'They all hated me': Worker's warnings of impending disaster are ignored leading to meltdown

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Feb 20, 2024 10:00 AM EST

Sometimes in life you just have to grab the bull by the horns and take the reigns into your own hands, taking charge so that the ship rightens straight on to the course that it was set—you know, and all that jazz. Of course, those who were supposed to be in charge and were steering the ship straight into a sandbar or a reef (with utter confidence) may not appreciate you doing so. No, the people in charge don't really appreciate being told they're wrong, even when they are frequently and with fervor. So don't expect to hear thanks ever in your working career for pointing out that the direction management has agreed upon is the wrong one.

This worker shared that they worked for a major petroleum company and how they saved that company from a major disaster with their proactive thinking. They took the reigns when they recognized an impending problem, receiving recognition that their actions were necessary. However, later, when they again alerted disaster… their warnings were dismissed. See their story below, as originally shared with this popular online community.

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  • 01
    Posted by u/Brewthirty17 3 hours ago Everyone got mad because I took charge when no one else would, sure I let them dig their own grave. M OC About 14 years ago I went to work for a major petroleum company in Indianapolis, Over my 4 years there I applied myself and gained enough knowledge to be more knowledgeable than the most senior guy. Well, one day stuff hit the fan and we were looking at a potentially major spill because the packing in a pump had failed. Nobody was doing anything and I'm a
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 02
    guy, so I started barking orders, Now you have to understand this would have been an EPA nightmare so there was no time for niceties. The other employees went and complained and I was called into the manager's office and was told about the complaints that I just barked orders and didn't ask nicely. He told me that I did the right thing and that next time if it wasn't going to be a major issue to give them enough rope to hang themselves... Bet! So the next time I saw
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 03
    that they had the valves set up in such a way that 2 soap tanks (for making asphalt emulsion) would overflow and while not an EPA big deal it would bring scrutiny from the Health, Environmental, Safety, and Security decision of our company. I mentioned to them that they might want to check the valve lineup because something didn't look right. Well, they told me to mind my own business, as it was time for me to go home I called the manager from my car and said you should probably start heading to
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 04
    because two tanks are about to overrun, I tried to tell them but they told me to mind my own business. I didn't get halfway home before a neighbor to the facility came knocking on the door saying liquid was overflowing two tanks. As the only first responder not involved in the incident, I had to return to the facility and supervise clean up until the big guns from corporate came in about 3 hours later. All 3 were put on probation and then eventually fired for more
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 05
    screw-ups. The beauty of this was after that incident they were told to follow what I said explicitly, and never again complain that someone doesn't say please and thank you in a crisis. They all hated me until the day they left, why? Because I was the only person to take charge when no one else would.
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 06
    Electrical_Angle_701 · 2 hr. ago "So pretty please, with sugar on top, clean the car." -- Winston Wolf Vote Reply Share mikemason1965 - 2 hr. ago Pulp Fiction, a great movie! Vote Reply Share
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 07
    nyditch 57 min. ago Yeah, in an emergency, the person who knows what to do needs to be blunt, direct, and loud. If there is a time for niceties, it's after, with a, "Nice work," and, "Man, that could've been bad, but y'all stepped up." ✩ Vote Reply Share
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 08
    Key-Driver-361. 2 hr. ago 'Didn't ask nicely' is a phrase I hear all too often. From my elementary school students! Gotta love so- called adults whining like children (sarcasm)! ✩ Vote Reply Share
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 09
    BobsUrUncle303 59 min. ago The Dudley-Do-Nothings always hate competent workers who expose their worthlessness by comparison. 4 Vote Reply Share
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 10
    4 gryphonB 2 hr. ago "Shut your face and do your fracking job... PRETTY PLEASE!" 4 Vote Reply Reply Share
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 11
    Green-Inkling 36 min. ago boss man helping with MC is amazing. û Vote Reply Share
    via u/Brewthirty17
  • 12
    Bluetooth XIII. 28 min. ago well well, if it isn't the consequnces of their actions. Vote Reply Share
    via u/Brewthirty17

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workplace discussion workplace-stories jobs job malicious compliance work workplace workplace malicious compliance employment in the workplace
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