Management blames worker for their own decisions, accusing them of sabotaging the company: 'They started blaming me even though I had nothing to do with the decision'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Nov 27, 2024 12:00 PM EST

Constant exposure to a toxic workplace environment can cause devastating burnout that really sneaks up on you… One minute, you feel like everything is fine, and the next, you're completely numb and feel like everything you do is pointless, the weight of everything crashing down upon your shoulders. To make matters worse, that toxic workplace you're in? Well, you've been breaking your back to keep everything going, probably compensating for chronic understaffing by overworking yourself and working unpaid overtime.

Still, when something goes wrong because of a decision out of your control—or when you simply can't keep up with the intense workload any longer, you're going to get blamed… becoming a scapegoat for their cost-cutting measures despite all your best efforts.

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  • Unfortunately, that's what happened to this worker whose boss professed to enjoy watching people “crash” to see where their limit was. Trouble started when they took a vacation to try and recover from their own burnout that they were experiencing. When they returned, they began finding themselves blamed for decisions that were not their own. Further, their boss started calling them on their weekend accusing them of sabotaging the company., ultimately leading to their desire to leave and resignation.

    See their story below as they shared it with this online community.

  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10433691904
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story

  • 02
    I quit today after my boss asked me of I was sabotaging the company So, I've been working at this company since the beginning of this year. I was responsible for training and evaluation of new hires, repairing stuff that's broken, coming up with new creative ideas and making sure that there was reserve and stuff of everything. I know, it's a lot.
    via djeinmein
  • 03
    But that's what I really liked because there was a lot of variation. During the summer I got a burn out from all the work. My boss said 'I like seeing people crash so I know where their limit is. It's a learning experience.' I should have quit then.
    via djeinmein
  • 04
    After three weeks of vacation I felt better so back to work I went. In this job I don't really have free time without getting a message or call about work, because I'm responsible for repairs and know of everything. I didn't enjoy this aspect of the job but I knew it was part of it. All the communication from this job happens through whatsapp, so my whatsapp is all work.
    via djeinmein
  • 05
    Last week my management made a decicion about wages for our employees, and it kinda backfired because the communication was so bad. For some reason they started blaming me, even though I had nothing to do with the decicion but they could tell I didn't agree with said descision.
    via djeinmein
  • 06
    The employees were taking a stance and didn't want to go to work. Again, I got blamed for this to. My boss communicated with them and everything calmed down, but he was unhappy about the way I handled things and thought it appropriate to call me at fridaynight 10oclock to berate me.
    via djeinmein
  • 07
    Next day I have a familygathering and one of the employees didn't show up to work. My boss called me, but it's a saturday and I'm eating so I don't have my phone next to me. He immediately accuses me of sabotaging the company in a group chat that involves all my coworkers.
    via djeinmein
  • 08
    I was so ped. Sure I'm sabotaging a company for which I got a burnout from. Sure I'm sabotaging a company for which I regurarely canceled my plans and went to work instead. Sure, that makes sense. I put so much effort and time in this job.
    via djeinmein
  • 09
    So today I quit. I deserve more respect. Let them figure it out. The immens relief I feel is insane. Imma do my two weeks notice and already have another job lined up. Seeya.
    via djeinmein
  • 10
    erikleorgav2 Your situation is somewhat similar to mine. My former employer made me a supervisor 3 years ago, and in 2022 I was in charge of scheduling the work for 3 sides of the company, while doing 2. It was too much work for 1 person.
    via djeinmein
  • 11
    Then my guys started leaving, 1 after another after another. Then, in 2022, we were apparently not profitable enough, despite doing just as much in sales compared to 2021.
    via djeinmein
  • 12
    By 2023, I was the only trained installer, my boss/company president only showed up a couple of times a week. AND despite doing just about all the work myself, he wasn't happy with how long it was taking. (And the guy he hired to help was a dunce, and after 6 months he still didn't know how to do the work. One of my backup helpers even said to him, "Dude, how long have you been doing this?")
    via djeinmein
  • 13
    On October 13th, I bailed. I've never felt so destroyed physically and mentally.
    via djeinmein
  • 14
    dsdvbguutres I don't understand the 2- week notice part.
    via djeinmein
  • 15
    Sircrusterson You need to not do the 2 weeks. Boss is going to make your life h I and you deserve better than that
    via djeinmein
  • 16
    vBertes "likes to see people crash to know their limits" says the guy that prob haven't work hard for a f* single day in his lifetime. Obnoxious to say the least.
    via djeinmein
  • 17
    KittyKatCatCat "Well, I wasn't sabotaging the company, but we can change that real fast if you want."
    via djeinmein
  • 18
    fenriq All this and then you're going to give them two weeks notice? Lame.
    via djeinmein
  • 19
    [deleted] If hostility persists, 1 goes the generosity to provide 2 weeks. Good luck
    via djeinmein
  • 20
    Anaxamenes Congrats OP, your boss likes to find limits and he's about to find his own.
    via djeinmein
  • 21
    sold_myfortune If they ask details about the other job, DON'T TELL THEM! That is them trying to sabotage. If you already gave them info then too late, but don't let them cut off your escape.
    via djeinmein

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workplace discussion employment issues antiwork workplace-stories jobs employee employment-discussion job work employees overworked-employees workplace Horrible Bosses employment in the workplace i quit quit quitting
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