30 Funny Fails From Workers Who Live By The “Not My Job” Philosophy
Interview With ExpertAs someone with a job, you probably know it’s impossible to give 100% every single day. We all have off days where we’re not at our best. But some professions—like doctors or dentists—demand near-perfect execution because even small mistakes can have big consequences.
Construction is another profession where precision and attention to detail are crucial. Yet, even with the best efforts, small mistakes can lead to hilarious and baffling results. Today, we’ve compiled some construction fails from the Instagram page ‘rakennus_mokat.’ These posts highlight some of the most head-scratching blunders, leaving you laughing and wondering how these projects ever passed inspection. Keep reading to discover some of the most jaw-dropping and bizarre mistakes in construction!
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I've seen these in hospitals. They allow medical professionals to check on patients using the restrooms.
Poorly designed hospitals. I’ve worked in hospitals for 35 years and I’ve never seen this, nor would I find it acceptable. There’s a difference between safe access and lack of privacy.
Load More Replies...I don't need instructions printed on the door. I know what to do on a toilet.
Construction work is no easy feat. Every detail, from the foundation to the finishing touches, requires immense effort and coordination.
People spend countless hours planning, measuring, and building every aspect of a space, ensuring that everything is functional and safe. But, as impressive as construction is, even the smallest error can lead to some rather amusing—or alarming—blunders.
Got two apartment buildings that close in my town. You could step from one balcony to the other, about three feet between them.
To better understand how these mishaps happen and their real-world impact, we spoke with Rahul Mishra, a seasoned construction supervisor with 20 years of experience. With projects spanning across various states in India, Mishra has seen it all—both the good and the downright puzzling.
He began by shedding light on the challenges of the job. “People often think construction is straightforward, but it’s one of the most difficult jobs out there,” he shared. “You’re working with tight deadlines, balancing client demands, and ensuring everything aligns with safety standards. It’s not just building; it’s problem-solving on the go.”
Most of the posts on this thread are minor inconveniences. This one is serious, a multimillion dollar project that isn't safe to use and where the danger is hidden from the motorists.
God, the top of that picture makes it look like the toilet is behind old western saloon doors.
Mishra also highlighted the teamwork involved in construction. “So many people work together on a project that there’s always a chance for miscommunication,” he explained.
“One person might handle fittings, while another focuses on electrical work. If there’s a slip-up in communication, you’ll end up with something odd—like a door that opens into a wall or stairs that lead to nowhere!”
I guess there was more of a need for washing hands than using the toilet.
Having worked in diverse regions, Mishra shared how client requirements can sometimes be unusual. “You get bizarre requests sometimes,” he chuckled.
“But our job isn’t to question it—it’s to make it happen. Whether it’s an oddly shaped balcony or a room with no windows, we just do our job.”
Mishra emphasized that not all construction blunders result from miscommunication or odd demands. Sometimes, they stem from genuine mistakes. “I remember one case where a worker didn’t know how to install a bidet properly. What was supposed to be a simple installation turned into water spraying in all directions—it was a mess!”
While these mistakes are often fixable, Mishra acknowledged that the costs can be significant. “Rectifying errors can cost a lot of money,” he said. “It’s not just about the materials—you’re paying for labor, revisiting plans, and sometimes even replacing entire sections of work.”
That's not that bad. Would be better if it didn't slope like that, instead being a half-dome.
Beyond the financial implications, Mishra pointed out the toll these blunders can take on time and energy. “Imagine putting in weeks of effort, only to find out something is wrong. It’s frustrating and exhausting for everyone involved, especially when it means starting over,” he admitted.
Highlighting the risks, Mishra noted that some errors could even pose safety hazards. “If a mistake isn’t caught in time, it can create serious problems down the line. For example, poor plumbing or electrical work can lead to dangerous situations. That’s why attention to detail is crucial.”
At one point, the two floors were a single store. That has since changed. This sort of remodeling is common in places where houses have been broken up into apartments.
As we wrapped up, Mishra concluded with a reflective thought. “At the end of the day, mistakes happen—we’re all human,” he said. “The key is to learn from them and improve. Construction may not always go perfectly, but it’s the collective effort of everyone involved that makes a project successful.”
Well, posts like these are a funny yet important reminder of what not to do in construction! Which one of these blunders did you find the most amusing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear your take!
Many of these "Fails" are the result of remodeling that has left existing features in place.
Panda premium? You've got to be joking, reposting is not a talent I'll pay for
Hey Bored Panda, this new format sucks. Go back to your old one or else fix this one please it’s terrible.
Thats not construction workers fault, that is designers and Project Managers fault. The people who sit at desks and get over-paid, while the construction workers do the manual labour and get under-paid, and then also get the wrath of the owner if things go wrong. I know this because my husband does both design and construction.
That's why the title is about "not my job". If something is designed or retrofited in a way that doesn't make sense, a worker could choose to mention it and even refuse to do the work, or they can choose to do the job they were hired for even if the result is predictably suboptimal. In some of these cases, it looks like things were retrofit and they worked with what they had (good for them, mostly) and in other cases it feels like everyone involved should have known better (how did an outlet end up under a faucet?). Generally though, nobody is insulting the actual quality of the work, just the aggressive apathy being applied to get these results.
Load More Replies...Many of these "Fails" are the result of remodeling that has left existing features in place.
Panda premium? You've got to be joking, reposting is not a talent I'll pay for
Hey Bored Panda, this new format sucks. Go back to your old one or else fix this one please it’s terrible.
Thats not construction workers fault, that is designers and Project Managers fault. The people who sit at desks and get over-paid, while the construction workers do the manual labour and get under-paid, and then also get the wrath of the owner if things go wrong. I know this because my husband does both design and construction.
That's why the title is about "not my job". If something is designed or retrofited in a way that doesn't make sense, a worker could choose to mention it and even refuse to do the work, or they can choose to do the job they were hired for even if the result is predictably suboptimal. In some of these cases, it looks like things were retrofit and they worked with what they had (good for them, mostly) and in other cases it feels like everyone involved should have known better (how did an outlet end up under a faucet?). Generally though, nobody is insulting the actual quality of the work, just the aggressive apathy being applied to get these results.
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