Never assume, always make certain. Otherwise you might find yourself in the same situation that this boss did. There's a pernicious assumption that people who speak English as a second language aren't as smart as everyone else. There have been studies showing that people think this way about ESL folks. But in reality, speaking multiple languages shows that you're really bright. After all, if you aren't speaking in your first language, you kind of have to translate everything people are saying t…

The interview process is unique because of the high stakes involved for both parties; the implications of ending up with a dud candidate can be disastrous for an organization or workgroup of any size, and a candidate ending up in a job that's not the right fit can be a huge misstep for them as well in their career. Likewise, the interview process is hugely resource-consuming for both parties, so wasting the other party's time with missed or rescheduled interviews and misleading promises or expe…

Memes to send to your favorite coworker before happy hour

Getting written up for a bogus reason in the workplace can be unfair, and being written up for a family emergency that caused you to miss a shift (that wasn't even yours in the first place) really fits the bill. Unfortunately, in most circumstances, you'd probably be stuck in the role for quite some time, especially if your life was already at a precarious point due to the aforementioned emergency. In fact, your power-tripping boss is probably counting on it.

What would you do if your boss asked you to print the whole internet page by page? Or what if they asked you to water the plants while it was literally raining outside? These people shared stories of the absolute dumbest things their bosses have ever done---including those two examples above! Some bosses rely heavily on their employees to keep things running. For example, in some offices, the assistants will be the first ones in and the last ones out, tasked with answering phones, working with…

Employers are determined to replace workers with machines, and, sure, automation and specialized machinery lead to more efficiency, but it's not like the productive workers see any of that increased cash flow anyway. While employers might hope to one day replace certain roles with automation, AI hasn't come that far yet. Just ask anyone who has gotten stuck talking to an AI on a “customer care” line or ended up messaging a robot that has no idea how to solve your problem and keeps redirecting y…

This person had some odd restrictions on their bank account . It wasn't an issue until one day, he needed to take out lot of money all at once. As a South Korean worker employed by an American company, this person has a few restrictions on their bank account. U/luther_williams shares that unlike American banks, he has a limit of how much money he can take from his account each day. It's not even very much money: only about $216 per day, which is around 250,000 won. With the way inflation has bu…

It's nice to know that you're needed and appreciated both in your work and in other areas of your life. But when appreciation is out of the question… a frantic phone call from your (very) recently ex-employer's HR department, proving your necessity, will do. It's not uncommon for those prone to giving into their anger to make unwise decisions in the midst of that anger, and that can put you in some unfortunate situations when that person is your boss—or holds some other form of authority over y…

This boss was so stingy that he wouldn't give an employee a raise up from $10 per hour. It's been a long time since $10 per hour was a competitive rate in most industries. Lots of states in the US have implemented $15 per hour minimums, but not everyone follows these guidelines. It's so awkward to ask for a raise and be turned down. You have to go to your boss, politely explain all the reasons you think you deserve more money, and then really advocate for yourself. No matter how great your pres…

Working for a company across multiple timezones can be a challenge. For the CEO's in London, it may seem simple to schedule a lunch meeting, but for their lowly employees on the west coast of the USA, it's 4am. To avoid all of the WFH employees showing up with robes on, their eyelids drifting shut, and a useless coffee in hand, teams need to coordinate heavily in order to make meetings go smoothly.

Sometimes, it's just easier that things happen without your involvement, even if—no— especially if you're in charge. See, the more areas of the business you're in charge of, the more people there will be working within those areas, and while you want some insights and updates into their operation, if you need to be involved in every little detail, the entire operation will come to a standstill while everyone waits for you frantically comprehend every facet of the business to approve every decis…

Even the most experienced traveler gets stressed out about a lot of things at the airport: boarding times, your luggage's weight, TSA scanners, and the classic worry of going to the wrong gate for your flight. These are all things that most people check (and re-check) diligently, that is, of course, unless you're a little too loosey-goosey at the luxury airport lounge.

Divulging personal aspects about yourself in the workplace can be a pathway to forming stronger bonds and close-knit relationships—or it can be used against you the next time your performance review comes around. The reality is that your work time is for work, and your own time is—well, your own. But, in a modern “always online” world that's fueled by instant communication and where some employers want to squeeze their workers for every last drop of productivity, this line becomes increasingly…

Imagine having a boss who's so controlling, she won't ever let you talk to any higher-up in the company. This dude had to deal with exactly that when he got a new boss who had it out for him. U/Analytica0 writes that his new boss at a big organization was nice at first. But after a few months, the OP got a tip from other workers that his boss was out to get him. By the eighth month of her tenure there, she told the OP that he shouldn't be calling or emailing any higher-ups . Ever. Now, although…

Throughout the course of the working week, you spend roughly 40 hours in the presence of your coworkers . This can be an incredible way to form tight bonds with other like-minded individuals. Throughout your adult life, it's more likely you'll make friends at work than from any other place, unsurprising given you're often spending more time with them than with your own family. But while you'll make some friends, it's more than likely that you'll be spending a lot of time with people who grind y…

When you're walking into an interview, it's always best to have done your research. Be prepared with some strong questions you might have that demonstrate your interest in the role and organization, and, of course, have some understanding about the role and industry you could find yourself stepping into. Doing otherwise would be like stepping into a boxing match with one hand tied behind your back, metaphorically speaking. And when you're interviewing with an employer, you're already taking the…