💡 Every vote counts. Every vote donates $1 to RUOK? (up to $5,000).
One of the Worst Ten Bosses:
The Harbour Harasser
Story submitted by Emily
My first job in Australia was with a yacht charter company.
One day my boss discovered he’d been paying for two WiFi routers and, in a rage, called the providers, shouting racist remarks and abuse loud enough for all of us to hear.
He put the woman on speaker, threatened to kill her, then smashed the router with a golf club in front of six young female staff while screaming at her.
I quit, but he refused to pay me, claiming my working holiday visa invalidated my rights.
With a lawyer’s help, I eventually got half my pay. When he transferred it, he emailed, “it’s paid now, f#$% off.”
Months later, during COVID, desperate for staff, he asked me to return. I simply forwarded his last email with no context. Never heard from him again.
Since then, I’ve met four or five other women with similar stories.
👀 Our Take
Racist abuse and violent outbursts are not just bad leadership — they’re psychological harm and legal liabilities.
🧠 Could this have been avoided?
Entirely. With emotional regulation, accountability, and respect, this escalation would never have occurred. Training and values matter.
Help us crown Australia’s Worst Boss
Your vote isn’t just about calling out bad leadership. For every vote cast, Compono will donate $1 to R U OK? Day (up to $5,000).
Together, we can shine a light on workplace culture — and start building better bosses.
Because bad bosses cost Australia big time — in morale, turnover, and productivity. At Compono, we use people science and AI to help businesses build better leaders and healthier teams.
For every verified vote, Compono donates $1 to R U OK? Day (up to $5,000). By voting, you’re not only crowning Australia’s Worst Boss — you’re also supporting a vital mental health charity.
The story with the most votes will be crowned Australia’s Worst Boss. We’ll announce the winner publicly, share the lessons learned, and shine a spotlight on how workplaces can do better.
