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You don't have to love every single thing about your job to enjoy it. However, some companies have such unpleasant working environments that make employees want to run for the hills and never come back. Statistics about toxic workplaces vary, but most surveys show that the majority of workers have experienced a chaotic office.

According to a poll by career opportunity website Monster, 80% of American employees feel like they work in a toxic workplace. Another survey by iHire showed that 74.9% of American workers see their work environment as unhealthy.

There's only so much a person can endure before they reach a breaking point. Bored Panda has come across an interesting video where folks in the comments were sharing the worst things they have endured in a workplace. These weren't just "I used to stay late after work" type of things. No, with some of these, you could probably make a new hit Netflix documentary.

#1

Mourners carrying a flower-adorned coffin inside a church, reflecting on toxic workplace moments affecting employees. I'm adopted. got told that technically my relatives are not blood relatives, so I shouldn't be entitled to bereavement leave to attend a funeral

winnielastic , The Good Funeral Guide Report

Toothless Feline
Community Member
21 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Legal relations are not defined solely by blood. If that were the only criterion, you wouldn’t get leave for the death of a spouse (except in Alabama).

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    #2

    Stressed woman at desk with computer showing signs of toxic workplace moments and employee frustration. My Mom had died. Second day back at work. Called into a meeting with HR, who wanted to let me know “your mood is creating an atmosphere”

    twirl50 , The Yuri Arcurs Collection Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "That would be caused by your lack of compassion!"

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    #3

    Woman with long hair and red nails holding hands to chest, symbolizing shock from toxic workplace moments employees experience. I had a seizure in the bathroom and got an official warning for not telling anyone I was having a seizure. Like. Whoops, let me pause my seizure to tell you in having a seizure

    effy_x.x_ , Giulia Bertelli Report

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know what goes on in some manager's heads. Similarly, I had an asthma attack at work. I tried tell my manager but couldn't get my voice out. He just asked 2 times what I needed and walked away. I went to the washroom, took my inhaler. It ended up being a minor attack. He asked me to see him in his office just to lecture me about not answering him right away when he asked what was wrong. I told him I couldn't speak. He repeated himself and asked "So, what will you do next time when I ask what is wrong?" F**k right off.

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    #4

    Medical team in surgical attire working together in a hospital, illustrating toxic workplace moments in healthcare settings. Got made redundant for being off sick after an ectopic pregnancy

    userkyvfbsux6j , Getty Images Report

    #5

    Two professionals in a serious discussion highlighting toxic workplace moments in a modern office environment. CEO pulled me into his office to tell me everyone was talking about how bad I smell, was mortified till one of my colleagues over heard him telling a manager he made it up because he wanted to 'put me in my place'

    waffleconundrum , Vitaly Gariev Report

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    #6

    Pregnant woman holding her belly in a dimly lit room symbolizing toxic workplace moments affecting employees. My old boss said she was disappointed in me when I told her I was pregnant with my first child

    lorna.pardoe , freestocks Report

    Toothless Feline
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Having a baby means the job won’t be your only priority anymore. How dare you exist for anything but the company?

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    #7

    I called my boss to let him know I was miscarrying. Actively miscarrying. He wouldn’t let me leave. I was night dispatcher. So I lost my baby alone in the an empty office building

    cmm2378 Report

    #8

    Worker administering first aid to unconscious coworker in warehouse, highlighting toxic workplace moments and safety risks. Wasn’t to me but the first aider at my work once refused to give CPR to a colleague and was stopping other people from doing so because it was ‘gods will’.

    ashleyaitken467 , Getty Images Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not toxic, that's a crime. In civilized countries anyway.

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    #9

    Offered me just 2 weeks for bereavement leave - it was my child that had died

    _jadecard Report

    Bec
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im so sorry, that is appalling.

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    #10

    Pregnant woman working on a tablet in an office with whiteboard notes, highlighting toxic workplace moments. My boss told me my pregnant belly made him feel physically sick

    youngyme , Pablo Merchán Montes Report

    Toothless Feline
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “And your attitude makes *me* physically sick.”

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    #11

    Man holding a clear plastic box with office items, symbolizing toxic workplace moments and employee challenges. My manager would give employees he didn’t like the wrong instructions so they would mess up and he would had a reason to fire them. I was the hardest to get rid of because I kept records everything said to me in there

    everydaygamerm , Getty Images Report

    #12

    Hand removing drawer from a decorative set of small numbered boxes, symbolizing toxic workplace moments and employee experiences. Executive VP of Marketing ate everyone's advent calendar chocolates after work one day.

    splurgeroonie , freepik Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably also pocketed their pay rises.

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    #13

    Two employees having a serious discussion in an office, highlighting toxic workplace moments and employee concerns. Was told that I should be paid less as I’m autistic and it’s not fair on other people

    michaeljarvis007 , Mina Rad Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Again, illegal in civilised countries.

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    #14

    Got told that visiting my dying Dad in the hospice was gonna ‘affect my career’

    ginajb97 Report

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Yes, it's already convinced me that I need to work someplace else."

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    #15

    Woman in glasses writing notes during a serious conversation highlighting toxic workplace moments between employees. I am still under referral for suspected endometriosis and have regular flare ups where it is easier to work from home to manage... I had a hybrid contract that they were very strict with so if unable to work in the office it was always a battle asking to work from home... it was one day said "have you ever thought about getting a hysterectomy - you have said you're not interested in having kids - you could always adopt" ... firstly, Im 28. Secondly, not that simple?

    gabbie.97 , Andrej Lišakov Report

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Hmm... I'm looking around your office but I see no PHD or Doctorate. Tell me where you got your medical knowledge from and show me your medical license that allows you to give me such advice.

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    #16

    I was going blind in A&E for unknown reasons and my manager visited me in A&E to ask what the wait times were (4 hours). She expected me back in 4 hours (while completely blind) or I'd have a disciplinary

    apollxlot Report

    #17

    Desk with a tablet, a Rubik's cube, a small camera, and a brightly lit fish tank showcasing colorful fish in a toxic workplace setting. got called into a meeting for talking to the office fish

    000stacey000 , Vikram Mudaliar Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How weird! Unless OP was loudly telling the fishes "So, fish, do you also think that Janet from accounting is a huge b*tch? Yes, you do, don't you. Or how about Mike, always turning in his assignment late, isn't that annoying?!" 😄

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    #18

    Not mine but a ex colleague’s story. Her parents had both passed away. She requested leave for the christmas holidays and her boss told her no and said “why do you care? christmas is a family holiday anyway and you don’t have any”. I was in shock when I heard

    virgology_ Report

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    #19

    Woman exercising on Pilates reformer machine, symbolizing relief from toxic workplace moments and stress management. got put on a performance plan for having a pilates class booked OUT OF WORKING HOURS

    maddybaxx , Ahmet Kurt Report

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That woman needs to put her hair up while using that scary contraption. OO

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    #20

    Pregnant employee lying down touching belly, illustrating a toxic workplace moment employees cannot believe. I went for a job interview and the boss asked me if I was thinking of getting pregnant

    user3047532377202 , Natalia Blauth Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another illegal one, and I'm fairly sure that's the case in the US as well as civilised countries.

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    #21

    Was told I should be shot in the face by the director because I made a spelling mistake. Also then got told by the CEO my baby would die when he found out I was pregnant. Currently going through tribunal

    bethanxsian Report

    Sapna Sarfare
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What did i just read? This is beyond cruel and horrifying.. i hope you win

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    #22

    I worked for a total marketing scam (think pyramid scheme) company back in the day and I reached my targets really quickly so I was being promoted to ‘team leader’. My ‘initiation’ included having to stand up on a chair in front of my boss and the other team leaders and tell everyone how I lost my virginity. 🙈 I lasted 6 months.

    therese_sociallyadhd Report

    #23

    My colleague called me a “fat heifer” in front of the rest of the office because I’d bought a sandwich AND a sausage roll for lunch 😳 Such an awful place to work, I only stayed 6 months bc of stress.

    naebotha Report

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    #24

    Woman in a brown coat on phone looking concerned while a man follows her, illustrating toxic workplace moments. Got stalked and my boss told me to take it as a compliment. Does this count???

    xxsaffb , Andrej Lišakov Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How can someone who is SUCH an idiot, possibly be smart enough to run a company?

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    #25

    Young woman listening during a tense meeting, representing toxic workplace moments employees still cannot believe. Was called into the office by my manager who advised me that a couples of women in the office said I was too confident and they didn’t like it

    growley1 , Tim Gouw Report

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    #26

    Surgeons in blue scrubs and masks working under bright lights, illustrating toxic workplace moments in healthcare settings. not my work place but my school rang the hospital I was having heart surgery at because they didn’t believe I was sick (this was 2 years in btw & they had all my notes) my nurse basically told them to F off

    mollyj8ne_ , JAFAR AHMED Report

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    #27

    Our hours were 9.30-5.30. I worked in HR and my ceo decided one day that I should stand with a clipboard and do a register and anybody that came in at 9.31 I had to report back to him. Safe to say I just lied and said no one was late

    msgalaxyuk Report

    #28

    My parents died, together! - I told work and they said coldly as blood relative I could have 5 days compassionate leave. I said yeah both of my parents died. It’s not a 2 for 1 offer! - took a month off as a lot to sort out and because I was in shock. The day I went back, called into a disciplinary meeting for taking too much time off. Didn’t ask me even if I was ok. I handed in my notice. I was so disgusted.

    crystalcatlover1 Report

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those people must be so miserable in their own life. They likely get the same treatment and just take it, then have this mentality they carry with them that if they have to go through misery, so should everyone else. Either that, or they're sociopaths.

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    #29

    Stressed woman in red sweater rubbing eyes in office, experiencing toxic workplace moments and frustration at her desk. i was told not to bring my mental health into work with me

    jod2905 , DC Studio Report

    Vibrant Bead
    Community Member
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes work is one of the causes of my unsound mental health.

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    #30

    Clean restroom with toilet and grab bars, highlighting a toxic workplace moment of inadequate facilities for employees. Was told the toilet was only for number ones

    laurenkatie90 , Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. Report

    #31

    Young girl drawing at a table in a colorful room, illustrating creativity amid toxic workplace moments discussion. I worked in a childcare setting, my daughters Primary School rang to inform me she had taken poorly, I was told the School shouldn't be ringing me...

    dellamargaret , Getty Images Report

    Paul C.
    Community Member
    6 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Part of my job was in an office and part doing work around the building. Was told by an officious manager, phones were not allowed on desks. I said fine by me all the jobs I do around the building are booked through the work phone. He said, Oh that phone is fine. I said great and I'm also the main contact for the care home for my 98 year old FIL, so guess what? That phone is going to be alright too. He barely spoke to me after that.

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    #32

    I had a seizure at work at my desk -- sat right next to manager, fell to the floor at her feet.... she just sat there and continued working

    xartistic_dreamingx Report

    YakFactory
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Was she blind, deaf or stupid? Would she have expected care in the reverse situation?

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    #33

    my grandfather died and I didn't get time off to go to his funeral

    monina11 Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand why any boss wouldn't give someone time off for a funeral. Why would you choose to be such a monster? There are barely any jobs where things will completely fall apart if someone is away for 1 day.

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    #34

    Got a disciplinary for being in a coma

    sophc933 Report

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    #35

    Lost my dad my nephew my neighbour of 30 years in space of 4 months to be told from my manager ‘ clearly funerals are your favourite past time’ …..

    hannahshappyhomex Report

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "How would you like a stage view of how much I enjoy funerals? You'll get your own VIP "box seat"

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    #36

    Young woman at desk holding coffee mug and talking on phone, showing a toxic workplace moment with stressed expression. I started at a new office at management level and the MDs assistant was on the phone talking to another Girl about how unattractive I was whilst looking me up and down and reporting her thoughts loudly across the office.

    ianb.30 , Oleg Ivanov Report

    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I knew I had the chutzpah to lean into something like that “Oh, don’t forget to tell her that I have a large black head on my back, at the base of my spine, and my knees are out of symmetry. Look. Look! LOOK!"

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    #37

    Police officer talking on phone and writing notes at desk, illustrating toxic workplace moments in an office setting. Manager called the police because i hadn't responded to his email for 45min!

    power_of_mindss2 , Ahmet Kurt Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry boss, can't come into work this week, I'll be in jail all week for committing this horrible crime! 😄

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    #38

    Three employees engaging in a tense discussion illustrating toxic workplace moments in an office setting. My boss would come in every morning and say hello to everyone individually and ignore me

    disneyboops , Getty Images Report

    #39

    My grandad died and I was told I couldn't go to the funeral ... my manager said ... how many grandparents do you have left? my response ... well none now.

    h_c_jojo Report

    The Starsong Princess
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of my employees took bereavement leave for a stepfather three times in four years. Her mother had been married seven times so she still had four to go! Of the three, she was cordial with one but he was her brother’s father, the second was like a father to her and she hated the last one so much that she went to the funeral to make sure he was really dead.

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    #40

    “I am sorry you are diagnosed with PCOS but at least you won’t go on maternity leave anytime soon”

    rbs46435 Report

    Note: this post originally had 77 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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