New training manager: Back in the day, I had a great idea. I know we’re into this touchy-feely self-esteem human resource stuff, but I said: “Take the supervisor who has the highest rate of unqualified, untrained direct reports, walk him to the end of the pier, and shoot him!” They told me I couldn’t do that. But it would have been effective!
75 Eastern Point Road
Groton, Connecticut
Receptionist: Hello. May I help you?
Woman: I would like to apply for a job here.
Receptionist: Why are you leaving your current job?
Woman: Ain’t no movin’ up positions.
220 Dupont Street
Brooklyn, New York
Overheard by: Jack Boston
Manager: Can you gather up the other guys? We have to move a bunch of stuff.
Employee: Fuck you.
Manager: What did you just say to me?
Employee: Fuck you, asshole.
Manager: Are you nuts?
Employee: Fuck you, bitch.
Manager: You’re fired. Get out of here.
Employee: I wasn’t clocked in. You can’t fire me.
Manager walks to computer, clocks him in, says, ‘You’re fired,’ and then clocks him out.
Employee: That’s so unfair.
Circle Centre Mall
Overheard by: Shatmandu
Boss, about hot applicant for receptionist post: We can’t hire her.
HR: Why not?
Boss: She’ll get me in trouble.
HR: Just because you are on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t look at the menu…
Boss: Diet? More like a fast.
St. Louis, Missouri
Manager #1, during performance review: We would have fired you, but we missed the deadline to submit the paperwork.
Manager #2: So by default you are now an employee.
HR rep, under breath: We are so getting sued.
Manhattan, New York
Overheard by: unleaded
Very white girl in business suit on cell in cafeteria: No, I haven’t told him yet, I just found out for sure this morning. (pause) Well, I don’t have his phone number anymore, I took it out of my phone so I wouldn’t drunk dial. (pause) I don’t know, I know his address, so maybe I’ll just send him a card. “Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m having a baby, and so are you”. (pause) Hey, maybe a singing telegram to him at work. That’ll go over big. (pause) He’s an elementary school teacher… that would probably get him fired. (pulls out ghetto accent) And you know my baby daddy better have hisself a job!
Princeton, New Jersey
Overheard by: Currrly!
Underling #1: Am I fired?
Boss: No, ’cause then we’d have to hire her, and she’s only part time.
Underling #2: Me?
Underling #1: She wouldn’t take the job.
Boss: Yes, because she’s smarter than you.
334 East 14th Street
New York, New York
Suit #1: Well, what about Harry*? We could put him on the local board. He has a lot of connections around the city.
Suit #2: Wait, didn’t he just get out of prison?
Suit #3: Eh, he’s paid his debt to society. Plus, I’m sure he’s looking for a job.
Conference room
New York, New York
Interviewer: Are you comfortable with the salary for this position?
Interviewee: Well, not really, but since I don’t currently have a job, I guess it’ll have to be okay.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Branch manager: What do you want me to do? Do you want me to fire him? I’ll fire anyone — I don’t care!
8220 England Street
Charlotte, North Carolina
Hat Tip 🎩 to The Marketing Scientist
