Manager Trying To Scapegoat Teenage Busboy But Underestimating Him Is Malicious Compliance At Its Finest

This story of how a teenage busboy’s malicious compliance exposed the negligence and incompetence of his managers at a hotel coffee shop.

Working in hospitality can be an intense and stressful environment, particularly during peak hours when demand is high. Many people who have worked in hospitality can attest to the chaos that can ensue when things get busy.

However, this story of malicious compliance shared on Reddit takes the chaos to a whole new level. It involves a teenage busboy who, despite his best efforts, finds himself caught up in a situation that spirals out of control.

This story highlights the importance of clear communication and effective management in the workplace, and how even the slightest schedule mistake can have far-reaching consequences.

Here’s where the teenage busboy’s malicious compliance comes in:

A teenager working as a busboy in a coffee shop is asked to cover the dish pit for an evening scheduled shift at a hotel.

He agrees to leave at 11 pm sharp but finds chaos upon arrival, as the Banquet crew has left dirty dishes unsorted and unscraped.

Despite his best efforts, the shift ends without everything being done, and he leaves as agreed.

The following week, the General Manager blames him for the coffee shop’s closure and lost revenue.

But the teenager defends himself, pointing out the Banquet crew’s negligence.

And the Back of House Manager’s incompetence.

The hotel imposed new rules on the Banquet crew, and the teenager is not scheduled to cover an evening shift again.

Readers responded in the comments in support of OP:

Some complimented his method of Malicious Compliance for his schedule nightmare.

Others gave the teenage busboy props for standing their ground.

Nate

Nate Armbruster

When he's not doomscrolling Twitter or writing for Pleated-Jeans, Nate Armbruster writes jokes—and then tells them on stage as a stand-up comedian, where he can watch audiences (hopefully) laugh in real-time.