'I spilled coffee on [my company's CEO] on my first day': New hire makes dreaded first-day mistake when they spill coffee all over the company's CEO

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Oct 27, 2024 12:00 PM EDT

The first day at a new job is a nerve-wracking experience. With none of the comforts of a practiced routine and familiarity, it really feels like you're totally winging it and just laying it all out there. Of course, when nerves are frayed and you're feeling jittery, it's more likely you're going to stuff something up, which is why those first-day nerves end up being rather prophetic. 

This worker made just about the worst first-day mistake you could possibly imagine when they accidentally poured coffee all over a stunned stranger in the reception area of their new workplace. While the worker was awkwardly fumbling and apologizing, the stranger collected himself, asking if he was the new hire. The worker replied that they were and were welcomed to the company. Once the stranger departed, the receptionist informed the worker, in a manner I imagine was overly warm and cheery given the situation, that they had just dumped coffee all over the company's CEO. What a way to start the day!

Luckily, the CEO proved his leadership and his character with how he handled the situation, inviting the new hire into his office and easing their fears that they would be shown the door they just entered.

When shared with this online community, this story sparked all kinds of conversation around the subject and prompted others to share stories of their own.

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    Cheezburger Image 10420410368
    via Eastman Childs
  • 02
    I accidentally pushed my company's CEO and spilled coffee on him on my first day. Office relations Today was my first day at my new job. I enter the office reception desk at 7:50 am, I see a guy, early 30's, blue suit, brown shoes, talking to the receptionist.
    via WizardCROCY
  • 03
    I had laptop bag, flowers, and some decorations in another bag in one hand and I had my coffee cup in the other hand. I was so focused on watching my coffee cup that I wasn't looking in front of me, I walked right into that guy, making him lean over the reception counter and spilled my coffee over his back. I can't tell you how embarrassing that was!
    via WizardCROCY
  • 04
    The guy turned around and looked at me with his eyes wide open. I was continuously apologizing, he just said that it's fine. Then he asked me: you're the new hire, right? I said yes. He replied with: welcome to the company and have a good day, then left. Then the reception said that the guy I spilled coffee on is the CEO. I was about to start crying, I was super embarrassed and scared.
    via WizardCROCY
  • 05
    1 hour later, I got a call on my desk from reception saying go to the CEO's office after 2 hours. I don't have words to explain how scared I was during this 2 hours, I didn't even decorate my workplace because I thought I'll be fired.
    via WizardCROCY
  • 06
    I went in the office, shook his hand and sat down in front of him. There was already a cup of coffee ready for me, he said: 'Go ahead, coffee's for you; you couldn't enjoy the morning one. Don't worry about the morning, it happens, I understand that you were in a rush and probably anxious about your first day. Forget about it, all's good. Welcome to the firm. And then we talked for an hour or so. Awesome place, I'll love working here.
    via WizardCROCY
  • 07
    ProfessorHour... Sounds like a great ceo
    via WizardCROCY
  • 08
    International Ya... Lol. Good CEO, green flag. Even called you in to try to ease your nerves he probably knew you would be flipping out This is the start to a lot of cliche romcoms too, so good luck have fun
    via WizardCROCY
  • 09
    jmarquiso Good on him. You're lucky. This is the kind of leadership that inspires loyalty.
    via WizardCROCY
  • 10
    Repulsive_Mea... At least it was a great turnout for you. I would have been scared shitless but it's not like you did it on purpose
    via WizardCROCY
  • 11
    BarneyIX After all the negative stories about CEO's around here it's good to read a nice one. I'm happy you're happy with your new job and the CEO seems to be pretty good too! Best of Luck!
    via WizardCROCY
  • 12
    locke314 Had a story from my manager at a Nuke plant. Said he started as a janitor and accidentally bumped a control panel and caused a plant shutdown in his first week. He was called into the plant managers office and was terrified, almost crying while walking in as a young 18YO. Plant managers office said he just wanted to shake hands with the future plant manager, because he did the same thing when he was new to the job.
    via WizardCROCY
  • 13
    The ceo now knows you, knows you were nervous, and called you to ease your fears. Assuming culture doesn't change, this sounds like an awesome place to work!
    via WizardCROCY
  • 14
    HistoricalHeart It's awesome having such a good boss. I have one too and it's a true gift. That being said, on my first day of a new job (not my current one) I hit the bosses car. She wasn't as kind as your CEO. Sounds like a great place to work. Enjoy!
    via WizardCROCY
  • 15
    at0o0o He seems like a cool CEO. He's right. happens.
    via WizardCROCY
  • 16
    RiamoEquah Is this a rom-com script test?
    via WizardCROCY
  • 17
    ProfessionalC... I thought he was going to say. "Now pour it on yourself" Then you had to pour it on yourself and were weeping.
    via WizardCROCY

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workplace discussion employment issues antiwork workplace-stories jobs employee employment-discussion job new hire work new job first day on the job employees workplace employment in the workplace ceo
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