‘25 minutes later I get a freaked-out phone call from the head tech at the US HQ’: Remote worker ordered to return equipment mid-project maliciously complies, sending US HQ of a European manufacturer into panic until they drop the recall

A shiny company spends a whole week ignoring a moving train of revenue to chase a dented lunchbox of hardware that costs less than a catered salad, and the moment someone routes responsibility where the titles claim it belongs, the client starts applauding the wrong inbox, middle managers feel vertigo, and the sacred box turns back into a cheap tool nobody wants to sign for.


Offices love to police objects because they are easy to count, not because they matter, while the one brain that knows the job stays underprotected. Governance picks what is measurable over what is valuable until the forecast looks pale and everyone rediscovers revenue like it is a new invention. Optics outrun outcomes, so audit gold stars get framed while renewals wobble offstage. Shared ownership is a fog machine. When everyone owns it, no one owns it, and the calendar becomes the villain. 

Like what you see? Follow our WhatsApp channel for more.

Author image for Etai Eshet Etai Eshet
Advertisement

Stay up to date by following us on Facebook!

Tags

management boss workplace-stories hr manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
Scroll Down For The Next Article

Also From FAIL Blog

26-year-old quits during first week after receiving less than half of the pay he was promised: 'I received my first paycheck, and after taxes, it's just over $500'

26-year-old quits during first week after receiving less than half of the pay he was promised: 'I received my first paycheck, and after taxes, it's just over $500'

Trending Now

Outside hire production manager declares 'No Overtime! No exceptions!' production stalls costing the company $120k: '[He] lasted about 3 months [after that]'

Outside hire production manager declares 'No Overtime! No exceptions!' production stalls costing the company $120k: '[He] lasted about 3 months [after that]'

01
‘She continued to demand the package saying she’ll just storm over and grab it’: Entitled woman tries to take a neighbor’s package, throws a loud tantrum, and watches the delivery driver hand it to the rightful recipient

‘She continued to demand the package saying she’ll just storm over and grab it’: Entitled woman tries to take a neighbor’s package, throws a loud tantrum, and watches the delivery driver hand it to the rightful recipient

02
HOA fines homeowner $4,032 for nonsense violations, neighbors’ collective malicious compliance costs them more than they bargained for: 'I took off 2 days from work and prepared'

HOA fines homeowner $4,032 for nonsense violations, neighbors’ collective malicious compliance costs them more than they bargained for: 'I took off 2 days from work and prepared'

03
‘I went straight to the dean’s office with both the recordings and told her’: Professor tries to fail grad student by faking attendance records, forcing the student to take it to the dean and finish with a 90% grade

‘I went straight to the dean’s office with both the recordings and told her’: Professor tries to fail grad student by faking attendance records, forcing the student to take it to the dean and finish with a 90% grade

04
Coworker convinces clueless new boss to give her a fellow teacher's job because it pays $1.5k more, can't handle it: 'She's getting my 1.5K stipend now, but I no longer have to deal with extra meetings, extra parent phone calls, miscommunication, etc.'

Coworker convinces clueless new boss to give her a fellow teacher's job because it pays $1.5k more, can't handle it: 'She's getting my 1.5K stipend now, but I no longer have to deal with extra meetings, extra parent phone calls, miscommunication, etc.'

05
Man's family undertakes 5-year-old daughter of their late housekeeper, but man refuses to let her live rent-free in their family home almost 20 years later: ‘She still lives in that house, but I want to sell it now’

Man's family undertakes 5-year-old daughter of their late housekeeper, but man refuses to let her live rent-free in their family home almost 20 years later: ‘She still lives in that house, but I want to sell it now’

06
Advertisement