We’ve probably all dealt with insufferable bosses at one point or another. From micromanaging to making you work hours you didn’t agree to. A testy and controlling boss can make for a challenging work environment. A young Arkansas man shared what he has to deal with on an almost daily basis. He shared texts between him and his boss, as well as her husband, outlining how challenging it is to navigate work life when your boss clearly doesn’t respect you.
OP, an 18-year-old working at a diner, shared the texts on r/AmIOverreacting. They started due to an incident involving leftover soup. He explained they throw the excess away at the end of the day, so he decided, instead of letting it go to waste, he would take some home for himself and his roommate. OP even asked permission from another coworker who’s been there longer, who said it was fine. However, he would soon receive a text message that was both demeaning and stressful.
In the messages, his boss said in a reprimanding tone, “I need you to step it up at work!” and added, “It’s breaking my heart right now!” She went on to tell him he isn’t fulfilling his duties on the job and scolded him for taking the excess soup at the end of the day. She guilt tripped him with a, “I’m completely heartbroken that you felt the need to take food to your roommate when I spent all day to cook it with as much pain as I’m dealing with!!! I could have sold those things to pay for your salary. I need you to get with it.” There’s so much to unravel here, but it can be summed up with unprofessional and manipulative behavior. Not one person will be interested in days-old soup!
Several other text messages show she and her husband saying things to OP like, “I would sincerely appreciate it if you would NOT sit down and waste your time on our clock while were paying you. EVER!!!!!! Do you ever see me sit down at work?!?!?” On this same occasion, OP explained everybody, including his boss, has taken a break at some point or another. Secondly, the situation could have been handled one-on-one instead of in a group chat. To this, his boss completely flipped out and responded with, “You have caused me enough stress!!!!!! I have never in all my years owning and running restaurants dealt with someone like this. EVER!!!!! Good luck in life!!!!!!!!”
However, even though OP was technically finished with the job for good at this point, the harassment didn’t stop there. His boss’ husband then stepped in and took things up a disrespectful notch. He messaged, “First and foremost, any money you get paid gets authorized by ME, mother f****r. Don’t you ever treat my wife or my business like that, ever again.” He then went on to say, “Know your place. You have opportunity for growth, and I’m not your enemy.”
Commenters agreed with OP that his boss and husband are being outright disrespectful. One person suggested, “If I were you, and could afford to do so, I would literally block both of them and just never show up.” Another added, “Nobody should have to endure that kind of verbal abuse at work If there’s no contract binding you, walking away and cutting contact sounds like the healthiest move. Protect your peace and your dignity first.”
Unfortunately, this will probably not be the first or last time OP will have to deal with unsavory management. I just hope he found peace in his choices and doesn’t have to deal with these absolutely awful owners ever again.
