This IT guy was working for a large firm as a contractor for their IT department. His experience was one that people often have within a giant, bloated corporate behemoth: The managers were unreliable, the expectations were too high, and the company had an odd culture that tried to give you more work, as congratulations for a job well done, rather than pay you fairly. That sounds like something that the owner or CEO thought of one day when they were sitting on the toilet, and all the "Yes Men"…

This job seems to check all the boxes of a toxic work environment.

Some people's claim to fame end when they get promoted, and from then on they simply sit at their desk, playing Candy crush on their phone, overlooking a bunch of other employees, not doing any more actual work. Either they aren't very self-aware when they expect to get glowing references from former coworkers, or they're downright delusional. Either way, if you're not gonna work, don't expect the people you effed over to vouch for you when you begin looking for another job.

A nefarious plot by the CEO to lay off all workers at a big-box electronic store triggered a rebellion by the store's manager that would send the corporate entity reeling. Is this a plot line written by George RR Martin? Or a modern retelling of Robin Hood? You be the judge! When the employees of the store accidentally learned of this plot, it was a free-for-all. The manager was angered and made use of his discounting privileges to provide all employees with a once-in-a-lifetime shopping spree…

Micromanagers are suffocating bosses who don't trust you to get the job done and certainly don't trust you to get it done right . This one in particular, ‘Sally’, was working in a company that was known for its nepotism. The upper-tier management was made up of family members and close friends. The woman who posted the story about micromanagement that led to malicious compliance shared the tale on Reddit — where she gained a lot of sound advice actually. See, this micromanager ordered the emplo…

Toxic workplaces love “fake” promotional roles—used to saddle workers with more responsibility and workload with a little-to-no increase in pay. They serve as an effective method for What stands out here is the impossible situation of being stuck in a terrible employment arrangement and being unable to find an exit route. People forget how much energy it takes to look for other work. When positions are limited in your sector, you can find yourself working what is essentially another full-time j…

It's pretty simple at this point: if you can't live up to your own expectations, then you're less likely to fill the position.

If you're looking for a sign, this is it. Is your boss treating you as if you're easily disposable, adding additional work duties that are not technically a part of your job description? Maybe it's time you look for a place where you'll be appreciated — where you won't be taken for granted, a place that will properly compensate you for the amount of work you do. In an earlier post, you'll find I wrote about a tired employee, working on an understaffed team at a restaurant, who shared his ‘horri…

Working interviews are a thinly veiled scam intended to draw upon a new source of unwitting workers for free resources, ideas, and labor.

A boss with an imperious attitude… what else is new? If you've ever been reprimanded unfairly by upper management, join the club. To think we're all humans at the end of the day who have their own issues, go to the bathroom and cringe at the lack of toilet paper, drink one too many beers, cry over an ex… it's crazy how authority can make you forget all that, leading to unjust actions toward an employee. This employee in particular was a model worker — so he was a little more than surprised when…

Certain companies have a knack for treating their employees in embarrassing and dehumanizing ways—toxic policies ensuring that you hate every second you spend on their premises. Checking bags and searching for personal belongings is one of these policies. There's no reason for it unless you're dealing with high-security clearance. Why are you so worried that an employee is going to steal a pair of sneakers that were produced at literal slave wages?

Some things aren't meant to be discussed in a professional workplace setting, as any discussion around them could be found to be offensive or off-putting. Conversing on topics like politics, religion, sex, and drugs (along with any other highly personal, private, or polarizing discussions) is a surefire way to get yourself acquainted with your company's HR—who may not be all that happy about all the extra paperwork you've caused them. No… some topics—like sharing your worst trauma, are better s…

Some things stand out to you immediately as being out of place—like feeling the skin suddenly crawling on the back of your neck when you're walking through the park at night. We're primally—well… ‘primed’ for picking out when things are potentially dangerous; that innate survival instinct works wonders for picking up when things aren't quite what they seem. However, some people are cunning and practiced in their duplicity, and chances are you might miss the subtle hints that things really aren'…

Smokers often attract the attention of their coworkers due to the obscene number of short breaks they take to “step outside” for a moment and satisfy their addiction. If this worker only managed to accrue $200 worth of stolen time—well, they might be one of the most responsible smokers in the workforce. But let's be honest here—how many of us are guilty of taking small breaks from our work to browse Reddit. . . . For more,

"It's not personal, just business." companies love to say when enacting or enforcing an unpopular policy with their workforce—but it's incredible how personal it can get as soon as you hand in your notice. It turns out that power and control are actually a big part of what these employers love about their relationship with you… and they don't relish being told to relinquish that power.

"We're a family here," your HR will gladly tell new hires—a strained smile, thinly stretched, veiling years of workplace abuse, mistreatment, and exploitative policy that would say directly otherwise. The truth is that the only "family" this workplace resembles is a family on a true crime program where the children are chained in the basement by their remorselessly autocratic parents, who insist that the children should be eternally thankful for every scrap offered to them.