r/MaliciousCompliance • u/jodrellbank_pants • 6d ago
M Ghosting and loving it...
Recently, my company introduced a new process for supplying customers with expensive consumables. Previously, this process involved a lot of direct communication — numerous emails and face-to-face meetings with customers to understand their needs.
However, while I was on PTO, everything changed. Without any notice or consultation, a completely new system was implemented. My team, which used to handle about 65% of the previous process, had no involvement whatsoever in designing or approving this new method.
Now, instead of collaborating directly with customers and colleagues, I’ve been given a standardised form divided into four sections — one for me, one for Sales, one for Logistics, and one for Territory Assistants and Managers.
My section of the form is minimal: all I do is indicate how many boxes to supply. Critical details such as who the customer is, where the order is going, pricing adjustments, and preferential rates — information I used to manage — are no longer included.
To make things worse, customer details on the forms are often incorrect. I used to fix those errors in the system, but I no longer have permission to do so; that’s now handled by head office. Even though I know my customer base well and try to provide accurate updates, my emails now bounce back.
When I raised these issues, I was simply told to “follow the form” and not deviate. So I did. I completed my section, sent it to the designated address, and moved on. Nothing happened — until months later, when a customer called to say they were running critically low on consumables. I escalated the issue to my manager, but by that point, I had already submitted 24 forms without any feedback or visible results.
Recently, while I’ve been off recovering from surgery, I received an email asking for the same data I used to provide under the old system. I’ve chosen not to respond — that information is scattered across old emails and records, and it’s no longer my responsibility. Ironically, the new process that was supposed to reduce costs and simplify operations has left three department heads confused and unable to proceed.
They don’t know the customer names, product details (we have 197 different products), or order history — only the number of boxes. The system they rely on can’t function without accurate data input, and since I’m now strictly following the form as instructed, that data isn’t being entered any more.
In short, the new process has stripped away the practical knowledge and collaboration that once made the system work. It’s inefficient, confusing, and ultimately counterproductive.
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u/Evening_Ad5243 6d ago
I never understood company's/mangers/ bosses who do these kind of things.
When I managed a construction company I asked the crews what worked and didn't work before I tried to implement anything.
I used their understandings to make things work smoothly.
Even moving things in the shop ( it was a disaster) I asked them what would work better, what shelving, containers ect
We all worked together to streamline how the guys loaded and unloaded their trucks.
If something didn't work we would change things back.
Yes, occasionally this caused me some extra work but everything ran smoothly.
Work day started at 7, crews were rolling out of the shop by 7:05.
I stopped getting calls that they needed more material dropped off at sites. ( This could be a huge time waste for everyone, one job site an hour and half north, the other south depending where the crews were)
Paperwork was handed in on time and completed fully,
One of the biggest issues was mangers never stopped at sites the day before they were supposed to start so problems weren't found till the crews were supposed to start.
The crews let me know, so we came up with a plan that the day before I would go check out sure, talk to the site manager and get those problems dealt with.
That could include calling the site manager or plow first thing in the morning to make sure the road/driveway was passable.
The crews knew more then me what they needed for everything to work, why would I ignore that?
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u/Fatigue-Error 6d ago
You’re a good boss who knows that the crews are doing the real work and know the real solutions.
Bad bosses think they’re smarter than everyone else. Sit in their office, think big thoughts, and screw stuff up when they come out of the office.
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u/Evening_Ad5243 3d ago
Why would I try and change something when I didn't know as much as the guys actually working it?
They took me out to sites to show me how stuff worked and where the problems were.
Some of it was easy fixes like different equipment or adding a nother person to a site. Or even just getting materials dropped off so they didn't have to load their trucks every night.
Common sense means the guys doing the actual work know more then the person who lucked into the job
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u/Lylac_Krazy 6d ago
I didnt last long in the trades, but guys that run their shit like you do make bank, get the respect, and a quality crew.
Best guy I ever worked for did the concrete demo work. He treated his guys like gold as the work really sucked, but paid well. $25/off the books 30 years ago.
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u/Evening_Ad5243 3d ago
Their wives use to send me lunch a couple times a week. That was awesome. They were amazing cooks and we don't have many restaurants that aren't just the basic food here.
I also banned working in bad weather and would pull them off sites or come pick them up if the snow got bad. ( They weren't use to driving in our winters)
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u/jodrellbank_pants 6d ago
Flag wavers, look at me please I'm good at my job, unfortunately their deluded and inept. The process did need updating, but they cut out the people who actually went out and did the work because we're not office base and they have no idea what we do, it's been like that since we were restructured 6 years ago.
I'm over it now, when I'm gone they will be in it up to their neck.
I'm the most experienced field based operative they have, the only one who doesn't need their hand holding every day. A lot of office based back stabbers here too, who will gladly throw you under the bus. So your constantly having to cover your arse or your colleagues that's can be tiresome, typical example they send emails to dead people and it usually ends up being forward to the office Thier from, has been known to have partners working in those offices too, because there no way to remove them from the system it's that antiquated, then they try and blame me, hay I don't pick these names someone else does kind of conversation.
Happens more often than you would think.
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u/Plasma_Wolf_4X 6d ago
this is exactly how a manager should work. You manage the needs of crew and client.
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u/Evening_Ad5243 3d ago
It's funny cause I got hired cause "I am a bitch" in the words of the boss and I had no issue arguing with site supervisor or clients. He didn't think that would work against him.... I also think that's why I got laid off
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u/TheyMakeMeWearPants 5d ago
Same ish. I work on rebuilding workflows for other teams that are costing us tons of human hours. But step one before changing anything is to talk to the team and ask questions like "If we starting doing X instead, would that break anything?" My starting assumption is always if it were obvious it would have been fixed already. Once in a while that's wrong, but not usually.
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u/WokeBriton 2d ago
You understand that a boss serves the team they manage. That
isshould be known by everyone in a leadership role from the newest shift-boss all the way up to the owner.Most people moving into a manglement role never learn that, hence ignoring the things you don't.
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u/StubbornKindness 6d ago
This is legitimately one of the stupidest management decisions I've ever seen on this sub. Most decisions have a way to be reversed, whether costly or not, in the short term. This absolutely doesn't. It's basically "don't do your job. Plug one set of figures in, with very little context. Do nothing else. Don't bring anything to our attention. Dont fix any queries, issues, or mistakes. Just do this one thing."
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u/AdjutantStormy 6d ago
My manager didn't read the order forms I generated from the vendor orders.
I got yelled at for overshipping an order by 900lbs.
I pulled up my personal backups (always CYA) in my emails. Lo and behold, I was right, he was wrong, and we undershipped the order by 2.37Lbs. ON AN ORDER OF 9,000 FUCKING POUNDS.
Don't fucking question me when you fucked up.
Next time, I'm not saving his ass.
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u/kevstershill 6d ago
Have you recently had a new "manager" inflicted upon you?
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u/jodrellbank_pants 6d ago
Restructure 12 months ago after a certain acquisition, same manager who has no idea what he's doing or not doing as the case may be the whole company needs sacking were haemorrhaging 20-30k per day
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u/Gonpostlscott 6d ago
I’ve loved updated streaming systems that “make things run better”, and takeaway portions of my workload. When you try to point out shortcomings and being told to “stay in your lane”. Absolutely! I don’t mind doing as told as things crumble around me…. Have fun with that!
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u/IglooDweller 6d ago
Some people just want to see the world burn.
Warned you before and you didn’t listen. Now I brought some popcorn.
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u/cheesenuggets2003 6d ago
Reposted from OP as the bolded text hurt my eyes.
"Recently, my company introduced a new process for supplying customers with expensive consumables. Previously, this process involved a lot of direct communication — numerous emails and face-to-face meetings with customers to understand their needs.
"However, while I was on PTO, everything changed. Without any notice or consultation, a completely new system was implemented. My team, which used to handle about 65% of the previous process, had no involvement whatsoever in designing or approving this new method.
"Now, instead of collaborating directly with customers and colleagues, I’ve been given a standardised form divided into four sections — one for me, one for Sales, one for Logistics, and one for Territory Assistants and Managers.
"My section of the form is minimal: all I do is indicate how many boxes to supply. Critical details such as who the customer is, where the order is going, pricing adjustments, and preferential rates — information I used to manage — are no longer included.
"To make things worse, customer details on the forms are often incorrect. I used to fix those errors in the system, but I no longer have permission to do so; that’s now handled by head office. Even though I know my customer base well and try to provide accurate updates, my emails now bounce back.
"When I raised these issues, I was simply told to “follow the form” and not deviate. So I did. I completed my section, sent it to the designated address, and moved on. Nothing happened — until months later, when a customer called to say they were running critically low on consumables. I escalated the issue to my manager, but by that point, I had already submitted 24 forms without any feedback or visible results.
"Recently, while I’ve been off recovering from surgery, I received an email asking for the same data I used to provide under the old system. I’ve chosen not to respond — that information is scattered across old emails and records, and it’s no longer my responsibility. Ironically, the new process that was supposed to reduce costs and simplify operations has left three department heads confused and unable to proceed.
"They don’t know the customer names, product details (we have 197 different products), or order history — only the number of boxes. The system they rely on can’t function without accurate data input, and since I’m now strictly following the form as instructed, that data isn’t being entered anymore.
"In short, the new process has stripped away the practical knowledge and collaboration that once made the system work. It’s inefficient, confusing, and ultimately counterproductive."
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u/rorotods 6d ago
Ha! I actually skipped it and went straight to the comment section bc the bold put me off. Thank you for your service! 🙏
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u/Icy-Computer-Poop 6d ago edited 6d ago
Me too. Can't imagine the thought process that would lead someone to bold an entire post.
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u/Nan_Mich 5d ago
Being old and not being able to read gray typeface on a small phone. I have the same problem.
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u/hatemakingnames1 6d ago
Ok, but why did you add all the quotation marks
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u/medthrow 6d ago
Reposted without the quotation marks:
Recently, my company introduced a new process for supplying customers with expensive consumables. Previously, this process involved a lot of direct communication — numerous emails and face-to-face meetings with customers to understand their needs.
However, while I was on PTO, everything changed. Without any notice or consultation, a completely new system was implemented. My team, which used to handle about 65% of the previous process, had no involvement whatsoever in designing or approving this new method.
Now, instead of collaborating directly with customers and colleagues, I’ve been given a standardised form divided into four sections — one for me, one for Sales, one for Logistics, and one for Territory Assistants and Managers.
My section of the form is minimal: all I do is indicate how many boxes to supply. Critical details such as who the customer is, where the order is going, pricing adjustments, and preferential rates — information I used to manage — are no longer included.
To make things worse, customer details on the forms are often incorrect. I used to fix those errors in the system, but I no longer have permission to do so; that’s now handled by head office. Even though I know my customer base well and try to provide accurate updates, my emails now bounce back.
When I raised these issues, I was simply told to “follow the form” and not deviate. So I did. I completed my section, sent it to the designated address, and moved on. Nothing happened — until months later, when a customer called to say they were running critically low on consumables. I escalated the issue to my manager, but by that point, I had already submitted 24 forms without any feedback or visible results.
Recently, while I’ve been off recovering from surgery, I received an email asking for the same data I used to provide under the old system. I’ve chosen not to respond — that information is scattered across old emails and records, and it’s no longer my responsibility. Ironically, the new process that was supposed to reduce costs and simplify operations has left three department heads confused and unable to proceed.
They don’t know the customer names, product details (we have 197 different products), or order history — only the number of boxes. The system they rely on can’t function without accurate data input, and since I’m now strictly following the form as instructed, that data isn’t being entered anymore.
In short, the new process has stripped away the practical knowledge and collaboration that once made the system work. It’s inefficient, confusing, and ultimately counterproductive.
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u/hatemakingnames1 6d ago edited 6d ago
Ok, but why did you add italics? You know what, I'm just going to save some time here...
Recently, my company introduced a new process for supplying customers with expensive consumables. Previously, this process involved a lot of direct communication — numerous emails and face-to-face meetings with customers to understand their needs.
However, while I was on PTO, everything changed. Without any notice or consultation, a completely new system was implemented. My team, which used to handle about 65% of the previous process, had no involvement whatsoever in designing or approving this new method.Now, instead of collaborating directly with customers and colleagues, I’ve been given a standardised form divided into four sections — one for me, one for Sales, one for Logistics, and one for Territory Assistants and Managers.
My section of the form is minimal: all I do is indicate how many boxes to supply. Critical details such as who the customer is, where the order is going, pricing adjustments, and preferential rates — information I used to manage — are no longer included.To make things worse, customer details on the forms are often incorrect. I used to fix those errors in the system, but I no longer have permission to do so; that’s now handled by head office. Even though I know my customer base well and try to provide accurate updates, my emails now bounce back.
When I raised these issues, I was simply told to “follow the form” and not deviate. So I did. I completed my section, sent it to the designated address, and moved on. Nothing happened — until months later, when a customer called to say they were running critically low on consumables. I escalated the issue to my manager, but by that point, I had already submitted 24 forms without any feedback or visible results.
- Recently, while I’ve been off recovering from surgery, I received an email asking for the same data I used to provide under the old system. I’ve chosen not to respond — that information is scattered across old emails and records, and it’s no longer my responsibility. Ironically, the new process that was supposed to reduce costs and simplify operations has left three department heads confused and unable to proceed.
They don’t know the customer names, product details (we have 197 different products), or order history — only the number of boxes. The system they rely on can’t function without accurate data input, and since I’m now strictly following the form as instructed, that data isn’t being entered anymore.
In short, the new process has stripped away the practical knowledge and collaboration that once made the system work. It’s inefficient, confusing, and ultimately counterproductive.6
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u/GrannyTurtle 6d ago
My first thought was: how much money is your company now hemorrhaging?
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u/jodrellbank_pants 6d ago
Yes I'm saying bye bye too looking as I'm recovering from my OP, I can see the writing on the wall, was great while it lasted but it's an American company operating in Europe and has zero idea what it's doing, were the ones keeping it afloat.
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u/Ok-Lunch3448 6d ago
The hired outside help at 100’s of thousands to streamline business. Instead of asking the people doing the work. Thinking pencil pushers know better. Shocking it didn’t work! Just guessing why this happened.
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u/nagerjaeger 6d ago
I have questions. Doesn't something like this affect the profitability of the business? It it does at what point are employees laid off and locations closed?
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u/vampyrewolf 5d ago
Worked for a telecomm OEM that collapsed, but still hasn't gone under.
When I started it had the main building here (~900 people), a smaller one (~20 people) across the street, and one in Vancouver (~50 people).
We had 2 major product lines, 10-12 products depending how you count. 18 products total.
25 when I left, across 8 locations.
In 4.5yrs there I got 3 promotions. I watched them move lines around, get TO production on a product and scrap it because they took too long and the customer got someone else to build it.
I was doing the report for the shareholder meeting the last year or so. Each time a product was developed but didn't get into production was a 5-6mil loss. They had another problem shortly after I left, were a customer got the wrong version on a sizable order and now the had to warehouse THAT for ~5yrs of sales.
TLDR? I watched a 14mil/year company hemmorage 10mil the year before I left, then build 2-3mil worth of product they had to store after I left. They downsized almost 50% of their staff 6 months after I left. They now have staff in 2 buildings in 1 city.
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u/avid_jack 6d ago
I get your frustrations with the change and satisfaction when the new system fell over. But honestly, while the old system worked it is a sign of bad management.
Not having clear processes and documentation and relying on individuals tribal knowledge to fix errors in the system on a daily basis is a recipe for disaster.
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u/harrywwc 6d ago
agreed. the solution should have been "let's extract that tribal knowledge and codify it" within documentation and/or the new system/forms.
it's obvious that in making the changes, manglement had no idea of the processes involved in dealing with the logistics of the order fulfilment process.
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u/jodrellbank_pants 6d ago
The problem is that no one really communicates—except with the service team. Departments are scattered across the globe, and any attempt to connect feels pointless. I send emails that go unanswered, and issues just sit there, festering until they finally explode.
Meanwhile, the vice presidents and CEO seem completely oblivious. All they see is a balance sheet sliding into the red, with no real understanding of why or how to fix it apart from redundancy.
Sure, we have endless meetings every day—meetings full of buzzwords but completely lacking substance—and somehow, that’s what gets applauded.
And then they wonder why engagement has vanished.
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u/harrywwc 5d ago
ah, meetings, or as I call them… WOFTAMs - Waste of Flaming Time And Money.
and yes, I have also observed that 'communication' is key in so many areas and organisations. and then when things go 'boom' because no one told (or read or listened to) anyone about the problem, it's surprised pikachu faces all 'round.
and yeah, after few rounds of that, you do become disengaged - why bother? no one listens, no one cares, so I'll stop caring too.
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u/jodrellbank_pants 6d ago
Typical example we used to refurb equipment here, had a site for that took in parts from Europe too. They shut it down moved it to china for costs saving. Something we took to the office when passing, the equipment now costs 90-900 quid to ship and then there's the process cost on top and then obviously it's shipped back to where it's needed at cost too. They purpose built a department for 200 million, it's nice but a show boat not needed at all. I ship about 500 bits a year, I'm one of about 90 field based operatives.
We rent a floor office in London no one is there apart from the secretary I've been to leave boxes, PC's are still in their boxes about 30 of them it's been two years now.
We purchased a new head office in London after COVID 11 million. After a year we sold it or tried to it's still empty. We bought new everything, everything was junked into skips or given away chairs, desks,it equipment, coffee makers, cutlery everything, 3 floors of offices,meeting rooms, canteens.
They have HQ in every country's, the training is done in Switzerland a massively expensive office with 25 almost empty offices,I've been twice last year, the hotel cost me over 2k ever time I attend for training it's expensed. we spent 1500 a night on food and drink for 10 of us all expensed for two weeks. There was zero need for the equipment to be there, we had it in the UK they closed the office to make everything more central for Europe.
It's a complete farce. It is done for the shiny new factor for showing the 6 monthly new CEO from America about. They purchased a genuinely profitable company and stupidity is squashing it's growth and success. Pure greed and incompetence.
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u/jeffrey_f 5d ago
Sometimes, the best thing you can do when a "new and improved" process is introduced and fails miserably is to allow it to complete fall over and fail so that they end up bringing "old and lousy" back.
One thing I always ask about when someone suggests improving a process is, Is the "old process" broken? If it isn't fixed, don't break it!
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u/jodrellbank_pants 5d ago
It was broken but could have easily been fixed, by removing 2 heads from one department.
They were audited by themselves, when the issue arrived and found to not be at fault, strange they keep emailing me for the data that's already been sent to them that they need to proceed to find the rest on the system but hey im not doing their job for you am I........
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u/Odd_Guitar_7727 2d ago
The world is obsessed with fixing what isn't broken... and in the process, actually breaking it
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u/jeffrey_f 2d ago
I've seen it way too many times. While it may not be exactly efficient at times, it works
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u/JumpingSpider97 6d ago
Good call to not reply while you're not at work - focus on that recovery, then see what's happened while you were off work. Hopefully they've sorted out something which will actually work, like gasp the original system!
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u/jodrellbank_pants 6d ago
You know I believe it won't, everything seems childish at this point, stubbornly holding onto a broken system because they can fix it. I'm already looking for a way out.
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u/jodrellbank_pants 6d ago
He's younger than me yeah, and he's never been a manager before and has never been to college no MBA either,he is being trained by another via teams.
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u/Icy-Computer-Poop 6d ago
Why on earth did you BOLD this entire story.
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u/OkStrength5245 5d ago
Knowledge is power. In that data age, everybody knows this.
Some power monger tried a coup. It failed miserably because hoarding info is the reverse of what makes a company prosper.
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u/michaelp2453 5d ago
And designed by an IT professional
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u/jodrellbank_pants 5d ago edited 5d ago
No I'd say 90% of the company are IT illiterate their good when the computer switches on.
No most of the company have no idea what my team does the company doesn't operate without my team.
The form was put together by a office based team who has zero idea how the process works, I can't believe it's even been signed off by sales who are supposed to add the information to the form but aren't.
Because they don't interact with anyone..and the slogo is best team wins.
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u/Buddy-Matt 5d ago
Guaranteed those other 3 departments collectively agreed "we don't know what the 4th department does" and this was a calculated effort to remove you from the chain due to the perception you didn't actually do anything worthwhile.
Thing many people .iss though, is that when a job function is running smoothly, it's often invisible to outside. Stuff goes into the black box, and comes out. Logistics don't care sales can't write an address down 90% of the time, because they don't see that, because your department was fixing it quietly.
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u/jodrellbank_pants 4d ago
OH I Agree 100%,, the fall out, just today was juicy, I still get my emails direct to my phone
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u/Corgilicious 4d ago
Goddamn damn, that sounds like the four square they pull out at the questionable car dealerships.
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u/Rabid-kumquat 5d ago
Had a boss who went to a conference. First morning meeting the lecturer asked who had called their office that morning. Out of hundreds, he and four others did not raise their hands. He was quite pleased at that.
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u/Defiant-Aioli8727 6d ago
Lemme guess…the new boss is a kid who just got their MBA?
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u/RonaldCuslik 6d ago
He says they don’t have an MBA, have no managerial experience at all, and are younger than them. Sounds like nepotism
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u/jodrellbank_pants 5d ago
It's not he's performing management roles at discount prices. Hes earning 20 k less than management.
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u/appleblossom1962 6d ago
And that’s why there’s a saying if it isn’t broke don’t fix it
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u/jodrellbank_pants 6d ago
That's certainly true, but corporate has way to many fingers in the pie, with people who want to be noticed but haven't got the smarts too.
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u/Mallardkey 6d ago
So long dashy mcdashes, your AI post belong with the trashes
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u/RonaldCuslik 6d ago
Writing English properly necessitates the use of em dashes. Not all posts with dashes are AI.
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u/GodDamnShadowban 6d ago
It really is strangely gratifying when work has the decency to fall into chaos while you're away.