Worker exposes warehouse nepotism by documenting coworker, Dave's, chronic laziness, who uses his cousin's ‘regional manager’ title as an excuse to underperform at work: 'Everyone's scared of the cousin connection'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Dec 1, 2025 10:00 AM EST

Oh, good old nepotism. We can try to escape it, but it will most likely follow us wherever we go. We can't even pretend that it was a concept established with the evolution of the workplace…Nepotism is a concept that has been around since the cavemen had to choose who to share their hunt with. Whether we admit it to ourselves or not. We're not saying it's fair, in fact, we're saying quite the opposite. The more you notice a concept's presence within other elements of your life, the better you'll understand it, and hence find the best solutions to deal with it accordingly. 

This warehouse worker cannot ignore his coworker's work ethic, or in this case, lack thereof…He shows up late for work daily and barely lifts a finger, thinking his behaviour and chronic laziness should be excused, simply because he's the cousin of the regional manager…Let's calm down, he's not The Pope. When the other staff also began complaining about him, he decided to report it, filing a warning with HR. Having previously documented every move he made as proof…Let's just say this warehouse worker started reviewing his CV very soon after the regional manager called him in for a "little chat" regarding his favorite cousin. 

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  • The idea that someone so hardworking could lose their job due to some biased hierarchy is truly heartbreaking. Since when is holding someone accountable for their actions a crime, but making everyone else do your job not? The only solution we can advise is sending HR a polite invitation, welcoming them to sit in on the meeting regarding his ‘sudden need for feedback…’

  • Warehouse workers hugging
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Coworker tells everyone he's "best mates with the regional director" and I just got called into a meeting for writing him up

    I'm 31M, work as a warehouse supervisor at a distribution centre in Bristol. Been here 4 years, promoted to supervisor 18 months ago, never had a single complaint on my record.
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  • I'm good at my job. Three months ago we got a new hire. Dave, 28M. From day one he's made sure everyone knows he's cousins with the regional director.
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  • Not just mentioned it once he brings it up - constantly. "My cousin got me this job." "You know my cousin runs like six sites right?" "I'd be careful mate, my cousin doesn't like complainers." At first I thought he was just chatty about family.
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  • Then I realized he was using it as a shield. Dave comes in late at least twice a week.
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  • Not five minutes - like 20-30 minutes late. He takes extended breaks. He disappears for "calls" that last an hour.
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  • He does the bare minimum when he's actually present and leaves anything difficult for the next shift.
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  • The other warehouse staff have complained to me. Repeatedly. They're doing his work on top of theirs.
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  • They're frustrated that he faces no consequences. I talked to my manager Sandra about it. She said to "handle it through proper channels" because she "doesn't want to get involved with that situation." That situation.
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  • Everyone's scared of the cousin connection. So I did my job. I documented everything for a month.
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  • Warehouse working analyzing documents
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Late arrivals, early departures, extended breaks, incomplete tasks. Then I issued Dave an official written warning through our HR system.
    via Ready_Turnover6779
  • He laughed when I gave it to him. Literally laughed. Said "good luck with that mate" and walked away.
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  • Yesterday I got an email from the regional director's office. He's "requesting a meeting" with me next week to "discuss team management approaches." Team management approaches.
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  • I've been supervising for 18 months with zero issues until I wrote up his cousin. I don't know what's going to happen.
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  • I followed every procedure correctly. The documentation is solid. But if the regional director wants me gone, he'll find a way to make it happen.
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  • I'm updating my CV just in case. But it makes me sick that I might lose my job for holding someone accountable while Dave will still be there doing nothing.
    via Ready_Turnover6779
  • Marigoldcloud 1. "Handle it through proper channels" is code for "I'm too scared to manage, so I'm throwing you under the bus." Your manager Sandra is pathetic
    via Marigoldcloud
  • AcatnamedWow You need to let regional director know that his cousin is using his name to let EVERYONE know that he can get away with anything and he's been late, disappearing for an hour at a time and he is killing morale in your shift! You need to let regional director know that if his cousin can get away with this behavior then EVERYONE needs to get away with the same things and you will not be writing anyone else up. If he tries to fire, you tell him you're getting a lawyer also
    via AcatnamedWow
  • South_Olive291 Here's what's probably going to happen: the regional director will vaguely imply that you're being too harsh, that Dave is "still learning," that family is important, that maybe you should "pick your battles." He won't directly threaten you because that's actionable. He'll just make it clear that your life will be easier if you drop it. What you do next depends on what you want. If you want to keep your head down and survive, you withdraw the warning and accept that Dave is untouc
    via South_Olive291
  • Two warehouse workers talking
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Specialist-Two1026 Who is above the regional director? You should contact them first.
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  • LL2JZ Make sure you record the conversation so you have evidence against any wrongful termination.
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  • Pleasant Bad924 I would invite HR to the meeting. If the director asks why you did, tell him you want to make sure that any questions about process that get raised can be answered immediately. Then if he tries to shut you down/criticizes your work, I'd ask the HR person if it's appropriate that your disciplinary action against an employee be evaluated by that employee's cousin.
    via Pleasant_Bad924
  • marblefree I agree with documenting everything, but it could be his cousin had no idea this person was using his name to basically not work. Wants to see the documentation so he can support the decision and deal with the family fallout.
    via marblefree
  • work-throw-away-420 bring the HR person into any meetings with them and record the whole thing
    via work-throw-away-420
  • chez2202 He's a regional director. Go above his head to HIS manager. He has one. And a company big enough to have regional directors are not going to let him put their reputation in jeopardy because he got a family member who won't actually do their work a position there. Because it leaves them wide open to a law suit. Do it today. I would even contact the CEO about it in case this imbecile's boss is on holiday. And definitely add in HR. Don't even bother copying in the regional director who has
    via chez2202

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