Two managers trash-talk employee forgetting they’re in a group chat, panic and scramble to delete their patronizing comments after being called out: ‘my self-esteem at work has decreased massively due to these women’

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Etai Eshet • Editor
Feb 12, 2025 10:00 AM EST

Look, not all of us need to be hacker-level tech savvy, but surely understanding the basics of how not to cut the social branch you're sitting on is a skill worth picking up. Yet somehow, time and time again, we're reminded that even seasoned professionals can blunder their way into humiliation like it's their side hustle. It's almost impressive.

It's the kind of thing you see all the time—screenshotting a cringe post on Instagram and accidentally sending it to the person you were mocking? Delightful. Texting your sibling complaining about her unsolicited advice, only to realize you sent it to your mom? Perfection. Technology isn't exactly complicated; it's just a trapdoor waiting for the right moment to swing open. And bosses forgetting they're in a group chat before launching into a roast of their own employee? Truly next level.

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  • "The managers forgot they were in a group chat!"

    "It was very patronising and made me feel very uncomfortable"
    via View Apart

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • One employee had the misfortune of opening said chat to see their managers openly criticizing them in a way that wasn’t just unprofessional but downright juvenile. When called out in the calmest possible way, mind you, the bosses panicked. 

  • We have a team group chat at work, and both of my superiors were conversing a lot over the weekend. I usually don't check my work phone until Monday morning.
    via Crysafe
  • So yesterday morning, I opened the group chat just before work and found my two bosses speaking unprofessionally about me. It was very patronising and made me feel very uncomfortable. My other colleague was also in the chat.
    via Crysafe
  • I responded to the conversation professionally, stating that I've tried my best to move an event and have taken full accountability. Well, they must have panicked because one of them messaged me separately, saying she knows I tried (ultimately trying to make herself look good).
    via Crysafe
  • Cheezburger Image 10466694912
    via Kzenon

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • One sent a half-hearted private apology; the other attempted to delete the evidence like that would rewrite history. Spoiler alert, it didn’t.

    Moments like this are why “basic tech etiquette for adults” should be a course taught at every workplace. Because if you don’t know how not to press send, maybe don’t press send. Technology isn’t the enemy here—your inability to use it without tanking your credibility is.

  • I saw the other boss at work, and I honestly did not react. I think I was in shock that two women who have been working professionally for over 40 years thought it was appropriate to speak rudely about a team member.
    via Crysafe
  • Later in the day, my other colleague and I were talking about the chat, and she told me it made her super uncomfortable. I opened the group chat to have another look and, shockingly, both of them had deleted their messages. If they didn't look bad before, they do now!
    via Crysafe
  • Prior to these messages, I've been grey-rocking for a couple of weeks as I was sick of being picked on.
    via Crysafe
  • What do you think I should do? I feel unwanted, uncomfortable, and my self-esteem at work has decreased massively due to these women.
    via Crysafe
  • 。。
    via Icons8 Photos

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • BluffCity Tatter Please tell me you kept screen shots just in case you need them.
    via BluffCity
  • padawan-6 You're grey rocking for a reason. I would start looking for opportunities elsewhere. In my experience, narcissists don't really change.
    via padawan-6
  • Luis_McLovin You obviously screenshotted everything, right?
    via Luis_McLovin
  • MagnaCumLoudly If I were you and there is any chance of another demeaning chat whether among themselves or directly to you, I would take screenshots with my phone and keep a log. Might come in handy y
    via MagnaCmLoudly
  • BeautifulDisasterCA Oh wow, they must feel really dumb! I'm sorry that happened to you. How r de and and now you know what they talk about when they are together. At least your co-worker was also in the chat and saw what they said. That person can back you up if you need it.
    via BeautifulDisasterCA
  • I would have said something, but that is just how I am. I'm extremely blunt and that is one of the things my old boss hated. I called her out on everything. She fired me while on short- term disability that she
    via BeautifulDisasterCA
  • caused by the mental ab she dished out. The company will get a story from me though, I'm going to use my voice and tell my experience. e
    via BeautifulDisasterCA
  • I think I would keep an eye out for any positions that interest you out there and apply. You never know, you could get a way better job. Knowing me, I'd say something to management as well. That is not right for
    via BeautifulDisasterCA
  • supervisors to do this and it's their own fault they made the mistake of doing this on a group chat for you all to see. You shouldn't have to feel this way in working with these people.
    via BeautifulDisasterCA
  • Plus-Middle5010 Honestly people over 40 years in the game doesn't surprise me. I see them make tech gaffes all the time even if they're like PhDs
    via Plus-Middle5010
  • Single_Pilot_6170 Maybe get LegalShield and see what can be done, if you have kept proof/evidence. God sees everything that people do, and He knows what kind of people we all are. Things play out, but as the Bible says, many people who were first in this world, will be last, and many who were last, will be first.
    via Single_Pilot_6170
  • At my last place of work, a really nice gal who worked security was dealing with coworkers and managers who were gossiping about her. God knows it.
    via Single_Pilot_6170
  • Evergreen_Nevergreen It depends on they said. If it was not slander or against the law, then there's no action for you except to treat it was idle gossip. Their objective is to make you feel unwanted and uncomfortable! You must not let them succeed at lowering your self-esteem. They talk trash so don't believe anything that they say.
    via Evergreen_Nevergreen

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management boss workplace-stories hr toxic-workplace manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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