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It can be a disconcerting realization when it finally clicks that we spend a third of our lives asleep, but what about the just as relevant fact that we also spend a third of our lives, give or take some years, at work? So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that humans can and will make this into online content.

The "Humorous Resources" Instagram page is dedicated to painfully relatable yet undeniably hilarious memes about working in the 21st century. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts and stories in the comments section below.

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    Anyone who has had a sub-part boss and manager has probably realized just how much someone’s delusions can (and will) cause headaches for the folks actually trying to get work done at the end of the day. Rules, regulations and unrealistic expectations can all come together to very literally harm how a company operates. So this begs the question, why are the people at the top sometimes useless?

    Canadian educator Laurence J. Peter had a theory that this is, unfortunately, somewhat inevitable. In short, people are, justifiably, promoted based on results and seniority. However, it doesn’t take an expert to see how the skills of, say, a good salesperson won’t necessarily translate to management.

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    #6

    Relatable memes: A tweet about leaving work slightly early and receiving a boss's email about it as the start of a villain origin story.

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    Paul C.
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to open our offices at seven in the morning, but would actually get there to begin at about twenty to seven. I had a new manager who rather aggressively questioned my time keeping (much to my annoyance) I told him in no uncertain terms that each morning I came in twenty to thirty minutes early as attested to by other staff. Also I had never missed an opening for over twelve years. And most importantly if he wasn't such a Pr@t he would realise that it could all be checked by the alarm system that had to be unset each morning. I walked away rather than give him the slap he so richly deserved.

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    If you’ve watched the Office, you’ll recognize this principle immediately. Another key point is that once a person reaches the "ceiling" of their competence, they no longer generate the results needed to move on to the next level. This means the least effective folks sit and stagnate in sometimes important positions for years.

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    #7

    Humorous Resources meme about an employee secretly reading complaint box dramas at work.

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    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fact that HR did not set it up yet doesn't question where it came from is slightly more concerning

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    Of course, an important point is that these managers often don’t quite know that they are incompetent. Sometimes they are so removed from the reality of the work that they come up with, frankly, hairbrained schemes and ideas that the employees have to suffer through. Indeed, one of the rare ways change might happen is when a lot of workers decide that, ultimately, enough is enough.

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    #13

    Muppet character looking frazzled in a humorous remote work meme, wearing a white shirt with wild red hair.

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    JD
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My boss just calls me. But we're a Camera-Off kinda place. Nobody wants to see your face, especially if you don't want to be seen.

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    #16

    A possum angrily reacting at a desk, next to a keyboard and phone, portraying work memes from Humorous Resources.

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

    My question about putting that in any email is... What if the email finds you extremely unwell in fact in desperate need of medical attention. Is it going to help you?

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    #18

    Relatable meme about the struggle of balancing work and leisure from Humorous Resources.

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

    I recently got a new job as an office manager for a clinic. I went in at 8a and about halfway through day #1 the trainer told me that I'd be there until 7p. "Umm... what?" Her, "Oh, we have 11 hours days on Monday and Wednesday. But Friday is only 6 hours so that's nice!" You know what else is nice? Not working here. Fifteen years as a nurse working double shifts says I won't be doing that anymore. Especially because you didn't tell me up front.

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    #19

    Cartoon character waking up for work, puppy sleeping, relatable memes humor.

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I die, I want to come back as a very much loved and indulged pet, preferably a cat or dog. Sleep 20 to 23 hours a day, and spend the rest of the time doing whatever I want, because 1) I was not born with the equipment to have any f***s to give, and 2) my hoomans always let me get way with murder because I’m so cute. Heaven.

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    #20

    Humorous meme about preferring interactions with loved ones over a coworker named Denise from finance.

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    JD
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously. I don't need to have a bond with Denise to send her the reports she never reads.

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    #23

    A humorous resources meme about feeling unproductive but aware of it, posted by user chase.

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    #26

    Close-up of a character's skeptical expression, showcasing relatable humorous resources in a meme about using PTO.

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

    I am a manager and believe PTO is meant to be used. I never ask why anyone needs time off. I have had folks call in because they "just can't" today and it's not an issue to me. I get it.

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    #27

    Meme text asks if meeting contributions are genuine or performative, showcasing humorous office resources.

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most people’s contributions at meetings, especially when the bigwigs are there, are performative. That goes double for the brown nosers.

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    #29

    Humorous Resources meme: A mistaken text meant for a manager leads to granting an unexpected day off.

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

    I hope this is merely a joke, because the person who thought they were texting their boss probably needs that job.

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    #31

    Humorous Resources meme about office life, highlighting relatable feelings and social media engagement.

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    #32

    Humorous Resources meme about burnout repeated multiple times, highlighting the persistent nature of work stress.

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    Me. Just Me.
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not is it fixed by a week off, if you are lucky enough to get one.

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    #35

    Humorous resources meme about working in food or retail and understanding stupidity.

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

    I generally try to be nice to other people but I'm always extra nice to service industry workers and say things like "oh, don't worry about it" and "it's not your fault" and "thanks so much!" The ones who work at my regular haunts are always very pleased to see me because they know I'm not going to make their day worse.

    Paulsible deniability
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm an American. After our last election, I DO understand the level of stupid.

    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    well, until you work outside of food or retail and learn that it's everywhere

    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    stupid people aren't limited to just the public. Coworkers also fall into that category.

    Pandasizing World Peace
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Working these two types of jobs should be mandatory before you are allowed to get any other sort of job.

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    #36

    Cartoon character sitting by door, humorously pondering retirement instead of working.

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    Fellfromthemoon
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I won on the lottery. I spent all my winnings in two weeks. I bought drinks and drank it all. It was almost two gallons of whole milk.

    #37

    Tweet by Evan humorously commenting on working lifestyle with stimulants.

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    #40

    Meme depicting a humorous resources reference with a tired alien image, captioned about employee well-being.

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    #41

    Humorous Resources meme about calling out sick, referencing a stomach ache at work.

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    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's even better when someone says "Are you ok? You look a bit pale." Then it's their fault for giving me the idea. :P

    #43

    Humorous Resources meme about the pitfalls of excelling at your day job.

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

    The first time I got promoted, my dad told me "they will continue to promote you until you fail." Haven't failed yet, but the above is very true

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    #44

    Humorous meme about preferring emails over calls in a work setting.

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

    There are many situations in which a phone call is preferable. I don't like talking on the phone. I don't like answering calls. But I do it when I need to, and more often than not, I was able to solve issues my colleagues have been pushing around their desks for months with a simple phone call. Even when I need to send written confirmation afterwards, like hiring a contractor, if I've talked to them first, me and my project are already on their mind. Emails can be overlooked, but I get a direct connection from a person's ear to their brain.

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    #45

    Hello Kitty meme at work, sitting at a desk with fire in the background, humorously depicting chaos during December.

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    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    depends on the job. For me it's the most productive time of year, because everyone else is away (or at least checked out mentally, haha)

    #46

    Character making a humorous face at a staff meeting, captured in a relatable meme style.

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    #47

    Humorous Resources meme about work-life contrast with natural wonders like aurora borealis and waterfalls.

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    #48

    Humorous meme text about getting skinny from complaining about colleagues, by Humans of Corporate.

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    #49

    A humorous meme captioned "Today I'm going to give it my almost" from Humorous Resources.

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    #50

    View from the inside of a can showing a smiling face, with text about adult beverages, from Humorous Resources memes.

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    Joshua David
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was me for YEARS until i realized that waking up Sunday afternoon with a blurred out weekend was really no way to live. Truth for me.

    #52

    Humorous resources meme about achieving life-work balance by panicking equally about both.

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    #55

    Text meme with humor about being ready for lottery plans, thanking for a job in an amusing way.

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    #61

    Text meme about AI and work tasks, shared by ConsultingHumor.

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    #62

    Pizza boxes with meme text: "Senior leadership when it comes to compensating employees," highlighting relatable humor.

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

    This must be at the start of the "compensating cycle", next comes less pizza, less often, until you get to the end of the cycle where there is nothing.

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    #64

    Tweet text: "why is Saturday over in 7 mins and Sunday in 4 minutes but Monday is 84 months long?" from Humorous Resources memes.

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    #65

    Meme text: “Are u okay?” No it’s literally Monday every 15 minutes.

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    #66

    Person lying in bed, looking concerned, with humorous text about alarm and absences. Relatable memes theme.

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    #67

    Tired-looking person with text about feeling refreshed; humorous resources meme.

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    #68

    Doll with messy hair and smeared makeup humorously depicts midweek work exhaustion.

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    #69

    Person sitting on a burning couch, meme text about work. Humorous Resources relatable meme.

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    #70

    Tweet from Delaun A humorously questioning an EOD deadline, aligning with relatable memes.

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

    I put a stop to that by refusing to work on things if I missed their fake deadlines (sole person doing my specific job).

    #72

    Humorous meme about corporate communication, featuring an unsaid rule about questions and implied responses.

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They ask you for questions so that they can weed out the "troublemakers".

    #79

    Humorous Resources meme about being short staffed and the IRS wanting part of the paycheck.

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    #80

    Text meme about new hires being happy with laughing emojis, relating to humorous resources.

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

    Learned the hard way why I was repeatedly asked how I deal with difficult people!

    #82

    A person excitedly surrounded by colorful heart and star graphics, capturing a relatable meme moment.

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    #83

    Humorous resources meme with a smirking doll face, captioned about side chatting a work bestie during a meeting.

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    #86

    Relatable meme about HR ladies always eating during meetings for comedic effect.

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    #87

    Humorous resources meme about skipping meetings during holidays, with text declaring a mental holiday break until January.

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    #88

    Humorous meme about a dream job of having fun and spreading love.

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    #89

    Humorous Resources meme of a creature in a chair holding a cold coffee with a straw, representing mood improvement at work.

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    Amy
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It does help a little though. If I’ve got to suffer, I’d rather do it with an iced coffee.

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    #90

    A man in a blue shirt smiling with a thumbs-up, reflecting relatable memes from Humorous Resources about workplace frustrations.

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    #91

    Text meme about pretending to work, captioned "My coworkers be giving it their all and I be on Instagram."

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    #92

    Characters from classic story in a whimsical tea party scene, shared by Humorous Resources, evoking relatable meme humor.

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    #93

    Shredder labeled as suggestion box in a relatable meme from Humorous Resources.

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    #94

    Relatable meme text about coworker conflicts, highlighting humor in workplace dynamics.

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    #95

    Text meme about doing the bare minimum at work, from 'Humorous Resources'.

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    #96

    Humorous meme about professionalism challenges with a laughing emoji.

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    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    What do you enjoy most about work-related memes?

    They make stressful situations humorous

    They offer a sense of camaraderie

    They provide a distraction from work

    They capture relatable work struggles