'Go back upstairs to [your] ivory tower': Janitor gets badgered for his coworker's mistakes, then stands up for his department with malicious compliance

Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor

Oct 27, 2023 6:00 PM EDT

We've all dealt with that one coworker who's a total slacker. Although they proudly wear the same job title as you and rake in the same amount of money every month, it seems like you (a hard worker) are the one working double shifts. And for some reason, since you're the one pulling their slack, nobody else bats an eye. It's exhausting. However, no matter how slacker-y our coworkers are, we've got to look out for our own department when the folks from the ivory tower come down.

Obviously nobody wants to tattletale on their coworkers for trivial nonsense, but having to pick up the pieces after your coworker can make any sane person question their loyalties. How far are you willing to take your workly duties in order to cover for a colleague?

In this tale, one janitor sought to protect his entire department from the schmooks on the top floor, taking the heat for a coworker's transgressions just to get a point across. Scroll for the silliest retaliation to a 'who-done-it' stand off in the workplace where this janitor comes out gloriously on top. Afterwards, check out this tale of another blue collar employee who helped exact revenge, this time against a gaggle of party girls who couldn't quiet down after 2am.