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"Said I Was Too Confident": 77 Moments That Made Employees Realize They Were In A Toxic Workplace
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.
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#1
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
Toothless Feline 21 hours ago (edited)
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).
RELATED:
#2
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”
#3
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
StrangeOne 16 hours ago
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.
#4
Got made redundant for being off sick after an ectopic pregnancy
#5
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'
#6
My old boss said she was disappointed in me when I told her I was pregnant with my first child
Toothless Feline 21 hours ago
Having a baby means the job won’t be your only priority anymore. How dare you exist for anything but the company?
#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
#8
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’.
#9
Offered me just 2 weeks for bereavement leave - it was my child that had died
#11
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
#12
Executive VP of Marketing ate everyone's advent calendar chocolates after work one day.
#13
Was told that I should be paid less as I’m autistic and it’s not fair on other people
#14
Got told that visiting my dying Dad in the hospice was gonna ‘affect my career’
Michael Largey 6 hours ago
"Yes, it's already convinced me that I need to work someplace else."
#15
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?
StrangeOne 15 hours ago
"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.
#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
#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
#19
got put on a performance plan for having a pilates class booked OUT OF WORKING HOURS
StrangeOne 16 hours ago
That woman needs to put her hair up while using that scary contraption. OO
#20
I went for a job interview and the boss asked me if I was thinking of getting pregnant
#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
Sapna Sarfare 5 hours ago
What did i just read? This is beyond cruel and horrifying.. i hope you win
#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.
#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.
#24
Got stalked and my boss told me to take it as a compliment. Does this count???
#25
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
#26
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
#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
#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.
StrangeOne 15 hours ago
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.
#29
i was told not to bring my mental health into work with me
#30
Was told the toilet was only for number ones
#31
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...
Paul C. 6 hours ago (edited)
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.
#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
YakFactory 17 hours ago
Was she blind, deaf or stupid? Would she have expected care in the reverse situation?
#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’ …..
StrangeOne 15 hours ago
"How would you like a stage view of how much I enjoy funerals? You'll get your own VIP "box seat"
#36
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.
#38
My boss would come in every morning and say hello to everyone individually and ignore me
#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.
The Starsong Princess 4 hours ago
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.
#40
“I am sorry you are diagnosed with PCOS but at least you won’t go on maternity leave anytime soon”
Note: this post originally had 77 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
What do you think ?
Trillian 11 hours ago
Is it common to tell employers your medical issues? Here people call in sick, they don't give specifics, it is none of the company's business? I can't imagine anyone telling their boss stuff like they are in therapy, take medication, have PCOS ... That is my workplace, not my friend group.
Apatheist 10 hours ago
Yes if it's a reason for you not to be at work, especially unexpectedly, and it's more than normal (which is about 6 days p.a. in the UK), or if you're likely to experience an event at work that needs a particular procedure, such as an allergic reaction. Fortunately over here, they can't just fire you for things like that.
Load More Replies...
Laszlo Larthlanc 6 hours ago
Most of these work places should simply have no employees, and should be made to go out of business because they cannot obtain and keep a workforce. There should be an online forum where people can leave reviews of employers and management, much as one can leave reviews about businesses on Yelp. However, you get what you're willing to put up with, and if an employer creates a rule that could absolutely cost you your life and you abide by that rule, you need legal and psychological counseling. Yes, it's your job and you need a job in order to survive, but not at the cost of your life. I know that some people will likely argue with me about what I just said, but I'm not going to argue back. Just down vote me and have it at that.
nottheactualphoto 3 hours ago
There used to be such an online forum, Glassdoor. Maybe it still exists.
Load More Replies... Trillian 11 hours ago
Is it common to tell employers your medical issues? Here people call in sick, they don't give specifics, it is none of the company's business? I can't imagine anyone telling their boss stuff like they are in therapy, take medication, have PCOS ... That is my workplace, not my friend group.
Apatheist 10 hours ago
Yes if it's a reason for you not to be at work, especially unexpectedly, and it's more than normal (which is about 6 days p.a. in the UK), or if you're likely to experience an event at work that needs a particular procedure, such as an allergic reaction. Fortunately over here, they can't just fire you for things like that.
Load More Replies... Laszlo Larthlanc 6 hours ago
Most of these work places should simply have no employees, and should be made to go out of business because they cannot obtain and keep a workforce. There should be an online forum where people can leave reviews of employers and management, much as one can leave reviews about businesses on Yelp. However, you get what you're willing to put up with, and if an employer creates a rule that could absolutely cost you your life and you abide by that rule, you need legal and psychological counseling. Yes, it's your job and you need a job in order to survive, but not at the cost of your life. I know that some people will likely argue with me about what I just said, but I'm not going to argue back. Just down vote me and have it at that.
nottheactualphoto 3 hours ago
There used to be such an online forum, Glassdoor. Maybe it still exists.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 World’s Weirdest Jobs That Pay Out Quite Well We Rounded Up Some Absurdly Funny Job Titles For Your Entertainment Pleasure
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