60 Secretly Hilarious and Diabolical Acts of Workplace Revenge
Ever wondered if your coworker might secretly be auditioning for the role of ‘That guy’ in the next big Hollywood blockbuster about workplace dramedies? Picture this: You’re in the break room, and while you’re trying to zen out with your eucalyptus spray, your office nemesis is plotting their next petty move.
In today’s workplace odyssey, we’re dipping into the surprisingly large pool of creativity used to manage those less-than-pleasant colleagues. Because let’s face it, dealing with frustrating coworkers isn’t just a life skill—it’s an art form. From passive-aggressive emails to the subtle art of making someone question every life choice they’ve ever made during a career critique, we’ve got the tactics, both petty and profound, on how to coexist in professional harmony or, at the very least, in playful discord.
So whether you’re looking for a laugh or you’re in desperate need of some unconventional wisdom, buckle up! Scroll through tales of workplace wizardry and remember, when you’ve found a gem that you wish you’d thought of, don’t forget to give it a little love with an upvote. And hey, who knows, maybe you’ll even pick up a trick or two for when you run into your own office antagonist. LEARN MORE.
Knowing how to deal with frustrating people comes in handy in all areas of life, especially at work, where we spend the majority of our precious time. However, addressing problematic behaviors of colleagues often requires confidence, courage, and a dash of creativity, which is a combination that isn’t always easy to channel when confronting someone. To help out those who might be struggling with dealing with difficult coworkers or just need a bit of a push, we’re featuring ways other people managed to do so that worked wonders. Scroll down to find these instances below, and don’t forget to upvote ones that truly deserve a nod of respect.
I work in a kitchen with all men. One throws a fit over EVERYTHING, full tantrums. One day I said “big feelings huh buddy? Do you need help calming down or can you work it out on your own?” And he has Never thrown a tantrum around me again (though I hear they still happen just not around me) I take it as a win. Mind you he is 41 and I’m 32 😂😂😂
My ex boss was on a weight loss journey and hated me. So everyday at lunch I brought back her favorite candy bar and offered her one
I arrived early, took a screenshot of her desktop, then removed all the icons on her computer and replaced the background with the screenshot. She called IT to the office. It took all day to “fix.”
That’s why we previously reached out to workplace culture experts Connie Kurczewski, Robina Bhasin, and Josh Hart to ask for some guidance on how to manage difficult colleagues.
“is this something you plan to do for the rest of your career?” but in a concerning way that makes them actually question themselves
I (fake) befriended him at work, gaslit him into thinking he’s way too good for here and he’s wasting his talents, kept sending him job offers, within 5 weeks he was gone
If you are a leader, do not wait. The longer you let it go, the more damage it causes. One of the most common mistakes I see is avoiding difficult conversations. But those conversations are what protect the culture, the team, and ultimately the business.”
I had a boss with serious Napoleon (short man syndrome). He belittled everyone else. When he went on vacation, I removed all the furniture from his office and replaced it with doll’s house furniture.
Always offered to cover their holidays and would speed through their work load & then complain to the manager that they weren’t working efficiently & show them the amount of their work I completed.
I played nice, so nice, that they’re really nice to me now too. But I haven’t forgotten. I’ll always remember. Waiting…waiting
