Worker Resigns After Years Of Bullying, Executes One Last Command That Wrecks The Company

Being biased against an employee because of gender is never acceptable. Yet, it is prevalent in many workplaces, affecting both men and women. 

This man endured two years of abuse from his female boss, who, according to him, preferred to have a woman do his job. His awful experience extended until his very last day at work, when he finally got back at her through malicious compliance. 

While his actions didn’t bear fruit until weeks later, he is nonetheless proud of what he did. You will find the entire story below. 

Gender biases in the workplace are always problematic

Man in red plaid shirt fueling at a gas station pump.

Image credits: nomadsoul1 / freepik (not the actual photo)

A man endured two years of abuse from his female boss, whom he believes picked on him for being a man

Text image about deleting an account in front of a female boss, focusing on malicious compliance theme.

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Text reading “The company had made me the super admin on all registers just for ease of transition. Remember this later.”

Text describing a female boss upset by her husband's decision to promote a male employee.

Text story about a female boss's employee gaining a promotion through compliance.

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Text excerpt highlighting employee's compliance to a strict store product layout contract with vendor.

Text describing an experience with a difficult female boss leading to a temporary IT job and a career in IT.

Text describing an employee's experience of giving notice and the boss's reaction, leading to malicious compliance.

Text about deleting an account, involving a boss and employee interaction at the office.

Mechanic shows two professionals a laptop in a workshop, illustrating malicious compliance at work.

Image credits: Drazen Zigic / freepik (not the actual photo)

The torment went on until his last day on the job, but he got the last laugh through malicious compliance

Text excerpt about employee delivering malicious compliance to female boss.

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Text description about a female boss unable to change beer and soda prices due to lack of training, leading to complications.

Text discussing pricing errors affecting profit margins on beer sales.

Text message showcasing employee's clever response through malicious compliance.

Text describing costly company issue and malicious compliance with a difficult boss.

Image credits: mesoziocera

Specific industries are biased against men

Three professional women standing confidently in an office setting.

Image credits: katemangostar / freepik (not the actual photo)

According to a 2022 study highlighted by the American Psychological Association, there are specific industries men avoid because of potential discrimination. Findings show these biases in HEED fields (healthcare, early education, and domestic), roles that are typically associated with women. 

The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Corinne Moss-Racusin, recognizes that male gender bias is primarily overlooked. She sees such prejudices as a detriment to society.

“There’s no evidence that men are biologically incapable of doing this work or that men and women are naturally oriented toward different careers,” she explained.

It also doesn’t help that “positive” stereotyping has become the norm. In an article for SHRM, labor and employment attorney Jonathan Siegel shared examples of articles across the internet that promote the message that women are “better leaders” than men. 

“In a workplace, saying women are better leaders than men invites discrimination claims,” Siegel wrote, emphasizing that the focus should be more on “competency” instead of gender. 

Siegel adds that while women must have opportunities to shine in the workplace, reserving gender-based positions isn’t the way. 

“[It] could mean the difference between ‘laudable’ and ‘unlawful.’”

Moving on is the best way to deal with an awful boss

Employee carrying box of office items, reflecting on an experience with a difficult female boss.

Image credits: tsyhun / freepik (not the actual photo)

Discriminatory practices aside, the author’s main issue is the abuse he experienced. As he mentioned in his story, he was young and likely needed the job. 

In cases where employees have no choice but to deal with their relationship with their awful bosses, moving on to another job may be the best option. According to executive coach and psychoanalyst Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, hanging on may lead to feelings of bitterness and disenchantment, which may contribute to depression. 

“The better solution is to look for another job while you’re still employed, exiting on your own terms,” he wrote in an article for Harvard Business Review. “Having a bad boss isn’t your fault, but staying with one is.”

The author may have waited too long to exit, but he eventually did so. As for his malicious compliance, he simply did as he was told. 

Unfortunately, the owner’s wife was too shortsighted to see the consequences of her decisions. She had to deal with the $6K fallout, a loss the company could have avoided.  

The author clarified his story by responding to commenters, most of whom lauded him for his actions

Reddit comments applauding malicious compliance, discussing story length preferences and impact.

Text exchange about a disliked female boss and plans for an online group defaming her after death.

Text exchange about a female boss demanding account deletion, highlighting employee's humorous protest with Wonka reference.

Text exchange about malicious compliance and a female boss with a focus on cigars and beer products.

Reddit comments discussing a disliked female boss and workplace issues, highlighting malicious compliance.

Reddit comment exchange about an aging alcoholic woman, related to work compliance.

Comments about admin accounts and cash registers, discussing job responsibilities and technology challenges.

Text exchange about independence and compliance impacting store sales.

Text exchange on malicious compliance with a female boss, highlighting reality check after employee's response.

Reddit conversation about 'opener' role, detailing duties and low pay, highlighting workplace dynamics and employee experiences.

Reddit discussion about alcohol pricing, highlighting markup variations and profit margins.

Reddit conversation about financial struggles after complying with demanding female boss.

Online discussion about a strict female boss and an employee's response, involving financial struggles and job expectations.

Reddit comments discussing system confirmations for deleting a super account, highlighting malicious compliance.

Comments discussing a financial mistake and lesson learned involving a strict boss.

Reddit user comments discussing malicious compliance and its workplace impacts.

Comment highlights anticipation for story; relates to malicious compliance.

Reddit comment applauding a clever action in tech-related workplace conflict.

Comment mentioning Jurassic Park and the importance of treating IT staff well.

Reddit comment highlighting the IT guy's crucial role in military command chain.

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