These 50 Photos Show How Comically Toxic Many Workplaces Are

Everyone has their workplace horror story. It could be about the terror boss that’s the source of your Monday anxieties or policies that make your professional life a living hell. Today, you’ll see a series of photos involving a little bit of both and everything in between.It’s a collection of snapshots from employees showing theworkplace absurditiesthey deal with regularly, if not daily. For better or worse, these individuals have shined a light on how certain companies operate and how people become when placed in leadership positions.Some restrict an employee’s toilet access. Others implement 100-hour work weeks and even engage in illegal surveillance activities (yes, you read that right). And these dumbfounding photos are only a handful of many others.This post may includeaffiliate links.

It’s a collection of snapshots from employees showing theworkplace absurditiesthey deal with regularly, if not daily. For better or worse, these individuals have shined a light on how certain companies operate and how people become when placed in leadership positions.

Some restrict an employee’s toilet access. Others implement 100-hour work weeks and even engage in illegal surveillance activities (yes, you read that right). And these dumbfounding photos are only a handful of many others.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Amazon Is Inhumane

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

I live in the south where it’s going to be 90°-100°F for the next two weeks and I work in a non air-conditioned warehouse. They want me to pay a billion-dollar company to be able to wear shorts. Only on weekends too because, it can’t get hot Monday through Thursday. Absolutely ridiculous.

Walmart Wants Me To Pay Them For My Comfort

Even though not all of the actions we see in the pictures might qualify as such,labor law violations are more common than you think. Dallas-based law firm Brown & Fortunatoenumeratedthe five violations that employers usually commit: not paying the required overtime, paying below the minimum wage, failing to ensure a safe workspace, failing to cover an employee’s work-related injuries, and misclassification of a worker.Common violations also vary from state to state in the US.In New Hampshire, the list includes illegal employment of workers under 18, failure to record hours worked, and failure to secure and maintain workers’ compensation.

Common violations also vary from state to state in the US.In New Hampshire, the list includes illegal employment of workers under 18, failure to record hours worked, and failure to secure and maintain workers’ compensation.

Hot Topic Appears To Be In Hot Water

I’m Absolutely Certain That The Vast Majority Of Resignations Are Because Of Insufficient Pay Or Mistreatment

I Bought Chicken Wings From This Place Once And Saw This On The Receipt. Never Went Back And Today They Closed Permanently. Good Riddance

A Waitress Was Fired For Not Sharing Her $4,400 Tip With Her Coworkers And The Owner. She’s Made Over $10k On Gofundme Since Being Fired

The note says:“Please do not tamper with anything on display table.It’s being returned to home shelves. Thank you.”

Good Job Guys, But Don’t Touch, The Food Is Just For Show

And what was the top predictor ofemployee attritionduring that time? Toxic corporate culture, at 10.4%. Scroll through each one and see if you’ve experienced anything similar. For the most part, you likely have in some form.

Secret Recording Device Under The Break Room Table At Work

As An ICU Nurse, There Are Only Two Options We Get To Explain Why We Didn’t Receive A Lunch Break. There’s No Option For “Short-Staffed” Or “My Patient Was Dying”

Starbucks Retaliating Against Workers For Attempting To Unionize

Smells Like A Lawsuit

It’s not like we ran out either, we just never had them.

No Bandages. Tape It Up, Finish The Shift, And Don’t Show Customers. It Wasn’t Serious And Stopped Pretty Quick, But How Does A Restaurant Not Have Bandages?

This was what our company gave everyone for employee appreciation week. A rock. I’ve been here 4 years and haven’t received a raise since 2021. A rock.

Employee Appreciation Gift

Salary issues cause resentment toward the employer, which destroys trust, productivity, and, ultimately, the overall working relationship between the employee and the company. It should go without saying, but it seems many people need a littlereminding.

I Laughed Out Loud At This Email. Luckily I Have 3 Jobs And Can Afford To Give My Effective Immediately Notice When I Show Up Tomorrow

My Work Doesn’t Allow You To Use A Toilet As A Toilet

It would be reasonable to surmise that big-name companies comply with labor laws to avoid bad press that may tarnish their reputation. However, the harsh reality says otherwise.

According to the analysis of judge rulings, the company supposedly told employees who contemplated unionization that their employment conditions would be “up for grabs” or “start from zero.” Another Bloombergreportclaimed that Starbucks “illegally” fired 17 union activists.

On Starbucks’Standards of Business Conduct website, the company affirmed its commitment to labor laws, stating, “All partners are entitled to work in an environment that is free of harassment, bullying, and discrimination.” However, these accusations seem to show the opposite.

What Are They Going To Do If I Don’t Follow Policy? Fire Me?

My Boss Thinks It’s A Great Idea To Randomly Pull The Fridge Plug To Save Energy

And to make it worse, I already get free coffee at my job.

My Reward For 5 Years Of Not Being Late And Never Calling Out. I Quit

Feeling The Appreciation My Employer Is Showing To Our Dwindling Overworked Nursing Staff

While many of these examples show blatant workplace hostility and unjust treatment, the flip side is the “culture of niceness.” In this scenario, people put up a facade of feigned friendship. As a result, no one feels psychologically safe discussing their strengths and weaknesses.As NYU psychology professor Tessa Westexplains, “There’s this false dichotomy of if you’re critical, that means you are toxic. Positive feedback? That’s what people want. But nice isn’t always better. Sometimes nice is a cop-out.”In this case, where destructive office culture isn’t outright, here are three of many telltale signs for the employee: constant feelings of being undervalued, the mere thought of work is exhausting, and theSunday Scarieshave become a norm. If so, you’re in a toxic work environment and should likely consider looking at outside opportunities.

As NYU psychology professor Tessa Westexplains, “There’s this false dichotomy of if you’re critical, that means you are toxic. Positive feedback? That’s what people want. But nice isn’t always better. Sometimes nice is a cop-out.”

In this case, where destructive office culture isn’t outright, here are three of many telltale signs for the employee: constant feelings of being undervalued, the mere thought of work is exhausting, and theSunday Scarieshave become a norm. If so, you’re in a toxic work environment and should likely consider looking at outside opportunities.

This “Gift” For Teacher Appreciation Day

100 Hours A Week, And Yes, You Need To Work On Weekends Too If They Need You To

The Staff Bathroom At My Dog Daycare Job, Where Customers Spend $50 A Night To Board Their Dogs

But is resignation always the immediate answer? Other experts would tell you differently and suggest switching departments and working with a different team. Corporate psychologist Patricia Thompson spoke toFast Companyin 2018, stating, “Even in organizations where you’d say the culture is terrible, there are pockets where things are fine.”This is where the lines between passion and logic blur; sometimes, the former will carry more weight. That passion may have also propelled you to enough success and brought you to a position of influence despite how stressful and toxic work can be.If you’re in such a predicament, Thompson advises asking yourself one important question: Is there room for advancement within the company that might allow you to influence the culture (or perhaps take you out of the environment you are in right now)? Answering this should provide clarity.

This is where the lines between passion and logic blur; sometimes, the former will carry more weight. That passion may have also propelled you to enough success and brought you to a position of influence despite how stressful and toxic work can be.

If you’re in such a predicament, Thompson advises asking yourself one important question: Is there room for advancement within the company that might allow you to influence the culture (or perhaps take you out of the environment you are in right now)? Answering this should provide clarity.

I’m employed at a large meat manufacturing / packing plant, and due to improper ventilation / exhaust of industrial ovens, production areas filled with smoke, along with elevated CO2 levels. Every shift has safety managers, but they signed off on allowing production to continue across two shifts. Smoke made everyone’s eyes constantly water, was almost impossible to breathe after a full shift, and those that did go home sick were still penalized with attendance points. No care for employees or their safety and well-being, managment only worried about numbers and making company owners more money. HR response is if safety says it’s fine, then it’s fine. Would have quit on the spot if I didn’t have a family and mortgage to provide for.

Forced To Work A 9-Hour Shift In A Smoke-Filled Production Hall With High CO2 Levels

If you’re an employee struggling financially, imagine seeing a message first thing on Monday morning saying you’re not getting paid indefinitely. You’re behind on rent, your credit card bills are mounting, and now, you don’t know when the next paycheck will arrive.Unfortunately, wage violations are also common in the US. In 2022, Statista’s research departmentreported7,948 infractions involving employers failing to pay fair minimum wage. However, while many of these cases end up stagnant, others are huge wins for the employee.In 2021, the court ordered Texas-based software vendor Tyler Technologies topay its employees more than $3 millionas a settlement after facing a class-action lawsuit for improper salaries. In the suit, employees alleged that the company required extra working hours without overtime pay. All’s well that ends well.

Unfortunately, wage violations are also common in the US. In 2022, Statista’s research departmentreported7,948 infractions involving employers failing to pay fair minimum wage. However, while many of these cases end up stagnant, others are huge wins for the employee.

In 2021, the court ordered Texas-based software vendor Tyler Technologies topay its employees more than $3 millionas a settlement after facing a class-action lawsuit for improper salaries. In the suit, employees alleged that the company required extra working hours without overtime pay. All’s well that ends well.

I Just Can’t With This One

This was my first day hired. I think they’re just really busy, have been away from the office for a while, and didn’t realize it’s absolutely disgusting.I actually was given this chair and cubicle but I wandered around to orient myself, found two other chairs that were in a cubicle that appeared to be vacant, and snatched them. I also found some chlorox wipes, and cleaned the cubicle a ton (metal on walls, desktops, phone, etc.).Getting more frustrated with the situation, I took a picture after cleaning and went back to the nasty chair for a picture. I still do not know what this stuff on the chair is and I’m still horrified.

Landed A Great Job! But This Is The Chair And Cubicle I Was Assigned

My Boyfriend Started A New Job, Sent Me This, And Turned Off His Phone

How Should I Respond To This

Several Years Ago I Quit Without A Full Two Weeks' Notice And The Company Sent Me This Invoice A Few Weeks Later

Instead of subjecting yourself to an unpleasant working experience, it would be helpful to see some warning signs before signing a contract. Recruiter/podcast host/LinkedIn influencerJoel Lalgeementionedfive red flagsto look out for: poor communication, ghosting, endless rounds of interviews, repetitive questions, and untrained interviewers.Carta’s head of inclusion, equity, and impact, Mita Mallick, recently wrote a piece for Harvard Business Review, discussing this particular matter. She urges candidates to ask follow-up questions to clarify any concerns.Here’s an example: if a recruiter says the company has a small team but offers an opportunity to “make an impact,” it could be a sign that they are understaffed and the employees may be overworked. Mallick then encourages asking about how the company budget has changed and whether or not it increased its workforce.

Carta’s head of inclusion, equity, and impact, Mita Mallick, recently wrote a piece for Harvard Business Review, discussing this particular matter. She urges candidates to ask follow-up questions to clarify any concerns.

Here’s an example: if a recruiter says the company has a small team but offers an opportunity to “make an impact,” it could be a sign that they are understaffed and the employees may be overworked. Mallick then encourages asking about how the company budget has changed and whether or not it increased its workforce.

Next-Level Micromanagement