Construction workers maliciously comply with expensive project plans: 'We followed the plans to the letter, just like you said'

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Mar 18, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

These construction workers got to do the funniest thing possible, all while doing exactly as they were directed! 

There are some jobs where you have to do as you're directed, no matter how dimwitted those orders may seem. You can push back, you can complain to your boss, and you can team up with your coworkers to try and get things fixed. But at the end of the day, someone above you has the final say, and their word goes.

Construction is one of those industries. You might be surprised to learn that even in a really expensive building — 10 stories tall and filled with marble — big mistakes can happen. These construction workers noticed a pretty glaring mistake, but since their general contractor was known for his impoliteness, they just did as they were told. They got paid either way, and the general contractor was left fuming. That's malicious compliance for you! Check out the full story below. This construction worker also left a few interesting answers to questions in the comments, adding more information about the full project. 

Next up, read another construction story: this brother-in-law has been avoiding his family for over a decade after they "borrowed" his expensive equipment without permission: '[He's] putting money in the way of a family relationship'. 

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  • 01
    'Usually they find little mistakes and submit an update... Not this time'
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • 02

    "Learned real quick about malicious compliance while doing high end construction"

    Years ago, I was doing construction for a casino, in the restaurant portion, while another company was working on the hotel. The genera contractor was notorious for being a , and insisted no extra work was to be done without prior written authorization and approval by the owners and architect. Basically follow the plans exactly.
    via u/Idgafin865
  • 03
    This happens time to time, and usually they find little mistakes and submit an update and approve the added expense. Not this time. 10 floors were built exactly per plan. The top 2 were luxury suites. Marble floor to ceiling in the bathrooms. Really expensive stuff.
    via u/Idgafin865
  • 04
    Towards the end of the job, they're walking off the suites, probably 95% of everything is done. "Where's the light switch in the bathroom?"
    via u/Idgafin865
  • 05
    Head electrician just smiles "none in the plans sir, we followed the plans to the letter, just like you said. No lights, no switches."
    via u/Idgafin865
  • 06
    We could hear screaming several floors down. They ended up having to rip out marble in every bathroom to run pipe for wire and all the lights and switched, but didn't lift a finger until they were guaranteed in writing they would be paid for the extra work.
    via u/Idgafin865
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10481546752
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+
  • 08
    WordWizardNC Give the customer exactly what they ask for, may you be forgiven.
    via u/WordWizardNC
  • 09
    Teulisch well, thats one way to lose your marbles.
    via u/Teulisch
  • 10
    CaptainShremp At the construction job I used to work, we called this twice construction. Everything's so nice, because we do it twice.
    via u/CaptainShremp
  • 11
    [deleted] did the electricians submit an RFI and get declined? why would they find something like this and not even give the GC a chance to fix it?
    via u/[deleted]
  • 12
    Idgafin865 OP Yes, and watched it get torn to pieces and denied
    via u/Idgafin865
  • 13
    Its_What_We_Do What about the city/state building code inspectors? Typically, someone from the government has to sign-off on each step before the next one can begin; e.g. Electrics and plumbing have to be inspected before walls are enclosed. Or is that not a thing where you are?
    via u/Its_What_We_Do
  • 14
    Idgafin865 OP It was an Indian casino on tribal land. The inspection checked that there was pipe and wire and all, but they don't go thru every floor and room seeing what's there. We're talking ten stories. Besides, they weren't very bright inspectors apparently, one of the electricians on their crew managed to hook a water line to an electrical run on the roof without anyone noticing until after.
    via u/Idgafin865

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marble hotel malicious compliance malicious-compliance-reddit construction malicious compliance reddit construction workers boss workplace-stories jobs job bosses work coworkers workplace
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