'Sorry, this is a red flag': 20 unprofessional messages from horrible bosses

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Aug 29, 2024 4:00 PM EDT

Who hasn't received an eyebrow-raising message from a current or former employer?

You know the kind of message we're talking about. It's the kind that makes you question if this person is fit to be your employer at all. Sometimes, it's an audacious demand that they are in no position to make. For example, I once had a boss ask me to fill in for a security guard position when I was an intern despite the fact that I was woefully unqualified to do so. Other times, it's an invasive question your boss asks about your personal life. For instance, I once had the person who signed my checks ask me to party with them out of town for a weekend. Of course, in that scenario, I made up any excuse I could think of at the moment and immediately started looking elsewhere for work.

Keep scrolling below for these questionable moments from horrible bosses. When you're done, check out this post about a guy who refused to send his former employee his last paycheck.

Advertisement
  • 01
    Where are you at You told mark you could work night shift tonight ? No I did not. I told mark I couldn't work monday You told him you couldn't work in the morning but you could work normal hours My uncle As you know, I found out yesterday my dad passed away. I'm gonna go ahead and at least take the one day I get a week off to mourn his death. I am so sorry for any inconvenience this will cause you. a few days ago, I lost my grandma. Stop being a victim Mail me my check I quit And go yourself
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 02
    Can I at least know your base pay per hour so I know if it's within my acceptance rate. Today 12.54 PM instead of asking how much am I getting, ask Who Am I Becoming from this work - Jim Rohn 66 Can I at least know your base pay per hour so I know if it's within my acceptance rate. Yesterday at 8:28 PM Sorry this is a red flag. 12:55 PM Yeah sorry but I need to know how much I'm getting because I got bills to pay and other interviews to consider.
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 03
    Just a reminder that discussing your pay with team members will result in termination. It's inappropriate to talk about money at work. Focus on the customers; that's where your attention is needed.
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 04
    "If no one is in the office, then we can't build a company culture" The company culture T COFFEE IS FOR FULL TIME STAFF ONLY
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 05
    Hello C dis NOT an excuse to skip work. I've been sick many times in my life and still showed up to my job. This mentality is what separates me from you, and is the reason why you are working for me and not vice versa. You should not worry about spreading c d to your coworkers (It's just a simple flu, it's easy to deal with it), but rather worry about the extra workload YOU put them through if you decide to be lazy. If you want to have a day off you should contact me atleast a week in advance. R
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 06
    When I was 17 I worked at a bagel place and each night we loaded dumpsters of bagels from the day. A homeless man came in and asked for a bagel. Rather than throw them out I gave him a few in a plastic bag. My boss reviewed the cameras and fired me for "feeding the animals"
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 07
    The customer just called... The job was perfect! We are way ahead of Schedule! Suggestions I cancelled my vacation plans... Id rather be at work! The Suggestion Бох is empti You are the greatest can't believe Just Once I Wish Of course I don't mind working late You're right... I was wrong! g! Giggles&Gims & boss we how much mone you pay me... Dover Do you want had! Some back? We decided to work this weekend to get ahead We love this place! I'm sorry.. That problem was all my fault My Employees W
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 08
    Got this email from our area manager this morning. Happy Thanksgiving J → 15 9:43 AM Do me a favor, don't ever tell me you are to busy because I don't believe it. It is a lame excuse and nobody that is successful ever says that. Work smarter or longer or both.
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 09
    My Bosses Desktop F PPST Cyne 12-23-4L DOUL PS PS Tran Peter Pan B 2011 2 Ы STAP ge DOLL Num Lock 9 Aaf's www.eightmann
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 10
    NOBODY IS ENTITLED TO CHARGE UP ANY MOBILE PHONES OR OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ON THESE PREMISES. IT IS THEFT OF ELECTRICITY AND YOU MAY FIND A DEDUCTION HAS BEEN MADE FROM YOUR PAY. PHONES SHOULD BE SWITCHED OFF.
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 11
    a year ago The owner was very disrespectful today. I had purchased a cone and after I told the workers (which were polite and good manners), if I can get a cup of water and ice and the lady told me it was going to be from the sink and that was fine. She gave it to me and then the owner said it was $1 for sink water and ice. The owner was disrespectful to the lady offering me a cup of water but it was coming out from her paycheck so I left the cup of water. Bad business.
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 12
    Text Message Today 2:33 PM Hi are you available to work overnight tonight Monday No. 11-7 Did someone call out or can I work a split shift? 3-7? I can't work the full shift. I'm sorry. Great thank you I will put you down What? I can't work.
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 13
    Dear team, I'm sorry to inform those that haven't Heard already that our dear friend and coworker has recently passed away. To mourn the death of someone so dedicated is only natural if you need a moment to grieve please feel free to clock out and spend some time in the break room. While it may sound insensitive it is important that we don't let our productivity slide I think it is fair to say wouldn't have wanted that. And also please do not clock out while the store is busy as this will add un
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 14
    SICKNESS Fed up?? Feeling like we are always short staffed?? Then look at the following figures!! JUNE 1,076.65 hours of sickness = 93.6 shifts = 23 shifts per week!!! JULY 1,353.87 hours of sickness = 117.7 shifts = 29 shifts per week!! AUGUST 755.67 hours of sickness = 65.7 shifts = 16 shifts per week!! (August isn't over yet either!!) How many of these shifts belong to you, I know my answer! We are very lucky that most of these shifts have been covered by agency at a great expense to the comp
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 15
    Resignation Hello, I would like to resign effective immediately. The amount of disrespect and contempt I was shown tonight based on a myopic observation of how hard I work is indicative of a declining work place culture that has made it such that I no longer wish to work at Bossie's. I would normally give a "two-week's" but seeing as I had already requested those weekends off at the beginning of February, I think it is better just to call it here. My last check can be mailed to the same address
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 16
    R You are in Monday morning at 9 am please 3:31 AM R Are you in in? 10:02 AM You texted me at 3:30 am 3:31 PM last night R Yes I wanted you to work today 3:32 PM
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 17
    My Boss Called Out Today Because His Team Lost The Super Bowl Today NEW 9:24 AM FYI as I am sure you all can imagine, it was a rough night for me last night and I will be working from home. I'll be taking a couple conference calls at 1pm and 3pm. Other than than that, message me if you need anything. I am super sad, but I'm working through it!!!
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 18
    Wednesday, August 25, 2021 I'm afraid that you aren't meeting the expectations of this position at this time. I've asked that your last day be moved to today. You can return your equipment and key fab to the front desk tomorrow. I'll have your personal items there for pick up. Please contact me if you have further que View all 1:17 PM 12:57 PM Very classy to break the news via text message and not at least call me. Best of luck with the Service Center...I have a feeling you'll be needing it.
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 19
    Had Approved Time Off, Boss Still Scheduled Me 10:00 1 Keep receiving notifications from the YouTube app? Keep Messages MESSAGES +1 (228) Need you to pick up MESSAGES +1 (228) You coming in today? MESSAGES +1 (228) You were scheduled today at 8 Manage... A Show less 1h ago 1h ago 1h ago
    via XistentialCrisis
  • 20
    Ok dawns is 3, David 1 and Kelly 3. That's 7. Confirm. You added an hour to dawns clean and I worked at hour at davids. Add those and I'm good. So that's an extra 2. You're a trash person and I will send 8 hours and go you're trash yourself Here's the confirmation good luck in your life and good riddance You did it, Stephanie! Time Gusto will debit $178.16 from g on Friday, February 18, 2022. Please make sure you have these funds available. Employee Pay Date Wednesday, February 23, 2022 by 5pm T
    via XistentialCrisis

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

workplace-stories fired work stories toxic-workplace job work satisfying quitting story Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article