← Evidence hub (all four sources, triangulated)

Voices: leaving because of the boss

595 first-person accounts, coded from 595 posts and reviews. Reddit 389 · Pantip 156 · Glassdoor 50. Tap a row for trigger moments, what it cost, and verbatim quotes.

Outcome across all 595 voices: 221 quit · 141 wanted out but had not left · 136 stayed · 97 unclear.

This is the lived-experience companion to the academic effect-size review. It shows what the constructs look like from inside: the specific behaviour, the moment someone decided, and the price they paid. It is a convenience sample of people who chose to post, so treat frequencies as what gets voiced loudly, not as population base rates.
Cross-check against the effect-size review. That review found turnover intention robust (r about .30) but actual turnover near zero meta-analytically, with power distance as the boundary condition: significant in the low-power-distance West (r=.26), non-significant in high-power-distance Asia (r=.04).

These voices split the same way. English accounts (439): 43% quit, 20% stayed, quit-to-wanted-out ratio 1.87. Thai accounts (156): 21% quit, 31% stayed, ratio 0.80. In English the abused are more likely to have left than to be merely wanting out; in Thai it inverts, more want out than go.

Do not read this as confirmation. Language is confounded with platform here: every Thai voice is Pantip, every English one is Reddit or Glassdoor, and r/antiwork rewards quit stories in a way a Pantip advice room does not. This venture already killed one "Thai cultural moat" claim that turned out to be a sampling artifact. Treat it as consistent-with, and as a reason to test power distance on a source-matched sample, not as evidence.
89Retaliation, sabotage, and forced exitsquit 61%
Employees are punished, blackmailed, or aggressively managed out for raising concerns, asking questions, or attempting to resign.
Outcome54 quit · 14 wanted out · 11 stayed · 10 unclear
Trigger moments
The manager called the writer disrespectful for quitting during busy season.
The boss claimed the resignation was not accepted after rejecting a raise request.
The boss called legal to intimidate the writer after they put in notice.
The boss freaked out and threatened to fire everyone and shut down the company.
The boss went through the writer's purse, found a job application, and fired them on the spot.
The CEO called the writer "unethical" for accepting a new job and demanded they delay the transition.
What it cost themmental health (27) · confidence (10) · career (7) · health (6) · money (4) · pension (2)
In their own words
Why would they get rid of me - who has been a loyal employee for 4yrs, does good work, is familiar with our organization and programs, and knows how to use our required softwares - but keep someone for more money who is only 3 weeks into onboarding
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
Long story short, I left my old job in June due to it becoming a hostile environment and my boss was not pleased when I left for only giving a 1.5 week notice and not sharing with her where I was going.
r/jobs · quit
They pulled me into a conference room, and my boss, his boss, and the HR Director took turns screaming at me and calling me names and telling me everyone hated me and wanted me gone.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: pension
He has wrote me up once, but continuously will threaten to write me up for other things. It makes me feel invaluable and like my job is at risk 24/7 and it's emotionally exhausting.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: mental health
When I have managed to find work at all, I've almost always either quit from being overwhelmed or been fired after trying to speak up about harassment or request accomodations.
r/WorkReform · quit · cost: mental health
Today, my boss called me while I was lying on my hospital bed in the ER on oxygen with IVs in my hand due to developing COVID Pneumonia to let me know he was firing me.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: health
I was losing entire weeks of my life to being totally unable to do literally anything at all except go to work and then come home and lie in bed in the darkness
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: mental health
Then, another situation happened when I analyzed some data in a way that she disagreed. Both these situations made her vocally question my seniority level.
r/jobs · stayed · cost: mental health
she told me that my absence is a real hindrance to the team and that I need to choose. Military or this company and pushed me to give my 2 week notice.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: career
after 2 hours, the same manager told me that they were ending my employment because “it was just a lot and I don’t think you’ll fit in well here”.
r/jobs · quit
eventually the hostile work environment got to be too much when she screwed me out of a promotion and out of a work trip I did all the work for.
r/careerguidance · quit
Any passion I thought I had for work is crushed every single time I leave a place, because by that people have convinced me that I'm worthless.
r/WorkReform · quit · cost: mental health
it pretty much tanked a promotion, and now I am in the process of completely leaving the department for another since the workplace got toxic.
r/recruitinghell · wanted out · cost: career
He gave me a rant about how “unethical” I was being and how I was destroying the livelihood of the people at the company and their families.
r/antiwork · quit
87Verbal abuse and emotional volatilityquit 36%
Managers routinely yell, insult, throw tantrums, or subject employees to explosive and degrading communication.
Outcome31 quit · 19 wanted out · 19 stayed · 18 unclear
Trigger moments
The boss threatened the whole team with time fraud over a lunch party.
The boss demanded to know if the writer had a mental health condition and accused them of being argumentative.
The owner lost his mind and started shouting that the writer's plating idea was stupid.
The boss completely lost it and called the writer a piece of shit and an asshole for quitting.
Management became increasingly hostile, swore at them, and fired them on the spot in a meeting.
Seeing the manager's name made the writer's heart race, and they spent the entire weekend dreading Monday morning.
What it cost themmental health (39) · confidence (6) · health (3) · family time (2) · mental and physical health (2) · self-worth (1)
In their own words
he straight out said "You're stupid, what you're doing is pure stupidity, and you're wasting time, then he brisk walked towards me, kicked the files I had around and grabbed the bank statement from my hand
r/careerguidance · quit · cost: confidence
She’s insanely rude and passive aggressive towards me and even has had situations where she complains about how she was getting divorced and was legit crying while working.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: mental health
my current boss is extremely toxic and manipulative, and I feel burnt out and want to leave, especially since my current position has no room or steps in encouraging growth
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: burnout and dead-end career
Even one minute late clocking in for work, break or lunch will get you a talking to and if you are a contractor, a text saying you could be terminated for it.
r/WorkReform · stayed · cost: health
When I try to keep conversations focused or address being interrupted, he'll raise his voice, talk over me, and accuse me of being “rude” or “emotional,”
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: mental health, anxiety, and burnout
This job was extremely labor intensive, bad pay, shitty abusive management, and I wasnt sure I could actually do it, but I pushed with everything I had.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: mental health
he called me into the office after he was done with the call and made me go into his office and pushed his seat over the door and shouted at me
r/jobs · quit
My job hunt started almost three years ago when my former employer/boss said something incredibly abusive to me, so I started job hunting.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: mental health
This person criticizes and never compliments, yells during meetings, sends degrading emails. Just seeing his name makes my heart race.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: mental health and marriage
He told me I was being immature, that if he were in my position he would’ve stayed because “your career is a marathon, not a sprint,”
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
Toxic Politics: In recent years, internal politics and favoritism have gotten worse who you know often matters more than what you do.
Amazon · unclear · cost: work-life balance and mental health
Today, Monday, boss pops in and says we all are in big trouble because we all had a party on Friday and didn't let management know.
r/antiwork · stayed · cost: mental health
Everytime I would submit it, he would criticise it, sometimes very loudly in the office where others would look in our direction.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: mental health
Just started shouting at me that ‘my idea was stupid and that there are thousands of places doing that kind of plating right now
r/antiwork · quit · cost: self-worth
64Incompetent leadership and systemic dysfunctionquit 25%
The workplace is plagued by chaotic decision-making, shifting expectations, absent management, and broken operational processes that set staff up to fail.
Outcome16 quit · 10 wanted out · 26 stayed · 12 unclear
Trigger moments
The coworker who lost everything got written up for not working weekends for free.
The boss giggled and dismissedively said "Okay" when handed the resignation letter.
Receiving job abandonment correspondence two years after officially resigning due to boss negligence.
The coworker lied about missing work and asked the writer to cover for her.
Sitting in the car during lunch drafting a resignation letter due to overwhelming anxiety.
The owner mismanaged funds and dissolved the company a month after hiring the writer's husband.
What it cost themmental health (21) · work-life balance (2) · health (2) · money (1) · sleep, mental health, family time (1) · stress and burnout (1)
In their own words
I quit a toxic job a few months ago where I found out later the previous two people had quit due to the manager and then after I quit a former coworker told me their new hire quit in less than a month.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: mental health
I once went straight from feeling physically ill in a meeting to a one-on-one with my direct report who told me how much they love the culture at the company.
r/managers · quit · cost: exhaustion
My boss uses really foul language when talking about myself and others, doesn’t show up to any meetings, and lies to everyone about what they’re working on.
r/jobs · stayed
Same problems in every company: zero communication, stingy leadership, no proper training, poor organisation, terrible time management, office politics
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: motivation
The company itself was hell, with lots of horrible people, chaos, managers setting you up to fail or giving you projects without context, backstabbing.
r/recruitinghell · unclear · cost: health
She expected me to do accounting work, but it was difficult for me because there was no real structure or routine and she was terrible at training.
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
While my job does have it's toxicity like the messy, unprofessional, "crabs-in-a-barrel" coworkers (branch issues), it also has a lot of benefits.
r/recruitinghell · stayed
We do have a manager with a massive inferiority complex who used to make my blood boil, but I’ve handled him, so that’s no longer a factor.
r/careerguidance · stayed
the teams became stretched very thin, project deadlines got much tighter with regular resource constriction in both budget and headcount.
Amazon · stayed · cost: work-life balance
I'm approaching this situation assuming I will be fired any day regardless of what I do so I'm causing a ruckus and just going for it.
r/WorkReform · stayed · cost: mental health
On the first day of the job, I had to ask him hey wtf is going on, where do I go, as I was alone in the office figuring the shit out.
r/managers · wanted out · cost: career
Being family does not keep people from exploiting you in work, sometimes your own family will exploits you far worse than you think.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: mental health
There's always this one manager who does nearly all the talking, including on areas owned by colleagues in the same call.
r/managers · stayed
leadership came into my store and let go one of our most valuable employees (we'll call her Valerie) due to short tenure.
r/WorkReform · quit · cost: mental health
49Public humiliation and scapegoatingquit 27%
Staff are intentionally shamed, criticized, or blamed in front of peers to assert dominance or deflect accountability.
Outcome13 quit · 8 wanted out · 11 stayed · 17 unclear
Trigger moments
The boss gathered coworkers to call the writer stupid, lazy, and incompetent.
The head nurse watched a resident wander outside just to see if the writer would chase them.
The boss and HR dismissed the writer being called their boss's "bitch" by saying it was just a joke.
The writer started secretly recording talks to hand over to HR because serving a 3-month notice was too revolting.
The boss offered the replacement $5k more while sitting directly across from the writer.
A colleague publicly berated the writer for something outside their control.
What it cost themmental health (19) · career (2) · health (2) · sleep (2) · confidence (2) · dignity (1)
In their own words
"We've got this here, we've got that there, and this guy probably won't be working here much longer because he's been struggling with a single component for a month..."
r/recruitinghell · unclear
About a month ago, my former boss... sent a 1500+ word message to the entire team... explaining why I was fired – and didn't show it to me until last week.
r/careerguidance · unclear
I'm interviewing elsewhere because screw this, but I'm interviewing for a mix of IC and management positions and never want to be in this situation again
r/managers · wanted out · cost: mental health
Last week I had a particularly unpleasant experience, where one lady, in public, began to berate me for something that I had little to do with.
r/jobs · stayed · cost: mental health
My boss then informed me that she announced that she wanted to speak with me in front of the entire staff on purpose as a way to send a message
r/managers · unclear · cost: professional reputation
My boss had a contradictory style: she'd assign a task, but then question my authority to complete it when someone complimented my work.
r/managers · stayed · cost: mental health
I got gaslit, publically humiliated, had to avoid traps set up by him to implicate me on saying something that could get me in trouble
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
Fast forward to my last day - literally 1 hour before I’m supposed to leave - and my boss calls my replacement to offer her the job.
r/jobs · quit · cost: career
The manager’s treatment of their employees is concerning such as yelling at them until they cry or publicly humiliating them.
r/careerguidance · quit · cost: mental health
He regularly yells and belittles both assistants over small things, barely speaks to me otherwise, and is very manipulative.
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: anxiety, burnout, and lost weekends
Yelled at me in meetings, talked back at me in front of my co-workers, paraphrased me in a nasty way and talked down on me.
r/managers · wanted out · cost: career
My manager called me out and said it's basically taking a personal half day and was unreasonable to fly during work hours.
r/antiwork · unclear
She then mentioned that this isn't the first time we had spoken about concerns with my colleague's adjustment to his role
r/careerguidance · unclear · cost: anxiety
I have seen way too many times managers finger pointing ICs in the team to shift blame of them not delivering enough ROI
Amazon · stayed · cost: mental health
42Harassment, discrimination, and physical intimidationquit 50%
Staff face protected-class bias, unwanted physical contact, stalking, or hostile environments that violate personal autonomy and legal rights.
Outcome21 quit · 8 wanted out · 9 stayed · 4 unclear
Trigger moments
The manager asked the writer to just call a colleague instead of banning the Nazis.
The writer's line manager handed in his notice.
Being called into a termination interview designed to scare the writer.
The general manager banged on the writer's door and called the police for a welfare check to force them back to work.
Hearing the CEO say 'tell her to go to hell' when the writer refused to work 14 days straight.
Hearing the boss was driving back to work to scream at them for missing 3 clients out of 150.
What it cost themmental health (19) · confidence (2) · physical health (1) · sleep (1) · job security (1) · financial security (1)
In their own words
I quit on the spot when they gave me the summons to the termination meeting because the work environment was giving me anxiety and with my skill set I could quite easily find a better job with better pay elsewhere.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: mental health
I am very traumatized and am struggling with some dark thoughts, from the start I have been sexually harrassed, assaulted (surprise kiss on the head by my boss, back of my thigh groped)
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
I wrote a lengthy email and specifically cited instances in which I have wanted to quit on the spot and included screenshots of my manager's inappropriate actions.
r/antiwork · quit
A month or so after I quit, I heard they had rehired her to be the manager of another store, and shortly after, she was promoted to district manager.
r/WorkReform · quit
the chef/floor manager violated my bodily autonomy by pressing his entire body up against my back (while I was in a corner, trapped in this position)
r/WorkReform · quit · cost: health
call women b*itches behind closed doors and using the 'n' word when referring to black people on the phone with his rich golf buddies.
r/jobs · quit · cost: physical health
I unfortunately had to leave my last one because of sexual harassment from my boss so I left immediately with nothing to fall back on.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: financial security
Overall, I brought up the lack of warnings or improvement plans and he threatened me with a pip saying "we can do that of you want".
r/careerguidance · wanted out
They found out I was bullied for having poor hygiene when I was younger... they started spreading the rumors that I smelled bad.
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: mental health
In the span of a year, five of the twelve-person team was either out on burnout leave or pre-burnout therapy.
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
In these years, I have been extremely underpaid and overworked by a boss who regularly sexually hareasses me.
r/WorkReform · quit · cost: mental health
He threatens everyone's jobs basically weekly, and the whole team is demoralised and looking for an exit.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: mental health
Things went very south after 4 years. Bad stuff, my work life has been hell for about 6 months.
r/WorkReform · quit · cost: mental health
my manager was a creep who hit on the underage teenage employees and clearly disliked me.
r/jobs · quit
40Favoritism, nepotism, and exclusionary cliquesquit 28%
Opportunities and leniency are distributed based on personal relationships, creating an unfair, political, and isolating team dynamic.
Outcome11 quit · 12 wanted out · 11 stayed · 6 unclear
Trigger moments
The director surprise hired his brother for the warehouse manager position.
The new hire asked for help because the manager said the writer was the go-to person.
Being laid off just before a company retreat while still expected to tie up loose ends.
Finding out about being fired because the employer posted the job listing.
My boss slipped and said that the only way HR would approve a raise is if she had an offer from another company.
My direct boss wants me to hire the big boss's son and disregard the overqualified employee.
What it cost themmental health (13) · confidence (3) · career (2) · motivation (2) · trust in leadership (1) · guilt over undervalued employee (1)
In their own words
being told at this year's review I got the highest possible score, but don't deserve a raise or promotion, then a month later find out they are hiring another person above me, has absolutely killed any motivation I had left.
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: motivation
I overheard the director tell the president that he's moving his favorite into the role but plans on still interviewing anyone else that applies, but the decision has already been made.
r/managers · wanted out
You turned me down for a job knowing I am the go-to person in the organisation, hired someone whom you know doesn't have the same expertise, and now you expect me to give him pointers?
r/antiwork · quit · cost: confidence
I do not want anything to do with my advisor once I leave as she has given me hell the past few years and took all the joy I once had towards research and academia.
r/careerguidance · quit · cost: mental health
I feel like I’m trading my departments stability/harmony for a future political favor for my boss and one that I 100% get to deal with the fallout on.
r/managers · stayed · cost: department stability and harmony
The bad news is that they put out a notice for everyone to do their annual self reflection review but skipped telling me.
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
It just feels like i can't place my trust in my supervisor considering he stole time and was never held accountable for.
r/managers · unclear · cost: trust in leadership
They showed up in the restaurant and told me that “Jimmy is about to leave the company to pursue other interests.
r/managers · wanted out · cost: mental peace
my boss slipped and said that the only way HR would approve a raise is if she had an offer from another company.
r/managers · quit · cost: guilt over undervalued employee
Every lunch time, of course we speak with each other, but most of the time, they are speaking in their language.
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: mental health
My boss was so devasted (so was I haha) that she called me into her office and explained the absurd situation.
r/recruitinghell · stayed · cost: mental health
ถ้าถึงเวลาต้องเลือกระหว่างเรา กับน้องซึ่งคิดงานให้บริษัทจนได้รางวัลหลายครั้ง... เค้าเลือกไม่ยากว่าจะเก็บใครไว้
silom · unclear · cost: confidence and career future
We need to find someone who would fit in with our office of all women who have been here for years.
r/recruitinghell · stayed
I feel anxious asking questions because my director's reactions can be unpredictable and hostile.
r/managers · wanted out · cost: mental health
36Micromanagement and intrusive surveillancequit 33%
Leadership exerts extreme control over daily tasks, schedules, and communications, demonstrating a fundamental lack of trust.
Outcome12 quit · 11 wanted out · 10 stayed · 3 unclear
Trigger moments
The manager used a blanket and sunglasses as grounds for a drug test.
The writer realized the boss enjoys having obedient control rather than valuing their work.
Being forced to book an out-of-town hotel and send the receipt just to get a few days off to study.
The writer's son walked off the job after a heated argument and broke down sobbing.
Being reported to HR for completely absurd reasons like mismatched socks and not mingling at a cookie event.
The boss called for 30 minutes unpaid just to yell and make the writer feel guilty for declining to work on a scheduled day off.
What it cost themmental health (10) · mental and physical health (2) · career (1) · dignity (1) · money (1) · confidence (1)
In their own words
The micromanaging I had dealt with from both him and our boss had caused me to spiral into some serious anxiety attacks, leading me to some very disturbing thoughts, for which I received counseling and medication.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: mental health
I think he gets off on ordering others around and telling people what they did wrong, and enjoys having been able to shout my name from his office and have me running over to him like an obedient little lap dog.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: dignity
now feel suffocated under her management i.e. being asked to do tasks in a very particular way, when I feel that the way I have been doing them results in the same outcome.
r/careerguidance · wanted out
He recently moved up a deadline, forcing me to struggle to meet it, compromising some work quality, and then at the last minute said it was really a soft deadline
r/jobs · wanted out
There's a clear lack of trust—he avoids one-on-one meetings, is highly critical of my work, and regularly has closed-door conversations with members of my team.
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: mental and physical health
Honestly just do better its kinda annoying to see a spot just blown out and the stower is stowing like 10 lanes and you literally telling them to go faster.
Amazon · stayed
my manager was micromanaging and was very toxic towards me to the extent that I was losing significant weight and started to have chronic bad coughs.
r/careerguidance · quit · cost: health
It got to the point where I was unable to eat on my lunch breaks and was having thoughts of self harm because my self esteem was so low.
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
My job has gotten really bad, really micro-managing and controlling, new metrics that are contradictory, the usual corporate BS.
r/recruitinghell · wanted out · cost: mental health
Over Thanksgiving, he talked about insane deadlines, a boss who micromanaged, and a business owner who ruled with an iron fist.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: mental health
The project manager turned to me and yelled in my face and accused me of texting other employees in the room - which I was not.
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: mental health
I literally had to book an out of town hotel and send them the booking receipt just to get an excuse for 3 days off to study.
r/antiwork · wanted out · cost: money
I was micromanaged to the point of my manager making me keep an excel sheet detailing what I was doing every minute of my day
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
I have a chat message of him demanding an impossible daily amount of 5000 lines of code just to justify my salary.
r/careerguidance · wanted out
35Excessive workloads and forced overtimequit 17%
Employees are systematically overworked, forced to take on multiple roles, or pressured into unpaid and unsustainable hours.
Outcome6 quit · 17 wanted out · 8 stayed · 4 unclear
Trigger moments
The boss showed up to a coworker's funeral in fishing attire and refused to hire replacements, causing a breakdown.
The company refused to hire replacements and vaguely denied the writer's request for time off.
Money magically appeared in the budget for retention only after the writer and coworked resigned.
The manager gave them two days off after a complaint but immediately went back to the same insane schedule.
I finally got another job offer that I am really excited about.
When a company award went to a less experienced coworker managing half the revenue volume.
What it cost themmental health (11) · health (4) · family time (2) · burnout (2) · work-life balance (2) · stress (1)
In their own words
I left my last job in 2024 due to a toxic work environment where weekends and late nights were becoming a constant expecatation, along with a highly dysfunctinoal team that was making me want to pull my hair out.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: mental health
Now the expectation has become for me to manage other project managers, who tangentially work on the same projects I work on, because no one else seems to be working as diligently as I am.
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: motivation
A lot of the AMs are disgruntled and ready to quit, but they're afraid to venture out or locked in because of monies received when accepting the role.
Amazon · wanted out · cost: work-life balance
The worst part about all of this for me personally is that my children have all been negatively impacted by this monstrosity we've been forced into.
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: family time
I’m barely managing doing a 3 person job. It also stresses me out because I feel I can’t get sick or take time off since I’m the only person.
r/antiwork · wanted out · cost: stress
They told me that spring/summer was “good practice” and that they’d “see how next season goes,” completely downplaying months of extra work.
r/WorkReform · unclear
I don't eat or sleep well, I haven't exercised in months. I keep asking myself what's the point of money if I slave my life away.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: sleep and health
My boss and I were the only ones in our department, meaning I'm the only one left with knowledge of our specific processes/work.
r/WorkReform · unclear
However there was an issue with one person that was underlying, and has built up and up and up until I feel like I'm drowning.
r/managers · wanted out · cost: mental health
I hate this culture of being made to feel like a bad employee because you'd rather only work the hours you get paid for.
r/antiwork · stayed
I'm working the job of five full time employees for $40k with no maternity leave and I'm 6 months pregnant with twins.
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: money
Leadership has explicitly stated on multiple occasions, "If you don’t want to do it, I will find someone who will."
r/jobs · quit · cost: health
my supervisor goes on so try an spin the situation like “we thought you’d be able to do the work since XYZ”.
r/careerguidance · wanted out
We had a change in management and the company just started to move in a direction i didnt like.
r/careerguidance · quit · cost: mental health
33Wage theft and financial exploitationquit 39%
The company illegally or unethically denies pay, withholds bonuses, cuts agreed-upon rates, or manipulates compensation structures.
Outcome13 quit · 8 wanted out · 6 stayed · 6 unclear
Trigger moments
The boss demanded the writer come in on the weekend to train him for free "as a friend" after laying them off.
The boss offered an insulting $66 a month raise after demanding the writer do the work of three people.
The manager forced the writer to surrender a personal $40 tip to the pool and gave them only $16 back.
The boss paid garbage wages while driving a new Tesla and gave the runaround on requested raises.
A new hire I trained was brought on at a higher salary than me while I was doing the work of multiple roles.
Two change notices for top performers were rejected by corporate powers because they had received a pay increase within the last 6 months.
What it cost themmoney (10) · mental health (3) · family time (2) · confidence (2) · fair compensation (2) · team morale (1)
In their own words
They said that the salary was over by about $10,000 annually and that I will need to sign a new offer to show the adjusted decrease and I would also need to pay back all the "extra" money I was paid since January.
r/antiwork · stayed · cost: money
“That’s awfully convenient and unfortunate timing. Your coworker leaves and you’re feeling undervalued. Sounds like you’re trying to use this as leverage, why haven’t you spoken up about it before?”
r/WorkReform · unclear · cost: confidence
Sent a text to my boss, which he didn't respond to but then filed and approved an annual leave request for me stating simply that I 'Didn't show up to work'.
r/careerguidance · quit · cost: money
The company wants 75 hours from each manager and a total of 7500 across the company's various LLCs to "celebrate" the 75th anniversary of its founding.
r/WorkReform · wanted out
I'm tired, all our vacation time is being denied, and with the price of necessities now I honestly spend more to come to work than I take home.
r/WorkReform · unclear · cost: money
'วันหยุดก็ทำงานสิ ว่างๆ เราต้องรับผิดชอบมากขึ้นแล้วจะมาหยุดเสาร์-อาทิตย์ แบบคนอื่นไม่ได้(ไม่มีโอที)' ได้ยินแบบนี้บ่อยๆ มันบั่นทอนมากกกกก
silom · stayed · cost: mental health and confidence
they will hype one person up to the highest of regards making the other person who was already on the job feel like trash.
r/careerguidance · unclear
I was already broken and depressed from this job... but this just pushed me to decide that it’s time to update my resume.
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: mental health
my boss and many other people are toxic and unethical (maybe you can tell). It is bad for my physical and mental health.
r/WorkReform · unclear · cost: mental health
So, after weeks of unpaid overtime, and getting nothing but criticism from above, I had a status meeting with the CEO.
r/WorkReform · stayed · cost: family time
What made me so angry was I was covering so much work, and a new hire (which I trained) had a higher salary than me.
r/jobs · quit · cost: confidence
Whenever she asked for raises, they always agreed she deserved one, but acted like her desired amount was too much.
r/WorkReform · quit
Boss was the typical "we're a family here" type who paid me garbage while he drove a new Tesla every year.
r/antiwork · quit
she’s telling me she’s frustrated and is being treated pretty awful by the new owner since he’s taken over
r/careerguidance · wanted out
27Unsafe and illegal working conditionsquit 41%
The organization forces staff to work in physically dangerous environments without proper protections, training, or regard for health and safety.
Outcome11 quit · 9 wanted out · 5 stayed · 2 unclear
Trigger moments
The manager took all chairs and benches out of the break room.
The manager got upset that the two weeks notice was too sudden.
The boss claimed the writer couldn't leave without a month's notice for a collapsing company.
The boss threatened to fire the writer for being afraid of heights unless they climbed a broken ladder.
The manager insisted the sick employee stick it out, threatening them with a doctor's note requirement and effectively firing them.
The thought of their toxic boss returning from medical leave made the writer terribly anxious.
What it cost themhealth (10) · mental health (8) · money (1) · underpaid and underappreciated (1) · privacy (1) · job security (1)
In their own words
My direct manager, who is pretty much the reason why I'm quitting, got upset that it's "too much of a sudden notice" and that I should have given more "advanced notice" before giving my two week's.
r/antiwork · quit
My manager quite literally took all of our chairs and benches out of the break room in our oil change shop to keep us outside while the air index says it's unhealthy to work in these conditions.
r/antiwork · wanted out
I said to this "I understand you have policies for a reason and have to uphold them. That being said I do not see there being any positive outcome to this conversation so I am removing myself".
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
the toxicity made me consider leaving a few times, but it all came to a head after an incident which made me realize that my safety, and the safety of my students, was becoming a serious issue.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: health
getting paid minimum wage for the work of 2 people, not being able to take lunches or 15 minute breaks even for 12 hour shifts- I could go on and on because there were so many problems there.
r/WorkReform · quit · cost: mental health
My boss came up to me to tell me that they had to do the work today since I waited until the last minute to tell her a day that would work which in my opinion none of the days would work.
r/WorkReform · wanted out
I’ve had customers make inappropriate comments, ask if I was an exotic dancer, make racist remarks, hang around the store for long periods just to talk, or come in obviously intoxicated.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: mental health
In the last seven months or so management mandated no one is allowed to leave for food anymore except them, even as I sit here on a Holiday with no management.
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: underpaid and underappreciated
Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea (manager). There is no way you can make up the hill getting into my neighborhood, let alone the driveway.
r/antiwork · stayed
she just sighs, says that she has seen the cocaine habit too, but that there is little she can do when it comes from the company's owner
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: mental health
The owner threatened to let me go if I was too afraid of heights to do the job so I reluctantly set up the ladder and began to climb.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: health
The following day I get an email from HR reprimanding ME for "benching him" as if I was purposefully cutting his hours...
r/managers · wanted out · cost: mental health
To say I was surprised the next morning when I was informed I would NOT be paid during Jury Duty, is an understatement.
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: money
The disgust in his eyes when I asked about better safety equipment while working with the MPK told me everything.
r/WorkReform · stayed · cost: health
26Breach of after-hours and personal boundariesquit 31%
Employers ignore personal time, demand constant availability, police personal lives, or maintain inappropriate contact post-employment.
Outcome8 quit · 9 wanted out · 4 stayed · 5 unclear
Trigger moments
The boss forced the writer into his car for Bible studies about sexual immorality.
The boss showed up unannounced at the writer's new workplace.
The former boss showed up unannounced at the new job.
Receiving an unhinged and inappropriate text message from the toxic ex-boss 8 months after leaving.
The boss changed the schedule at the last minute on the day of a shift.
The boss aggressively demanded to know where the writer was going next, despite it not being company policy.
What it cost themmental health (15) · personal time and peace of mind (1) · work-life balance (1) · health (1)
In their own words
I wake up to passive aggressive messages from my boss telling me that I didn’t do something right or I need to do something a different way but there is no direction.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: mental health
After months of being flexible and taking on extra responsibilities, I declined one event because of my thesis deadline, and the relationship completely fell apart.
r/careerguidance · quit
I basically told my boss, I’m not a fan of the way she treats me, as she uses me as a punching bag (talks awful to me) at times to cope with her stress.
r/managers · unclear · cost: mental health
i replied ngl, told him my contract clearly says 9-5 and i don't work after hours, and literally he just sent a laughing emoji like it's a joke??
r/careerguidance · wanted out
There was only one person I was actually friends with on this team and that person just left the team because shit has gotten toxic recently.
r/managers · wanted out · cost: personal time and peace of mind
Her e-mail to me wasn't even friendly, didn't say anything like "I hope you are doing well" or "Could you help me with something."
r/WorkReform · quit
She is very condescending, rude, hard to work with, fake, talks down to me in front of coworkers- I am just done with it.
r/jobs · quit · cost: mental health
Her exact words were “i expect you to be here when i need you” and “dont you know how important these slides are?”
r/managers · stayed · cost: mental health
She went into work today and was handed a formal reprimand for not having coverage for the calendar event.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: mental health
I think my message was completely fine? But for some reason he responded in a really toxic way.
r/jobs · unclear · cost: mental health
He called me later, saying I couldn't leave like that and that he didn't approve my decision.
r/WorkReform · wanted out
I was forced to cancel my day off. I was forced to go to work to assisst the President.
r/recruitinghell · stayed · cost: mental health
At one point that I thought it was over I went for the door, but he continued it
r/WorkReform · quit · cost: mental health
โดนหัวหน้าตำหนิค่ะ บอกว่าการที่แฟนมารับไปกินข้าวกลางวันมันดูไม่เหมาะสมในที่ทำงาน
bangrak · unclear
23Weaponized performance managementquit 30%
Supervisors use PIPs, unfair evaluations, or fabricated disciplinary actions to bully, coerce, or force out targeted employees.
Outcome7 quit · 3 wanted out · 7 stayed · 6 unclear
Trigger moments
The environment became so toxic and soul-sucking that the writer would get physically sick every day going into work.
Being written up for creating a hostile work environment after a coworker screamed about a desk plant.
Being fired at the end of the month despite the PIP goals being impossible to measure.
My managers held a 45-minute aggressive review, gaslighting me and yelling about how my questions were burdening the team.
My manager put me on a performance probation plan to avoid giving me the layoff I requested.
When the manager gave a top-performing employee a terrible rating out of personal vendetta.
What it cost themmental health (5) · money (3) · confidence (3) · career (2) · health (1) · morale (1)
In their own words
I was asked to take the plant home. Ok. No big deal. However was written up because apparently I created a “hostile work environment” by asking her what the issue was and laughing at her being scared of my plant.
r/jobs · stayed · cost: mental health
The next business day, my manager puts me on a performance probation evaluation plan, where I must complete X objectives by x time or I will be terminated (fired).
r/jobs · quit · cost: money
Mandatory 5 day in office attendance with badge reporting creates tons of stress when trying to manage meetings over many time zones a long commute and family.
Amazon · stayed · cost: mental health
she then brought it up again during my mid year and year end reviews, despite the following sessions to date have been back to a normal duration.
r/careerguidance · unclear
His reasonings were I had not made enough improvement in 40 days to prove I was capable of holding the position I had for the past 2.5 years.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: confidence
He knew what was going on with my home life and would try to use it against me. He threatened to fire me every single week for no reason
r/jobs · quit · cost: health
I have documented emails of her ignoring me, getting me one word answers or telling me she doesn't care about the details of stuff.
r/careerguidance · unclear
But they *lied* on me, claimed I did something I didn't, in order to "give the report more substance" as another manager put it.
r/WorkReform · wanted out
I resent my ex-boss and I'm totally gutted about this having to start my new job with this massive anchor tied to my foot.
r/careerguidance · quit · cost: mental health and stress
Amazon does not hire you - they hire your entire family, as you get so busy everyone else feels the strain as well
Amazon · unclear · cost: family time and work-life balance
She hates that I don’t speak her language, and am a woman who is staying alone and making a life for myself.
r/managers · unclear · cost: money
I represented my company at a major industry conference, gave a great talk... The next day? PIP’d.
r/WorkReform · unclear · cost: money
ถูกบังคับให้เซ็นเอกสารบางอย่างเกี่ยวกับการประเมินหรือการลาออก แม้จะพยายามเจรจาหรือปฏิเสธแล้วก็ตาม
lumpini · quit · cost: mental health
constantly worried about layoffs looming as they've happened often over the last 4 years
Amazon · stayed · cost: mental health
19Denial of leave and critical time offquit 47%
Management refuses or heavily guilt-trips essential time off for medical needs, family emergencies, or bereavement.
Outcome9 quit · 5 wanted out · 4 stayed · 1 unclear
Trigger moments
Receiving an email about excessive leave on the first day of annual leave.
The PTO for the sister's wedding was denied while the manager went on a 3-week cruise.
The manager said the writer couldn't take a lunch break for being 6 minutes late.
The supervisor made the writer stay despite them running to the bathroom all night.
The boss refused to allow more days off to see a specialist for potential blindness.
My boss asked 'Just curious, could you have cancelled your vacation?' after approving the time off.
What it cost themmental health (5) · family time (4) · health (4) · peace of mind on vacation (1) · burnout (1) · emotional distress (1)
In their own words
They corporate-gaslight us into thinking we are "heroes" who can't leave the floor, but treat us like disposable numbers the second we ask for a life outside the clock.
r/antiwork · wanted out · cost: family time
My manager made nasty comments and acted like she didn't believe me and that I can't leave early because she has problems too.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: emotional distress
they did not offer, but demanded me to give up one of these days to come in since I was missing yesterday for being sick.
r/WorkReform · quit
After going back and forth, he told me that I'm not allowed to take my lunch break because I'm late and it's super busy.
r/antiwork · quit
This email from HR really upset me and I've decided when my leave ends I'm going to hand in my resignation.
r/antiwork · quit · cost: mental health
how I'm a supposed to "make a plan" when I'm rushing to the hospital when my wife is having a emergency....
r/antiwork · wanted out · cost: family time
Before and after I left for my trip, it was made very apparent to me that I put my boss in a 'hard place.'
r/managers · stayed · cost: peace of mind on vacation
About a month after that, her father passed away from a heart attack. Her employer gave no grievance days
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: health
He told me that there comes a time where I just have to decide what is more important, my job or my wife.
r/careerguidance · quit · cost: family time
I regret every day that I didn’t report my supervisor to her boss after this, or report her to HR.
r/jobs · quit · cost: health
I could absolutely tell that I was expected to make work my primary reason for living.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: burnout
หัวหน้าไลน์มาของานภายในเวลา 10.30 บอกว่าหมอพึ่งสั่งการมา เราเลยบอกว่าหนูลากิจค่ะ
silom · wanted out · cost: mental health
My eye doctor is referring me to a specialist to make sure I’m not going blind.
r/jobs · wanted out · cost: health
I mean, they tried making me feel bad for using my PTO when my dad died!
r/WorkReform · quit
17Overruled agreements and broken promisesquit 41%
Management arbitrarily revokes approved remote work, time off, or role advancements after they have been formally promised.
Outcome7 quit · 6 wanted out · 3 stayed · 1 unclear
Trigger moments
The manager said "I don't care" about the agreed-upon conditions and output.
The manager's boss denied the vacation request after non-refundable tickets were bought.
The manager only offered praise, a massive raise, and apologies the moment the writer resigned.
My supervisor reacted with punitive measures and anger when I took legally entitled parental leave.
Being told to travel 14 of the first 20 days after being promised minimal travel.
At this point I am livid I let them play me like that.
What it cost themmoney (6) · mental health (2) · family time (2) · family stability (1) · time (1)
In their own words
My line manager appears to have a vendetta against working from home, and the induction gave me the impression they intend for me to be step 1 in putting a stop to the practice.
r/careerguidance · wanted out
My first 20 days, would be 14 travelling overnight, which isn't what we talked about during the interview and also not ideal since I have a toddler and a wife.
r/recruitinghell · wanted out · cost: family time
told me I wasn’t doing enough and had to much training to do with the time my gm had so they just hired her back, (I trained this girl on majority of stations)
r/WorkReform · quit
So now we're potentially out $1,000 because those airplane tickets are non-refundable, all because someone thinks Halloween is an important month for retail.
r/antiwork · stayed · cost: money
Aside from the daily condescending remarks and passive aggressive comments, the biggest slap in the face is that I was offered “benefits” upon interviewing
r/careerguidance · quit
My boss came back to me a few weeks ago and told me I had to report to an office which is 45-50+ miles away by any route, and an hour and a half each way.
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: family time
My previous role became increasingly toxic and the sacrifices we as a team made during the pandemic were not acknowledged in the slightest.
r/recruitinghell · stayed · cost: mental health
have a job currently but its a toxic work environment and I'm extremely underpaid for what I do (was lied to about the job duties coming in
r/recruitinghell · wanted out · cost: money
พอพี่คนนั้นบอกว่า "งั้นต้องรบกวนให้พี่ที่จะสลับมาช่วยแนะนำหรือสอนงานก่อนนะครับ" หัวหน้าสวนกลับทันที: "ไม่ได้ละๆ งั้นไม่ต้องทำ ไม่ต้องสลับ!"
isolate · wanted out · cost: mental health
She claimed that was way over budget and could not make it work because the company doesn’t pay that high for the position.
r/recruitinghell · unclear · cost: money
He insisted on some odd punitive measures while I was off, like not allowing me to contact my colleagues??
r/jobs · quit · cost: money
Don't make roles for people in quality to move up in and then fill them with outside hires
Amazon · stayed
They somehow, got me an offer above what I was offered for a full time role.
r/recruitinghell · quit · cost: money
4 more months the store manager is still there and hasn't left yet.
r/WorkReform · wanted out · cost: money
8Credit theft and academic misattributionquit 25%
Leaders inappropriately claim ownership of subordinate successes, ideas, or physical property while suppressing their career growth.
Outcome2 quit · 2 wanted out · 2 stayed · 2 unclear
Trigger moments
VP did not present a single one of their ideas, he actually dis-invited the designers to the meeting with the CEO
The whole conversation was vague. No warning, no performance improvement plan, no serious discussion before this, nothing.
When my manager falsely accused me of taking all the credit for a record-breaking event despite him literally calling himself the 'One-man team'.
The manager blew up at the writer over a minor typo.
The writer realized leadership was just offering empty promises to delay a promotion for another 7 months.
What it cost themcancelled vacations (1) · career (1) · mental health (1) · emotional distress (1) · workload and time (1)
In their own words
They promoted someone on an adjacent team after he asked me for some data and analysis from work I had picked up from Someone fired.
r/careerguidance · quit
He wanted ownership of the whole project. He started talking behind my back, trying to make me look bad, and slowly pushing me out.
r/recruitinghell · unclear · cost: career
It was a pretty toxic situation, and before I left, my former boss had gotten weird about IP rights
r/WorkReform · quit
You really gotta play into the hands of leadership egos to make anything happen or be recognized
Amazon · stayed
หัวหน้าของผมชอบเสนอหน้า และชอบใส่ชื่อตัวเอง แล้วโยนหน้าที่มาให้ผมทั้งที่ไม่ถามผมสักคำ
social · unclear · cost: workload and time
He's belittled my ideas and then taken them to HQ without me in the discussion.
r/careerguidance · wanted out · cost: mental health
ทั้งๆที่มันเป็นเงินบอส บอสก็ใจดีให้ผจกการรับเงินทั้งหมดเป็นคนจ่ายเงินทั้งหมด
social · wanted out · cost: emotional distress
He has laughed at designers for their ideas, to their face.
r/managers · stayed · cost: cancelled vacations
Sources: Reddit (r/antiwork, r/jobs, r/managers, r/recruitinghell, r/careerguidance, r/WorkReform), Pantip keyword sweep (mostly ห้องสีลม), Glassdoor reviews for one large employer filtered to those naming management. Quotes are verbatim and unedited; usernames, links and identifying detail are not published. Raw scrape kept out of the repo.