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We all look for a real leader in our boss. The one who can have our backs, who motivates and inspires. It’s a person you can thoroughly trust, learn from, and grow together with professionally.
The truth is, in reality, exactly the opposite can happen. Our managers, bosses and supervisors can downright make our life a living hell. And having in mind that we spend 40 hours a week and 2,080 working hours a year with them, this is a huge lump of our life to spend in misery.
Below we wrapped up some blood-boiling examples that demonstrate what real leaders should not do or say. We also spoke with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, the best-selling author and CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts who shared some key signs of a bad boss, as well as how to be a great leader to your team.
More stories about annoying bosses can be found in our previous features here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Very Inappropriate Joke
Reenzy Bennington 1 year ago
I'm glad they quit and filed a complaint. People like this shouldn't be the boss of anyone.
Snow_White 1 year ago
Agreed but sadly there are too many bosses that are like this, especially in hospitality. I wish I've known how to deal with them when I was younger. It destroyed my confidence at the time.
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General Anaesthesia 1 year ago
After, "it doesn't matter, he's dying anyway" - Kelly Sadler, special assistant to tfg, about John McCain, I'll believe anything like this.
Pie 1 year ago
My mother called me at work once with an emergency. My boss had the audacity to subtly threaton my job of I left. I asked her straight up "are you asking me to choose between my job and my mother? Cause I can get a new job." And left. Worked there for another six months and left on my own terms. Terrible boss.
g90814 1 year ago
unfortunately there are many of those... all for the upvotes.
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YourSecretSanta 1 year ago
Classic case of 'f around and find out', hope he got his @ss handed to him
Devil'sAdvocate 1 year ago
it's not murder if that a*****e didn't have a life anyway. anyone in?
Mason Kronol 1 year ago
I was an office manager and a young man that I didn't particularly likes grandmother who raised him died. He wanted to take a week off, understandable, so I was trying to help him figure out what paid time off he could have. The manager said "when my dad died I took one day off for the funeral, why does he need a week?" That man died recently and had a glowing obituary. I really wanted to post what an a$$ he was. People grieve differently. Give people time.
fanscious-c_a_t 1 year ago (edited)
a JOKE? bruh you must have a really sick sense of humor. so immature edit:fixed spelling mistake
N Miller 1 year ago
Schrödinger's joke. It's both a joke and not a joke, but you only get to say which (and you're *always* wrong) when the person reacts.
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Madeleine Christiansen 3 weeks ago
Maybe OP should beat the boss up so bad they can't even remember ordering them to come in and work ;)
Christine Bouffard 1 year ago
What a selfish jerk. The boss’ statement of “No need to quit or complain” speaks volumes about that work environment.
Riley Quinn 1 year ago
Putting something in writing ain't the same thing as making a passing comment that can be denied as misunderstood. If it's in writing, it's permanent.
Jaaawn 1 year ago
Same thing happened to me. I had been off work after a steep decline in my mental health and at my back to work interview, my supervisor said to me she was happy I was back and not to go 'jumping off any bridges' after the interview as the paperwork was now finished. Of course, being the sister of the boss she got away with it.
Sabrina Fisher 1 year ago
I'm petty, it wouldn't just be corporate I'd let know. I'd post that on all their social media platforms and shame them with all their friends and family
Jon Steensen 1 year ago
Should have replied: "Sorry your bad joke just cost you an employee. May I propose that you consider the potential consequenses your jokes in the future before saying them out aloud, and pick less sensitive topics when you joke around?" The "it was just-a-joke-argument" is nothing but a minipulative attempt at saving the situation when you gambled and end op losing, and ought to be punished accordingly so it will actually backfire for the one trying to use it.
RELATED:
#2
That's Just Awful
indiecognition 1 year ago
"She was like a sister to me." (That's a sad situation, and the lack of compassion is messed -up.)
#3
Terrible Boss Regretting
Joelle Jansen 1 year ago
"Be grateful that I allow you to see your family once a week" - WTF, that's delusional.
When you work in a toxic workplace, you may get used to it. In fact, it may even be impossible to pinpoint the reason why you don’t like being around your boss, or why everything they do seems to cause a negative response in you. In some cases, however, the signs that your boss should take on leadership courses, or part with leading their team altogether, are more than obvious.
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky told Bored Panda via email that micromanaging is one of the key signs of a bad boss. It includes things like “Constantly checking on employees, not delegating responsibilities, and not trusting their team, which can lead to employee frustration and decreased productivity.”
#4
I'm Still In Shock
Groaver Andout 1 year ago
"Just thought you would of been professional" Just thought you as a boss might have learned "of" doesn't go there.
#5
I Just Found Out I'm The Single Lowest Paid Paramedic At My Ambulance Company, Despite Having The Most Experience By Several Years
#6
Please Note The Timestamps. Any Suggestions On How To Deal With This Outrageous Unfairness?
A bad boss, Dr. Gleb argues, can be also described as someone who lacks communication, fails to provide feedback, set clear expectations, or listen to employee concerns. This can create a negative work environment and result in misunderstandings. Playing favorites is another sign to look out for. “Favoritism can lead to resentment among employees and can create an unfair work environment,” Dr. Gleb explained.
#7
My Fiance Called In Sick. Her Boss Called 911 And Told The Police She Was On Drugs. Is This Legal?
#8
My Store Manager Yelled At Me Because I Can Barely Afford To Eat
#9
I Got Fired For Telling The Boss "How To Do His Job" When All I Did Was Say, "We Can't Obstruct A Fire Escape"
Moreover, “a bad boss may blame others for their mistakes, fail to take responsibility for their actions, or fail to hold themselves or their team accountable for their performance.”
Similarly, a lack of empathy is another warning sign. “A boss who is insensitive to the needs of their team may not be able to effectively support them or address their concerns,” Dr. Gleb explained.
“A boss who makes poor decisions or fails to make timely decisions can negatively impact the team's performance and morale,” he added.
#10
My Boss Thinks I Should Skip Seeing My Probation Officer And Go To Jail So He Can Have A Day Off. He Thinks My Labor Should Be More Important Than My Freedom
Alexandra Davis 1 year ago
TBF that's pretty s****y of probation as they want people on probation to be back giving to society and working etc but then risk their jobs when they make them call off because they can't give them a time of when they're coming
#11
I Left My Job Shortly After Receiving This "Prize" For My Good Work
#12
I Felt Sick, So I Did A Test For Covid. My Boss Responded With This
Dr. Gleb’s advice for employees who work for a toxic boss would be to first document instances of toxic behavior. “This can be useful if you need to bring your concerns to HR or if you decide to leave the company.”
Trying to address the behavior directly may be also a way to go. “You can try to have a conversation with your boss to express your concerns and find a solution. However, this may not always be possible or effective,” Dr. Gleb said.
In some situations, seeking support is crucial. “Talk to a trusted colleague, mentor, or friend about your situation. They can offer advice, support, and a different perspective.” In more extreme cases, Dr. Gleb argues, employees should consider leaving. “If the situation is truly toxic and your boss is not willing or able to change, it may be best for your well-being to find a new job.”
#13
The Audacity Of The Boss
Reenzy Bennington 1 year ago
Yeah, grandpa, your timing isn't the best... I hope karma slaps this b***h hard.
#14
The Fire Exit At My Job Has Been Blocked Like This For Months, And My Boss Threatened To Fire Me After He Saw Me Taking This Photo
#15
After Helping Them On Short Notice Many Times, I Finally Learned That My Day Off Is My Day Off
indiecognition 1 year ago
That's lousy behavior, but Ken and Brian seem like they come from a good family.
The good news is that there is always a way to learn to be a good leader for your team, Dr. Gleb assured us. Seeking feedback is one of the first steps to take. “Ask your team for feedback on your leadership style, communication, and performance. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement.”
Learning leadership means you also have to develop self-awareness. “Reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses as a leader. This can involve taking personality assessments, soliciting feedback from colleagues, or seeking the advice of a coach or mentor,” Dr. Gleb explained.
#16
A 15-Year-Old Kid Was So Tired From The Workload That He Just Fell Asleep On His 10-Minute Break. After Boss Saw That, He Said: "Make Sure He Doesn't Get Paid For That"
#17
Boss Told Me I Have To Come Into Work Because They Need Me
YourSecretSanta 1 year ago
This does suck and I am not on the bosses side, I am asking out of curiosity. In places where this is a common thing depending on the season, are there not standard protocols or contingencies in place?
#18
Boss Changed Her Mind Very Fast
Dr. Gleb argues that trust is critical to effective leadership. So anyone who wants to become a better leader has “to work to build trust with their team by being transparent, following through on commitments, and acknowledging your mistakes.”
A good leader needs to provide their team a clear direction. Dr. Gleb’s advice is to set clear goals and expectations for your team and communicate them effectively. “This can help your team understand their role and how their work fits into the bigger picture,” he said.
#19
No Compassion At All
#20
Boss Fired Me For Taking Approved Vacation Time. After That, He Denied My Unemployment. Three Weeks Later, I Got Asked To Sign A Non-Disclosure Agreement
#21
My Boss Screwed The Only Window At Our Office Shut, So It's Impossible To Get Fresh Air
He wanted to save money by not using the heater, which we never use cause it's so hot in here anyways, so he decided to screw it shut. This can't be legal. Right?
Last but not least, a leader should never take their team for granted and should put effort into developing it. “Invest in the development of your team by providing training, mentoring, and coaching. This can help them grow their skills and improve their performance,” Dr. Gleb concluded.
#22
My Boss Asked Me If I Could Change The Day I Put My Dog To Sleep
Reenzy Bennington 1 year ago
Again, why is it the employee's job to find coverage? Your employee asks for a day off, you find someone else to work their shift. That simple.
#23
My Boss Actually Wrote This On My Last Check
He didn't give a 2-week notice, was very inconsiderate, and quit for no reason. Vegan who likes cancer, not meat, coward. He got free rides to work for five months. Self-centered and never amount to anything!
#24
I Lost My Job Of 3 Years Because Of This
Reenzy Bennington 1 year ago
It's literally your boss's job to find someone to cover your shift when you're sick, wtf.
#25
Boss Gave Me Cash And Called It A Bonus. Months Later, He Took It Out Of My Paycheck
#26
I Walked To Work In A Thunderstorm, But My Boss Forgot To Tell Me We All Have Today Off
#27
My Boss Told Me To At Least Try Shoveling Out And Come In Today. Red Car Is Mine. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
#28
My Boss Posted This Job Description On Facebook And Then Commented On This A Week Later. I Wonder Why No One Applied
SheamusFanFrom1987 1 year ago
News flash Jackhammer: The government doesn't need to do that, your sh*tty demands did that all on their own!!! Smh!!!
#29
Stop Stealing My Electricity
#30
My Boss Shared This Without A Hint Of Irony In Our WhatsApp Group
#31
I Told My Boss I Quit, And He's Not Going To Pay Me
YourSecretSanta 1 year ago
At this point, you stop engaging with your boss and start engaging with your lawyer
#32
My Partner Asked If They Would Be Getting Paid For A Mandatory Work Meeting On Their Day Off
What makes it worse is this place doesn't do holiday pay despite it being a legal requirement in the UK.
#33
Recently Posted At Work
Reenzy Bennington 1 year ago
Wait, BM? Bow Movement? BOWEL movement? Are you joking? Had to read this three times to understand what was happening. How is this even legal?
#34
My Boss Wouldn't Let Me Go To Turn Off My Headlights, Even Though You Could See It Through The Window That They Were On
#35
My Coworker Had A Dispute With The Owner. This Is How The Owner Replied On The Group Chat
#36
I Didn't Bring Lunch To Work Since My Employer Was Providing Pizzas. Two Slice Limit On Pizzas They Cut Into 16 Slices
#37
I Make $15 An Hour
#38
Employees Were Treated Like Middle Schoolers
#39
The Employer Doesn't Let Workers Use The Air Conditioner As A Heat Wave Comes Rushing In
Living Example 1 year ago
If you have to resort to this kind of thing to save money you can't afford to be running a business. I'd bet the idiot has A/C in his office.
#40
I Am So Done With This
9 animals and counting 1 year ago
My requirement for management is knowing how to spell and use proper grammar.
#41
My Boss Posted This Right After They Mandated Mandatory 6 Days And 11 Hours Work Days
#42
My Boss Told Me To Go And Rewire An Old Electrical Cabinet At This Factory. He Didn't Tell Me That Everything Was Covered In Sewage Liquids
#43
My Boss Texted Me In The Middle Of The Night
#44
My Boss Called Me In Early, And Said The Line Needs To Be Cleaned Up. He Set Up The Line This Morning And Made All This Mess
#45
My Job Involves Walking For Hours At A Time. We Also Don't Get Breaks At All. Even For 12+ Hour Shifts
YourSecretSanta 1 year ago
No breaks? That's a labour law violation in my country. Any anonymous tip off to the proper labour board seems in order
#46
These Meals We Got At My Job For Shifts Up To 12 Hours
#47
The Same Thing Happened To My Friend Michael Scott When He Had Bruce Springsteen's Tickets
#48
This Is How My Mom's Employer Shipped Her $2000 Work Laptop
#49
I Messaged My Boss That There Was A Small Leak, And He Told Me To Put A Bucket Under It. A Few Hours Later, The Ceiling Tiles Collapsed During A Rush
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
Because it's not like your employees are human beings or anything. Good f**k on a f*****g fuckstick. (How d'you like THAT, censorbot?).
And i was like WTF!! 1 year ago
I just... What is it with people. I am guessing that posts here are mostly from USA/Canada. In Europe we have s****y managers and supervisors, but we can take day offs, have mandated vacation (in my state min is 20 work days + you have more based on education, preformance etc, max to 30 days), we have payed overtime (or get a day off) but it is nothing like this stated in this article... I think, based on alot of posts online, that work/hustle culture is sooo toxic in USA, and that when people are promoted to supervisort or higher are s**t. We have a saying here - give a person a position of power and see his true colors. Sorry for my bad english
M E 1 year ago
not all people are like that. maybe after getting walked all over for years i can see people getting a backbone. but not being all f****d up to people around being sick, or people lived ones dieing. thats messed up. i had to quit during civid because were acting all stupid. self employeed now. and make pennies. :(. but the only stupid boss i have to deal with is me. Gives me no hours. lol. over 7ins of rain last 2 days. not ready to clear trees, mud slides. no pay in it for me.
Load More Replies... g90814 1 year ago
At times (actually a lot of the time) I wonder how many of these are fake and posted just for likes/upvotes?
Mim“the Swede”Sorensson 1 year ago
It’s always a possibility. But since that’s the case with 99% of all content of the entire internet, I tend to just assume validity most of the time. It kind of loses its whole entire point otherwise.
Load More Replies...
intermezzono1 1 year ago
I didn't manage to make it through the list but I am pretty sure 98% of these are illegal. Or... Not. I honestly don't know how America works, I don't really see screenshots like this in my country. When we are sick we are sick. 🤷♀️
Snow_White 1 year ago
I think schools need to start teaching about employment laws and employee rights rather than prepping people to be submissive to this kind of bulshit.
Sivi 1 year ago
My previous job ghosted me :). Delivered my uniform when it had been a year since last work day. Owner prefer to hire cheap work so its always a new face every month & now they struggle keeping people & few good ones they wanted to keep quit due to more work load on them(one got enough work for 4 people).
M E 1 year ago
in the usa all/most jobs are like slave labor. get paid the bare min, and want you to run the store, open and close it while the manger sleep at their desk. sry cant spell for s**t. had a stroke from my last job. ran the whole store from open to close for barly nothing $$.
M E 1 year ago
when i was in high school the owner wanted me to open and close the store. since the manger quit. no i have to go to school. i ended up quiting because the boss wanted to call me and start cussing me out. didnt didnt take that and left on the spot. left the new guy to work. maybe he was there 2 days lol.
Load More Replies...
Mr Old School Cool 1 year ago
Did anyone here take a sick day in the 90’s or 2000’s? My boss cared so much that he would call me at home several times just to check in on me. What a great guy!
Will Cable 1 year ago
Reminds me of a guy I know that drove for a company, the vehicle they supplied was 'problematic' with electrical and mechanical issues. They got rid of him saying he wasn't doing the job after the vehicle kept failing so he COULDN'T do his job.
Marie BellaDonna 1 year ago
Ugh. It really sucks that so many bosses/companies are like this. It sucks that these ruthless, uncaring, delusional, narcissistic, even psychopathic àsswads are the ones who run out companies, and indeed our world. Scum always rises to the top of the pond. I say it's time we skin some of it off, and flush it down the toilet, where it belongs!!
Redpen88 1 year ago
One of my best previous bosses did something I still haven't forgiven: Cancelled my previously approved TO on my birthday weekend in favor of giving time off to my supervisor. I was supposed to go see my favorite band play live for the first (and likely only time, as the band is from another country). Over a decade later, and that band has not come back to this area. Lost out on the tickets, the hotel reservations, etc.
Colin Matthews 1 year ago
Join a union, let the douchebag know you have military friends who will rearrange him if he is a asshat to you
Jack S 1 year ago
When my dad passed away back in 09 I was working for a will writing company at the time not exactly the best type of job in that situation. The owner was super chill and personally called me and told me to take as much time as I needed. The manager was f****n prick about it though and after the first week (hadn't even had the funeral) was bombarding me with calls about, "how much longer would you need off?" "When do you think you're gonna be back?" "If you're not back in the next week there may be disciplinary action." "How long does it really take to get over the death of your father?" Okay so he didn't actually say that last bit but he might as well have done. I was getting sick of it and it was having some major impacts on my already impaired mental health. Ended up contacting the owner and lodging a formal complaint about the manager harassing me daily about going back, owner said he'd look into it. Turned out the manager hadn't even been going into the office and everything was a complete s**t show. (Not because I wasn't there or anything, I was only 19 and a nobody). As much as I appreciated the owner and how chill he was I never ended up going back. Found out a few months later that the manager was sacked after losing the original copy of someone's will... Twice.
Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
Because it's not like your employees are human beings or anything. Good f**k on a f*****g fuckstick. (How d'you like THAT, censorbot?).
And i was like WTF!! 1 year ago
I just... What is it with people. I am guessing that posts here are mostly from USA/Canada. In Europe we have s****y managers and supervisors, but we can take day offs, have mandated vacation (in my state min is 20 work days + you have more based on education, preformance etc, max to 30 days), we have payed overtime (or get a day off) but it is nothing like this stated in this article... I think, based on alot of posts online, that work/hustle culture is sooo toxic in USA, and that when people are promoted to supervisort or higher are s**t. We have a saying here - give a person a position of power and see his true colors. Sorry for my bad english
M E 1 year ago
not all people are like that. maybe after getting walked all over for years i can see people getting a backbone. but not being all f****d up to people around being sick, or people lived ones dieing. thats messed up. i had to quit during civid because were acting all stupid. self employeed now. and make pennies. :(. but the only stupid boss i have to deal with is me. Gives me no hours. lol. over 7ins of rain last 2 days. not ready to clear trees, mud slides. no pay in it for me.
Load More Replies... g90814 1 year ago
At times (actually a lot of the time) I wonder how many of these are fake and posted just for likes/upvotes?
Mim“the Swede”Sorensson 1 year ago
It’s always a possibility. But since that’s the case with 99% of all content of the entire internet, I tend to just assume validity most of the time. It kind of loses its whole entire point otherwise.
Load More Replies... intermezzono1 1 year ago
I didn't manage to make it through the list but I am pretty sure 98% of these are illegal. Or... Not. I honestly don't know how America works, I don't really see screenshots like this in my country. When we are sick we are sick. 🤷♀️
Snow_White 1 year ago
I think schools need to start teaching about employment laws and employee rights rather than prepping people to be submissive to this kind of bulshit.
Sivi 1 year ago
My previous job ghosted me :). Delivered my uniform when it had been a year since last work day. Owner prefer to hire cheap work so its always a new face every month & now they struggle keeping people & few good ones they wanted to keep quit due to more work load on them(one got enough work for 4 people).
M E 1 year ago
in the usa all/most jobs are like slave labor. get paid the bare min, and want you to run the store, open and close it while the manger sleep at their desk. sry cant spell for s**t. had a stroke from my last job. ran the whole store from open to close for barly nothing $$.
M E 1 year ago
when i was in high school the owner wanted me to open and close the store. since the manger quit. no i have to go to school. i ended up quiting because the boss wanted to call me and start cussing me out. didnt didnt take that and left on the spot. left the new guy to work. maybe he was there 2 days lol.
Load More Replies... Mr Old School Cool 1 year ago
Did anyone here take a sick day in the 90’s or 2000’s? My boss cared so much that he would call me at home several times just to check in on me. What a great guy!
Will Cable 1 year ago
Reminds me of a guy I know that drove for a company, the vehicle they supplied was 'problematic' with electrical and mechanical issues. They got rid of him saying he wasn't doing the job after the vehicle kept failing so he COULDN'T do his job.
Marie BellaDonna 1 year ago
Ugh. It really sucks that so many bosses/companies are like this. It sucks that these ruthless, uncaring, delusional, narcissistic, even psychopathic àsswads are the ones who run out companies, and indeed our world. Scum always rises to the top of the pond. I say it's time we skin some of it off, and flush it down the toilet, where it belongs!!
Redpen88 1 year ago
One of my best previous bosses did something I still haven't forgiven: Cancelled my previously approved TO on my birthday weekend in favor of giving time off to my supervisor. I was supposed to go see my favorite band play live for the first (and likely only time, as the band is from another country). Over a decade later, and that band has not come back to this area. Lost out on the tickets, the hotel reservations, etc.
Colin Matthews 1 year ago
Join a union, let the douchebag know you have military friends who will rearrange him if he is a asshat to you
Jack S 1 year ago
When my dad passed away back in 09 I was working for a will writing company at the time not exactly the best type of job in that situation. The owner was super chill and personally called me and told me to take as much time as I needed. The manager was f****n prick about it though and after the first week (hadn't even had the funeral) was bombarding me with calls about, "how much longer would you need off?" "When do you think you're gonna be back?" "If you're not back in the next week there may be disciplinary action." "How long does it really take to get over the death of your father?" Okay so he didn't actually say that last bit but he might as well have done. I was getting sick of it and it was having some major impacts on my already impaired mental health. Ended up contacting the owner and lodging a formal complaint about the manager harassing me daily about going back, owner said he'd look into it. Turned out the manager hadn't even been going into the office and everything was a complete s**t show. (Not because I wasn't there or anything, I was only 19 and a nobody). As much as I appreciated the owner and how chill he was I never ended up going back. Found out a few months later that the manager was sacked after losing the original copy of someone's will... Twice.
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