When Nepotism Backfires: A Pharmacy Tale of Petty (and Perfect) Revenge
There are few things more satisfying at work than witnessing poetic justice—especially when the universe delivers it with a side of petty revenge. Today’s story, straight from the depths of Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge, is a delicious slice of workplace karma involving nepotism, an overbearing supervisor, and a well-timed call to HR. If you’ve ever worked with a manager’s “favorite” (who just happens to be their family), get ready to nod in satisfaction. This is the story of how one employee turned a sour situation delightfully sweet.
It all started at a pharmacy chain, where camaraderie and respect ruled the breakroom… until a certain supervisor decided to bend the rules for her kin.
Let’s set the scene: Our narrator worked in a tight-knit pharmacy crew that actually enjoyed each other’s company. The team was fun, the atmosphere was respectful, and—let’s be honest—that’s pretty rare for retail. The only bump in the road? Supervisor Mary. She wasn’t terrible, just kind of frosty. But things took a nosedive when Mary’s daughter-in-law, Suzy, joined as a cashier.
If you’re thinking, “Uh-oh, nepotism alert,” you’re right—and it gets better. Suzy wasn’t just riding the family coattails; she was actively making everyone’s day miserable. Pushy, rude, demanding—she was Mary 2.0, but with less tact and more attitude. The sort of new hire who thinks the “supervisor” in the family gives her a license to boss people around. Spoiler: It doesn’t.
The team suffered through Suzy’s reign of petty terror, until our hero (let’s call them Bunny, after the Reddit username) had an epiphany. During orientation, they’d heard something about a policy against family members working together—specifically when one is supervising the other. A quick glance at the schedule, a peek at the name tags (same last name, same home address!), and Bunny knew rules were being bent harder than a pharmacist’s willpower on a Monday morning.
So what did Bunny do? Did they storm into the manager’s office and demand justice? Did they start a staff petition? Nope. They simply dialed the corporate employee hotline, put on their best “innocent question” voice, and asked: “Hey, just curious—isn’t there a policy about family working together, especially when one’s a supervisor?” That’s it. No drama, no accusations, just a gentle nudge at the right place.
And just like that—POOF—Suzy was gone. No more awkward interactions, no more bossy directions from someone who’d barely learned the register. The best part? The manager, a friend of Mary’s, had probably hoped no one would notice (or challenge) the obvious breach of policy. But sometimes, all it takes is a single well-placed question to restore balance to the workplace galaxy.
This story is a masterclass in small, satisfying victories—the kind that make you smile years later. It’s also a reminder that policies exist for a reason, and turning a blind eye to nepotism (especially when it sours team morale) rarely ends well. The best part? Bunny didn’t even have to break a sweat. Just a little HR knowledge and the courage to make a call.
Let’s break down the lessons here:
1. Don’t Be That New Hire: If you’re new, don’t assume your family connection makes you untouchable. Respect is earned, not inherited.
2. Nepotism Is Obvious: Same last name, same address, tiny team? Trust us, people notice. And when policies are ignored, it’s only a matter of time before someone speaks up.
3. HR Knows Best: Even if your manager “lets it slide,” higher-ups (and their hotlines) exist for a reason. Sometimes, a quiet tip-off is all it takes.
4. Petty Revenge Can Be Sweet: Not all victories need to be grand gestures. Sometimes, the smallest moves have the biggest impact.
So, the next time you see workplace favoritism going unchecked, remember Bunny’s story. You don’t need to wage war—you just need to know the rules, and have the nerve to ask the right question at the right time.
Have you ever witnessed (or served up) a slice of petty revenge at work? Share your story in the comments! And remember: Kindness goes a lot further in the breakroom than a family connection ever will.
What’s your favorite petty office revenge story? Let’s swap tales—drop yours below!
Original Reddit Post: If you're brand new at work... don't be nasty to your coworkers.