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A mark of a good employee is that they're often willing to do more than listed in their job description. Sadly, not every worker feels so motivated. According to a poll Gallup conducted last year, 68% of the workforce might be phoning it in, as only 32% feel fully engaged at work.

Although probably infuriating to their bosses, these workers' minimum efforts often yield some pretty hilarious results. That's where the "I Did The Job, Boss" subreddit comes in. They collect all sorts of jobs done poorly, whether by accident or on purpose. If you ever feel you're not pulling your weight at work, check these out and you'll probably feel much better.

#1

Write A Dictionary Definition For Horse

Write A Dictionary Definition For Horse

Factsofw0rld Report

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    #2

    Welder Took The Instructions Seriously

    Welder Took The Instructions Seriously

    clinter Report

    #3

    I Launched The Update Boss

    I Launched The Update Boss

    hamzakharbout233 Report

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    Cindy Cee
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Add more bugs to fix later”….. I believe this is true!

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    Is there a new type of pandemic in the workplace? People seem to be disengaged and unmotivated in their jobs, others are "quiet quitting" and doing the bare minimum to barely scrape by and not get fired, and more and more people are directing their attention, time, and money to master their work-life balance.

    In their 2024 State of the Global Workplace report, Gallup estimates that employee disengagement cost the global economy around $8.9 trillion in GDP in 2023. They report that 23% of employees felt actively engaged in the workplace, which is an all-time high (in 2009 the percentage of engaged employees was merely 12%).

    #4

    I Wrote The Article, Boss

    I Wrote The Article, Boss

    CinemaslaveJoe Report

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    At the same time, employee well-being declined, as only 34% of employees reported thriving in their workplace. However, just like with employee engagement, this number remains at a steady high for the last five or so years. So, why are more and more people "quiet quitting" or thinking about leaving their jobs?

    As Gallup suggests, the mental well-being of employees is what stagnates motivation and daily productivity. According to their research, daily stress is still higher than the pre-pandemic average, and 20% of employees reported experiencing significant loneliness. As people are less happy in general, they're less likely to feel motivated in the workplace.

    #7

    Ummm

    Ummm

    earthlingofficial Report

    #8

    Painted The Truck, Boss

    Painted The Truck, Boss

    CinemaslaveJoe Report

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    We sometimes think that an unmotivated worker is a bad worker. But good workers can become unmotivated, too. That's why companies spend thousands of dollars to keep the talent they have happy with various perks, bonuses, and other incentives. According to Indeed, there are two types of motivation in the workplace: one that comes from the outside, and another, from the inside.

    #11

    Added The Illustration To The Sign, Boss

    Added The Illustration To The Sign, Boss

    Few-Ad2663 Report

    #12

    An Appropriate Subtitle

    An Appropriate Subtitle

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    Cash bonuses, office snacks, and more vacation days are a great way to motivate your employees, but they might not work with those who crave intrinsic motivation. Other workers put more effort and are willing to go above and beyond when they find meaning and purpose in their work.

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    #14

    Found This Abomination To Disability

    Found This Abomination To Disability

    1ce_W01f Report

    Some studies also suggest that intrinsic motivation gets employees to be six times more motivated than extrinsic motivation. Jim Barnett writes for Forbes that using external awards only can sometimes feel like companies are trying to control their employees. "Instead of feeling excited and challenged to exceed a target, we sometimes see people hit a goal and go no further," he notes.

    #16

    A New Guy Was Asked To Make Sure Printer Has Paper

    A New Guy Was Asked To Make Sure Printer Has Paper

    WolfyProd Report

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    #17

    I Made The Bicycle Lane Boss

    I Made The Bicycle Lane Boss

    Somm1k Report

    #18

    When Your Water Heater Becomes The Ground Path For Your House's Electricity

    When Your Water Heater Becomes The Ground Path For Your House's Electricity

    RocketsandBeer Report

    It also matters what kind of boss we have. Leadership coach Vicki Kampmeier has five rules that managers should follow to motivate their employees. First, she says, bosses need to ask their workers for feedback: giving and receiving it should be the priority for any good boss.

    #19

    Received An Upwaprd Package

    Received An Upwaprd Package

    nuancedaf Report

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    H Cef
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look out! Gentle rains will break it. Look Out! It must be held above your head to keep it dry. Look out! Warp drive engaged, let's party!

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    #20

    This F*** Motivational Quote

    This F*** Motivational Quote

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    #21

    Changed The Colours On The Poster Boss

    Changed The Colours On The Poster Boss

    muzicoholicated Report

    Second, employees should be allowed to contribute to their individual and the company's goals. "When employees feel like they're part of that conversation, they're willing to put in the extra effort," Kampmeier explains. These two rules go in hand with the third one: the boss has to show employees they care: listening to their feedback, being flexible with their demands, and allowing them to make decisions.

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    #23

    Don’t Go Swimming In Cigarettes

    Don’t Go Swimming In Cigarettes

    Few-Ad2663 Report

    #24

    The Steps Are Complete!

    The Steps Are Complete!

    wes7946 Report

    Employees should also know what's happening in the company they work at. When a worker knows more about the big (or small) operation that they're a part of, they become more invested in it. Hence, they want to do a better job and strive for the company's success. "The more uncertainty [employees] feel, the less motivated they are," Kampmeier explains.

    #25

    Cant Be Asked

    Cant Be Asked

    Memesallthewayboii Report

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    #26

    Powerwashed The Stairs, Boss

    Powerwashed The Stairs, Boss

    Dutchmon64 Report

    #27

    What Do You Mean By "This Is A Historical Monument"?

    What Do You Mean By "This Is A Historical Monument"?

    reddit.com Report

    Finally, a good boss should know a thing or two about the people they manage. That's not to say that they should pry or be all up in their employees' personal business, but things such as remembering birthdays and carrying out personality assessment tests show the workers that the boss is making an effort to care about them. What's more, as Kampmeier says, leaders can leverage this for growth, motivation, and alignment.

    #28

    I Painted The Mercedes, Boss!

    I Painted The Mercedes, Boss!

    Immaloner Report

    #30

    Did It Boss

    Did It Boss

    soph_i_e Report

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    POST
    Sully
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing else you can do unless you want them to cut it down.

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    What do you think about people doing the bare minimum at work, Pandas? Have you ever had a coworker who could possibly make it onto our list? Share your stories with us in the comments! And if you want to see more failed attempts at a good job, check out our previous article about the "I Did The Job, Boss" subreddit right here!

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    #31

    I Marked The Gas Lines Boss

    I Marked The Gas Lines Boss

    heartinnyc Report

    #32

    Homeowner: "I Absolutely Need This Faucet!"

    Homeowner: "I Absolutely Need This Faucet!"

    wes7946 Report

    #33

    Fence Built Around A Rock In Costco Parking Lot

    Fence Built Around A Rock In Costco Parking Lot

    clinter Report

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    Deborah
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's nice they left the rock. It's been around longer than the Costco.

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    #34

    Delivered Your Badminton Racket “Safely” Boss

    Delivered Your Badminton Racket “Safely” Boss

    adsr8 Report

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    G A
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Not my fault the lockers aren't big enough"(shrugs)

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    #36

    Gee Thanks

    Gee Thanks

    Michaeljr97 Report

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On the plus side, that turbo hand dryer will remove water from the counter as well.

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    #39

    Just Feel Bad About This One, Good Intentions Gone Wrong

    Just Feel Bad About This One, Good Intentions Gone Wrong

    toastisfree Report

    #40

    Installed The New Toilet Lock Boss

    Installed The New Toilet Lock Boss

    chef39 Report

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    POST
    Bonesko
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else feel like the handle has eyes that are following them?

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    #41

    I Painted The Lines Boss

    I Painted The Lines Boss

    userunknowne Report

    #42

    I Powered Up The Alarm Boss

    I Powered Up The Alarm Boss

    mr_Husk Report

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    POST
    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and it's still reading 'Houston we have a problem' on the display.

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    #43

    I Put The Ad On The Truck Boss

    I Put The Ad On The Truck Boss

    FocusedOnDistraction Report

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    Pencil
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It irks me so much when the $ is after the amount.

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    #45

    I Translated The Instructions Boss

    I Translated The Instructions Boss

    Suspicious-Detail-73 Report

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    Teutonic Disaster
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone at Leifheit (german company that produces household items like f.e. ironing boards and cleaning supplies) always sings the first 2 verses of our national anthem as well, huh?

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    #47

    I Changed The Nummer Boss

    I Changed The Nummer Boss

    These_Hearing_39 Report

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    Just me, Happy Flower
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    8am to 8pm (now 9pm) below that is Sunday “ in Dutch” with time 11am to 6pm

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    #49

    Hung Up The New Basketball Hoop, Boss

    Hung Up The New Basketball Hoop, Boss

    IndigenousShrek Report

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    Erik Biesemeier
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are usually for elementary schools to lower the hoop height from the standard 10 feet, and are removable.

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    #50

    I Made The Crossword Fit The Column, Boss

    I Made The Crossword Fit The Column, Boss

    ECatPlay Report

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    Robert T
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The crossword is a little odd, but would have been fine until someone cropped at least 2 squares off the right-hand side!

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    #51

    I Assembled The Pneumatic Tube System, Boss

    I Assembled The Pneumatic Tube System, Boss

    GirlMayXXXX Report

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    Poll Question

    Do you think there are times when doing just enough is acceptable at work?

    Yes, sometimes

    No, always go above and beyond

    Depends on the situation

    Not sure