“You Guys Don’t Have Lives”: Entitled VP Demands Employees Work On The 4th Of July, Regrets It When They Throw A $6,000 Office Party
Interview With Author
On the 4th of July, millions across the United States celebrated one of the most important dates on their national calendar — Independence Day. People who bleed red, white, and blue took a moment to reflect on their country’s values and think about the progress it has made in the nearly 250 years since the nation’s founding. Dazzling fireworks, delicious barbecues, and vibrant parades are just a few traditional events people do to commemorate the occasion.
Being forced into the office by your delusional boss is certainly not one of them. Unfortunately, that was precisely the case for Redditor TheLightningCount1, who recently took his story to the ‘Malicious Compliance’ subreddit. Being the leader of a company’s IT team, he was unpleasantly surprised when the head of another department, or Bad VP as she’s referred to in the story, demanded they work on a national holiday when it was supposed to be their day off.
“It’s just IT, you guys don’t have lives,” she said. As you can guess, that didn’t sit well with the user. Instead of politely yielding to her unreasonable attitude, he took her advice to “go wild” and decided to take matters into his own hands. What followed was an act of sweet malicious compliance that led to an extremely expensive party and left the Bad VP seriously regretting her choices. Read on for how the whole ordeal unfolded and let us know what you think of it in the comments!
Recently, this employee shared a story about how one vice president at his company demanded that his whole team come in on the 4th of July
Image credits: Seva Kruhlov (not the actual photo)
But instead of going along with her request, the man came up with a sweet act of malicious compliance
Image credits: Cadeau Maestro (not the actual photo)
Although the user had to share some bad news with the team, he was also plotting a secret plan to make up for it
On the big day, there was no work to be done for the team, yet plenty of food to eat
After the user submitted the expense report, the CEO was “outraged,” but not about the party
Image credits: cottonbro (not the actual photo)
Image credits: TheLightningCount1
TheLightningCount1’s story caused quite a stir in the ‘Malicious Compliance’ community. In less than a day, it has already amassed over 62k upvotes and hundreds of comments. People applauded the user’s efforts and said this was probably one of the best (and most expensive!) team-building events that ever happened at their company.
We managed to get in touch with the author of this story, and he was kind enough to share a few thoughts with us. The employee explained that he came up with the idea to share his tale on the subreddit simply because they were bored and enjoyed spending time writing. However, they didn’t expect the thread would blow up as much as it did. “I found it awesome until my phone blew up with notifications every 3 seconds. Then it was mostly annoying,” he told Bored Panda.
The user also pointed out that a few simple and logical actions from the Bad VP could have prevented this whole situation: “Letting us work from home, or giving us the day we already had off.” Although this would have taken away the opportunity for the team to enjoy mountains of delicious food and spend quality bonding time with their coworkers, families, and friends.
When asked about his opinion on why this story deeply resonated with many employees out there, he said, “Everyone has had a [corporation] screw them and has dealt with manglement.” TheLightningCount1 has a point, especially bearing in mind that the Bad VP insulted him and his team to his face and was the only person who kept calling during the national holiday.
Smells like micromanagement, doesn’t it? While supervisors may have the best intentions to closely observe their employees at work, it can impact team morale and take a toll on their emotional well-being. Kristina Leonardi, a nationally recognized career coach, speaker, and author of Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower the Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul explained to us in a previous interview that micromanagement is a big issue many of today’s employees face.
“People want to be trusted and know that they are confident to perform their job well; having someone constantly double and triple check them (especially when they already have a proven track record) erodes confidence, creates unnecessary stress and anxiety, and creates low morale and can ultimately push a very valuable employee out the door,” she said. “It also tells the employee there is no room for them to grow or take on the responsibility or learn leadership skills which can also be an asset to the company if we’re allowed to develop properly.”
“Creating a positive environment where employees can thrive is a win-win because when employees are happier, they will be more productive and loyal to go the extra mile,” Leonardi added. Well, while the Bad VP showed gaps in her judgment, the author of this story certainly knows how to make employees feel valued. Let us know in the comments what you think about the user’s response to the Bad VP’s demand. If you have ever been in a similar situation, we’d love to hear all about it in the comments below.
The vast majority of Redditors applauded the employee for his efforts, here’s what they had to say
I am so happy to work for a company that not only truly believes in work/life balance, but allows alcohol onsite! We regularly have a glass of wine at 3:30/4pm and beer is always stocked in our fridges.
Nice. Because alcohol never caused a single problem ever, anywhere!
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Well, the caterin peeps certainly did not have the day off :-) But, hey-ho, they never do. What would posses a boss to order this? especially in a family oriented company. I don't get it. You have absolutely nothing to gain and everything to lose.
The big honcho didn't order it. One of the VPs ordered it and since all higher-ups were off on vacay because it's a f*****g holiday (I don't blame them because they didn't expect anything like this appearantly) and the woman didn't believe that IT team have life. Other VP, since they can't cancel each other because you still need higher up permission, just simply told him to comply with a wink of approval. Which I think it's better like this and should be treated at cautionary tale for those in higher rankings because they need a slammed door in face to understand sometimes. ((Edit: Phone's a d**k with autocorrect))
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I'd call it Lawful Neutral malicious compliance myself, but LOVED IT!
Story is BS. Especially an IT team playing videogames part or all day. Sure, the author was probably told to work the 4th, which I doubt if the rest of the company is off and half the time they just play videogames. The VP would not have ordered it just because the 'family oriented' boss was on vacation. If the boss really was, he or she would be livid upon returning and bye bye VP. Nice fiction, but not remotely believable. Author obviously watched Christmas Party and wanted to pretend his or her office had an f u VP party, just on the 4th.
So fake, the cliche Bahamas, the non bad VP has no say, convenient firework spot in another county, no recorse on his end for the over 6k, vauge "over 6k", consistently eating at a top teir restaurant as an IT guy to where you know the owner, and of course the lack of restaurant because he doesn't want to doxx himself(which nobody cares that much and if they did they wouldn't be able to just from that). Super fake imo
I eat at the same restaurant less than once a month and I'm familiar with the owner. (Okay he shops with me more often than I eat at his place.) And IT, especially a lead role, isn't exactly low paid. You good?
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Fake as my grandfather's teeth. Fake fake fake. You don't have to submit an expense report in a company credit card, they already have it. You don't pay for a prearranged party on that scale the day of, at the least you have to make a deposit. The funds would have been noticed above the party. Why would IT have a corporate credit card? Finally, most companies out source their IT. They use contractors. Let's not even talk about the bridge to no where within walkable distance and a friendly VP who had the ability to outrage the CEO with the bad VP, but only after the damage is done... (You have cell phone service in the Bahamas. I'm a realtor and I've taken client calls from the beaches of the Bahamas. You're rates are the same. My phone switches coverage automatically when it sees what towers you're pinging. I have TMobile. ) Emails still work when you're on vacation. Your phone still rings. Anyway nice fiction.
What if EVERYONE took EVERY holiday off? Hospitals, retail/grocery industry,, utility company, law enforcement, maintenance... people work on holidays. You CAN celebrate a holiday in a different day. I know, I know, that's impossible, insane even, but it's true. I sure hope the author actually had authorization to use rhe 'corporate card and did not naively believe that a note from the VP qualifies. Yea, sure, Owner of restaurant who has to work on the 4th, my mom er my VP said just charge everything!
I hope, on top of the party, you got double time for working a Holiday!
I was a supervisor at a 24/7/365 type of career but I never asked or expected my staff to do anything I wouldn't do myself or work hours I wouldn't work! I worked more hours and holidays than anyone else did because I didn't have children and I looked at everyone as my family and often took the clients to family gatherings as my siblings and I all worked together and we believed that building a sense of family with the clients, who were often abandoned by their own families, was healthier and important for growth and support. I can't understand how people can treat others in a way the bad VP did! It behooves us to be kind to everyone, especially those who work for us, if you want a good working atmosphere! If you want to power trip work at a fast food joint and see how long you last there but it's mostly teen's you get to bully and that's exactly what she is!
I don't think it would be too hard to find out the names of the best BBQ, burger, and bakeries around Dallas/Fort Worth if one wanted to play sleuth.
That was awesome, some executives lose sight of the fact that other people (employees) have rights. I had a similar situation happen with EASTER where we were required to work although the corporation had made the day a holiday. It was a car dealership in Chesapeake, Virginia and I refused to work since I considered EASTER as the most important religious holiday that a Christian has. .Easter was on March 31 in 2012 and I was promptly fired on April 1 by 10 am. But the General manager that caused all the problem was an avid runner and went to the Boston marathon with his son that year. Of course his whole week was ruined. GOD has his own way of handing out justice!!
So Easter is a most important religious "holiday" yet you relish in the general manager's 'ruined' week? Sounds hypocritical and fake. Or maybe you don't understand what Easter is about.
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...yup, well...Life's hard, especially when you're arrogant AND stupid. At times we all get ta eat the bitter fruits o' having things our own way- I have no Fs ta give this woman & she's obviously not management material. OP, what a fun way ta make the best of a sh*tty situation & give BVP the opportunity to die on a very public hill. Well played Love, well played
Sounds like fun, but this wasn't malicious. Sounds like the company was okay with the party, and willing to pay. Frankly, $6000 is about $40,000 less than my team pays for AWS. It's hardly a dent in most company budgets. I guarantee the game room they bought you was fast more money.
Found the Bad VP. "Choose a better job" like people can just choose what jobs they want. Everyone would just choose to be Jeff Bezos and you wouldn't have any IT to begin with. We need people to work every job. That doesn't mean they shouldn't still be treated like human beings with respect, and yes lives.
Load More Replies... I am so happy to work for a company that not only truly believes in work/life balance, but allows alcohol onsite! We regularly have a glass of wine at 3:30/4pm and beer is always stocked in our fridges.
Nice. Because alcohol never caused a single problem ever, anywhere!
Load More Replies... Well, the caterin peeps certainly did not have the day off :-) But, hey-ho, they never do. What would posses a boss to order this? especially in a family oriented company. I don't get it. You have absolutely nothing to gain and everything to lose.
The big honcho didn't order it. One of the VPs ordered it and since all higher-ups were off on vacay because it's a f*****g holiday (I don't blame them because they didn't expect anything like this appearantly) and the woman didn't believe that IT team have life. Other VP, since they can't cancel each other because you still need higher up permission, just simply told him to comply with a wink of approval. Which I think it's better like this and should be treated at cautionary tale for those in higher rankings because they need a slammed door in face to understand sometimes. ((Edit: Phone's a d**k with autocorrect))
Load More Replies... I'd call it Lawful Neutral malicious compliance myself, but LOVED IT!
Story is BS. Especially an IT team playing videogames part or all day. Sure, the author was probably told to work the 4th, which I doubt if the rest of the company is off and half the time they just play videogames. The VP would not have ordered it just because the 'family oriented' boss was on vacation. If the boss really was, he or she would be livid upon returning and bye bye VP. Nice fiction, but not remotely believable. Author obviously watched Christmas Party and wanted to pretend his or her office had an f u VP party, just on the 4th.
So fake, the cliche Bahamas, the non bad VP has no say, convenient firework spot in another county, no recorse on his end for the over 6k, vauge "over 6k", consistently eating at a top teir restaurant as an IT guy to where you know the owner, and of course the lack of restaurant because he doesn't want to doxx himself(which nobody cares that much and if they did they wouldn't be able to just from that). Super fake imo
I eat at the same restaurant less than once a month and I'm familiar with the owner. (Okay he shops with me more often than I eat at his place.) And IT, especially a lead role, isn't exactly low paid. You good?
Load More Replies... Fake as my grandfather's teeth. Fake fake fake. You don't have to submit an expense report in a company credit card, they already have it. You don't pay for a prearranged party on that scale the day of, at the least you have to make a deposit. The funds would have been noticed above the party. Why would IT have a corporate credit card? Finally, most companies out source their IT. They use contractors. Let's not even talk about the bridge to no where within walkable distance and a friendly VP who had the ability to outrage the CEO with the bad VP, but only after the damage is done... (You have cell phone service in the Bahamas. I'm a realtor and I've taken client calls from the beaches of the Bahamas. You're rates are the same. My phone switches coverage automatically when it sees what towers you're pinging. I have TMobile. ) Emails still work when you're on vacation. Your phone still rings. Anyway nice fiction.
What if EVERYONE took EVERY holiday off? Hospitals, retail/grocery industry,, utility company, law enforcement, maintenance... people work on holidays. You CAN celebrate a holiday in a different day. I know, I know, that's impossible, insane even, but it's true. I sure hope the author actually had authorization to use rhe 'corporate card and did not naively believe that a note from the VP qualifies. Yea, sure, Owner of restaurant who has to work on the 4th, my mom er my VP said just charge everything!
I hope, on top of the party, you got double time for working a Holiday!
I was a supervisor at a 24/7/365 type of career but I never asked or expected my staff to do anything I wouldn't do myself or work hours I wouldn't work! I worked more hours and holidays than anyone else did because I didn't have children and I looked at everyone as my family and often took the clients to family gatherings as my siblings and I all worked together and we believed that building a sense of family with the clients, who were often abandoned by their own families, was healthier and important for growth and support. I can't understand how people can treat others in a way the bad VP did! It behooves us to be kind to everyone, especially those who work for us, if you want a good working atmosphere! If you want to power trip work at a fast food joint and see how long you last there but it's mostly teen's you get to bully and that's exactly what she is!
I don't think it would be too hard to find out the names of the best BBQ, burger, and bakeries around Dallas/Fort Worth if one wanted to play sleuth.
That was awesome, some executives lose sight of the fact that other people (employees) have rights. I had a similar situation happen with EASTER where we were required to work although the corporation had made the day a holiday. It was a car dealership in Chesapeake, Virginia and I refused to work since I considered EASTER as the most important religious holiday that a Christian has. .Easter was on March 31 in 2012 and I was promptly fired on April 1 by 10 am. But the General manager that caused all the problem was an avid runner and went to the Boston marathon with his son that year. Of course his whole week was ruined. GOD has his own way of handing out justice!!
So Easter is a most important religious "holiday" yet you relish in the general manager's 'ruined' week? Sounds hypocritical and fake. Or maybe you don't understand what Easter is about.
Load More Replies... ...yup, well...Life's hard, especially when you're arrogant AND stupid. At times we all get ta eat the bitter fruits o' having things our own way- I have no Fs ta give this woman & she's obviously not management material. OP, what a fun way ta make the best of a sh*tty situation & give BVP the opportunity to die on a very public hill. Well played Love, well played
Sounds like fun, but this wasn't malicious. Sounds like the company was okay with the party, and willing to pay. Frankly, $6000 is about $40,000 less than my team pays for AWS. It's hardly a dent in most company budgets. I guarantee the game room they bought you was fast more money.
Found the Bad VP. "Choose a better job" like people can just choose what jobs they want. Everyone would just choose to be Jeff Bezos and you wouldn't have any IT to begin with. We need people to work every job. That doesn't mean they shouldn't still be treated like human beings with respect, and yes lives.
Load More Replies...
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