When Verbal Approvals Bite Back: My MBA, Malicious Compliance, and the Petty Power Plays of Corporate Life
Ever tried to do something to better yourself, only to have your boss move the goalposts just when you thought you’d cleared them? That’s the rollercoaster one Redditor, u/Louis_Le_XVI, recently shared—a story that’s equal parts infuriating and entertaining, and a lesson in why you should always, always get things in writing.
If you’ve ever felt stuck at a job, burned out, and desperate for a way out, you’ll relate to this saga. Our hero decided to tackle their rut the old-fashioned way: more schooling. But what should have been a straightforward accommodation for a part-time MBA quickly spiraled into a bureaucratic circus, complete with shifting approval standards, veiled threats, and a boss who seems to think “migraine martyrdom” is a management strategy.
The Setup: An MBA, 200+ Job Applications, and a Dash of Hope
So, picture this: You’re burned out, feeling boxed in by your job, and despite applying to over 200 positions (with a side of rage-applying for good measure), you’re stuck. The interviews aren’t coming, or if they do, you get the classic “thanks, but no thanks” after mentioning your plans to pursue a part-time MBA. Ouch.
But finally, a bright spot: acceptance into a part-time MBA program. Our protagonist, eager to keep things above board, runs it by every boss in the chain of command—the Little Boss, Medium Boss, Big Boss, and even Big Brother (not the dystopian kind, probably). Everyone nods. Verbal approval all around! No one mentions a need for a written record. The classes are at times barely brushing up against work hours—hardly the stuff of HR horror stories.
The Downward Spiral: Sick Days, Slips, and Suddenly… Paperwork
But life isn’t a montage of LinkedIn wins. Our Redditor, weighed down by workplace stress and depression (relatable, right?), has a rough patch. There’s a regrettable joke, a tattle-tale, and a single sick day taken—just one, with a company policy that offers a generous 80 hours of sick leave. Suddenly, management is on the warpath.
Cue the “big whig” (maybe she wears a literal wig, who knows), who delivers a masterclass in managerial gaslighting: “If you keep taking sick time, it’ll negatively impact your team!” For the record, this was after two sick days in three months. The Redditor tries to clarify in writing, but the big boss is not pleased to see her words in black and white. The call escalates, and suddenly, the MBA schedule—which had been verbally greenlit—is now a problem.
“You need written approval,” she declares, as if this were a new policy hot off the HR presses. Our hero scrambles, gets the approval in writing, only for the boss to come back two weeks later demanding even more specific documentation. The goalposts have moved, and they’re now on wheels.
Malicious Compliance: The Only Way Out
Here’s where the magic happens. Knowing that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, our protagonist leans into malicious compliance. Fine, you want specifics? Here’s the exact hour I’ll be in class. Here’s my new, precisely 8-5 schedule, which—by the way—contradicts everything you’ve ever said about us “not being a 9-5” workplace.
The irony is delicious: the worker who’s always gone above and beyond, logging in at 4am and burning the midnight oil for international calls, is now being told to stick to the letter of the law. So be it! The company wants rigid schedules? That’s what they’ll get, MBA and all.
What Can We Learn? (Besides “Trust, But Get It in Writing”)
There are a few takeaways from this workplace soap opera:
- Get Everything in Writing: Verbal agreements mean nothing when the chips are down. Documentation is your best friend.
- Management’s Mood Can Change on a Dime: Today’s “sure, no problem” is tomorrow’s “I never said that.” Be prepared.
- Retaliation Isn’t Always Obvious: Sometimes it comes as a policy change, sometimes as a sudden need for “clarification.”
- Malicious Compliance is a Worker’s Shield: When the rules become weapons, wield them right back.
Conclusion: Who’s Really Winning?
Will our MBA hopeful get their hour back? Will the company realize their best employees are the ones who try to better themselves? Or will the cycle of petty power moves continue? Only time (and maybe another Reddit update) will tell.
Have you had a boss move the goalposts on you? Ever had to flex some malicious compliance muscles? Drop your stories in the comments—let’s commiserate, celebrate, and maybe even inspire each other to keep pushing (and documenting) for what’s fair in the workplace jungle.
Reddit Source: u/Louis_Le_XVI’s saga of MBA scheduling and managerial shenanigans
Original Reddit Post: My Attempt (Fingers Crossed)