68 Shockingly Bad Workplaces From This Year That Capture What Working in America Feels Like

This BuzzFeed collection rounds up 68 real examples of workplaces from the past year that illustrate persistent problems in American work life — from poor management and unsafe conditions to baffling policies and widespread layoffs. The piece highlights that many workers who were laid off more than a year ago are still struggling to find new jobs, underscoring ongoing mismatches in the labor market.

What You'll Find

The list mixes frustration, absurdity, and dark humor as readers share photos, anecdotes, and moments that show how messy work can be. Entries include everything from tone-deaf company memos and chaotic shift scheduling to bizarre office behavior captured on camera.

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Many entries underscore a broader trend: layoffs can have long-lasting effects, and a substantial number of people laid off over a year ago still face difficulty finding new roles.

The collection is framed around internet culture — a mix of user-submitted photos, short anecdotes, and viral threads — and is published on BuzzFeed.com. It’s intended to be both a cathartic scroll for readers who’ve experienced bad workplaces and a cautionary catalogue for employers and employees alike.

Read it on BuzzFeed.com.