We’re all human and we all make mistakes. However, while these blunders are often learning experiences that make us better, some of them can be so mortifying that they linger in our minds for a considerable time.
These individuals know that feeling all too well, as they candidly shared some of their most embarrassing work slip-ups. While a few of these anecdotes are harmless and even funny, some were so costly that they no longer became a laughing matter.
Have you messed up really badly at work? We’d like to know your stories, so feel free to share them below!
#1
when I make a mistake my boss says "as long as no one is dead, we will figure it out." if this isn't how your boss is, know that it should be. mistakes happen and it's okay
73points
#2
The DOD, VP and other high ranking government officials used an uncleared plateform to exchange classified info and then accidentally added a reporter to the GC and got nationally exposed
73points
#3
Went and sat in my car on my 30 min lunch break.. Woke up 4 hours later
61points
#4
Boss asked me to forward her the invoice for an unpaid bill of a major client- I included a meme saying “y u no pay me” for a laugh but she didn’t see it & forwarded the email chain to the client…
60points
#5
My friend is a dental asssistant, she dropped and shattered a very expensive custom made set of some kind of implant for a patient. She cried for days. She’s still there, very valued, and forgiven
60points
#6
Deleted 20 years of data entry from a database. Had to wait hours for IT department to see if they could restore the information. Laid on the bathroom floor cause I was afraid of passing out
48points
#7
Messed up the sourdough starter for our sourdough bakery. It took three years to grow it
45points
#8
When Pixar was making Toy Story 2, an employee accidentally deleted 90% of the movie. The only reason it was able to be recovered was because an employee on maternity leave had a backup file
45points
#9
Got drunk at a work Christmas party and loudly told the bosses wife she was too hot for him.. everyone heard and I still work there two years later. I don’t drink at work events anymore though
42points
#10
I typo’d “let’s cuddle” instead of “let’s huddle” to an extremely serious slack inquiry
39points
#11
I’m a 911 dispatcher and I have made SO many mistakes. And in my line of work, people’s lives are on the line. You are human, as is everyone. I promise it is okay to make mistakes. Give yourself grace
39points
#12
I sent a man flowers to congratulate him on his wedding but he never updated his address so it went to his ex wife and that’s how she found out he got married to his affair partner
37points
#13
I wasn’t trained on how to use the og barista machine so when a guy came in for a regular coffee I didn’t know what to do so I gave him 8 shots of espresso
Report
36points
#14
Accidentally revealed the gender of the baby to the mommy rereading the cake order out loud
32points
#15
Was making dog food at a production plant. Added green BEANS instead of green PEAS to the mix all day. Cost the company like 75k bc they had to throw it all away
30points
#16
Accidentally gave everyone 75% off the entire website, oopsies
29points
#17
I priced a brand new 900 sq ft apartment for $390 on our website. It sat there all day. How someone didn’t see it and apply I have no idea. We would’ve legally had to honor the price
29points
#19
Girl one time I literally left the doors unlocked when I closed at the store I worked at
28points
#20
Paid $50k to the wrong person. Settled a case with authority I didn’t have. Sent an email to a partner talking about how much I hated that partner. Everything passes. It will be okay.
Report
28points