Have you ever had to deal with a toxic boss? If not, consider yourself fortunate. Many people endure the silent suffering of working under toxic and mean bosses, with some even quitting for the sake of their mental health. Securing a new job is often seen as a great achievement, but many only realize the harsh reality of a toxic work environment once they start.
Anxiety and stress often follow, leading many to prioritize their peace of mind over a paycheck. Here are some of the worst stories shared by employees on Reddit about working for toxic bosses. Some got fired because they couldn’t stand it, while others simply quit. Let’s see what they had to say.
- Sabotaged by a Manager
u/norcat: During my university days, I worked in a gift shop managed by an owner and a manager. The owner, who occasionally came in for cash and paperwork, liked me for my efficiency and good work ethic. The manager who hired me also appreciated my hard work, even though she knew I sometimes wasted time. When the manager left, the owner asked if I wanted the position, but I declined due to my studies. The new manager saw me as a threat and nitpicked my work, berating me in front of customers and coworkers. She even scheduled me for a shift during my exams and fired me for not showing up. The owner tried to get me back, but I decided to explore opportunities related to my degree. - From an Unsupportive Workplace to a Better Paycheck
u/ArrenPawk: After my girlfriend gave birth to our daughter, we struggled with work schedules and babysitting. I asked my bosses if I could work from home two days a week since I was a copywriter and could work anywhere with a computer. They said no, even though the graphic designer worked from home full-time, and another employee worked remotely from across the country. I quit and found a job that pays $10K more, with full benefits and a competent boss. - My Toxic Boss Prioritized Work Over My Health
u/CrabFarts: My boss screamed at me for over an hour, demanding information that I couldn’t gather due to our dial-up internet and his refusal to let me work from home. On my last day, I had a doctor’s appointment, which I had informed him about, but he claimed he never received the email. After a final argument, he fired me. I’ve never been happier than at my current job. - The Violent Boss
u/eyesdown: My boss kept a young Labrador locked upstairs for 23 hours a day and neglected its injuries. He was violent towards his girlfriend and aggressively shouted at my sister for minor mistakes. Once, he broke his girlfriend’s wrist in a fight. She managed to escape by running over his foot with her car. - This One Took Advantage of Young Girls
u/calepto: I had a supervisor who constantly hit on young girls and treated young guys terribly if he saw them as competition. He would humiliate me publicly for minor things and maintain a toxic atmosphere. - Surviving Unfair Treatment
u/kotaacub: I worked for an after-school care program where my boss constantly told me I wasn’t suited for the job due to my autism and seizure disorder. He favored male employees and used a megaphone to incite loud noises, knowing I couldn’t handle them. He refused to accept a resignation from another employee and threatened to badmouth her if she left.
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