“Workers Share Tales of the Most Insufferable Colleagues: From Petty Sabotage to Workplace Bullying”
In workplaces across the globe, every employee encounters a challenging coworker at some point in their career. Reddit user u/Woodchipper_AF recently prompted users to share their stories of the most insufferable coworkers they’ve had to endure. From office drama to unethical behavior, these tales reveal the variety of difficult personalities that can disrupt the harmony of a workplace.
1. The Office Saboteur
One user recounted their experience with Janice, a coworker who started off as seemingly normal but gradually revealed her true colors. Janice would use their computer without permission, snack all day, and make them cover for her frequent tardiness. Later, she began monitoring their lunch breaks and piling on extra work, all for no apparent reason.
2. Religious Bullying
In another shocking story, a user described their time at a company where everyone was an evangelical Christian. When they discovered the user was an atheist, a group of coworkers started bullying them with religious rhetoric and even created a folder of inappropriate content with their name on it.
3. Unsupportive ‘Friend’
One worker shared their experience at a fast-food restaurant, where their boss initially appeared friendly but changed after being promoted. When the worker’s partner went into labor, their boss demanded they return to work. Later, they were written up for missing shifts during this critical time.
4. A Racist Colleague
One worker shared their experience at a fast-food restaurant, where their boss initially appeared friendly but changed after being promoted. When the worker’s partner went into labor, their boss demanded they return to work. Later, they were written up for missing shifts during this critical time.
5. The Lazy Coworker
Another user shared their frustration with a coworker who became increasingly lazy. They would smoke outside for extended periods and demand that the user pick up their slack. Even on the day of the user’s child’s birth, the coworker asked them to return to work while their partner was in labor.
6. The Desk Thief
A cashier at a grocery store told the story of a coworker who repeatedly stole money from the register. When confronted, this coworker denied any wrongdoing, leading to the cashier’s write-up. Eventually, the thief was caught and fired.
7. The Micro-Manager
A worker revealed their boss’s insufferable behavior, which included removing office walls to watch them constantly, preventing others from interacting with them, and eavesdropping on conversations. This manager even claimed credit for their work and instigated public confrontations.
8. Bullying Evangelical Colleagues
In an intensely religious workplace, a user was bullied and harassed after coworkers discovered they were an atheist. The harassment escalated to the point where explicit content was placed under their name in company records. Karma eventually caught up with those involved.
9. Insensitive Boss
One worker shared their boss’s complete disregard for their personal life. When their son was due to be born, their boss called repeatedly to check if the child was born yet, showing a shocking lack of empathy.
10. Persistent Micromanager
Another user dealt with a coworker who micromanaged their every move, even monitoring their lunch breaks and sending emails with their boss cc’d for minor infractions.
11. Religious Persecution
A worker faced harassment from colleagues who discovered they were gay, leading to a campaign to get them fired. The situation escalated to the point of bullying and a potential loss of employment.
11. Power-Hungry Manager
A former employee described their boss, who transitioned from a friendly demeanor to an overbearing, lazy manager. This boss regularly went on smoke breaks, leaving others to handle the workload. When the employee’s child was born, the boss called them, requesting they work while waiting for the birth.
These stories shed light on the wide range of difficult colleagues people may encounter in their careers. While some situations ultimately led to positive changes or career shifts, others serve as stark reminders of the importance of fostering respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplaces.
