'Placed on the very public Wall of Shame': Employee calls out of work due to pet emergency, toxic bosses shame her to 'hold [her] accountable'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Nov 29, 2023 8:00 AM EST

There are many heartless acts toxic bosses commit in order to keep a "well-oiled machine" running, but reprimanding employees for having family emergencies is about as bad as it gets. Shouldn't all employees operate with the understanding that things happen? And shouldn't all employees, bosses included, strive to be generous when these emergencies happen so that the same courtesy can be extended to them in return should something occur? You would think that level of equitable logic would cross the minds of folks in charge, but remember that "company people" rarely consider anything that does not directly benefit themselves or the company at large.

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  • 01
    "I'm obviously disgusted with this horrible moral of team 'unbuilding"
    via u/Intelligent-King6234

  • This thread was posted to Reddit by u/Intelligent-King6234, who works at a healthcare company with a particularly high turnover rate. OP's bosses started to post a public “Wall of Shame” in the break room for employees who called out of work. After a medical emergency that unfortunately culminated in the loss of OP's dog, their boss had the audacity to post OP's name on the Wall of Shame despite receiving proof and confirmation of what transpired. Of course, their reasoning was that if OP was excused, then other employees would want to be excused as well. Keep scrolling below to see how people reacted to the story. For more, check out this post about how a group of servers got their manager fired. 

  • 02
    work Posted by u/Intelligent-King6234 20 hours ago Placed on the very public "wall of shame call outs list" for calling out the day my dog died.
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 03
    My work places in the staff break room a list of everyone who calls out for the month to "hold employees accountable" due to staff complaints to management of being understaffed. When I spoke to management asking for them to please reconsider adding me to the list and the sensitivity of the nature,
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 04
    losing a family member, I was told this was an unexcused absence and that I had to be on the list. I provided a final bill for the vet ICU including the date and time which matched my call out day/shift time. Was told it's to keep everything fair no matter a verifiable excuse. If they allow me a pass, everyone else will want one too.
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 05
    Am I overthinking this? Overreacting? I'm obviously disgusted with this horrible moral of team "unbuilding". Just ugh. I have never called out before. I work in health care.
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 06
    Update: I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your thoughts and kind words. Thank you all so much. I know we're all internet strangers, but I appreciate you all.
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 07
    TPhoard 20 hr. ago Sounds like a pretty toxic work place. Time to fond a new job 1.5k Reply Share
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 08
    Intelligent-King6234 OP. 20 hr. ago I fear it's the industry I work in as a whole. Maybe I need to find a new industry. A new skill set. Maybe get out of this field all together. In my field, we're expected to keep people alive and healthy, but the corporations we work for could care less about the people on their front lines. If that's not a catch 22 I don't what is. 560 Reply Share
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 09
    Resident Phone_169. 20 hr. ago Am I overthinking this? Overreacting? I'm obviously disgusted with this horrible moral of team "unbuilding". Just ugh. Not at all. Their ideology is idiotic. It's literally intended to shame those who have personal things that interfere with work. 282 Reply Share
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 10
    Mosh Intelligent-King6234 OP. 20 hr. ago I believe that no one person has a more valid excuse to call out than the other. When you call out of your work shift, your reason is JUST AS important as your fellow coworkers. No matter what. If it's important enough for you to call out of work, it's valid. In my opinion. I know my excuse is pretty significant, but I believe even something less severe and personal might be just as significant. If that makes sense. The wall of shame needs to come down, p
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 11
    gh end thedudeabidesOG 20 hr. ago that place. Man, Time to call them out explaining if they weren't so toxic then perhaps they'd be able to keep employees. #Schitts Creek I'M JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE by CBC via GIPHY 163 Reply Share
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 12
    Intelligent-King6234 OP. 20 hr. ago The turnover rate is incredibly high in this industry. Unfortunately, the management style seems to be in uniform, even state to state.
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 13
    Steal Your Face55 19 hr. ago The employees should change the narrative. A round of applause for each new one on the wall of shame. Mock the wall of shame for trying to pit you against each other. It's all of you against management! Good luck on your job search as that place is only good through the rear view mirror 150 Reply Share
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 14
    athenaprime 18 hr. ago Rename it the Wall if Fame for recognition of work-life balance. And start your own wall of shame. "It's been 230 days since this place was fully staffed. Current employees are doing the work of 1.25 people for 1 person's pay." start talking about how much everyone is making and invite an appropriate union rep to contact you.
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 15
    This mean-girl should have stopped in high school. Also, make sure everyone at your level collectively high-fives the person with the most call-out. Gather up a pool and have cupcakes in the break room celebrating that person. The only way they can make you feel shame is if you and your coworkers let them.
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 16
    And nobody take an extra shift. Make them call in temp staff (is that still a thing?) 95 Reply Share
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 17
    PaulGoddard12345 20 hr. ago Now I would happily photo said calling out in such an evil way and post this literally everywhere, let their former customers decide if it's appropriate. I can tell you as a former dog owner I'd happily boycott that company for life. 82 Reply Share
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 18
    Intelligent-King6234 OP. 19 hr. ago Someone else suggested this as well. I worry about being sued for defamation.
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 19
    Macktheinfluencer 20 hr. ago Next to your name you should write why you called out and thank them for the reminder every time you go into the break room. So sorry for your loss screw that place. 56 Reply Share
    via u/Intelligent-King6234
  • 20
    Intelligent-King6234 OP. 19 hr. ago I tried to do this! Another coworker wrote next to their name "this was pre-approved PTO, not a call out" and one of the managers responded with a completely new re- rewritten list with a message at the top stating, "Do not write on this list if your are not a supervisor/manager."
    via u/Intelligent-King6234

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dogs workplace-stories toxic-manager work stories toxic-workplace job work toxic-boss reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
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