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“Please Do Not Feed The Employees”: 50 Signs At Workplaces That Left People Less Than Motivated
Interview With Expert
At this point, we all know that it’s a red flag if your employer claims “you’re all family.” But it’s also not great if they decide to treat their workers like machines rather than humans.
It’s no secret that the workplace has been becoming increasingly toxic in recent years. And one way that bosses love making their employees feel uncomfortable is by posting insulting messages for them.
Bored Panda has scoured the internet to find some of the worst notes companies and employers have published in their workplaces, so we’ve gathered the most shocking ones down below. Good luck scrolling through this list without becoming infuriated, and keep reading to find a conversation with anti-capitalism expert James Foster, who runs Metapolitic on Facebook and Instagram!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
My Job Threatened To Withhold My Paycheck To Ensure No One Left Early; I Responded Accordingly
Seadog 3 months ago
We close at 11. Okay, picture everyone leaving at 11 on the dot, job complete or not. See how fast that changes. Every job I've ever had, operating hours was basically a guideline, not a carved in stone rule. Workload often dictates arriving early and leaving late. One I had specifically stated working nights, weekends and some holidays were mandatory. All of which are outside of the standard business hours.
To gain more insight on this topic, we reached out to James Foster, who runs Metapolitic on Facebook and Instagram. James was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss how the current state of capitalism has impacted the workplace.
“Late-stage capitalism has twisted the workplace into a soul-sucking grind. Hating your job, the Monday blues, the snooze button, and the morning coffee needed to function have become clichés in meme culture,” he shared. “Seemingly, no one likes to work anymore, and it’s not because they’re lazy; it’s because folks are disconnected from their work's actual value and importance, as all the profit and benefits are being leached from them.”
#2
Nice Sign I Saw
Calum Joseph 3 months ago
I like this, much respect for the boss here. Shame people still treat Siri better than some employees
#3
Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On
“Most of us are barely scraping by. The alienation effects of capitalism disconnect people from the value and meaning of their work, reducing it to a monotonous grind that feels devoid of passion, creativity, or humanity,” James continued. “This detachment turns what could be fulfilling and purposeful into something to dread, breeding resentment and making hating your job a commonplace experience to commiserate over on social media.”
#4
I Left My Job Shortly After Receiving This Prize For My Good Work
Michael Largey 3 months ago
Impractical. No one can get to the author's car, deflate all four tires, and be back on the job in only ten minutes.
#5
Recently Posted At Work
My boss makes a dollar, I make a dime. That’s why I poop on company time.
#6
Came Into Work This Morning To Find This Taped To The Wall. Boss Went On A Tirade Against Me And Co-Worker Yesterday For Taking To Each Other With No Customers In The Store
Snowy Ashton 3 months ago
And then customers ask why you're not smiling and complain because you're not happy enough. "Oh, sorry. We're not allowed to have fun at work. So that includes smiling. Have an awful day."
“When work becomes just a means to an end — a way to survive rather than thrive — it’s no wonder many feel trapped and apathetic,” James shared. “Big companies prioritize profits over people, reducing employees into cogs in a machine rather than seeing them as unique and potential-filled human beings with needs and aspirations.”
“The relentless drive for efficiency and cost-cutting has stripped away the dignity and meaning of work, leaving many feeling undervalued, uninspired, and exhausted,” he added. “It’s a system that feeds on the people who sustain it, creating a toxic relationship where burnout is the norm and genuine human connection is rare.”
#7
"Time Theft"
The managerial mindset. Why not ask why someone would do such a thing, instead of putting up signs all around the bathroom?
All the managers here are jerks who rarely respect my 30-minute break time, let alone be kind or empathetic.
If I’ve learned anything working in food service or any job, it’s that unhappy workers are unproductive workers.
farbenzirkel 3 months ago
In Germany, toilet breaks are considered working time and must be paid accordingly! An employer may not limit the duration and frequency (except in very, very special circumstances). Only if abuse is suspected and the time is used as a break (telephoning, reading, whatever) may the employer take action. And even then, there are strict regulations and individual decisions.
#8
This Motivational Quote When I Walked In This Morning
#9
Place I Worked For A Month
One of the worst places I’ve worked. Super short-staffed, managers are buddies with the crew, always had issues with pay. Was only there a month before I left. Glad I’m not employed there anymore.
As for why bosses put up such insulting notes for their employees, James says, “These derogatory notes and signs are not just a surface issue; they are a symptom of a deeper, more pervasive problem: the erosion of respect and empathy in the workplace. Empathy and humanity are often relegated to the backseat in a system where profits reign supreme.”
“Employers, caught in the relentless pursuit of productivity, often view their workers as mere automatons — robots programmed to carry out tasks — and respond with anger and disciplinary measures when they fail to meet expectations,” he explained. “When productivity and efficiency are prized above all else, it becomes easier for those in positions of power to see us as machines performing tasks rather than as human beings with our thoughts, feelings, and lives.”
#10
A Sign In My Hospital Reminding Nurses To Bill Patients For A Pillow. Yeah USA
#11
I’m Probably Going To Be Fired For This, But I Don’t Care
#12
This Sign
Donkey boi 3 months ago
'Due to the high and rising food cost, we would rather throw it away than let you have it'. Yeah, that makes sense. I could understand if they said you needed to pay for containers to take the food away in, because they do cost money, but it's clearly not about that.
“All this is amplified by our human limitations for relationships, what some call the ‘monkey sphere’ or Dunbar’s Number, the maximum number of people we’re capable of maintaining emotional ties and loyalty to, considering them part of ‘our people,’” James told Bored Panda.
“They’re importing the ‘road rage’ mentality into the workplace. These signs aren’t just about asserting control; they reflect a fundamentally broken system where our dignity is routinely sacrificed on the altar of efficiency,” he explained. “It’s more crucial now than ever that we start to demand and revive the effort to be seen, heard, and treated as the human beings we are.”
#13
Injury At Work
Hello. I work at a Subway franchise in a small town in Tennessee. Tonight, my hand got crushed under the glass that separates the food and customers. I was instructed to go to the walk-in clinic if it was open, and if it wasn’t, to just go tomorrow morning. My supervisor said I could not go to the ER because she would get in trouble. I went to the clinic and they took the info from my supervisor, and the entire clinic staff thought the entire situation was sketchy. They put me in a splint for now and said to come back in the morning because the x-ray tech had already gone home. Apparently it is not being filed as worker's compensation, and instead the office (for this chain of franchises) will pay the bill in cash. My supervisor couldn’t even find any injury forms and said the general manager has never trained her on what to do in this situation. I’m scared to talk to my general manager tomorrow, because I’m worried I'll be tricked into making Subway more responsible.
Shark bait hoo haha 3 months ago
This is against the law! When you injure yourself at work, it is automatically a workman's comp. The injury is to be reported to the supervisor on duty and if you are the supervisor and you injure yourself, then you contact your supervisor. Paperwork must be filled out. As for the walk-in clinic, Subway might have a contract with them but medical care is not to be denied regardless and if equipment isn't available, then it's off to the ER. If this were me, I would be calling the Labor department after I got home from the ER.
#14
Sign Posted At A Local Dollar General. Good For Them
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 3 months ago
Dollar General stores treat their employees like the garbage they sell.
#15
Wanted To Share What My Boss Has Been Hanging In The Break Room
Phantom Phoenix 3 months ago
Tell me you're a misogynist with fragile masculinity without telling me you're a misogynist with fragile masculinity
We also asked James what employees should do when they find messages like these at work. “It's crucial for workers to confront these demeaning messages. Standing up for yourself and your colleagues is essential in pushing back against the dehumanization that’s become so prevalent,” he shared.
“Document the signs, gather support from your coworkers, and address the issue collectively — there’s strength in numbers. If you feel unsafe doing so directly, consider reporting these incidents to labor organizations and unions,” James continued. “Keep sharing them on social media to raise awareness. The more we expose these practices, the harder it becomes for employers to continue mistreating workers without facing consequences.”
#16
So This Is The Sign Posted On The Bathroom Door At Work Today
#17
Local Subway Had This Posted On Their Door, I Ask The Manager What The Starting Pay Is And He Couldn't Give Me A Straight Answer
Virgil Blue 3 months ago (edited)
"No one wants to work" in our hellish store environment for the almost slavery wagen we are willing to pay.
#18
The Place My Girlfriend Works At Just Posted This Sign In Their Break Room. The Company Had Record Profits Last Year
On the bright side, James says we’re at a juncture where workers hold more power than they might realize. “We have potent tech tools and social media platforms at our disposal, and we can use these very platforms — created by the companies that often perpetuate our mistreatment — against them,” he shared.
“By leveraging these tools, we can communicate, organize, and mobilize on a scale that was unimaginable just a few years ago. Social media allows us to expose injustices, share strategies, and rally support across communities, breaking down the barriers that once kept workers isolated and powerless,” James noted. “When we use these platforms to unite and coordinate our efforts, we can push back against exploitation and demand the changes we want to see in our workplaces and beyond.”
#19
This Sign At A Chain Pizza Place Left A Bad Taste In My Mouth
Donkey boi 3 months ago
When you try to be funny, but only highlight the vindictive nature of your business.
#20
A Department Manager Did This To My Bike When I Had It In The Back For A Single Day
Michael Largey 3 months ago
Well, that bike isn't wrapped too tight, and neither is the that manager.
#21
Boss Wrote "Thief" On My Check
Filed a wage theft report against my former employer, was told he only paid 80% of what was owned, but I sucked it up. When I picked up the check at the Department of Labor, it had "THIEF" boldly written on the subject line. Super awkward, unfair, and embarrassing, especially with others witnessing it. Is there anything that can be done?
James also says it’s not too late to fix this problem. “We can turn the tide if we show solidarity and start organizing groups to resist this kind of mistreatment strategically. By coming together and pushing back, we can implement the changes we'd like to see in greater society, reclaiming our dignity and our right to work in environments that respect us as human beings.”
“It's about building a movement that goes beyond individual grievances, creating a collective force for real, lasting change,” he shared. “This isn’t just about a few signs in the workplace; it’s about a broader movement toward reclaiming our dignity, time, and humanity. Don’t be afraid to stand up and speak out—change starts with us and is long overdue.”
#22
Charging Your Phone Is Theft Of Electricity, Apparently
#23
Popular Sandwich Chain Had This Tip Sign
I saw this, this weekend. I was shocked, to say the least. It's a popular sandwich chain that has over 200 locations in the US. Not sure what to do, but I did give them a cash tip in the moment. DFW, TX was where I saw this nonsense. Thoughts on what I should do next to help the employees? Or do I let them do something? Not looking to get anyone canned, even though their owner is clearly a POS.
#24
Saw This Sign At McDonald’s And Thought It Belonged Here
Charlie the Cat 3 months ago
Accep? Desition? Anyone that spells like that shouldn't be in a managerial position.
Are you feeling frustrated after looking at all of these photos, pandas? I sincerely hope that you don’t see any notes like these in your own workplace, but if you do, remember that you deserve better. Keep upvoting the pics that you find most atrocious, and let us know in the comments below what the worst note you’ve ever seen from a boss was. Then, if you’d like to check out another Bored Panda piece that might make you anti-capitalist, look no further than right here!
#25
My First Job Has Crazy Fees
#26
Punishment For Talking About Wages
#27
This Sign Posted At Our Shop. Don't They Know I Need At Least 3 Days Off A Month For My Mental Health
#28
I Have No Words
#29
Recent "Sweat Pledge" My Wife Was Asked To Sign Before Employment
#30
The Most Toxic Thing I've Ever Seen Hanging On An Office Wall
#31
Is This Even Legal In USA?
#32
I'm So Done With This Petty, Stupid Garbage
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 3 months ago
I'd be stuffing my face, in front of the camera, just before giving them the middle finger and walking out.
#33
$90,000,000 In Sales And This Target Store Rewarded The Workers With Cupcakes. Yes, Cupcakes
The Phantom Stranger 3 months ago
And given the staff size of your average Target, I doubt that's even enough cupcakes to go around.
#34
We Got A New District Manager
I honestly liked my work environment up until now. We got switched to a different district, so now we have a different district manager. I get that everything on here is pretty much industry standard at this point, but she really gets the point across that we are not people to her. She's worse in person.
#35
Posted On All The Operating Room Doors Today
#36
Dollar General Management With An Inspiring Message To Staff
CK 3 months ago
New idea: every time we walk into a store as a customer and the cashiers are all standing, we ask to speak to the manager and complain that it makes us uncomfortable.
Michael Largey 3 months ago
The customers who read this are being told "Shop at Aldi. They don't treat their employees like s**t."
Geoffrey Scott 3 months ago
Our factory mgrs came out and took the chairs we used to take a load off during line gaps( 7days/wk often). So we went upstairs and took all the chairs from the office (Union shop)...Ohhh the drama. Chairs were returned to the lines a couple days later, one office chair was found on the top rack...in the warehouse. No IDEA how it ended up there, and was purely coincidence it was the Supt's chair who decided we were not to sit.
Asmodeus Hare 3 months ago
Funny story. We had Main Office visiting. Manager wanted to show he can run a tight ship so he saw I was not standing and made a big deal about it. With against company policy to sit down at the registers. I rolled around in the wheelchair then pulled myself out infront of customers and a supported myself on the station saying "Sorry sir" and begin to ring someone up.... the main office person told me to get back in the wheelchair and asked my manager if he ever read the ADA regs. He forgot I had surgery on my legs after an accident... I was asked why I was working and not on medical leave. "He turned it down and told me to work since my arms still worked."
Load More Replies... Virgil Blue 3 months ago
In the EU a setting place at the registry is mandated. We don't care if some customer thinks people should stand up all day.
Jrog 3 months ago
Not only mandated, but the chair and desk must comply to a minimum ergonomical standard.
Load More Replies...
Salty_Sasquatch 3 months ago
Cashiers who are able to sit during off times are happier cashiers and are more likely to be pleasant to customers.
Caroline Overill 2 months ago
There are a lot of cases for the union in these posts. Can people go to the Union in USA? I would here in England. With this particular one I suffer from back trouble so I can’t stand for too long. Employers here are obligated to make employees ok todo the work. I had a special chair that cost over£1000. Swedish company made it and a representative came to set it up for me.
Seadog 3 months ago
Had an employee at AutoZone that broke his foot, so zero pressure allowed. Manager gave him a stool and posted him at the register thereby freeing up all other staff to do everything else. Worked great until..... yep, stupid DM came in and immediately took the stool away. Then proceeded to chew out the manager for allowing it. The idiot DM could not comprehend the reality until the guy clocked out and started out the door. We actually had trouble getting him to return. That DM was one of the worst people I have ever met.
#37
My Local Denny's Has This Sign In Plain View
Pretty aggressive sign at my local Denny’s posted right behind the counter. Been here 15 minutes and already heard a worker complain about being shorted a day on their paycheck. No wonder it’s always short-staffed.
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 3 months ago
As a customer, if I saw that sign, I'd walk out (after snapping a picture), then post said picture on every social media site I could find.
#38
CFO Hung This Up
They gave everyone the option to either come in when the building didn't have clean water and just clean, or stay home. Most people chose to stay home. They were really mad, so many people didn't volunteer to come in, despite the fact that they "gave us the option".
This was also after they refused to pay us after we had no water at all and made us use sick time or take it unpaid to cover it.
#39
Saw This Posted On The Schedule After A Coworker Called Out Sick. Is This Even Legal?
The Phantom Stranger 3 months ago
They can fire you, but they can't force you to come in to work. And this would be the kind of manager who doesn't understand why he can't hire or retain good employees.
#40
Employees Need A Doctor's Note To Eat At Work
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 3 months ago
If an employee is scheduled for 6 hours or more then a meal break is mandated by law.
#41
When My Grandfather Passed Away, My Boss Asked For A Funeral Note. What Is A Funeral Note?
#42
Is This Even Legal? Stopped At A Restaurant For Lunch And Saw This Sign In The Employee Area
#43
This Sign At My Work. They Will Charge Staff For Anything As Minimal As A Broken Ice Cream Cone
#44
I Saw a Bunch Of These Signs In The Checkout Area Of Home Depot. Because Uncomfortable Employees Work Harder
Sarah Suelzle 3 months ago
NO SITTING !!!! NO STANDING !!! NO TALKING !!! NO MAKING FRIENDS !!! NO EATING !!! NO LAUGHING !!! WHY IS EVERYONE YELLING ALL THE TIME !!!! ??? !!! WHY?!?!?!??1 🤬
#45
Defacing "Motivational" Propaganda Posted By Management. Removed Within 24 Hours
The Phantom Stranger 3 months ago
Most of these might be good advice for life in general, but I wouldn't necessarily try to apply them to the workplace.
#46
This Is The Sign Outside HR Today
Michael Largey 3 months ago
I asked HR "Do I actually have to work to get paid?", and they said NO. So, ...
#47
Surely It Has Nothing To Do With $2.17 Per Hour And No Benefits. Oh, And Please Make Sure You Pay My Staff For Me And Tip
The Phantom Stranger 3 months ago
If they had just left the first paragraph off, I really wouldn't have an issue with this sign. "We're short staffed--please be patient" is a legitimate request--businesses can experience unexpected staffing crises entirely unrelated to the lame "nobody wants to work" excuse. However, the "please tip" always irritates me--if you feel the need to point it out, it tells me you're underpaying your staff.
#48
A Thoughtful Message From Management
Virgil Blue 3 months ago
Maybe the ones with a yachts should rescue the drowning and canoe people who suffer a lot more in a storm? Or is that too human.
#49
Gross "Do Not Sit Unless You Have Doc. Note"
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Ace 3 months ago (edited)
It's not fair to blame these on "capitalism". There may be other "ism"s involved, but fundamentally they all seem to be just ásshole employers enabled by America's flawed political and social landscape. Edit: I see they've changed the title now, it previously read "signs of late stage capitalism".
CK 3 months ago
The truth is, people have been assh*les under every political and economic system.
Load More Replies... The Phantom Stranger 3 months ago
Some of these seem to be legitimate policy explanations, just obnoxiously worded by poorly trained managers. What really astounds me are how many of these signs contain blatant violations of Federal law that are basic information anyone should be required to know before they can even consider calling themselves a manager.
Shark bait hoo haha 3 months ago
For the most part, a lot of these (if they are in the US) are typical and have been used since the 1980s. Times have changed but work practices are still the same and they are that way for a reason. Now with that said, some are down and out illegal practices that were posted here such as deductions, no breaks/lunches, and failure to report workman's comp to name a few. I am just happy I retired from retail management. I would be bald if I had to deal with employees who thought that it is ok to steal food and sit in the bathroom for an hour on the clock scrolling thru their phones.
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 3 months ago
A revolution is coming and these a*****e managers will not like the outcome.
Toasted Applesauce 3 months ago
This makes me really grateful for my job. The pay isn't great by any means, but it's a small local place with mostly teenagers working a first job. We're required to take a 15 minute break if we work over 5 hours and more depending on the length of our shift, we can bring food, drinks, whatever, and we can always have free samples (ice cream shop) as long as we're not being disruptive or eating when we should be helping customers. We can have our phones out- again, as long as they're not a distraction- and we can always talk to each other. All our reviews say that the staff is friendly and helpful. Sounds like these bosses could learn a lot...
Tucker Cahooter 3 months ago
So many managers seem to be using Montgomery Burns as their role model
Ole Peder Amrud Hagen 3 months ago
I'd rather work in a North Korean prisoner camp than anywhere in the US. Jokes aside, it's disturbing to see how mean and deranged that country has become, but posts like this helps explain, to some extent, why the US is what it is now. There are many countries in the world where things aren't going well, but no other 'developed' nation has ever sunk, or will sink, to the levels of depravity that the US has.
frederick clause 3 months ago
As most of these appear to be from the U.S. it would appear that Americans are as knowledgeable of labour law as they are of global geography and world events.
Trisec Tebeakesse 3 months ago
Say, I know you were in at 6:30, you haven't had a break all day, and this will be your fourth full tour, but I need you to be the 5:00 today. (Tourism. Bus tours.)
Ace 3 months ago (edited)
It's not fair to blame these on "capitalism". There may be other "ism"s involved, but fundamentally they all seem to be just ásshole employers enabled by America's flawed political and social landscape. Edit: I see they've changed the title now, it previously read "signs of late stage capitalism".
CK 3 months ago
The truth is, people have been assh*les under every political and economic system.
Load More Replies... The Phantom Stranger 3 months ago
Some of these seem to be legitimate policy explanations, just obnoxiously worded by poorly trained managers. What really astounds me are how many of these signs contain blatant violations of Federal law that are basic information anyone should be required to know before they can even consider calling themselves a manager.
Shark bait hoo haha 3 months ago
For the most part, a lot of these (if they are in the US) are typical and have been used since the 1980s. Times have changed but work practices are still the same and they are that way for a reason. Now with that said, some are down and out illegal practices that were posted here such as deductions, no breaks/lunches, and failure to report workman's comp to name a few. I am just happy I retired from retail management. I would be bald if I had to deal with employees who thought that it is ok to steal food and sit in the bathroom for an hour on the clock scrolling thru their phones.
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 3 months ago
A revolution is coming and these a*****e managers will not like the outcome.
Toasted Applesauce 3 months ago
This makes me really grateful for my job. The pay isn't great by any means, but it's a small local place with mostly teenagers working a first job. We're required to take a 15 minute break if we work over 5 hours and more depending on the length of our shift, we can bring food, drinks, whatever, and we can always have free samples (ice cream shop) as long as we're not being disruptive or eating when we should be helping customers. We can have our phones out- again, as long as they're not a distraction- and we can always talk to each other. All our reviews say that the staff is friendly and helpful. Sounds like these bosses could learn a lot...
Tucker Cahooter 3 months ago
So many managers seem to be using Montgomery Burns as their role model
Ole Peder Amrud Hagen 3 months ago
I'd rather work in a North Korean prisoner camp than anywhere in the US. Jokes aside, it's disturbing to see how mean and deranged that country has become, but posts like this helps explain, to some extent, why the US is what it is now. There are many countries in the world where things aren't going well, but no other 'developed' nation has ever sunk, or will sink, to the levels of depravity that the US has.
frederick clause 3 months ago
As most of these appear to be from the U.S. it would appear that Americans are as knowledgeable of labour law as they are of global geography and world events.
Trisec Tebeakesse 3 months ago
Say, I know you were in at 6:30, you haven't had a break all day, and this will be your fourth full tour, but I need you to be the 5:00 today. (Tourism. Bus tours.)
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