Horrible Bosses: We’ve All Had Them, So What Do You Do About Them?

There are great bosses—the kind who inspire growth, make you feel seen, and maybe even change your life a little.

And then… there’s everyone else. The horrible bosses of the world.

So iconic in their awfulness, they inspired not one, but two movies literally titled Horrible Bosses—featuring Ozark’s own Jason Bateman, a pre-Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle (somehow), Jennifer Aniston in full HR-violation mode, and—because the universe has a dark sense of humor—Kevin Spacey, in a role that aged like the finest milk.

If you’ve had one of those bosses, just know: you’re not alone. We’ve all been emotionally dumpstered at least once.

Whether it’s being micromanaged into insanity or dodging wildly inappropriate comments like you’re in a game of HR dodgeball, horrible bosses are, unfortunately, a shared experience. And the latest episode of What We Said is group therapy for anyone who’s ever come home crying from a minimum wage shift or left a toxic 9-to-5 with a severance check and a side of PTSD.

The cherry orchard boss from hell

Let’s start with the listener who worked at what should have been a wholesome fruit orchard. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Picture this—a boss couple who live above the gift shop they own, watching their teenage employees via camera like a low-budget version of The Truman Show. “If we weren’t dusting, sweeping, cleaning—even if we’d done it three times already—they’d come downstairs and reprimand us like we were their kids,” the listener wrote.

It gets worse. This listener was forced to wear a microphone headset in 90-degree weather, scream at busloads of tourists not to climb the cherry trees, and then patrol the orchard like a low-paid Fruit Cop. And even though they worked 10-hour days? “They classified us as farm workers to avoid paying us overtime,” she explained.

Yes, nothing screams ethical business practices like exploiting child labor loopholes. Love that for them.

Swim instructor or… swim stalker?

Another listener described her horrifying experience with a married swim school manager who, after insisting on “training lunches,” randomly picked her up under the guise of carpooling—only to take her to a café and confess his love for her. In case that wasn’t enough, she was then forced to work alongside his wife while in a swimsuit. The emotional damage writes itself.

When she bravely reported it, her female manager said—and we quote—“If you’re struggling with the job, you don’t need to come up with a reason.” Because yes, nothing says “supportive workplace” like gaslighting a teenager into silence.

Cocaine, sweatpants, and weaponized HR

Perhaps the most terrifying story came from a former intern in investment banking, which is a hotbed for the rash-inducing “boys club” stereotype being alive and well. After fending off an associate’s disgusting comment about her sex life, she later found herself the target of a “professionalism” review because she wore sweatpants to a party where, by the way, everyone was doing cocaine.

It turns out that the boss was trying to smear her name before she could expose his behavior. Luckily, she stayed calm, spoke up to the CEO, and yes—he was fired. “I got a return offer, and I’ve been working almost a full year at the firm,” she said. “Now only absolute kings and queens remain.”

So, what do you do about horrible bosses?

We know it’s not always as simple as “just quit” or “go to HR.” Sometimes, HR is the problem. Sometimes, the whole structure is rotten at the root—or, to coin an old turn of phrase, “the fish stinks from the head.” But there are a few key things you can do:

1. Document everything.

Yes, it’s annoying, but keep receipts. Save emails, write down incidents, and note dates. If you ever need to escalate or defend yourself, that paper trail becomes gold.

2. Talk to someone outside of work.

Whether it’s a friend, therapist, or trusted family member, verbalizing what’s happening will give you perspective and remind you that you’re not crazy. Toxic workplaces love to isolate employees. Don’t let them do that to you.

3. Know your rights.

Research your local labor laws, especially those regarding harassment, wage violations, and overtime. Many states have free legal resources or advocacy groups that can help.

4. Use HR…strategically.

HR exists to protect the company, not you. That doesn’t mean they’re useless, but go in with a plan, be factual, and don’t expect a group hug.

5. Plot your exit.

Sometimes, the best revenge is glowing up in peace. Look for other opportunities, polish your resume, and start networking. A clean break can be a clean slate.

Horrible bosses may be universal, but they’re not unstoppable. One listener perfectly summed it up: “I ran into her at the grocery store with my beautiful one-year-old son, and she looked like she saw a ghost. That was the best feeling.”