Escape room employee stuck with a condescending coworker who makes shifts miserable and undercuts her confidence, documents his behavior in search for a way out: ‘I LOVE this job, but he is like a dark cloud in the work place’

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Aug 21, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

An escape room is supposed to be immersive fun for paying customers, not unpaid exposure therapy through an unescapable maze for employees. Yet here we are with a guy who treats a tiny workplace like his personal haunted house, lurking behind colleagues, flipping bathroom lights, and policing other people's methods like he invented locks and keys. This is not quirky. This is hostile. It wrecks focus, it undercuts introductions, and it drags the vibe from playful to unsafe in seconds. The customers feel it. The team feels it. Even management and ownership allegedly dislike him, which in small businesses usually means there is already a file, even if no one has said so out loud.  

This is not complicated. Document. Dates, times, witnesses, impact on guests, impact on operations. Keep it factual, short, and free of adjectives. You already set a boundary. He retaliated with gossip and undermining. Add that to the notes. Include the bathroom light stunt and the jump scares during resets because those cross safety lines, not just etiquette. Note the political soapboxing after disengagement signals because that is a workplace disruption, not a debate club.  

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  • 01

    Should I contact my manager?

    a green exit route sign. a man figure running in the same direction as a pointing arrow, along with a quote that reads: "On days I am scheduled with this guy I genuinely dread my shifts"
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Then go to the manager with solutions, not vibes. Ask for a few concrete adjustments: no overlapping room resets with him, no unsolicited instruction from peers unless routed through the lead, no interference during guest briefings, and a clear directive against pranks and commentary while someone is on mic. Offer to keep communication in writing for clarity. Frame it around guest experience, safety, and consistency.  

  • 02
    So, I have been working at an escape room for a little over a month and a half.
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  • 03
    The job is mostly easy and I can stay away from one coworker as long as we are both are busy.
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  • 04
    I work in a small place so we only have 3 people hired to be working the escape rooms.
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  • 05
    an exit route sign - a man figure running in the same direction as a pointing arrow and an illustration of a maze
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  • 06
    On days I am scheduled with this guy I genuinely dread my shifts because of how r de and condescending he is.
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  • 07
    When he doesn't have a room and I'm working he will sometimes come up and be right behind me
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    and tell me that I'm not doing things the way he likes when literally no one uses his methods.
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  • 09
    I have gotten a good hang of this escape room and I enjoy running it.
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  • 10

    How to escape a coworker?

    group of people wondering how to escape an escape room
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 11
    He thinks it is funny to try an jumpscare me when I am restting a room or turn of the bathroom light
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  • 12
    while I'm using the restroom. He just makes me feel extremely uncomfortable and unsafe.
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  • 13
    Everyone dislikes him including the manager and owners and idk what to do.
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  • 14
    I also have gotten more good reviews then he has and he has been working here for almost a year.
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  • 15
    He is constantly calling customers stupid behind their backs and just overall being very judgy.
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  • 16
    Today I set I set a boundary with him and said that I don't appreciate his comments while I'm introducing myself to a new group.
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  • 17
    He tries to make me look stupid in front of my groups and it is genuinely frustrating.
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  • 18
    He decided to talk negatively behind my back with the other coworker and say that I am very defensive
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  • 19
    and my coworker said that he is very offensive.
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    Also another plus to his toxic behavior is he also talks about very offensive (usually political) topics
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  • 21
    and will keep talking about them after you have shown disinterest in the conversation.
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  • 22
    I am doing really good in my position and I LOVE this job sm.
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  • 23
    I am someone who usually is unbothered by toxic individuals, but he is like a dark cloud in the work place that drives customers away
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  • 24
    and is just overall frustrating to be around. I am considering discussing his behavior with my manager, but I am unsure since I am still new.
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  • You are new, which is precisely why this is the right time to set the standard. Silence teaches tough guys they are the culture. A clean, calm report teaches management they have cover to act.

  • 25
    Please help
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management boss workplace-stories hr manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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