33 Infuriating Photos That Show How Scary Late-Stage Capitalism Has Gotten

    "If any employee is unable to follow these rules, they will lose the privilege of eating while at work."

    1. This point system for time-off that penalized employees once they gained a certain amount of points:

    Point system for various absences and tardiness, including bereavement, early leave, and weather issues, with different point values assigned

    2. This notice telling employees they could donate their PTO to people affected by recent hurricanes:

    Sign about donating paid time off to help associates affected by recent hurricanes, titled "Give-A-Day Program Guidelines - USA."

    3. This notice that said employees could not eat lunch at work if they didn't follow certain rules:

    Sign outlining food rules: cover food and drinks, label items with your name, keep area clean. Unlabeled food will be discarded. Failure to comply may result in losing eating privileges

    4. This office that charged employees for snacks:

    Note listing prices: Cans soft drink $2.50, Chocolate Bar $1.50, Chips $1.00. Reminder: Please be honest. NO IOU'S!

    5. This three-flush bathroom rule at a workplace:

    Summary of image text: Guidelines on courtesy flushing, detailing when to flush during the use of a restroom
    Summary of image text: Guidelines on courtesy flushing, detailing when to flush during the use of a restroom
    Summary of image text: Guidelines on courtesy flushing, detailing when to flush during the use of a restroom

    6. This email stating that employees have to clock out for lunch and other breaks:

    Summary of break policy update: No automatic 15-minute breaks. Personal breaks require punching out/in. Specific tasks listed, apply when away from workstations

    7. These guidelines that encouraged interviewers not to hire someone if the candidate didn't seem to have a car:

    Summary of text: The image lists interview process traits, including punctuality, sense of urgency, eye contact, great tips, and getting dropped off

    8. This sign that said work was as important as family:

    Non-negotiables list focused on discipline, work ethic, ownership, no excuses, setting high standards, relationships, and continuous learning
    Non-negotiables list focused on discipline, work ethic, ownership, no excuses, setting high standards, relationships, and continuous learning

    9. This notice telling employees they could no longer eat at work:

    Notice reads: "Family meal is canceled until further notice. Employees eat at home. No outside food allowed. Policy reconsideration pending staff reevaluation. Doctor’s note needed to eat at work."

    10. This notice telling employees they would be monitored to make sure they're smiling at guests:

    Summary of text: Managers emphasize positive interactions with guests, discussing going out, engaging, and positivity. Negative behavior is monitored and may lead to termination

    11. This slip for approved time off where the boss demanded the employee provide a funeral note:

    Document for employee leave approval dated 5/4/22. Optional days approved starting 5/13/22. Comment requests funeral note upon return

    12. This post-it warning employees they would lose their jobs if they called out on certain dates:

    A handwritten note reads: "Calling out from 7/2-7/4 will result in immediate termination (unless you have a note). TY! - LP"

    13. This message from a boss who blamed an employee for their own mistake:

    A text conversation about work scheduling issues. At 8:52 AM, one message asks, "Hi! are you coming?" At 9:10 AM, the response apologizes for a mistake and notes the approval of a day off but states coverage will be needed next time

    14. This note that said going to the bathroom was "time theft:"

    Sign on wall stating: Bathrooms are not for hanging out, do not come to bathrooms while clocked in as it is considered time theft

    15. This notice telling employees they couldn't take any of the unused food home even though it would go to waste:

    A workplace memo with rules prohibits taking any food home, lists foods not to take (donuts, cookies, muffins, pizza, salads), and states kitchen closing time as 10:30 PM

    16. This note telling cashiers that they're not allowed to sit at the register:

    Handwritten sign on a chair stating 'We Do Not Sit At The Register This Is Dollar General Not Aldi' indicating seating not allowed
    Handwritten sign on a chair stating 'We Do Not Sit At The Register This Is Dollar General Not Aldi' indicating seating not allowed

    17. This notice telling employees that they'd lose sick days if they came into work late:

    Notice about sick day policy changes due to system abuse, detailing the non-payment for certain sick days and loss of any unused days at year's end. Signed by management

    18. This sign telling employees that they could not bring any drinks or snacks to the sales floor:

    Notice on wall about store policy prohibiting personal items, food, drinks, and headphone use on the sales floor

    19. This sign by employees telling customers NOT to tip them with their cards because their employer won't give it to them:

    Note on paper saying employees can't keep credit card tips, only cash, with a sad face

    20. This notice telling employees they couldn't request time off for two months:

    Sign on wall stating no time off requests in November, December, or before holidays; plan two weeks in advance

    21. This sign telling people that work is their home:

    Sign reading: "THINK This is your home five days of the week Help keep it clean" placed on a window sill

    22. This sign telling people they'll be demoted depending on their performance reviews:

    Notice on door about performance reviews, stating potential demotion if performance is below certain thresholds, signed by GM

    23. This hallway pass a manager had the audacity to create for workers:

    "Hallway Pass"

    24. This note telling employees that they MUST have open availability:

    Sign at a workplace discussing full-time associate availability and scheduling policy

    25. This sign explaining the rules of the extra 10-minute break someone won:

    Sign announcing a 10-min break reward with rules; person's hand with victory sign
    Sign announcing a 10-min break reward with rules; person's hand with victory sign

    26. This notice threatening to humiliate employees for using their phone:

    "If I see anyone breaking this rule, you will be publicly flogged and humiliated."

    27. This policy telling customers not to tip the staffers:

    "No Tipping Policy"

    28. This rule stating that employees who discussed their pay with each other would lose their jobs:

    I understand compensation is considered to be a private matter between each employee and the management of [redacted]. Any violation of this will result in termination.

    29. This policy that stated employees must show up to work if they're sick, and the manager on duty will determine if they're sick enough to call out:

    "If you cannot find someone, you must show up!"

    30. This notice telling employees they could not have access to their personal belongings:

    "No personal items allowed in the building til further notice!!"

    31. This strict no-phones-allowed policy:

    "You can check your phones during your breaks but not in work areas."

    32. This note saying that anyone who sits on the stool will be written up:

    'STAY OFF OF MY STOOL'

    33. And finally, this notice telling employees not to go to the ER if they get injured at work:

    Notice on bulletin board about emergency room procedures for employees, with specific instructions and contact information, partially obscured by purple mark