💡 Every vote counts. Every vote donates $1 to RUOK? (up to $5,000).
One of the Worst Ten Bosses:
The Snorkel Stalker
Story submitted by Steve
My ex-boss made Elon Musk look like a mindfulness coach.
I booked a Bali trip to recover from burnout that he caused, and he goes, “You’ll still be on call 24/7?”
I said, “What if I’m snorkelling?”
He says, “Buy a waterproof case so you can answer calls and emails underwater.”
He didn't like getting a haircut, convinced the company would collapse the moment his attention wavered.
He went so far as to fire the HR Manager for being "too sympathetic to staff."
He believed annual leave was a crime.
I took ONE day off for my kid’s sports day and got 10 calls telling me I was a disgrace. He genuinely expected me to be fully engaged in a conference call while watching my son in the 100m.
Rest was rebellion, family time was treason, and waterproof phones were corporate policy.
If micromanagement were an Olympic sport, he’d take gold, silver, and bronze … and then fire his entire staff for underperforming.
These are 100% genuine true stories. If I didn't laugh, I'd cry.
👀 Our Take
Expecting 24/7 access, even on holiday, is a clear boundary violation. It erodes wellbeing and trust.
🧠 Could this have been avoided?
Yes. Respecting leave and setting clear out-of-office protocols supports sustainable performance and loyalty.
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.
