“Please Do Not Feed The Employees”: 50 Signs At Workplaces That Left People Less Than Motivated

At this point, we all know that it’s a red flag if youremployerclaims “you’re all family.” But it’s also not great if they decide to treat their workers like machines rather than humans.

Bored Pandahas scoured the internet to find some of the worst notes companies and employers have published in their workplaces, so we’ve gathered the most shocking ones down below. Good luck scrolling through this list without becoming infuriated, and keep reading to find a conversation with anti-capitalism expertJames Foster, who runs Metapolitic onFacebookandInstagram!

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My Job Threatened To Withhold My Paycheck To Ensure No One Left Early; I Responded Accordingly

To gain more insight on this topic, we reached out toJames Foster, who runs Metapolitic onFacebookandInstagram. James was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss how the current state of capitalism has impacted the workplace.“Late-stage capitalism has twisted the workplace into a soul-sucking grind. Hating your job, the Monday blues, the snooze button, and the morning coffee needed to function have become clichés in meme culture,” he shared. “Seemingly, no one likes to work anymore, and it’s not because they’re lazy; it’s because folks are disconnected from their work’s actual value and importance, as all the profit and benefits are being leached from them.”

“Late-stage capitalism has twisted the workplace into a soul-sucking grind. Hating your job, the Monday blues, the snooze button, and the morning coffee needed to function have become clichés in meme culture,” he shared. “Seemingly, no one likes to work anymore, and it’s not because they’re lazy; it’s because folks are disconnected from their work’s actual value and importance, as all the profit and benefits are being leached from them.”

Nice Sign I Saw

Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On

I Left My Job Shortly After Receiving This Prize For My Good Work

My boss makes a dollar, I make a dime. That’s why I poop on company time.

Recently Posted At Work

Came Into Work This Morning To Find This Taped To The Wall. Boss Went On A Tirade Against Me And Co-Worker Yesterday For Taking To Each Other With No Customers In The Store

“When work becomes just a means to an end — a way to survive rather than thrive — it’s no wonder many feel trapped and apathetic,” James shared. “Big companies prioritize profits over people, reducing employees into cogs in a machine rather than seeing them as unique and potential-filled human beings with needs and aspirations.”“The relentless drive for efficiency and cost-cutting has stripped away the dignity and meaning of work, leaving many feeling undervalued, uninspired, and exhausted,” he added. “It’s a system that feeds on the people who sustain it, creating a toxic relationship where burnout is the norm and genuine human connection is rare.”

“The relentless drive for efficiency and cost-cutting has stripped away the dignity and meaning of work, leaving many feeling undervalued, uninspired, and exhausted,” he added. “It’s a system that feeds on the people who sustain it, creating a toxic relationship where burnout is the norm and genuine human connection is rare.”

The managerial mindset. Why not ask why someone would do such a thing, instead of putting up signs all around the bathroom?All the managers here are jerks who rarely respect my 30-minute break time, let alone be kind or empathetic.If I’ve learned anything working in food service or any job, it’s that unhappy workers are unproductive workers.

“Time Theft”

This Motivational Quote When I Walked In This Morning

One of the worst places I’ve worked. Super short-staffed, managers are buddies with the crew, always had issues with pay. Was only there a month before I left. Glad I’m not employed there anymore.

Place I Worked For A Month

As for why bosses put up such insulting notes for their employees, James says, “These derogatory notes and signs are not just a surface issue; they are a symptom of a deeper, more pervasive problem: the erosion of respect and empathy in the workplace. Empathy and humanity are often relegated to the backseat in a system where profits reign supreme.”“Employers, caught in the relentless pursuit of productivity, often view their workers as mere automatons — robots programmed to carry out tasks — and respond with anger and disciplinary measures when they fail to meet expectations,” he explained. “When productivity and efficiency are prized above all else, it becomes easier for those in positions of power to see us as machines performing tasks rather than as human beings with our thoughts, feelings, and lives.”

“Employers, caught in the relentless pursuit of productivity, often view their workers as mere automatons — robots programmed to carry out tasks — and respond with anger and disciplinary measures when they fail to meet expectations,” he explained. “When productivity and efficiency are prized above all else, it becomes easier for those in positions of power to see us as machines performing tasks rather than as human beings with our thoughts, feelings, and lives.”

A Sign In My Hospital Reminding Nurses To Bill Patients For A Pillow. Yeah USA

I’m Probably Going To Be Fired For This, But I Don’t Care

This Sign

“They’re importing the ‘road rage’ mentality into the workplace. These signs aren’t just about asserting control; they reflect a fundamentally broken system where our dignity is routinely sacrificed on the altar of efficiency,” he explained. “It’s more crucial now than ever that we start to demand and revive the effort to be seen, heard, and treated as the human beings we are.”

Hello. I work at a Subway franchise in a small town in Tennessee. Tonight, my hand got crushed under the glass that separates the food and customers. I was instructed to go to the walk-in clinic if it was open, and if it wasn’t, to just go tomorrow morning. My supervisor said I could not go to the ER because she would get in trouble. I went to the clinic and they took the info from my supervisor, and the entire clinic staff thought the entire situation was sketchy. They put me in a splint for now and said to come back in the morning because the x-ray tech had already gone home. Apparently it is not being filed as worker’s compensation, and instead the office (for this chain of franchises) will pay the bill in cash. My supervisor couldn’t even find any injury forms and said the general manager has never trained her on what to do in this situation. I’m scared to talk to my general manager tomorrow, because I’m worried I’ll be tricked into making Subway more responsible.

Injury At Work

Sign Posted At A Local Dollar General. Good For Them

Wanted To Share What My Boss Has Been Hanging In The Break Room

We also asked James what employees should do when they find messages like these at work. “It’s crucial for workers to confront these demeaning messages. Standing up for yourself and your colleagues is essential in pushing back against the dehumanization that’s become so prevalent,” he shared.“Document the signs, gather support from your coworkers, and address the issue collectively — there’s strength in numbers. If you feel unsafe doing so directly, consider reporting these incidents to labor organizations and unions,” James continued. “Keep sharing them on social media to raise awareness. The more we expose these practices, the harder it becomes for employers to continue mistreating workers without facing consequences.”

“Document the signs, gather support from your coworkers, and address the issue collectively — there’s strength in numbers. If you feel unsafe doing so directly, consider reporting these incidents to labor organizations and unions,” James continued. “Keep sharing them on social media to raise awareness. The more we expose these practices, the harder it becomes for employers to continue mistreating workers without facing consequences.”

So This Is The Sign Posted On The Bathroom Door At Work Today

Local Subway Had This Posted On Their Door, I Ask The Manager What The Starting Pay Is And He Couldn’t Give Me A Straight Answer

The Place My Girlfriend Works At Just Posted This Sign In Their Break Room. The Company Had Record Profits Last Year

“By leveraging these tools, we can communicate, organize, and mobilize on a scale that was unimaginable just a few years ago. Social media allows us to expose injustices, share strategies, and rally support across communities, breaking down the barriers that once kept workers isolated and powerless,” James noted. “When we use these platforms to unite and coordinate our efforts, we can push back against exploitation and demand the changes we want to see in our workplaces and beyond.”

This Sign At A Chain Pizza Place Left A Bad Taste In My Mouth

A Department Manager Did This To My Bike When I Had It In The Back For A Single Day

Filed a wage theft report against my former employer, was told he only paid 80% of what was owned, but I sucked it up. When I picked up the check at the Department of Labor, it had “THIEF” boldly written on the subject line. Super awkward, unfair, and embarrassing, especially with others witnessing it. Is there anything that can be done?

Boss Wrote “Thief” On My Check

James also says it’s not too late to fix this problem. “We can turn the tide if we show solidarity and start organizing groups to resist this kind of mistreatment strategically. By coming together and pushing back, we can implement the changes we’d like to see in greater society, reclaiming our dignity and our right to work in environments that respect us as human beings.”“It’s about building a movement that goes beyond individual grievances, creating a collective force for real, lasting change,” he shared. “This isn’t just about a few signs in the workplace; it’s about a broader movement toward reclaiming our dignity, time, and humanity. Don’t be afraid to stand up and speak out—change starts with us and is long overdue.”

“It’s about building a movement that goes beyond individual grievances, creating a collective force for real, lasting change,” he shared. “This isn’t just about a few signs in the workplace; it’s about a broader movement toward reclaiming our dignity, time, and humanity. Don’t be afraid to stand up and speak out—change starts with us and is long overdue.”

Charging Your Phone Is Theft Of Electricity, Apparently

I saw this, this weekend. I was shocked, to say the least. It’s a popular sandwich chain that has over 200 locations in the US. Not sure what to do, but I did give them a cash tip in the moment. DFW, TX was where I saw this nonsense. Thoughts on what I should do next to help the employees? Or do I let them do something? Not looking to get anyone canned, even though their owner is clearly a POS.

Popular Sandwich Chain Had This Tip Sign

Saw This Sign At McDonald’s And Thought It Belonged Here

My First Job Has Crazy Fees

Punishment For Talking About Wages

This Sign Posted At Our Shop. Don’t They Know I Need At Least 3 Days Off A Month For My Mental Health

I Have No Words

Recent “Sweat Pledge” My Wife Was Asked To Sign Before Employment

The Most Toxic Thing I’ve Ever Seen Hanging On An Office Wall

Is This Even Legal In USA?

I’m So Done With This Petty, Stupid Garbage

$90,000,000 In Sales And This Target Store Rewarded The Workers With Cupcakes. Yes, Cupcakes

I honestly liked my work environment up until now. We got switched to a different district, so now we have a different district manager. I get that everything on here is pretty much industry standard at this point, but she really gets the point across that we are not people to her. She’s worse in person.

We Got A New District Manager

Posted On All The Operating Room Doors Today

Dollar General Management With An Inspiring Message To Staff

Pretty aggressive sign at my local Denny’s posted right behind the counter. Been here 15 minutes and already heard a worker complain about being shorted a day on their paycheck. No wonder it’s always short-staffed.

My Local Denny’s Has This Sign In Plain View

They gave everyone the option to either come in when the building didn’t have clean water and just clean, or stay home. Most people chose to stay home. They were really mad, so many people didn’t volunteer to come in, despite the fact that they “gave us the option”.This was also after they refused to pay us after we had no water at all and made us use sick time or take it unpaid to cover it.

CFO Hung This Up

Saw This Posted On The Schedule After A Coworker Called Out Sick. Is This Even Legal?

Employees Need A Doctor’s Note To Eat At Work

When My Grandfather Passed Away, My Boss Asked For A Funeral Note. What Is A Funeral Note?

Is This Even Legal? Stopped At A Restaurant For Lunch And Saw This Sign In The Employee Area

This Sign At My Work. They Will Charge Staff For Anything As Minimal As A Broken Ice Cream Cone

I Saw a Bunch Of These Signs In The Checkout Area Of Home Depot. Because Uncomfortable Employees Work Harder

Defacing “Motivational” Propaganda Posted By Management. Removed Within 24 Hours

This Is The Sign Outside HR Today

Surely It Has Nothing To Do With $2.17 Per Hour And No Benefits. Oh, And Please Make Sure You Pay My Staff For Me And Tip

A Thoughtful Message From Management

Gross “Do Not Sit Unless You Have Doc. Note”

When I Used To Work At This Fast-Food Restaurant, They Hung This Sign Up. I Took A Snapchat Of It And Talked To Management

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We Have To Sign This Or You Don’t Get Hired. Anyone Who Tries To Revoke This Agreement Gets Their Hours Cut Until They Quit

Sign Your Name Every Time You Use The Bathroom

Do The Work Of 2 People For $13.50 An Hour

Picked up a part-time second job to pay down credit cards/save for a vacation and saw this in the break room. This is a franchise, so I’m not sure if this is normal for McDonald’s or not. But imagine putting in your 30 years, getting ready to retire, and being presented with $300 and being told to buy yourself something “special”.

McDonald’s Will Reward You For Working 30 Long Years With $300

How Many Labor Violations Can You Spot?

My Job Put This Up Half An Hour Ago. Passive Aggressive Much?