do you want me to calm them down and get the f*****g order or you want them to yell and hang up and call someone else?
Managers should know that whenever they have to use threats like this, it's a sign of incompetence or broken agreements. There's no "agreement" here. The employee is simply forced to comply. Customers HATE these pushes, employees know it, and they didn't sign up to invoke the scorn of customers simply trying to buy their medicine.
No, most customers mildly dislike these pushes. A small percentage HATE them, and the number of people who sign up and generate additional revenue likely outweighs their "scorn".
Load More Replies...Target didn't have this contract, but the unofficial rules were, "Ask them if they want to sign up for the Target credit card. Force them to refuse three times. Put the application in their bag anyway and tell them that now they can sign up for the card WHEN they change their mind. No is the wrong answer. Do everything but physically force them to sign up. Customers will NOT get pissed at you. Stop lying about customers throwing fits." Management terminated employees who didn't get enough people to sign up. In 2008. During the recession.
"_____ I agree that I will take the next job offer that comes my way."
The employees did this all the time at my local Walgreens. That's why I only ever use their drive through Pharm. They're hurting themselves by instilling this policy.
I don't mind people who ask. I mind people who ask again after I say no. My boyfriend in high school was asked at least ten times by a guy in Target if he wanted to sign up for their credit card. What part of no do you not understand?
Most every retail outlet has this. I don't mind if they ask once, but when I say a firm "No, thank you," and they continue to push, I become a bit unpleasant. I have even left items on the check-out counter before at a store when the clerk continued to badger me about it. No means no, and my saying "no" ONCE should be enough.
I worked for a large company in the U.K. when I was 17 and used to have to get people to sign up to the shops credit card and had no real idea what it was- considering I was 17 and couldn't even had a credit card! It was called a store card so it didn't Dawn on me for ages after I left that it was a credit card and I'd signed so many people up with the iffy sales tactics I'd been taught by this one manager. I was too young to phone the new cards through to head office so they same manager did and only now do I realise he got all the perks of signing these people up, not me, and he was taking advantage of me. I feel bad for the people I duped unintentionally but also angry that this was allowed to happen and the other managers knew. Such predatory behaviour on a female 17 year old and too late nearly 17 years on, to do anything about it!
I had to put up with this BS when I worked at Express. Once I got promoted to assistant manager, I was told that if I didn't get at least 5 customers a week to sign up for the Express credit card, I could be fired. Never mind that I was one of the best workers they had, and had a gift for getting customers to buy more stuff.
I thank the staff and tell them that no, I don't want a card. All before they can ask. Most don't want to ask so beat them to the punch line.
When a company strays from its main business model (e.g.: from being a drug store to trying to be a credit card company), it's time to sell the company stock and go elsewhere!
I got in trouble for not attempting upsell when I worked at 7-11. So I just started asking people if they needed random items, like "How are you on milk?" or "you want to buy a cooler?"
It's not their fault but I don't have to say no to questions about a rewards card, donations, or credit card applications at self checkout lines.
I don't see any exceptions at all. Time for a little Malicious Compliance. "How are you paying?" "With my Walgreen's credit card." "Oh, good.Would you like to sign up for our Walgreen's credit card?"
Home Depot wasn't quite that bad, but the same vibe. Most of the training I got was about upselling their credit cards or extended warrantees. Never sold one, nor did I try.
Up selling is often a job requirement in retail businesses, though.
Had a similar situation with an office retail and those effing extended warranties. First they bait and switched me, saying it would be PC repair with occasional customer sales service on the floor stuff, when it was actually 99% CS. Then they threatened everyone with getting written up if you didn't sell a certain # of extended warranties per month. I thought they were a scam, so I hardly ever offered them. I didn't care because I was already mad about doing sales in the first place. Management kept complaining to me about it and I'm sure they wanted to write me up, if not fire me. But they couldn't because apparently I got more good comment cards than the rest of the store combined (mostly because there was no commission so I didn't care if they bought anything or not and just tried to give my honest opinion about everything.) Also, I never called off or was late for a shift because I was a poor college kid and needed the money. It's amazing how rare that is in retail.
I never go to Walgreen's any more. Once I went there to get a shot. The pharmacist just needed to get a paper from the files for me to sign. But a man came in behind me, so the pharmacist shooed me to the waiting area while he took care of the man. It took him about 15 seconds to get the paper for me. I stayed and got the shot because I had given him my paperwork, but I don't go back.
What if the customer already has, and is using, a MyWalgreens Credit Card? Do I have to offer them a second, card, or are they not considered customers? If they are not considered customers because they have this credit card, what are they? Patsies?
Easy fix for all this. (Of course, I have NEVER even entered a Walmart.) I always say, I'd love to; but gosh, if you all don't have a union here (looking at you Target), that's just not possible. Don't care what special deals I might get, they are never enough to balance out the lack of support to workers who make your profits possible." I'm sad to say this to these poor workers, but note they end up w/ the crappy job of doing this instead of the corporate folks who actually really really want to be able to profit off you.
I worked for a huge bookstore chain. We were supposed to push the loyalty card and were required to sell a certain number of them every month. Yes sell, they cost $25 a year and then you get 10% off everything. It really was not a good deal unless you were in there every week shopping for books and music. Most people were there once or twice a year for big holidays or a birthday gift. I felt really weird and shiesty pushing it on people and usually didn’t try very hard. Some people just don’t want it. Thankfully my manager was super chill and didn’t get in my case about it. Edit for typos
Umm, you took a job in retail. Do you expect to not have to sell stuff? Sorry, I don't see this as unreasonable.
They took a job ringing up a cash register, not trying to sell stuff to people. Besides for which credit cards are not books or medicines.
Load More Replies...This Annoying Sign In Ireland
If The Rent Is Free Sign Me Tf Up
Found 2 Of These Signs In The Tim Hortons I Work At Today, Figure Even Though They Pay Me S**t Wages, I’ll At Least Offer My 2 Cents
Note: this post originally had 73 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Years ago I worked for a small manufacturing company. They hired a team of consultants to see how to raise company morale. At one of the rah -rah meetings they asked for suggestions. Mine was to take the money paid the consultants and give the employees a raise/ bonus. Didn't go over well.
It's not anti-work. It's anti-low-wage employers who treat their employees poorly. Enough places have raised wages and hours that people can work full time at a single employer instead of multiple part time jobs for minimum wage. These businesses need to raise prices and increase wages or close, their model is no longer sustainable. It's capitalism, except the item in short supply is labor. Pay more, treat people well or close.
few of those were examples of "Delusional Notes That Bosses Actually Had The Nerve To Display At Work"
it's like the Bored Panda headline writers don't even look at the posts before writing the headlines
Load More Replies...If you are in the USA, you need to make yourself aware of the NLRB, the EEOC, and OSHA. There are laws that protect you, AND protect you from your bosses retaliating against you. You don't have to pay for the lawyers, they will fight for your rights if they have been violated. And it is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for taking that action, so if they do those entities will protect you from that too. Or get you rehired with back pay.
Can't upvote this enough. I used to work for a place like those shown above and started looking into the NLRB. I earned a LOT of c**p they were doing was bullsnot. Educate yourselves folks. There's a whole lot of information on the net. Learn and stand up for yourselves!
Load More Replies...Some of these sound like they were made by a mini-Ceaușescu. "Tell the manager if you see workers having a converstaion that's not about work", "Get a reward if you tell on someone who is eating".
All I saw, was poor management issues with each sign. There are so many people running businesses, that need to be trained in how to run a business, it isn't even funny anymore. Pay people a decent wage with benefits and adjust your prices accordingly and you may stay in business. Continue berating and threatening people and you can leave with a sad parting gift of, no company.
My first job was at Borders books. The management straight up told me, "You understand that we expect you to familiarize yourself with the store on your own time, right?" I was unfortunately new to the job force, and didn't know how illegal it was (not that I did it, but I could have reported it.) But yes, you were expected to walk around the store, learning where everything was off the clock, so they didn't have to pay you to be trained.
The issue is, bad bosses hold the power, and choose to use it to extort any employees under them. You can blame bad workers all you want, but when someone is deliberately keeping someone away from living conditions, you're really going to defend them?
Load More Replies...Years ago I worked for a small manufacturing company. They hired a team of consultants to see how to raise company morale. At one of the rah -rah meetings they asked for suggestions. Mine was to take the money paid the consultants and give the employees a raise/ bonus. Didn't go over well.
It's not anti-work. It's anti-low-wage employers who treat their employees poorly. Enough places have raised wages and hours that people can work full time at a single employer instead of multiple part time jobs for minimum wage. These businesses need to raise prices and increase wages or close, their model is no longer sustainable. It's capitalism, except the item in short supply is labor. Pay more, treat people well or close.
few of those were examples of "Delusional Notes That Bosses Actually Had The Nerve To Display At Work"
it's like the Bored Panda headline writers don't even look at the posts before writing the headlines
Load More Replies...If you are in the USA, you need to make yourself aware of the NLRB, the EEOC, and OSHA. There are laws that protect you, AND protect you from your bosses retaliating against you. You don't have to pay for the lawyers, they will fight for your rights if they have been violated. And it is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for taking that action, so if they do those entities will protect you from that too. Or get you rehired with back pay.
Can't upvote this enough. I used to work for a place like those shown above and started looking into the NLRB. I earned a LOT of c**p they were doing was bullsnot. Educate yourselves folks. There's a whole lot of information on the net. Learn and stand up for yourselves!
Load More Replies...Some of these sound like they were made by a mini-Ceaușescu. "Tell the manager if you see workers having a converstaion that's not about work", "Get a reward if you tell on someone who is eating".
All I saw, was poor management issues with each sign. There are so many people running businesses, that need to be trained in how to run a business, it isn't even funny anymore. Pay people a decent wage with benefits and adjust your prices accordingly and you may stay in business. Continue berating and threatening people and you can leave with a sad parting gift of, no company.
My first job was at Borders books. The management straight up told me, "You understand that we expect you to familiarize yourself with the store on your own time, right?" I was unfortunately new to the job force, and didn't know how illegal it was (not that I did it, but I could have reported it.) But yes, you were expected to walk around the store, learning where everything was off the clock, so they didn't have to pay you to be trained.
The issue is, bad bosses hold the power, and choose to use it to extort any employees under them. You can blame bad workers all you want, but when someone is deliberately keeping someone away from living conditions, you're really going to defend them?
Load More Replies...