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Boss Backs Out Of Verbal Agreement, Loses It After Employee Does The Same Thing To Him
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Boss Backs Out Of Verbal Agreement, Loses It After Employee Does The Same Thing To Him

Interview With Author Boss Backs Out Of Verbal Agreement, Loses It After Employee Does The Same Thing To Him“You Should’ve Gotten It In Writing”: Boss Regrets Messing With EmployeeContractor Pulls Out Of A Project Last Minute To Get Back At Boss Who Didn’t Keep His PromiseContractor Gets A Verbal Promise That Their Boss Doesn’t Honor, Makes Him Taste His Own MedicineWorker Pays $100 To Save $1,000 For Boss But He Refuses To Pay It Back, Receives Petty RevengeContractor One-Ups Boss At His Own Game After He Cheated Him Out Of $100 For Breakfast Tacos
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Whether you have a good boss or not is quite the lottery: you either get lucky or you don’t. One survey shows that 30% of American workers don’t enjoy working for their managers. A good boss is one who communicates what they want clearly, is flexible, and cooperative.

This man’s boss was not like that. Apparently, he was a believer in getting every, even the most minor, agreement in writing. He wouldn’t reimburse the employee for the $100 worth of tacos bought for his colleagues. So, when the time came to agree on another job, the worker gave him a taste of his own medicine.

Whether you have a good boss or not is quite the lottery: you either get lucky or you don’t. One survey shows that 30% of American workers don’t enjoy working for their managers. A good boss is one who communicates what they want clearly, is flexible, and cooperative.

This man’s boss was not like that. Apparently, he was a believer in getting every, even the most minor, agreement in writing. He wouldn’t reimburse the employee for the $100 worth of tacos bought for his colleagues. So, when the time came to agree on another job, the worker gave him a taste of his own medicine.

Bored Panda reached out to the author of this story, u/ltsmobilelandman, and he kindly agreed to have a short chat with us. Read our conversation with the Redditor below!

This man’s boss went back on his word, telling him to “get it in writing” the next time

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Image credits: SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo)

So, when the boss came to him with another job, the worker hit him with a Uno Reverse card

Image credits: Sora Shimazaki / pexels (not the actual photo)

Image credits: ltsmobilelandman

The revenge didn’t have any effect on OP’s employment opportunities; he still enjoys plenty of work

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The OP tells Bored Panda he won’t spend any more of his money if he doesn’t have approval in writing

The r/PettyRevenge subreddit celebrates getting back at others in satisfying ways. Knowing this, u/ltsmobilelandman decided to share his story of how he dealt with a boss who went back on his word. “This particular work experience was so satisfying I wanted to share,” he simply told Bored Panda.

We asked u/ltsmobilelandman whether it was a common practice for him to get breakfast or other kinds of meals for his coworkers. “I wouldn’t say it’s normal but it’s certainly not irregular either. Everybody likes a good breakfast taco!”

He detailed how the deal about the breakfast tacos went down. “I was eating breakfast one morning at the county facility where I would later make the arrangement for tacos for copies. The supervisor remarked that they all loved those particular tacos, opening the door for me to make the offer, and they happily agreed.”

But after what the boss pulled, the Redditor says he won’t be doing anything like that again. “I won’t spend or agree to spend a nickel of my own money anymore unless I have a text message or an email approving the expenditure,” he told us.

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Luckily, this won’t affect the OP’s job prospects. “My profession is very, very niche so I’ve got more options than him,” he wrote in one comment. “I’ve had no trouble finding work since then.”

Image credits: Polina Zimmerman / pexels (not the actual photo)

Verbal contracts can be legally binding but they can be difficult to prove

The saying “You should always get it in writing” can be true in many contexts. From whether you’re borrowing something from a family member or a friend to spending your own money on work-related things. Yet verbal agreements can sometimes be binding as well.

According to Davis Business Law, oral contracts can make business relationships seem more personal. It signals to business partners that you’re trustworthy and there’s no need for extensive unnecessary paperwork.

However, verbal agreements only work when everyone holds up their end. In this story, that obviously didn’t happen. “The problem with oral contracts is not their validity, it is their enforcement. As soon as there is a disagreement, enforcing an oral contract becomes an issue,” the experts at Davis Business Law write.

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In most cases, it can be a “he said, she said” situation, but there are ways to prove the existence of a verbal agreement. Notes, emails, or text messages containing any information about the deal count as evidence.

Most law professionals, however, still recommend writing any important agreement down. “The beauty of a written agreement is that usually the terms are expressly set out in one document that has been signed by all the parties to the agreement,” Rachel Harrison, partner at Farleys Solicitors, writes. “If any disputes arise, then you can consider what the agreement says.”

In this particular case, it’s probably not worth going to court over the $100 worth of breakfast tacos. Still, it’s the principle that counts; few workers would probably want to work for a boss who goes back on his word so easily.

Image credits: Studio Negarin / pexels (not the actual photo)

People congratulated the worker on his perfectly executed petty revenge

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ADVERTISEMENT

Some people also shared similar stingy boss stories

Bored Panda reached out to the author of this story, u/ltsmobilelandman, and he kindly agreed to have a short chat with us. Read our conversation with the Redditor below!

ADVERTISEMENT

This man’s boss went back on his word, telling him to “get it in writing” the next time

Image credits: SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo)

So, when the boss came to him with another job, the worker hit him with a Uno Reverse card

Image credits: Sora Shimazaki / pexels (not the actual photo)

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: ltsmobilelandman

The revenge didn’t have any effect on OP’s employment opportunities; he still enjoys plenty of work

The OP tells Bored Panda he won’t spend any more of his money if he doesn’t have approval in writing

The r/PettyRevenge subreddit celebrates getting back at others in satisfying ways. Knowing this, u/ltsmobilelandman decided to share his story of how he dealt with a boss who went back on his word. “This particular work experience was so satisfying I wanted to share,” he simply told Bored Panda.

We asked u/ltsmobilelandman whether it was a common practice for him to get breakfast or other kinds of meals for his coworkers. “I wouldn’t say it’s normal but it’s certainly not irregular either. Everybody likes a good breakfast taco!”

He detailed how the deal about the breakfast tacos went down. “I was eating breakfast one morning at the county facility where I would later make the arrangement for tacos for copies. The supervisor remarked that they all loved those particular tacos, opening the door for me to make the offer, and they happily agreed.”

ADVERTISEMENT

But after what the boss pulled, the Redditor says he won’t be doing anything like that again. “I won’t spend or agree to spend a nickel of my own money anymore unless I have a text message or an email approving the expenditure,” he told us.

Luckily, this won’t affect the OP’s job prospects. “My profession is very, very niche so I’ve got more options than him,” he wrote in one comment. “I’ve had no trouble finding work since then.”

Image credits: Polina Zimmerman / pexels (not the actual photo)

Verbal contracts can be legally binding but they can be difficult to prove

The saying “You should always get it in writing” can be true in many contexts. From whether you’re borrowing something from a family member or a friend to spending your own money on work-related things. Yet verbal agreements can sometimes be binding as well.

According to Davis Business Law, oral contracts can make business relationships seem more personal. It signals to business partners that you’re trustworthy and there’s no need for extensive unnessecary paperwork.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, verbal agreements only work when everyone holds up their end. In this story, that obviously didn’t happen. “The problem with oral contracts is not their validity, it is their enforcement. As soon as there is a disagreement, enforcing an oral contract becomes an issue,” the experts at Davis Business Law write.

In most cases, it can be a “he said, she said” situation, but there are ways to prove the existence of a verbal agreement. Notes, emails, or text messages containing any information about the deal count as evidence.

Most law professionals, however, still recommend writing any important agreement down. “The beauty of a written agreement is that usually the terms are expressly set out in one document that has been signed by all the parties to the agreement,” Rachel Harrison, partner at Farleys Solicitors, writes. “If any disputes arise, then you can consider what the agreement says.”

In this particular case, it’s probably not worth going to court over the $100 worth of breakfast tacos. Still, it’s the principle that counts; few workers would probably want to work for a boss who goes back on his word so easily.

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Studio Negarin / pexels (not the actual photo)

People congratulated the worker on his perfectly executed petty revenge

ADVERTISEMENT

Some people also shared similar stingy boss stories

ADVERTISEMENT
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Kornelija Viečaitė

Kornelija Viečaitė

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Hi there, fellow pandas! As a person (over)educated both in social sciences and literature, I'm most interested in how we connect and behave online (and sometimes in real life too.) The human experience is weird, so I try my best to put its peculiarities in writing. As a person who grew up chronically online, I now try to marry two sides of myself: the one who knows too much about MySpace, and the one who can't settle and needs to see every corner of the world.

Read less »
Kornelija Viečaitė

Kornelija Viečaitė

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Hi there, fellow pandas! As a person (over)educated both in social sciences and literature, I'm most interested in how we connect and behave online (and sometimes in real life too.) The human experience is weird, so I try my best to put its peculiarities in writing. As a person who grew up chronically online, I now try to marry two sides of myself: the one who knows too much about MySpace, and the one who can't settle and needs to see every corner of the world.

Gabija Saveiskyte

Gabija Saveiskyte

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Hi there! I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. My job is to ensure that all the articles are aesthetically pleasing. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from all the relationship drama to lots and lots of memes and, my personal favorites, funny cute cats. When I am not perfecting the images, you can find me reading with a cup of matcha latte and a cat in my lap, taking photos (of my cat), getting lost in the forest, or simply cuddling with my cat... Did I mention that I love cats?

Read less »

Gabija Saveiskyte

Gabija Saveiskyte

Author, BoredPanda staff

Hi there! I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. My job is to ensure that all the articles are aesthetically pleasing. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from all the relationship drama to lots and lots of memes and, my personal favorites, funny cute cats. When I am not perfecting the images, you can find me reading with a cup of matcha latte and a cat in my lap, taking photos (of my cat), getting lost in the forest, or simply cuddling with my cat... Did I mention that I love cats?

Have you ever experienced or witnessed a similar situation at work?
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John Harrison
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didnt read it. Did heroic Everyman Employee out-manuever the nefarious Boss Man and come out victorious once again???

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

Similar situation I had but mine was more realistic. New 'hotshot' boss came in to our dysfunctional manufacturing company. After a year there, he recognizes I could manage a department better than the current manager. Not that I was 'better' manager, this one area of his actually was better fit to my current responsibilities. Se boss approached other manager and said he was moving that department to me, any concerns. No impact to his pay so he said yes. He approaches me, and asks if I'll add the department to my current role. I said of course as long as I get more money. Makes sense right? He says yes. Foolish me didn't get it in writing. No sweet karma. Just got the extra work without extra pay. That's usually the way it works out.

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

You know you can refuse a “promotion” like that, right? If you didn’t agree in writing they can’t force you.

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

I didnt read it. Did heroic Everyman Employee out-manuever the nefarious Boss Man and come out victorious once again???

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

Similar situation I had but mine was more realistic. New 'hotshot' boss came in to our dysfunctional manufacturing company. After a year there, he recognizes I could manage a department better than the current manager. Not that I was 'better' manager, this one area of his actually was better fit to my current responsibilities. Se boss approached other manager and said he was moving that department to me, any concerns. No impact to his pay so he said yes. He approaches me, and asks if I'll add the department to my current role. I said of course as long as I get more money. Makes sense right? He says yes. Foolish me didn't get it in writing. No sweet karma. Just got the extra work without extra pay. That's usually the way it works out.

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

You know you can refuse a “promotion” like that, right? If you didn’t agree in writing they can’t force you.

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