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Who you work with is just as important as your actual job when it comes to performing well. After all, a supportive, nurturing environment that empowers you to do your best will yield very different results from a toxic atmosphere where you constantly feel anxious, undervalued, and unappreciated.

The Cleveland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America asked people to share their work stories from hell that they wish were jokes but, unfortunately, aren’t. Their thread on Twitter has shown the appalling work conditions and horrible managers some Americans have to deal with. You’ll find their stories below. Read on, upvote the stories that resonated the most with you, and share your own nightmare job experiences in the comment section at the very bottom of the article.

Dr. Vaneeta Sandhu, a workplace psychology expert and the head of emotional fitness at Coa, told Bored Panda what we can all do as managers and employees to be more self-aware of our flaws and fix them without triggering our inner defense mechanism. Read on for what she had to say.

More info: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | DSACleveland.org

#1

Terrible-Work-Stories

hellolibrarian Report

Hans
Community Member
5 years ago

Wow, people like this are the reason that those who seek help and are denied it probably never try again. Indifference is among the worst traits of character.

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    #2

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    adrn_ls Report

    Cara Strong
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Wait....back?

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    #3

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    banballoons Report

    Monday
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I assume the school is going to supply me with a husband whose salary my income can supplement then?

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    #4

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    nicoledessine Report

    Monday
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    That escalated quickly....I hope you hid the body well.

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    #5

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    arkle Report

    troufaki13
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    How dare he have kidney failure on a work day??

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    #6

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    youroldersister Report

    CP
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I can hear all the "women make less than men is a myth" crowd and sadly shake my head.

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    #7

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    morgenfreiheit Report

    Keith Wollenberg
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    It would have been a lot to ask of any 15 year-old. Please forgive yourself.

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    #8

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Jedediah6 Report

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    WTH? It has no loud colors, no mismatching fabrics, no embellishments, nothing but subdued blues and white. I bet the guy was just an anti-masker.

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    #9

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Kelli Ogden Johnson Report

    Marianne
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    the audacity

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    #10

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    MagicalNinja73 Report

    troufaki13
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Does he not understand the concept of "emergency"?

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    #11

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    offlineegirl Report

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I'm so glad we have worker's rights here and you're not allowed to be fired when sick.

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    #12

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Canadianism Report

    troufaki13
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Hello? Grim Reaper? Yes, I'd like to postpone your visit please.

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    #13

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    KatalystEvrmeme Report

    lunar eclipse
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    What the hell happened here?

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    #14

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    uneasyspirit Report

    Truth Monster
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Just look at them and go, "So what are you doing here then, its a job for men?"

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    #15

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Adam Farmer Report

    Doug The Pug
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    What!?

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Jenn Azhure Report

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    WTH was her problem? Why would you deliberately hurt another person?

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    #17

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    petitetrout Report

    JuJu
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    ASK? we would never ask and just go

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    #18

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    AngryAboutYall Report

    magnadar
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    There are no words in english to describe my mood, so i'll do it in another language: \}●¡%÷€62¤\♤ ,¡ !!!

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    #19

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    aprilleone Report

    Tiredpossum
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    as soon as I sliced the finger i would have left.plus who doesn't have a first aid kit in a kitchen?!

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    #20

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    ProfessorPlague Report

    Bird Mom
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I hope the woman was okay!

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    #21

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Shyloh Southern Report

    magnadar
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    No words

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    #22

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    txtriffidranch Report

    Riverina
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    nepotism sometimes sucks really bad

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    #23

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Sea_Slayed Report

    Paizleypie
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Tacky as hell.

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    #24

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    PatriciaBrush Report

    Oskar vanZandt
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    "Since the 1990s concerns have been voiced about the health risks of laser printer emissions. Numerous studies have shown that the toner used in laser printers contains hazardous compounds such as metallic nanoparticles and carcinogenic substances which are emitted into ambient air during the printing process and can cause various health issues. The Harvard Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology published a review of 54 research studies, recognising that convincing scientific evidence exists of negative health effects such as cytotoxic oxidative stress, inflammations and respiratory ailments. Permanent exposure can lead to chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, the immune and cardiovascular system and other organs." [Source: European Parliament]

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    #25

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    W1219Bri Report

    Joseph Kuhlman
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Cowards. These people are cowards and a whole lot of other very bad words.

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    #26

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    TheNothingNew Report

    Oskar vanZandt
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    When I was a supply teacher in Canada, I still had to go in during blizzards even if the regular teachers couldn't/wouldn't... staff had to be available for any children who walked to school.

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    #27

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    RedStarlite Report

    Marianne
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    How is this legal?

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    #28

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    trashkitten4202 Report

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Don't threaten to unionize, DO IT!

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    #29

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    whiskeydances Report

    JuJu
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Never work without clocking in. They won't give you paid free time, so why should you work for free.

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    #30

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    hacks4pancakes Report

    The Cute Cat
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Holly crap

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    #31

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    basicnbizarre Report

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Why on earth would you sell your house and give away your cat before getting a permanent employment? You might not even have liked the job or coworkers! This is really stupid, both ways.

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    #32

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    TheIckiestBat Report

    demisexual dez
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    that is so terible i hate her

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    #33

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    BlessYourGrind Report

    Bender Bending Rodríguez
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    One thing I have learned it's never "anonymous" when they say it is at workplace. I am sure many agrees with me hence many keep suffering without reporting.

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    #34

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    EmceeSandt Report

    Connie Martin
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Quarterly raises?? Who does that???

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    #35

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    MoltenSlowa Report

    Paul Davis
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    It's amazing how many businesses fail due to no fault whatsoever to the incompetent dimwits in charge of the businesses. It's always "peoples' tastes changed" or "poor work ethic of the employees" rather than somebody else was offering a better product and experience for a bettter price because their upper management doesn't spend all their time at the golf course, hires competently, and treats employees well.

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    #36

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    justconvos Report

    Paizleypie
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    What a jackass.

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    #37

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Wheresthetime Report

    Paradise
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I hate that in the childcare field it is like that in some locations I was at. Not my rule or anything, but it was "If you're able to start so we have time look for a replacement, we will try to get you out." And then it would be hard to get them out or even remember to because of all the fires we have to put out. Now all the kids and staff get sick....

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    #38

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    laurak1453 Report

    Paradise
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I wish restaurants utilized the food better...best before is not a hard stop to throw away: the homeless would love the food.

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    #39

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    MiltoniusPrime Report

    Dave P
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    that is 100% false and who ever told you that lied. You can 100% take anything to corporate if it is a franchise, that is part of being a franchise, that is in the laws for it on the federal level. Every major food chain has people at corporate specifically there to handle complaints against franchisees because if they didnt, they have legal liability as well

    #40

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    hmnprsn Report

    Tim Haight
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I owe my soul to the company store

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    #41

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    msschilllax Report

    Paradise
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I don't know what is on her arms but I would see that in childcare no problem.

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    #42

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    thesquirrelbait Report

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    How do you accidently get a racial slur tattooed?

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    #43

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    cryoutolivia Report

    #44

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Aimee Lovegrove Report

    Arctic Fox Lover
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Never use someone's depression/disease/mental issue/birth defect etc. against them. Ever.

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    #45

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    muttonofthesea Report

    JP
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I wouldn't have. I'd have called the police from my bed and then rolled over and gone back to sleep. If I had wanted to be a security guard or a police officer, I would be one right now. Since I'm not an officer, I do not have the training, or the pay grade, to do that.

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    #46

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    donaisabelle Report

    Joseph Kuhlman
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Smart.

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    #47

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    Darcy Septicemic Boutin Report

    Micah Migisha
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    But your shift had already ended??

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    #48

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    SugarTeaRum Report

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    #49

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    stellaneedleman Report

    Oerff On Tour
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Under 18 are not allowed to operate anything dangerous, not even knives in Europe

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    #50

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    PolitiDerb Report

    Paul Davis
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    And that is patently illegal. They're absolutely required by law to pay people for every minute they actually work, and don't get to be creative about what "hours" mean.

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    #51

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    FoFacy Report

    Bender Bending Rodríguez
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    What is WFH position?

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    #52

    Terrible-Work-Stories

    sageandrage Report

    Demi Zwaan
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Can't tell if it was warranted. Since she got the company card to pay for a new outfit, I tend to think it was inappropriate, but no way of knowing. This isn't bad management.

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