‘Quitting might be the only way out of this vortex’: Company owner dismisses employee's report of manager’s incompetence and misconduct, replies with empty “thanks”

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Feb 15, 2025 9:00 AM EST

Workplace loyalty as a value is adorable really. The idea that if you work hard, go above and beyond, and carry everyone else's weight, you'll eventually be showered in rewards. Like believing if you clap loud enough, Tinkerbell will bring you that raise and a corner office. Once upon a time, they gave out gold watches for loyalty. Now? You get a slice of leftover sheet cake and a pat so light on the back it feels like they're testing your reflexes.

You know who the loyal employee is. They're the one quietly keeping the place running while the manager, usually someone who treats being in charge like a part-time hobby, accidentally schedules themselves to not work most of the time. Leadership, meanwhile, drops in occasionally, smiles vaguely and floats away like a helium balloon, so full of themselves yet somehow so, so empty. And of course, unaware of everything going wrong.

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  • "After over 3 years, I finally submitted the bull$#it to the company owner"

    "No one knows I'm the one floating the ship"
    via BongkarnThanyakij

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

  • Manager was brought on when the business opened 4 yrs ago because they were sleeping with a close friend of the owner. Incredibly unqualified, textbook narcissist who over time has handed most responsibilities off to me and rarely shows up but
    via PiecefullyAtoned

  • When the loyal one finally hits their limit, after months of documenting the chaos and politely offering solutions, what’s the response? A cheerful “Thanks so much!” and nothing else. No changes, no accountability, just a sense of déjà vu as the same cycle repeats itself.

  • still gets paid for full time hours because they have the only access to and submit hours to payroll. I came on 3 years ago and started out as an instant "favorite" due to my inability to recognize the traits. I was naive and eager to please.
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • Wage theft, insufficient training of new staff, handing off or straight up avoiding responsibilities, hardly ever showing up or staying for a full shift, terrible customer service skills, poor inventory
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • Cheezburger Image 10466713600
    via Shisuka

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

  • management, hungover or literally drink at work and drinking at work. Owner is not regularly present and only comes for short check ins every few weeks or so, and has no idea how
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • bad it is. I've made verbal complaints to the owner before that resulted in a 'talking-to' but nothing changed.
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • Recently I requested a reduction in my schedule to avoid being present on days when manager has work to do, to avoid manager skipping and/or pawning their jobs off on me. I can't afford the
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • reduction in wages but it was my last resort for my mental health. Owner seems to think that loyalty and lenience will pave the way but manager just keeps becoming more and more apathetic without accountability. I
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • Cheezburger Image 10466714368
    via nuttapong-punnas-images

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

  • am the one doing the manager work which would be great but being treated like a doormat without recognition makes for low motivation/morale when
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • recognition goes to the dronk m.i.a narc because no one knows I'm the one floating the ship. And some things just can't get done without manager on board.
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • Since submitting the records I've been keeping for the last 5 months plus a list of recommendations to hold manager accountable and improve business dynamics, all I got from the owner was a 'thanks for your help'.
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • I am absolutely dreading my return back this week and I have a feeling nothing will change. It s ks because I have a fantastic relationship with the rest of staff and the customers, am good at the job, decent pay/health
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • benefits and as a parent I also benefit from the flexibility provided as far as scheduling and time off goes. Should I walk away, I'd be pressed to find another job that offers me the same benefits/pay/flexibility.
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • Quitting might be the only way out of this vortex of self deprecation if I can't find another means to overcome the bs. I feel like I'm out of options.
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • Any-Worker1539 Hi hello I know this problem well. Bc you're a grunt the responsibility falls on you, when you succeed you make ur manager look good. When the work doesn't get done it's blamed on you.
    via Any-Worker1539
  • They will always only take the good credit, thus ur work isn't being recognized as urs. It's their management skills that are producing. I would quit, on the spot. Asap. Don't give
    via Any-Worker1539
  • them time to scramble for you to train someone. I made the mistake when I was quitting when my boss asked for 8 weeks instead of 2 to train someone bc I was there for 9 years. Of course I
    via Any-Worker1539
  • felt bad, so I gave them 6 weeks. They made my life h I. They made me write an entire book on how to do my job. I know there's no one like me and like you, at the begging I was naive and eager to please. Please leave
    via Any-Worker1539
  • eager to please. Please leave and only think of yourself and your happiness and well being. You don't owe them sh. They hired you and paid you to work, which you did. You don't owe them anytbing
    via Any-Worker1539
  • PiecefullyAtoned OP Don't tempt me! I can't. afford to leave. I'm looking for a comparable opportunity, but I'm rural and options are slim!
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • JPGuyLBC12345 Okay I don't wanna sound r debut - you come off as kind of a martyr - just di your job don't don't the managers job - if it all falls apart - the responsibility will fall on they person - don't take on all this added stress and responsibility thinking
    via JPGuyLBC12345
  • "if I don't do it it won't get done and the place will fall apart" - if you have your original job description - follow that if you don't - have one ask your head - boss for one - sounds like
    via JPGuyLBC12345
  • financially and schedule wise this is a great fit for you - stop going above and beyond - let the manager fall on their face -
    via JPGuyLBC12345
  • Piecefully Atoned OP Besides the two of us being together on shifts, the whole operation is single- employee per shift. Our respective jobs are sort of codependent, so I'd also be not doing my job when I easily have time to do both our jobs.
    via PiecefullyAtoned
  • I'd just look really useless, too. Basically, we'd go down together. Fml I am gonna take your advice
    via PiecefullyAtoned

  • Workplace loyalty isn’t about virtue. It’s about balancing on a unicycle while juggling flaming torches, and everyone claps for the person holding the lighter. But hey, at least there’s cake, right?

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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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