Trying to keep up with an increasing workload on an understaffed team is a lot like trying to drive a car that only has three wheels. It's difficult to keep things moving forward without veering off course; things operate extremely inefficiently, and there's probably a lot of noise and scraping going on. Of course, managing these situations is no easy task—not impossible for a talented manager, but only through a great deal of effort. For this reason, managers who manage to protect their alread…

It's only natural for your employer to be interested in what you spend your time doing while you're at work; after all, they're paying you for your time. Even then, there are reasonable limits to this, and some employers get carried away and happily track any and every bit of data possible to help them prove you're wasting time. It started with mouse trackers, which track the activity of the mouse and keyboard on your laptop; now, programs are even able to track where your eyes are on the scree…

Agency is important in the workplace; people typically need to feel as if they have responsibility over a task in order to derive satisfaction from doing it. This is one of the most basic facts that someone managing a team should be aware of. Sure, it's important that you know what's going on with your team, but that doesn't extend to the level of having comprehensive direct access to every last bit of their personal workplace communications. The point is that you have a certain level of trust…

It's difficult to picture your life any different than it is in this exact moment… and that's not talking simple wishful-thinking. It's easy to say “I wish things were better” or “I'm grateful and lucky for what I have” or “I'm glad things aren't worse." But that's not the same as being able to actually see yourself—

Would a sign like this stop you from eating at a local restaurant? This person stopped in their tracks when they noticed the sign at a local breakfast chain. They snapped a photo and shared it to the good people of r/antiwork, and more than 500 people shared their thoughts in the comments section. First impressions matter, and restaurants know this. A lot of places hire a host or hostess to greet guests the moment they walk in the door to start off their dining experience on a positive note. Yo…

Coworkers can be a lot of things: a compatriot, a confidant, a thorn in your side, a shoulder to cry on, a best friend—even a worst enemy. One thing they certainly aren't ever going to be is your boss—not without a promotion at least. And, still, throughout your working career, you'll come up against many a power-hungry colleague who thinks that they have the authority and experience to order you around. Letting you know what's what and making demands of you…. but, as bossy as this person might…

Relocating for work is a tough choice to make. On the one hand, the opportunities on offer could open doors and lead to opportunities that would set you up for the rest of your life. On the other hand, you'd be leaving your life, as you know it, behind. There's no telling whether or not what you're giving up will actually be worth it or how things will even turn out on the other side. All this counts on the fact that you like your current job that's being relocated and that you trust the people…

The process of booking leave exists for one reason and one reason only: So that managers can maintain some control over staffing levels ensure the continuity of the business and make sure that everyone doesn't all go and take off at the same time. The thing is, this takes—well… managing. You, the manage-er, have to be able to manage your workers' leave requests and ensure that the business stays running while your workers get the time off that they need (and are entitled to) so that a little th…

Oftentimes in life, we will try and soften the effect that our words will have on the chosen recipient through careful wording and euphemisms, hoping that in beating around the bush enough we'll still manage to get our point across but in a way that doesn't upset the target party. Of course, usually, if the person you're speaking to is getting the point and the point is something that they should be upset about, they're just going to get upset anyway. This renders the entire thing to be a rathe…

It's just not possible to reason with some folks. Certain conversations might be beneficial to have because they might result in a productive dialogue, however, others might not. But are arguments and conflicts in the customer service sector worth engaging in? Or are we fighting an unwinnable war? The story that follows tells the tale of a hotel front desk employee. The Original Poster (OP) is rarely surprised by privileged clientele because of his vast experience as a customer care representat…

Interviews are never easy, the pressure of bidding for your own dreams and livelihood can cause you to slip up and miss the chance at your dream job—failing a pivotal moment of your career. They can even cause you to become so nervous that you miss a shot at a job that you're well and truly qualified—or even overqualified—for. Of course, this is the case even when interviews follow a predictable course, asking all the common questions that test for aptitude, probe for personality flaws, and see…

Hierarchy is the cornerstone of corporate business. Because of this, it is very likely that when the time comes and a new management enters the picture, she or he will want to completely revamp the scene in an attempt to assert their authority. The story that follows recounts the story of a clever employee. The Original Poster (OP) and his former manager had an unspoken understanding that allowed OP to arrive early and depart early. Basically, as long as he completes his work and puts in the ne…

There's nothing worse than working for someone who is as arrogant as they are irresponsible. You'll soon find yourself doing all of the work to keep the company above water while getting absolutely no recognition or thanks for it. That's the situation this worker found themselves in tasked with expanding production and business operations for the small business owner that they worked for. They crafted and executed their plan only to be stonewalled by their boss when it came to paying to hire th…

Nothing in the business sector is ‘personal’, everyone is interchangeable, and the entire industry runs like one large corporate machine. Securing the flow of funds is of the utmost significance for those in positions of authority. In order to succeed in the business world, one must be prepared to give up everything or anybody who stands in the way of success. Here's the account of a Fortune 500 firm employee who was left speechless. The Original Poster (OP) has dedicated the last six years of…

When we all graduated high school, we thought that that would be the end to the restroom tyranny, but for the gas station employee in this next story, the obsession with bathroom breaks followed them into the working world.

We work to live, not the other way around. It's difficult to find an occupation that fulfills our ambitions and desires. When we finally find that one individual in the workplace who is friendly and supportive, it might be difficult, to put it mildly, to let go. A furious software developer who works for an organization that offers ‘unlimited PTO’ shares his story below. OP has been organizing an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime international trip. Before starting the preparations, he made sure seni…