There is no excuse for toxic, rude, or sexist behavior at work. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that it still happens within many companies and organizations around the world. Aside from insulting their coworkers, which is unethical, these people also have a direct negative impact on the business’s efficiency and profits. Talented workers who are discriminated against either get demotivated or jump ship in search of normal workplace environments.
The ‘When’s Happy Hour’ Instagram account recently shared a post, inviting working women to reveal the worst, most bizarre, and ludicrous things their male colleagues have ever said to them. We’ve collected some of the very worst comments that would make anyone’s blood boil. If you want to see what to never ever say at work, scroll down. But be warned, this is beyond frustrating to read.
#21
“Is everything okay? Is it that time of month?” When I disagreed with my boss's approach
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53points
#22
A male coworker referred to my maternity leave as a vacation
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50points
#23
That my salary’s more than enough because I don’t have a husband or kids…
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50points
#24
Your emails are too direct, we need to work on softening the way you speak to others.
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49points
#25
“I’m not a m*lester” — and then proceeds to push me into a corner and tries having his way with me. I reported it, I was then victim blamed and shamed and severely victimized by my direct manager and HR manager. PS, the direct manager was also one of his victims.
49points
#26
“Who’s watching your kids?”
To which I respond “Their father”
“Oh. Is he pretty good with them?”
I said “I hope so”
To which I respond “Their father”
“Oh. Is he pretty good with them?”
I said “I hope so”
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49points
#27
“Shouldn’t you be painting your nails or something?” This was my first job after uni and he was about 20 years older than me… but we had the same job and salary
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48points
#28
A much senior and older man told me it would have been nice "to put some sand in the office" so I would feel like I were on the beach and I would take my red dress off
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43points
#29
"you shouldn't wear those tight pants, I can tell you're not a virgin"
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43points
#30
Randomly shoved his phone into my hand and proceeded to show me an [adult] video, asking "is this you?" (He was trying to be funny) - I was ✨traumatised✨
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42points
#31
I was eating my lunch and dropped a crumb on my lap, much older male co worker asked “can I lick it off”
40points
#32
When the HR guy found out I was married, he said “I didn’t act like a married woman”
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39points
#33
“You’re difficult, did you freeze your eggs?" third week on the job...
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39points
#34
Called me “unprofessional” to a superior and then came up behind me and gave me a wet willy (licked his finger and stuck it IN MY EAR) at a staff luncheon the following week 🫠 He was the interim head of school, I was his daughter’s English teacher.
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39points
#35
why didn’t get a more girly job? (I am a mechanical engineer)
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38points
#36
Me being assertive. A male coworker: “ Well, I see why you are divorced.”
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38points
#37
Not co worker , but a senior manager and stakeholder. Telling me "Why do you need a promotion? To buy more makeup and lipstick? You're not a guy who needs money to run a family"
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38points
#38
“Are you injured or just pregnant?” when he thought I was walking strangely
36points
#39
“Having an affair with a coworker makes work fun to come to”
excuse me?
excuse me?
36points
#40
My old boss told me to unbutton more buttons (before I had an explant) when having dinner with clients to sell more.
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35points