With Thanksgiving fast approaching, you’re likely taking some time to reflect on all of the great things in your life that you’re thankful for. Your family, your friends, and your health probably immediately come to mind. But, unless you really love what you do for a living, I’m willing to bet that your job doesn’t land very high on your list. In fact, you’re probably just more grateful to have a few days out of the office.
But, as the saying goes, “Things could always be worse.” And, when it comes to workplace horror stories, that statement is undoubtedly true. There are some office tales that are so shocking, you’ll have a hard time believing that they’re true.
So, here are five workplace horror stories that are sure to make you appreciate your current job, and even ease some of that dread you feel when thinking about having to return to the office on Monday.
1. Immediate Uncertainty
Caitlin was thrilled when she accepted her first job out of college. The interview had gone well, and her co-workers and new project manager seemed like people she could really click with and learn a lot from. So, she packed her bags and moved to a different state in order to take her jump into the professional working world.
Immediately, though, something seemed strange. She was enjoying her work, but she had only seen her project manager for a few minutes here and there. On her fourth day at her first job, she was called into her project manager’s boss’ office. “All I could think was that I was somehow being let go after just four days on the job,” she says.
Instead, she was informed that her project manager had just put in his two weeks notice, and so did another co-worker in her department. Both would be taking their work with them to new companies. However, Caitlin was assured that she shouldn’t worry, as there were others in her department that could utilize her help.
Unfortunately, that’s not the way thing went. “During the next two weeks, I watched as literally all but one person in my department quit, each taking their work with them to their new companies,” Caitlin explains. She thought for sure that she would lose her first job after just a few short weeks, and that instant uncertainty was definitely anxiety inducing.
Eventually Caitlin was informed that her department wouldn’t be rebuilt, and that they would need to shift her responsibilities. And, while she’s not working on the projects she was initially excited about, she still feels fortunate to have her position—especially after her rollercoaster ride of a start.
2. Funeral Speech
Suzanne worked for a Long Island nonprofit CEO for five years with very few issues. But, in 2013, her responsibilities got a little weirder.
She was called into her boss’ office right after his brother had passed away. She thought that maybe he was informing her that she would have to take on some extra work while he was out of the office for family time and the funeral. However, nothing could’ve prepared her for the request that came her way.
Instead of asking her to take his messages or attend a meeting for him, Suzanne was shocked when her boss asked her to write a speech for him to recite at his own brother’s funeral. Even though Suzanne knew next to nothing about her boss’ relationship with his brother, she reluctantly agreed to at least create a rough first draft.
However, her boss must’ve really liked what she wrote. Instead of treating her submission as a draft, he proceeded to read her speech word-for-word at the service. Suzanne and her boss never spoke of it again.
3. Coffee Run
Everybody has had to get a cup of coffee for their supervisor at some point. And, usually, it’s no big deal. However, when your boss insists on being totally unreasonable with the request? Well, that coffee run probably won’t end well.
As expected, one personal assistant frequently had to get his boss a cup of coffee. His boss insisted that the coffee be piping hot, so the assistant made an extra effort to ensure that the coffee would meet with his manager’s approval. But, despite his efforts to meet the request for an extra hot cup, his boss left the steaming mug of coffee sitting on his desk for up to an hour—completely untouched.
When his boss did finally decide to take a sip of the coffee, it had obviously cooled significantly. Them, the difficult-to-please supervisor marched over to his assistant’s desk, told him the coffee was absolutely terrible, and then proceeded to pour the entire mug directly into his assistant’s inbox. “Needless to say, we ended on bad terms,” shares the employee.
4. Spitting Boss
There’s nothing better than a delicious office potluck, is there? Unless, of course, people aren’t willing to actually share the food that’s available. And, it’s even worse if that greedy co-worker turns out to be your boss.
Laura remembers a time when a co-worker had brought in a dish to share with the entire office. She and her colleagues were looking forward to sharing the treat. But, her boss wasn’t so excited with the idea of having to split up the dish. So, he decided to spit-spray all over it in order to ensure that he could have it all to himself.
Not only was his behavior juvenile—it was disgusting and unsanitary.
5. Office Brawl
You never want to fear for your safety when you’re at work. And, if you do, your boss is usually the first one you notify, correct?
Well, what happens when your boss is the one that’s actually causing your fear and anxiety? One eBay Community user shares a story of a job she had when she was in her early 20s. “I had a boss that used to try to beat us up after everyone else had gone home,” she shares.
Sounds completely unbelievable doesn’t it? Well, the other supervisors in her office thought so too. “None of the other bosses believed us when we complained,” she adds. So, one day, they staged a plan to catch him in the act.
“One day, my workmates hid behind partitions after the workday was over. My boss came in, checked that nobody else was around, and then started roaring with rage with his fists up. He’d almost backed me into a cupboard when my workmates jumped out and busted him!” she explains.
Physical violence and intimidation are obviously cause for immediate termination. But, this employee and her colleagues were almost too understanding. “We didn’t want him to lose his job, because he has kids,” she shares, “So, we settled for a long, groveling public apology. He was a strange man.”
There’s no doubt that everybody has weird things that happen in their office. But, I’m willing to bet that some of these stories take the cake. So, as you’re sitting around the Thanksgiving table this week, remember to also be thankful for your job. Because, as these stories definitely prove, it could always be worse.
