Back in the day, it was practically a sin to even think about using up your PTO or daring to call in sick. And even though things are slowly changing, there's sometimes still a gap between generations when it comes to work-life balance. Some folks out there still cling to the idea that burning yourself out is some kind of badge of honor. And you know what's the absolute worst? When that kind of mindset infects your boss.

Your neighbors are your closest allies. They can assist with receiving packages, impart insightful information about the surrounding area, keep a watchful eye on your home, and much more. However, should misfortune find you and you are forced to live next door to a horrible person who has been a headache since the minute she arrived, do you participate in her little game of torment or do you cave into all of her absurd requests in an attempt to keep things at bay? The Original Poster (OP) recen…

In the office, there is a real hierarchy that must be treated seriously and with the highest regard. How well you get along with those at the top of the pyramid may have a favorable or negative influence on your time at work. But what would happen if you were forced to engage in a direct confrontation with the company's highest-ranking employee? Do you give in to her demands at every turn, or do you refuse to relent or back down? The story that follows tells the tale of a clever employee. Recen…

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…

Retail is like the Wild West: it's vast and untamed. And who needs to maintain composure in the midst of such mayhem, in your humble opinion? That's the customer service agent, of course. The story that follows is from a disappointed sales department employee. The Original Poster (OP) holds a job at a small business located in the neighborhood shopping center. The business has had to deal with an increase in theft lately. Unfortunately, due to the shopping center's numerous rules and restrictio…

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…

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…

Communication is the secret to success. Communication is the key to finding solutions for many issues. The story that follows shows how effective communication can, in certain situations, result in an early issue diagnosis. Below is the account of a pleased youth soccer team coach. OP recalls participating in the municipal recreation league a few years back. There were two fields accessible at the time: one was a large, well-kept, very distant field with enough seating for parents watching thei…

While working as a customer care representative is never fun, dealing with vacationers who think they deserve it all is an absolute nightmare. The story below is an account of a frustrated front desk clerk. The original poster (OP) dives right into the narrative without wasting any time setting the scene. It all began at around one in the morning when a haughty visitor made his way to the hotel reception to grab a towel for ‘his’ wife. He started screaming about the reportedly subpar customer s…

The twenty-first century is known for its constant stream of technological advancement. The fact that we can now fit everything we need into one technological device—our phones—is one of the biggest shifts in our daily lives. The story below is an account of an individual who got his car towed for no apparent reason. It is a freezing winter's day when the story begins. OP saw that snow had been piling up all night when he woke up bright and early. After giving it some thought, he decided that t…

It's nearly impossible to stay up to date with technology. The rate at which the world changes is almost unfathomable. However, what happens if you deliberately select outdated technology to guarantee a smooth transition, only to be left with a dysfunctional device? The story that follows tells the account of a son who purchases a flip phone for his elderly father. OP chooses an easy-to-manage cellphone for his father, who can no longer keep up with the rapid advancements in technology. However…

There are unwritten rules and workplace politics in the corporate world that you have to abide by if you want to keep your job. The story that follows is from a tech consulting company's team lead. OP was in charge of two teams, each consisting of three members, for a total of six persons. OP was given a project at the time that required the assistance of all six members of his team. The company decided against pursuing new, cutting-edge technology in favor of sticking with what they knew in or…

The business world is not always kind. You are but a small component in this game. You should never feel too comfortable when you finally 'land' that job you believed would be the culmination of your desire since everyone can be replaced. What they fail to mention, though, is that occasionally—just occasionally—one cog is what keeps the entire empire afloat; without it, everything crumbles down.

Working in customer service is, as we often say, both a blessing and a curse. However, I don't believe I've covered the subject of tourists mixed with the pleasure of providing top-notch customer service. The story below is an account of a chef who worked at a popular seafood restaurant for tourists. By then, OP claimed, he had been employed in the food business for around eight years. As a result, he has grown accustomed to dealing with demanding clients. Therefore, when the ultimate Karen sho…

The business world is cruel. They take great pride in their well-known motto, which emphasizes the value of family and how they treat their staff as one large, happy family. But when the chips are down, who gets pushed aside first? Yes, exactly. Think about that for a moment. The story that follows is from a dissatisfied hotel employee. At the time of the incident, OP had been managing multiple duties. He drove the shuttle for one of the airline crews and was responsible for loading and unloadi…

Arrogance is the worst trait a person can have for a number of reasons. Life is dynamic; you can be at the top one day and the bottom the next. It's important to always be humble and treat others with kindness since success is relative as opposed to absolute. The story below is an account of an employee who overcame the system. Due to an injury, OP has been released from his present role. According to the terms of the employment contract, the hiring company has the legal right to terminate the…