‘My boss clearly adores his family and I love it!: Wholesome interaction between employee and new boss heals company from the damage their past disrespectful boss caused

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Jan 29, 2026 6:00 PM EST

An employee was hesitant to answer the phone ringing off the hook, due to his past manager, who reprimanded him for it. But he had a new boss now, so he took a chance. Turned out it was the most wholesome decision he could make! 

When people tell stories about their bosses, it tends to be a rant. It's too often that a company hires an entitled managerial staff that treats their employees like they are less than them, simply because they are lower on the company totem pole. They forget that we are all humans living on the same planet, just trying to survive and enjoy life. 

However, on rare occasions, you come across someone who actually likes their boss and speaks highly of them. This employee is lucky enough to have a boss he likes both professionally and as a person, but it wasn't always the case. Before this new guy was hired to manage the team, they had an entitled manager who constantly disrespected them. 

Due to this past boss's behavior, the team was hesitant to do basic workplace tasks, like answering the phone. You think that would be a normal duty, but the last boss would make a big deal about it for no reason, and instead the phone would ring off the hook all day before he let one of his "lesser" employees answer it. Gross behavior. 

However, this new boss was completely different and actually helped heal this employee of his distrust of management. 

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  • ‘My boss clearly adores his family and I love it!: Wholesome interaction between employee and new boss heals company from the damage their past disrespectful boss caused
    via Unsplash+ (and Vitaly Gariev)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Funny how something so simple as answering a phone can change someone's entire outlook on life. The employee answered the phone that was non-stop ringing. He was hesitant because his past boss reprimanded him for doing that last time, but he had a good feeling about this new boss. Though he was nervous, he answered. 

    To his surprise, it was just the new boss's wife asking about the grocery list. Easy! Still a little nervous to tell his boss that he answered the phone, he eventually told him that his wife called. 

    Instead of being reprimanded, like his past boss would have done, he let his employee see his family side! It was so wholesome and empowering for the employee. He now sees his manager as a good leader and a good father/husband. 

  • "The bananas"

    Some background: I work in a place where we cannot have cell phones because of the product we make/service we supply (I will take zero questions on this).
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • I have the desk next to the office phone so that is typically my job, but the only other phone in the office is my bosses - I don't usually answer it.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • Someone had been hogging the phone all day (for work) on a day where there was a lot of phone communication required when my bosses phone rang.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • picked it up and answered with the usual spiel. A lady was on the other line.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • She explained that she was my bosses wife and was going to the store - would he like anything specific?
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • I explained to her that he was in an uninterruptible meeting and I didn't know when he would be back, but I would pass the message along.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • Several hours later, he came back and I delivered the message. "I'd better call her back!
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • We need bananas!" He said while dialing the phone. He finished his call and exclaimed happily "she bought bananas!" About half an hour later he pulled multiple bananas out out his lunchbox and told me about how he felt guilty taking his lunch because his toddler son loved bananas and he took the last ones for his meal.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • My bosses eyes were so sparkly and he was so happy that his wife bought bananas.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • It was so wholesome and adorable. This boss is relatively new and the old one hated when people answered his phone so I was a little anxious about the repercussions.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • My boss clearly adores his family and I love it!
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • ‘My boss clearly adores his family and I love it!: Wholesome interaction between employee and new boss heals company from the damage their past disrespectful boss caused
    via Unsplash+ (and Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • When you get a glimpse of a manager's outside life, you remember that life isn't all about the power trip many bosses decide is their sole purpose. Life is about love and happiness, and this manager was able to show his employee this by simply being happy he answered the phone for him. And now this employee is happy to know that his manager isn't a miserable person, but a happy father and husband, also just trying to live the best life he can. Happiness truly is contagious, even in the workplace! 

  • cafeodeon It's delightful when we catch a glimpse of someone's private life and discover how happy it is. They say happiness is contagious, and I guess your story proves it!
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • OP Potato_Elephant_Dude I am literally so happy for this family:)
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • BettieKat This is so sweet, I love it! During a staff party my very very drunk coworker was telling a funny story about his wife and he stopped said "she's so amazing. I love her so much".
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • OP Potato_Elephant_Dude People like that are awesome
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • This One TimeAtKDK Whelp you now have a mission, ANYTIME his wife calls...."oh yeah he mentioned bananas" keep that Toddler stocked up dude
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • OP Potato_Elephant_Dude I didn't typically answer his phone. This was a one off because we had so much phone traffic that day.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • KiwiAlexP I used to work with a guy whose whole personality changed if you mentioned his wife - his face would just light up
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude
  • varach This is ridiculously wholesome, love how such a small thing like bananas turned into such a sweet family moment.
    via Potato_Elephant_Dude

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Tags

wholesome healthy management employee manager inspirational uplifting good boss workplace Horrible Bosses family
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