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'15 other people saw it': Karen sends unkind message about coworker to entire department by accident, coworker reports her to HR

'15 other people saw it': Karen sends unkind message about coworker to entire department by accident, coworker reports her to HR

Always be careful who you're sending your messages to, especially at work! One would think this is a self-explanatory warning and not something that needs to be stated, but it turns out some coworkers out there really are that reckless. Here, we have a Karen coworker who liked to boss others around, especially this Redditor who was fully on her level within the hierarchy of their company. Karen told her to take lunch at 11 am, but something came up and OP switched lunch times with another emplo…
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'I led that project': Guy puts random coworker down as a reference, she exposes the lies on his resume

'I led that project': Guy puts random coworker down as a reference, she exposes the lies on his resume

It's probably not a good idea to take credit for a former coworker's work on your resume and then list that person as a reference. It was only a matter of time before the lies on this dude's resume would be uncovered and proven false. Now, I am sympathetic to someone feeling backed into a corner during an interview process and having to cough up a name as a reference out of nowhere. However, surely this guy could have considered literally anyone else. Perhaps the people who did work closely wit…
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HR manager tells worker they can't work remote whilst working remote: 'It is 100% about control'

HR manager tells worker they can't work remote whilst working remote: 'It is 100% about control'

Walking the walk of your own talk is important as a leader as it shows that you're willing to stand by the words that are coming out of your own mouth. It also helps your subordinates realize that there's no hypocrisy at play and that the rules and requirements you're enforcing apply to everyone equally.
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'It's about control': Fully remote HR rep denies employee's request to work from home one day

'It's about control': Fully remote HR rep denies employee's request to work from home one day

The walking hypocrisy that is Human Resources is at it again! This time, we have a fully remote HR representative who refused to grant a loyal employee the ability to work remotely one day per week for childcare-related purposes. It doesn't get more heartless and hypocritical than that. Look, we understand that there is some value in coming into the office: collaboration, productivity, justifying a lease… The truth is, however, that if a company wants to enforce an in-person work policy, it has…
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It took them about 3 seconds to realize': Worker commutes 6 hours each day, client complains about his repeated lateness

'It took them about 3 seconds to realize': Worker commutes 6 hours each day, client complains about his repeated lateness

If you think you have a bad commute , just wait until you hear about this guy's drive. Commuting is the bane of many workers' existence. Whether it's a ten-minute bike ride or a two-hour car ride, you have to do it every day. Long commutes can be particularly exhausting---you arrive to work and you're already tired from driving or taking the train. If you do take public transit, there's a chance you can read or stream a TV show on your phone. But it's just a chance, because if you're packed in…
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'Someone at work [felt] targeted': HR gets involved when joke about office 'White Elephant' exchange goes wrong

A joke?.. In this economy?! Regardless, you know it's a good joke when it's so good that HR wants to hear it. It's no secret that employers can be a little sensitive to derogatory statements about the quality of the work environment that they're providing for their workers—even if those statements are completely irrefutably accurate. This usually involves remuneration but also extends to other aspects of the workplace culture and environment. Basically, the method of operation in these workplac…
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'I don't need to buy [my coworkers] gifts': Employee refuses to participate in Office Secret Santa, gets into conflict with HR

'I don't need to buy [my coworkers] gifts': Employee refuses to participate in Office Secret Santa, gets into conflict with HR

Now that it's the Holiday season, we are unfortunately subjected to that time of year when we have to get gifts for more people than we'd like. The idea of having to participate in an annual Office Secret Santa on top of all that other shopping is truly too far. Thankfully, I have never been asked to participate in one, and honestly, thank goodness. I'm not quite sure what I've done in my life to deserve that luxury, but I'll take it. Knowing myself, if I were pressured to be a part of an Offic…
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'I think I did better than expected': Boss instructs deaf employee to transcribe a tape

'I think I did better than expected': Boss instructs deaf employee to transcribe a tape, cue employee's malicious compliance

When your boss tells you to “figure it out” in a certain tone of voice, you know they mean business.
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'Did my employee rage-quit, or did I fire her?': Manager joins HR to figure out what to do about twice-fired employee

'Did my employee rage-quit, or did I fire her?': Manager joins HR to figure out what to do about twice-fired employee

This is the mysterious case of one manager who isn't sure if she fired an employee , or if she quit. In any workplace, people will have personalities that mismatch. That can be a big issue if it's between a manager and someone they work with every single day. And this employee sounds like a hot mess to be honest. The OP, u/indieOsam, was one employee's manager , and she quickly realized that this worker was going to be a handful. There are a few bright red waving flags: for one, the employee wa…
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'I parked in their space... somebody else got jealous and tattled to HR': IT worker conspires with their boss to snag a good parking spot through malicious compliance

This company's HR department has nothing better to do than make up creative punishments for their employees. Human Resources is supposed to be there for employees, or so they say. But, repeat after me: HR is there to protect the company , not the individual employees. They're there to protect the company from legal issues that could arise from things employees do, which is why HR is able to hire and fire people as they wish. No matter how great the HR is at your company, in the long run, they w…
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'I got her fired': Woman from HR makes employee's life difficult, employee names her in company-wide email announcing resignation

'I got her fired': Woman from HR makes employee's life difficult, employee names her in company-wide email announcing resignation

Sometimes, the best way to get revenge on your manager is by being as direct as possible. That means making it clear that they are the ones who are making your life at work all the more challenging. That means calling them out when you can. Sometimes, it's the only way you can actually stand up for yourself. Now, personally speaking, I would never do what this employee did. I'm too much of a people pleaser to name my work enemy in a company-wide email, but I understand that this person felt the…
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'I dunno, I’ll have to ask my mom':  30+ Job interviewees who didn't get the job after answering questions wrong

'I dunno, I’ll have to ask my mom': 30+ Job interviewees who didn't get the job thanks to their hilariously wrong answers

Okay, be honest: what's the worst way you've ever answered an interview question ? This topic could unite us all. No matter how long you've worked, no matter how qualified and prepared you are, every person gets nervous going to job interviews. It's a universal fear, and for many people, it's just one of those things you have to do every few years in order to advance your career. For every five or ten interviews you do, you might get offered the job one time---or not at all. It's brutal out her…
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'One guy [complained] that his coworker was mimicking his get up [...] said that it's identity theft': 20+ ridiculous complaints as told by HR

'One guy [complained] that his coworker was mimicking his get up [...] said that it's identity theft': 20+ ridiculous complaints as told by HR

HR might not be your friend, but they can certainly hear and see everything. Let's take a moment to consider the good HR reps out there and to think about all the unnecessary drama they have witnessed. Most of these folks do not take any pleasure in cleaning up everyone else's mess. Sometimes, these messes can be a result of tension among coworkers; other times, they can be physical messes. These ridiculous and cringeworthy stories have been compiled from this r/AskReddit thread, and they certa…
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'They canceled my two weeks off': HR approves employee's PTO for their mother's funeral, then cancels request, employee has an outburst

'They canceled my two weeks off': HR approves employee's PTO for her mother's funeral, then cancels request, employee has an outburst

Every human resources department has been known for some shady behavior to protect the interests of the company rather than the interests of the actual humans who work there. Ironic, much? We all have these kinds of stories, particularly ones that involve employee benefits like paid time off. It's a tale as old as time: an employee requests vacation time for an important event like a wedding or a funeral, their boss approves said vacation time, then shames them in some way as the dates actually…
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'He got laid off. An hour into his first day': 10+ wild workplace stories as told by HR

'He got laid off. An hour into his first day': 10+ wild workplace stories as told by HR

We often talk about how HR is not your friend here on FAIL Blog. That being said, there are always good apples everywhere, and you know with certainty that some of these HR professionals have seen some wild stuff. It could be during the hiring process, when HR employees and hiring managers end up hearing some pretty ridiculous demands or inappropriate remarks from potential job candidates. It could be a crazy story from a boss or CEO, who has pretty backward standards when it comes to workplace…
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'Rep has horrible body odor': Employee has had it with coworker's B.O. problem, files a complaint to management

'Rep has horrible body odor': Employee has had it with coworker's B.O. problem, files a complaint to management

What do you do when you have a coworker with a body odor issue? Picture this: you're at your desk at work and you're trying to focus on your daily tasks. Just as your brain locks into focus, you start to smell something funny. At first, you think it's coming from you. You smell your armpits to make sure you put on deodorant this morning. You quickly realize that it isn't you at all. In fact, it's the new coworker who's sitting right behind you. Your brain starts spiraling as you try to figure o…
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