During the Great Resignation, when millions of people left the workforce, the phrase “Nobody wants to work anymore” became a common sentiment among HR and business leaders who were having trouble with hiring.
However, as University of Calgary professor and researcher Paul Fairie pointed out referencing newspapers and other publications, these words have been thrown around every decade for at least the past century — going as far back as 1894.
So in an attempt to remind everyone that change starts from within, we went digging through the ‘Antiwork‘ subreddit and put together a list of posts about hypocritical bosses who should take a good look in the mirror before blaming the common folk for being lazy.
#1 F*ck You Boss
Company owner decided to stop paying his drivers so one of them parked their semi on the owners Ferrari and just left it there.
People do want to work. The problem, according to sociologist Dr. Tracy Brower, is that many think of working conditions as primary drivers of wellbeing and engagement, but the work itself also matters.
In her opinion, employers should design positions so that the responsibilities would include more elements than the ones which detract from satisfaction.
“If working with customers or repetitive tasks are hallmarks of the work, consider how the responsibilities could be rotated with other employees so no job is overwhelmed by these characteristics,” Brower explained. “In addition, ensure workloads are realistic, and ensure safety processes are followed without exception.”
#3 Who’s The Boss Now?
#4 Never Told A Boss Off Like This. And It Felt Amazing
#5 Quit My Job Last Night, It Was Nice To Be Home To Make The Kids Breakfast And Take Them To School Today! Off To Hunt For A New Opportunity, Wish Me Luck
In addition to the content of the work and what gets done, Brower highlighted that how work gets done is critical to wellbeing too.
“For decades, work-life research has demonstrated when people have more control over when and how they work, their satisfaction, engagement, retention, and effort are positively impacted.”
“While it’s not possible to provide flexibility or choices in work hours for many jobs, wise employers will provide as much control as possible for as many jobs as possible,” the sociologist said.
#6 Owner Of Three Restaurants In The Suburbs Of Chicago Asks His Customers To Pay His Wait Staff A Better Wage
#7 Is It Normal To Not Want To Discuss The Base Pay?
#8 This Boss Who Loves A Double Standard
#9 It Would Have Taken Everything For Me To Not Hit My Boss If This Was Me
Indeed, a recent study from McKinsey & Company demonstrates that people value having more breaks (56%), the ability to take time off (88%), the choice to work specific days or hours (78% and 79% respectively), and the option to work remotely (51%).
Offering these kinds of choices may offer the greatest returns in employees’ satisfaction and retention.
#10 You’re Still Coming In Right?
Not me. On my way home and saw this truck in the ditch. I pulled over to see if he needed help but he was already gone.
But there was another guy in the parking lot talking to his boss on the phone. He had sent him the same picture telling his boss he didn’t feel safe. We talked a bit after he got off the phone. His boss was pissed that he asked to go back home.
Young kid probably 19-20. I told him minimum wage wasn’t worth it. Go home look for something better.
These supervisors, managers, companies don’t understand or don’t give a f**k. Ridiculous.
#11 My Boss Sent Me This Text After Asking To Be Paid
i (21M) work in a very small bakery in upstate NY. my boss (52F) is the owner of the bakery. i get paid under the table in cash. we work alone together a lot of the time, and so we have opened up to each other about a lot of things. when i opened up to her about my family’s financial situation, it was because i trusted her. i did not do so for pity, nor did i expect to have it used against me. lately she has been paying me late, and so occasionally i’ll ask if she’s done payroll bc i need to get food. yesterday she replied with this. i’m speechless.
#12 This Boss Who Expected Their Employee To Change Their Pre-Approved Holiday Plans At The Drop Of A Hat
#13 I Like My Boundaries. F*ck’em
Of course, solid pay and meaningful benefits also matter.
“It should go without saying, but especially with high inflation and increasing healthcare costs, [these two things] are high priorities for people, and they are associated with a sense of wellbeing with their work,” Brower said.
A study from MyPerfectResume discovered the following would detract from employees’ satisfaction: lack of health insurance (21%), lack of paid time off, and lack of retirement plans (16% each).
In addition, the study found low earnings would detract from satisfaction for 42% of respondents, and in the McKinsey study, compensation ranked eighth as a reason people would leave their position.
#14 My Friend’s Daughter Helped Out A Restaurant For Six Hours, At £10 Per Hour. This Was The Conversation When She Noticed She Was Only Paid £40
#15 At Work – Where Water Isn’t Free Yo
#16 “Entitled Young Generation” She’s The Entitled One
#17 So My Best Friend Just Got This Email… What The Actual F*ck!?
#18 The Fact This Was Even A Thought Makes Me Sick
#19 I Was 7 Minutes Late To The Friday Morning Meeting
This is a sales meeting we have every single where we literally talk about nothing except “let’s go get some sales today”. I’m a top performer btw
#20 Shout Out The Worst Place I Ever Worked (Minimum Wage, Of Course)
#21 Line Cook Quit
#22 This Is The Thermostat In The Office. I Told My Boss That If I’m Going To Work In A Sauna I Do It In The Nude
#23 This Motivational Quote When I Walked In This Morning
#24 Text I Received From My Boss While Sick In Bed
“I had told her the day before that I was attempting to look but of course nobody wants to cover. She didn’t respond, so I sent a follow-up text and that was the reply I got. What is this joke about making employees find their own coverage while sick? Literally passed out on the floor being told I need to find coverage? Wtf”
#25 Boss Makes A Dollar, You Make A Dime, So We Regulate Your Poops On Company Time!
#26 I Was Admitted To The Hospital With Sepsis And My Boss Expected Me To Roll Out Of The Hospital Straight To Work. “Audrey” Is Hr. This Was After 3 Days Of Her Harassing Me Non-Stop About Work
#27 Please Note The Timestamps. Any Suggestions On How To Deal With This Outrageous Unfairness?
#28 My Girlfriend’s Boss “Fixed” Everyone’s Schedules After They Were Complaining About Not Getting A Lunch Break On Sunday By Making Them Work 10 Minutes Short Of Being Legally Entitled To One
#29 This Was My Boss’s Response To Me Calling In Sick. What Should I Do I Can’t Find A Cover?
#30 First Day Back After The New Year And These Are Everywhere Haha
