When the Boss Insists on Doing It Wrong: A Shocking Tale of Malicious Compliance (Literally)
There are few things as satisfying in the workplace as watching a know-it-all get zapped by their own hubris—sometimes figuratively, sometimes quite literally. Today’s tale, straight from the annals of r/MaliciousCompliance, is a masterclass in how not to manage technical staff. It stars a new boss with more degrees than sense, an electrical engineer with a healthy respect for safety regulations, and a couple of soon-to-be-fried UPS units.
Let’s break down what happens when a boss demands something in writing—and gets exactly what he asked for… along with a side of smoke, fire alarms, and corporate embarrassment.
The Setup: When MBAs Play Electrician
If you’ve ever worked in any sort of technical field, you’ve probably met “that boss.” The one who thinks their business degree magically makes them smarter than the experts they hired. In this story, our illustrious New Boss, wielding an MBA and a General Science degree, is convinced he’s cracked the code on electrical wiring.
His bright idea? Wire two 120V loads in series across a 240V supply. For the non-electrically inclined: this is the kind of move that makes engineers break out in hives. The resident MSEE (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering) tries to save the day, calmly explaining that what’s needed is a 120V line or a step-down transformer. But New Boss, unsatisfied with this “negativity,” shops around for a Yes Man.
When he finally gets a “yes” from someone else, he storms back, barking orders to make the connection—consequences be damned.
Malicious Compliance: Always Get It in Writing
Here’s where our hero demonstrates the first rule of surviving a stubborn boss: Make. Them. Put. It. In. Writing.
With a polite, “I’ll need a ticket for that,” the engineer gets the order confirmed via email. Then, in a move worthy of a workplace chess grandmaster, he replies detailing his concerns, CC’ing the team and BCC’ing his personal account for good measure. New Boss, undeterred, responds with a profanity-laden command to “just do it.”
So, our engineer complies—precisely and professionally. Breaker off, risky wiring done under the hawk-eyed glare of New Boss, and a gentle suggestion that boss-man “stand back, just in case.” You can practically hear the foreshadowing thunder rumbling in the background.
The Shocking Climax (Literally)
Breaker on. SNAP! The sound echoes down the hall as the breaker slams back off. Two UPS units erupt in acrid, blue smoke. The fire alarm blares. New Boss, now in a panic, tries to wrangle the chaos he created, presumably while reconsidering his life choices.
“What the ████ did you do?” he screams.
“Exactly what you told me,” replies our hero, calm as a cucumber.
The building is evacuated, the fire department arrives, and the aftermath unfolds like the season finale of a workplace sitcom.
When “In Writing” Bites Back
Now comes the pièce de résistance: the corporate inquisition. Both boss and engineer are called to account. New Boss tries to throw the engineer under the bus, but the engineer has receipts—literally. The C-suite asks about the emails. New Boss, clueless, sputters, “WHAT emails?”
Plot twist: When your subordinate is insistent on getting something in writing, maybe—just maybe—ask yourself why. The engineer forwards the email thread to the execs and his lawyer, ensuring the truth is as undeniable as the smell of scorched electronics.
Aftermath and Lessons Learned
Our hero gets a “Meets Expectations” on his review (because corporate politics), but New Boss is swiftly transferred 30 miles away, presumably to an office with fewer electrical outlets.
So what can we learn from this tale of sparks and smoke?
- Respect your experts. You hired them for a reason.
- If someone wants it in writing, check yourself before you wreck yourself.
- Electricity doesn’t care about MBAs.
- Malicious compliance is best served documented.
Conclusion: Have You Ever Had a Boss Like This?
Stories like this resonate because, unfortunately, they’re all too common. Have you ever had a boss ignore your professional advice, only for it to backfire spectacularly? Or maybe you’ve been the engineer, forced to carry out a doomed directive—“just in writing, please”?
Share your own workplace war stories in the comments! And remember: trust your experts, question ill-advised orders, and always keep a paper trail.
Because sometimes, compliance can be… shocking.
Original Reddit Post: Shocking, Innit.