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Tone-Deaf Boss Downplays Man’s Chemo, Gets A Humiliating Reality Check When He Pulls Out His Hair

Tone-Deaf Boss Downplays Man’s Chemo, Gets A Humiliating Reality Check When He Pulls Out His Hair

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Some bosses have the unique ability to turn the workplace into their personal stage, starring themselves as the misunderstood hero. Forget empathy or leadership skills—these folks specialize in petty comments, unsolicited opinions, and making life harder than it already is.

And that’s exactly what one Redditor faced when his boss decided her unsolicited hot takes on his health were just what the office needed. And boy, did he have the perfect response to shut her down in the most iconic way possible.

More info: Reddit

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    Image credits: pikisuperstar / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    One man teaches his toxic boss a lesson by pulling out his own hair after she trivializes his chemotherapy treatment

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    Image credits: master1305 / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The man’s boss is a self-involved woman who tends to make every situation about herself, including the poster’s illness

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    Image credits: pressfoto / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: prostooleh / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The boss starts making passive-aggressive comments about the man’s treatment and even says that she’s having a hard time dealing with the news of his illness

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    Image credits: chandlervid85 / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The man tells a colleague that he will probably lose his hair soon because of chemo, but the boss trivializes the treatment saying it can’t be that bad

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    Image credits: Renan Rezende / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    Image credits: Montgomery_Zeff

    The man pulls out his own hair, in front of everyone at the office, and places it in his boss’s hand, asking her if she still thinks chemo isn’t bad

    The OP (original poster), was going through chemo (he’s all good now, thankfully), dealing with nausea, mouth ulcers, and hair that was holding on by a thread, quite literally. Despite these challenges, he kept his head down and focused on work. But his boss, Carla, the office queen of main character syndrome, had other plans. She wasn’t one to let someone else’s life-or-death battle steal her spotlight.

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    She started with passive-aggressive comments about the OP’s doctor visits. Then, her friend approached the OP, you know, the guy battling a life-threatening illness, to explain that Carla was really struggling to come to terms with the news. Wait, what? The OP was the one going through chemo, but somehow Carla was making it all about her.

    But wait, this is not even the most ridiculous part. When the OP casually mentioned to a coworker that he’d probably lose his hair soon, Carla, living up to her reputation, came swooping in with this gem: “Oh, come on, I don’t think chemotherapy is as bad as all that, is it?” I don’t know about you, but this would make my blood boil to the max.

    Our OP, understandably fed up, but still calm, decided it was time for a teachable moment. He stood up, reached behind his head, and pulled out a fistful of his own hair. Then, he plopped the hair into Carla’s trembling hand and calmly asked, “What do you think, Carla?”

    After this glorious hair-raising moment, the OP left the office for some much-needed food therapy. But when he returned, HR was waiting and offered him paid leave for the remainder of his treatment, which he accepted. And Carla? Well, her behavior earned her the nickname “Hairball” and the office was noticeably colder toward her. Karma? Oh, she delivered, right on schedule.

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    Image credits: gpointstudio / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    This Carla is a piece of work, isn’t she? While we can’t slap a “Certified Narcissist” sticker on her forehead (because, hey, the pros should handle the diagnosis), her behavior sure gives off some narcissistic vibes.

    Narcissism, by the way, isn’t just about selfies and thinking you’re the center of the universe—it’s a personality trait that includes a lack of empathy, a sense of entitlement, and the uncanny ability to make everything about them. And Carla’s complete dismissal of the OP’s battle with chemo definitely screams self-centeredness and control issues. But hey, she might not even be a narcissist, but just a toxic boss with no empathy.

    Some experts would call that empathy deficit disorder. It’s not a formal diagnosis, so don’t go Googling it for prescriptions, but it’s a term often used to describe people who just can’t seem to care about what someone else is feeling. And oh boy, did Carla miss the memo on compassion. Instead of offering a shred of understanding to an employee battling chemo, she seemed more focused on her mood.

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    But our OP made sure she learned her lesson. With paid leave in hand and a new job lined up, the OP focused on healing. He even threw a head-shaving party with friends, beers, and curry, turning a tough experience into a bonding moment. As for the treatment, it went well, and he’s been in remission ever since. Victory!

    So, dear readers, what’s your take on this story? Have you ever had to deal with such a coworker or boss? Share your stories below!

    Netizens applaud the man for the way he dealt with the situation, saying his boss will probably never forget his “gift”

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    Poll Question

    How do you feel about the boss's reaction to the employee's chemotherapy?

    Insensitive and inappropriate

    Misunderstood but not malicious

    Completely understandable

    No opinion

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    Monica Selvi

    Monica Selvi

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

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    Monica Selvi

    Monica Selvi

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Hi! Nice to meet you~ I'm very passionate about animals, especially cats, photography, small DIY projects, music and so much more! Could say I am the TV show The Office connoisseur since I have seen it at least a dozen times~

    Read less »

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! Nice to meet you~ I'm very passionate about animals, especially cats, photography, small DIY projects, music and so much more! Could say I am the TV show The Office connoisseur since I have seen it at least a dozen times~

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    Leoninus Fate
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    when I was in chemo for cancer, some woman saw I had a mask on {it was before COVID-19 too, but I'm immune comprised} I was actually with my mom who was helping me through it {rip, she was the best}. As we went up to check in, this woman sitting WAY too close to the counter looked up at me {i 7'4 and albino, i had super short hair from chemo and was even paler then so looked REALLY SICK, but remember this was a cancer place, not just a reg dr area, you couldn't come if you had like the flu} she makes a face, While we log in/set up, I watch her move in her chair then get up, keeping far from me and move across the room and wash her hands, i was smiling behind my mask at this woman, so as me and my mom go to sit, i stop right in front of that woman and yell out to my mom and everyone in there "HEY MOM ITS THE LADY THAT MOVED FROM US CAUSE SHE THINKS SHE WILL CATCH MY CANCER!" the woman mouth drops open and everyone looks at her for it

    K. LNU
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aren't stupid people fun? Right after the mask mandate ended, I was recovering from cervical cancer (they got it all but compromised immune too) I wore a mask into a grocery store. A lady in a red hat and red shirt (you know) speaks very loudly that I don’t have to be a sheep and wear a mask. I turned to her and said “I have cancer, so I do have to wear one.” She started saying “Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t know!” I just said, yes, you didn’t know. So don’t judge if you have no clue why people do things. She was still trying to apologize as I sashayed away.

    Load More Comments
    Leoninus Fate
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    when I was in chemo for cancer, some woman saw I had a mask on {it was before COVID-19 too, but I'm immune comprised} I was actually with my mom who was helping me through it {rip, she was the best}. As we went up to check in, this woman sitting WAY too close to the counter looked up at me {i 7'4 and albino, i had super short hair from chemo and was even paler then so looked REALLY SICK, but remember this was a cancer place, not just a reg dr area, you couldn't come if you had like the flu} she makes a face, While we log in/set up, I watch her move in her chair then get up, keeping far from me and move across the room and wash her hands, i was smiling behind my mask at this woman, so as me and my mom go to sit, i stop right in front of that woman and yell out to my mom and everyone in there "HEY MOM ITS THE LADY THAT MOVED FROM US CAUSE SHE THINKS SHE WILL CATCH MY CANCER!" the woman mouth drops open and everyone looks at her for it

    K. LNU
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aren't stupid people fun? Right after the mask mandate ended, I was recovering from cervical cancer (they got it all but compromised immune too) I wore a mask into a grocery store. A lady in a red hat and red shirt (you know) speaks very loudly that I don’t have to be a sheep and wear a mask. I turned to her and said “I have cancer, so I do have to wear one.” She started saying “Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t know!” I just said, yes, you didn’t know. So don’t judge if you have no clue why people do things. She was still trying to apologize as I sashayed away.

    Load More Comments
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