When 'Seniority' Bites Back: How One Fast Food Worker Outranked Their Boss With Malicious Compliance
Ever been told “it’s just company policy” when you’re denied something at work? Maybe you’ve even heard the word “seniority” wielded like a magical shield that only seems to apply to everyone except you. Well, buckle up, because today’s tale from r/MaliciousCompliance proves that sometimes, the best way to fight back is to get even more official than your boss ever dreamed.
Meet u/Milli_Grande, a fast food veteran who’s served up fries (and probably a little side-eye) for nearly four years. All they wanted for Christmas was a week off to visit family—something that seems reasonable after four years of service. But every single year, their boss denied the request, citing “seniority-based scheduling.” This year, things got even juicier: brand-new employees with less than a year on the job waltzed off for Christmas, while our hero was left flipping burgers.
What’s a loyal employee to do? Cue the most delicious act of malicious compliance you’ll read all week.
When "Seniority" Is a Moving Target
Let’s start with the core issue here: workplace policies that are purposely vague—and weaponized at management’s convenience.
Our protagonist had always been told that “seniority” dictated who got holiday time off. But when six rookies (all hired this year) got the coveted week off and Milli_Grande didn’t, the gears started turning. Management’s new excuse? “It’s more complicated than time served. The others have young families. You should be a team player.”
Translation: “We’re making it up as we go along, and you drew the short straw. Again.”
Not one to take vague policies lying down, Milli_Grande dove into the company handbook to investigate. Sure enough, it stated that “preference is given to senior staff for holiday scheduling”—but conveniently, there was no definition of “senior.” (Insert the sound of a lightbulb clicking on.)
If You Can’t Join Them, Outrank Them
Here’s where the story goes from frustrating to fantastic.
Milli_Grande decided to play the “seniority” game harder than anyone had before. First, they printed business cards reading “Senior Gastronomy Officer” and got a name tag with “Sr.” before their name. They signed all group chats as “Senior Team Member” and introduced themselves to new hires as the “senior employee here.” The pièce de résistance? Taking on so many of their boss’s shifts that they were, by the letter of the handbook, acting in a “senior management capacity”—a role that, according to policy, comes with scheduling priority.
You can almost picture the boss’s face as this campaign unfolded: equal parts confusion, rage, and resignation.
But the real mic drop came when our hero resubmitted their Christmas week request with a 12-page dossier meticulously proving, by every conceivable metric, that they were the most senior staff member—time served, positions covered, shifts worked, you name it.
This time? The boss caved. Christmas was finally approved.
The Power of Malicious Compliance
What makes this story so satisfying isn’t just the victory—it’s the clever, good-humored way Milli_Grande turned the system on its head. Instead of burning bridges, they followed every rule to the letter, even when those rules were ill-defined or hypocritical. The result? Not only did they get their well-deserved holiday, but they also exposed the flaws in the way “seniority” was being inconsistently applied.
It’s a masterclass in turning frustration into action. By refusing to let management’s moving goalposts win, Milli_Grande didn’t just stick up for themselves—they carved out a new (and hilarious) workplace hierarchy. Sometimes, the best way to get what you want is to lean all the way in and show everyone just how ridiculous the system can be when followed to its logical (and absurd) conclusion.
Lessons for the Rest of Us
What can we learn from this tale of fast food rebellion?
- Know Your Policies: Arm yourself with knowledge. Sometimes, the fine print is your best friend.
- Document Everything: When in doubt, over-document—preferably in a 12-page packet.
- Fight Fire with Funnier Fire: Humor, wit, and a little creativity can go a long way in exposing workplace nonsense.
- Seniority Isn’t Just for Birthdays: If your boss claims it matters, make sure it matters for you, too.
So, next time you’re being shut out by a vague rule, remember: you can always become the “Senior Gastronomy Officer” of your own destiny.
Have you ever used malicious compliance to get what you deserve at work? Share your best stories in the comments below! And don’t forget to tip your local fast food philosopher—with extra fries.
Read the original Reddit post here.
Original Reddit Post: I'm pretty sure my boss hates me and has been denying my breaks.