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ask reddit workplace-stories in-the-workplace work stories toxic-workplace workplace-story community-answers work workplace story questions jobs interviews job interview interview - 20261125

10+ Red Flags From Employers That You Might Not Recognize Immediately

Sometimes the warning signs that you might not want to work somewhere are readily apparent as if someone commissioned them to be made in neon and hung in the lobby for all to see. Other times, they're not so obvious, and it's highly likely you won't notice them until you've started working there and have learned to read between the lines. These workers came together in a viral internet thread to share their stories and experiences to help uncover some of the things that we might be missing in i…
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work-story antiwork workplace-stories jobs toxic-workplace workplace-story job toxic interviews ceo job interview interview employment toxic-work-environment the interview - 20157445

'Anyone can do it, but...': Job candidate boldly calls out CEO's unrealistic expectations for role

Interviewing for a new job can be tough, especially when the employer has unreasonable expectations about the job they're hiring for. Common examples of this will be wildly unmatched desired levels of experience versus compensation on offer or an advertised position that has just too many duties for one person to reasonably attend to. This usually means that the job is a non-starter and not worth pursuing. The employer is constantly going to be disappointed by the tasks that aren't being comple…
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'Thank you': Worker's unorthodox response to boss's criticism sparks online discussion

It's generally expected that you'll do whatever you possibly can to keep your superiors happy—whether it's your boss, teacher, or parents. But should we really be going out of our way to do something for someone who couldn't care less about showing the same respect in return? Normally, when your boss passed you criticism in the workplace, you might become anxious and worried about this. But should you really be? If you're already performing the expectations of your role, why waste the energy? T…
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'[You] told me you would bump it up to $29 in April': Cheap boss takes advantage of overworked employee, dangling a raise over her head and going back on his promises

'[You] told me you would bump it up to $29 in April': Boss goes back on promise to employee by dangling a raise over their head

Negotiating a raise is always a tough conversation. For employees who have a cheapo boss and have been taken advantage of their entire career, it's dang near impossible to get what you deserve when it comes to salary improvement.
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workplace-stories jobs toxic-workplace workplace-story job malicious compliance work toxic-boss workplace employment - 20195589

'He [decided] to power-trip': Boss gives worker disciplinary action for working too hard

Sometimes, someone just has it out for you for some reason… and there isn't much you can do about it. Realizing that not everyone you meet is going to like you is a tough but important pill to swallow, but the sooner you learn to accept that, the less energy, stress, and time you'll spend trying to win that person over, and you will be able to move on with your life. It's a little harder to do this when that person is your boss, but the same principle applies. All you can do is pack up, find a…
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'I sent him119 emails': Expert malicious complier bombards boss with daily reports, then spends an entire day playing games

'I sent him 119 emails': Expert malicious complier bombards boss with daily reports, then spends an entire day playing games

Only someone who was born yesterday would mess with their business's safety inspector/auditor . This boss absolutely paid the price! This person wrote to the r/MaliciousCompliance subreddit with a great tale of workplace MC. As the OP explains it, they used to have lots of autonomy at their job as they conducted safety inspections, making sure everything was up to code. They were so good at their job that they reported right to the owner and his son. However, after getting a new boss , this job…
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work-story workplace-stories in-the-workplace jobs workplace-story job job hunt candidates work coworkers interviews job-seeker workplace job interview interview job application antiwork - 20179205

'I basically leaked it through my cover letter': Job candidate guesses company's problematic secrets in their cover letter and gets call from the company's lawyer

Imagine submitting a cover letter that is so well written and on point with calling out and solving the company's problems that you immediately get contacted by the company's lawyer and a frantic department head who demand to know where you got your information. Then, after all of that, you still don't get the job when they balk at your compensation request… Talk about a roller coaster! If you've ever wanted undeniable proof that you have the qualifications for a position and are generally skil…
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'Expect my resignation by EOD': Micromanaging boss tries to force her top salesperson to commute to the office 3x a week, he refuses and quits

'Expect my resignation by EOD': Micromanaging boss tries to force her top salesperson to commute to the office 3x a week, he refuses and quits

Working from home has changed the way that businesses operate, but micromanagers everywhere are rolling in their graves over the fact that they can no longer survey their employees like they used to. Micromanaging bosses are absolutely livid that their crew can work from the comfort of their home, proving that they are 10x more productive without middle management watching their every step.
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'I once worked as a professional bubble wrap popper': 20+ unusual jobs you don't see every day

It's not like a regular job, it's a cool job.
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antiwork workplace-stories in-the-workplace jobs toxic-workplace workplace-story job-seeking work coworkers programmers trending-topic workplace viral Tech job interview employment - 20127493

'You're probably getting paid less than the people hired after you': Experienced programmer getting paid less than fresh new hire sparks online discussion over pay

We might expect that experience, performance, and time in a role would lead us to an increased take-home pay… and that we might be earning more than the college graduate the company just hired—who has no experience and is still wet behind the ears. But, changes in company hiring policy resulting from fluctuations in the demands of the job market could very well mean that new hires are earning far more than you. Companies are often reluctant to increase the cost of existing labor—even in times o…
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jobs interviews job interview interview workplace antiwork workplace-stories job-seeker workplace-story in-the-workplace - 20097797

'Please let me know': Interviewer awkwardly asks candidate for a job

There are plenty of great opportunities to reach out to your network and enquire about open positions—with friends, family, and former colleagues all being solid possible leads. You can volunteer, attend industry events, utilize contacts through shared interests—even turn to social media. Heck, just about the only person you shouldn't reach out to for a job is a candidate you're supposed to be interviewing. It's bold, for sure, but bound to land poorly. The interviewee already has so much going…
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'I declined [the job] because of their actions': Four job candidates share stories of walking out of job interviews after disrespectful behavior

A job interview is a two-way street: you're testing the waters to see if you want to work there just as much as they're trying to feel you out and see if they want to hire you. Interviewers and candidates often forget this fact, being so used to the power imbalance offered by the employment markets of the last twenty years and the general desperation unemployed candidates experience. But it's important for both parties to act with respect and extend professional courtesies to one another; while…
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workplace-stories in-the-workplace jobs work stories toxic-workplace bad jobs true story time-to-take-a-break workplace Horrible Bosses story break room employment toxic-work-environment - 20038661

'I just quit my job': Boss confiscates worker's lunch break as punishment, they quit

Breaks are one of the most essential rights of your daily working life, and they're not something to be treated as a privilege that can be taken away as punishment—like a parent taking away their child's favorite toy. Yet it's astounding how many managers and small business owners try this—completely unaware of the legal framework they must operate within and intentionally hiding behind their ignorance to shield them from questioning their morals and ethics. Would it be too much to ask that emp…
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'I'd be paid $6 an hour': Bar manager rebels against lazy boss who gives him an ultimatum, gets fired because he refused to work extra hours below minimum wage

'I'd be paid $6 an hour': Bar manager rebels against lazy boss who gives him an ultimatum, gets fired because he refused to work extra hours below minimum wage

Have you ever worked for tips before? When you work a job where tips are your main source of income, that becomes the primary focus of each day capitalizing on how to get more tips. In some cheapskate states, restaurants are allowed to pay you LESS than minimum wage because it's expected that you'll be making more in tips on top of that, thus making restaurant work a minimum wage job again. * huge eye roll * As everyone knows, that's not guaranteed...
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'My new employer [laughed it] off': Boss calls worker's new employer to accuse them of "poaching" when the worker leaves for better pay

It's nice to feel valued for your work and know that your employer understands that you're important to their business, though you might hope it wouldn't take handing in your notice to find that out. You might also prefer that this was communicated to you in a way other than through your old boss calling your would-be new employer to accuse them of “poaching." Alas, some people just don't know how to communicate properly. Maybe they never learned, maybe they just don't care… maybe they aren't e…
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work-story antiwork workplace-stories jobs employee toxic-workplace job workplace contractor employment toxic-work-environment - 19928837

'I officially resigned': Company approaches contractor they ghosted with generous offer of a 50% lower rate

With more experience comes more opportunities and better pay… Unless you're a contractor, who was ghosted by a client at the start of the pandemic that has suddenly rematerialized and requested your services once again. You might expect that you'd be receiving at least the rate that you were on previously—although it might be foolish to make this assumption without getting it in writing—and return to working at that rate. That's what happened when this healthcare contractor, u/Kind-Designer-576…
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