It’s generally expected that we maintain a certain level of professionalism at work. While this varies from industry to industry and company to company, there are behaviors and actions that are deemed appropriate. And others that definitely aren’t. Professionalism does not mean wearing a suit or carrying a briefcase. It’s about the way you conduct yourself. A rock musician might be able to get away with more than an attorney. Both on and off the job. But regardless of your industry or title, being professional can help you succeed in your career while being unprofessional could have a long-lasting impact on your reputation and future.

Someone recently asked, “What’s the most unprofessional thing you’ve seen at work?” and people didn’t hold back. From colleagues freeing the nipple to bosses being tone-deaf about the Los Angeles fires and a woman asking her male coworkers to promote her OnlyFans page, it would seem there’s a lot going on behind the closed doors of companies. Bored Panda has put together a list of the craziest answers. Don’t forget to upvote your favorites, and feel free to share your own accounts of unprofessional behavior in the comments below.

We also spoke to two experts about how to deal with questionable behavior in the workplace. Shep Hyken is an industry leader in customer service and customer experience, an award-winning keynote speaker, and a best-selling author. Eva Chan is a career expert for the online career resources platform Resume Genius. You’ll find their interesting input between the images as you’re scrolling.

#1

My manager calling a fake team meeting to discuss convincing me to date the only other Black person in the office.

Image credits: rickettsna

As the leading authority on customer service and customer experience, an award-winning keynote speaker and best-selling author, Shep Hyken knows all about professionalism in the workplace.

“There is a big difference between looking professional and acting professional,” he tells Bored Panda during our interview. “Wearing a suit and tie or ‘formal business attire’ is just part of the package. While it’s good for a first impression, employees and customers won’t love you because you look professional. They love you and want to do business or work with you because you are professional. You treat others with respect, honor commitments, are honest, responsive, and do what you say you will do without blaming others.”

Resume Genius‘ career expert, Eva Chan agrees. “How you carry yourself matters far more than what you wear,” says Chan. “A sharp suit might give the impression of professionalism, but real professionalism runs deeper — it’s how you act and conduct yourself at work. The way you treat colleagues and communicate in a workplace setting all count more than a blazer and a carefully curated Zoom background. At its core, professionalism is just being a decent human at work: respecting people’s time, pulling your weight, and handling yourself with integrity.”

#2

Had a supervisor twice my age at my first job (i was 16) throw metal equipment at me while TRAINING me for not moving “fast enough”. Also had an assistant manager (also almost twice my age) at a wireless store i worked at steal $4000 from the store (for dr*g money) in only MY deposits and tried to frame me. Cameras proved her wrong but…yeah. pretty unprofessional.

#3

An anaesthetist picking his nose and eating it.

Image credits: vikkie_smith

We all have bad days, but the experts say when an employee consistently behaves unprofessionally, it’s cause for concern. Hyken says examples of unprofessional behavior (whether from leaders or employees) include a lack of accountability – blaming others for mistakes or sloppy work, disrespectful communication – the tone of voice you use when talking to others, not responding to messages, etc., gossiping or ‘behind-the-back’ conversation – talking negatively about team members and the company, crossing the line, and apathy – not showing up on time, missing deadlines, laziness.

“Unethical or immoral behavior should never be accepted,” warns Hyken. “In some cases, it may be ‘legal’ but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable behavior.

#4

Being yelled at as a new employee for not being trained on something. Like homie YOU GUYS are the one training me.

Image credits: e.m.p

#5

When my creepy senior citizen coworker said in his best Austin Powers voice “Do I make you horny?”

Image credits: jescherniak

#6

The manager shaving his face over the pizza cutting table.

Image credits: female_scarface220

“Unprofessional behavior isn’t always loud and obvious. Sometimes, it can be more insidious,” Chan told Bored Panda. “It’s obviously unprofessional when there’s a person who’s blatantly rude or constantly interrupts during meetings, but sometimes it’s more subtle. There may be a coworker who gossips every chance they get or conveniently ‘forgets’ to credit a teammate for their idea. You might also come across someone who ignores emails until the last minute, all while leaving everyone else scrambling to pick up the slack.”

She adds that managers can be just as bad by playing favorites, dismissing concerns, or setting unclear expectations only to blame the team when things go wrong. “In the end, unprofessional behavior like this chips away trust and weakens teamwork,” cautions Chan.

“The way you treat someone is the way they will treat you and others,” adds Hyken. “This is especially important for leadership, who set an example of how fellow employees and customers should be treated.”

#7

A girl who would rope in every new young male coworker to promote her onlyfans.

Image credits: the.mrs.fern

#8

My boss farting while standing next to my desk.

Image credits: tamsinlove

#9

Working in hospitality for pretty much my whole life soooo many but the craziest thing was a chef (male) grabbing the assistant manager (female) by the neck

Both Chan and Hyken say it’s important for managers to deal with unprofessionalism swiftly. “Rather than simply criticizing the behavior, offer examples of the right way to behave. Teach by example and set an expectation. When you notice a change, praise it,” suggests Hyken.

“As you notice some consistency in the better behavior, continue to acknowledge and praise. The goal is to not just spot and criticize negative behavior, but to turn it into a good habit that aligns with the culture of the company.”

#10

One of my bosses who hadn’t seen in a long while greeted me and went for a hug then loudly said “come closer, you hadn’t been hugged by a man in a long time”. I was so shocked I said nothing.
I saw him again 5 months later and confronted him about it, he laughed and said “was I lying?”
I don’t know this man at all outside of work.

#11

Had a manager tell me to hire people like her.. she’s caucasian… I’m hispanic.. Quit a month after that.

Image credits: kiiapinktowers

#12

So many ppl blatantly cheating on their spouses with other employees.

Image credits: m_pops_m

Chan adds that managers should deal with unprofessional behavior quickly and directly but with some tact. “The worst thing a manager can do is ignore bad behavior until it spirals,” she told us.

“A private conversation is usually the best first step as no one wants to be called out in front of their peers. If the issue keeps happening, though, there need to be consequences. A casual warning might work for small slip-ups, but if someone keeps disregarding workplace norms, it’s time for formal steps like performance improvement plans or even disciplinary action.”

#13

It feels like a high school. Always somebody loud, or an argument, or a misunderstanding.

Image credits: drecool85

#14

My boss storing his urine sample in the work refrigerator. He had a lab test later that day and figured it would be fine to put the sample in the communal fridge.

Image credits: pchoak

#15

I received a literal death threat from a coworker — i would say that was unprofesh.

Image credits: kricket__xx

Hyken says it’s important for management to lead by example. A “do as I say, not as I do” approach doesn’t work, he warns. “Demonstrating accountability is more important than ever at the leadership level. As a leader, blaming others for failures is a direct reflection on the leadership or management style,” the expert told Bored Panda.

He adds that poor communication, or failing to share constructive feedback when criticizing employees, will not make things better. “Managers unwilling to coach and mentor a ‘struggling’ employee will result in little change over time,” said Hyken.

#16

A girl twerking on the showroom floor at a luxury car dealership. And she was the receptionist.

Image credits: harleyqute

#17

Hitting on female coworkers.

Image credits: teriyaki_panda

#18

My coworker sleeps everyday. Not on lunch or break. Just at her desk. Falls asleep while scrolling fb

“Bad management comes in many forms,” Chan told Bored Panda. “Some managers micromanage every little detail, making it impossible for employees to do their jobs without constant interference. Others play favorites, giving special treatment to certain employees while overlooking the contributions of others. Some managers might keep changing expectations without clear communication, which can leave employees frustrated and unsure of what success even looks like.”

#19

When I was working in a restaurant when I was about 18/19, my manager got pissed we were talking during a downtime. He threw a bottle of aspirin at me. Then he got pissed when I called the owner and told him what his manager did. The manager was made to apologize to me and he was salty AF afterwards.

#20

Gossip, not taking accountability, & scapegoating

Image credits: lizstarlock

#21

Cranking up Trumps inauguration speech on 100% volume on your PC….like multiple people.

Sometimes, what might be deemed unprofessional behavior is actually a result of employees not knowing exactly what’s expected of them. A Gallup survey revealed that understanding expectations in the workplace has taken a dive over recent years, and less than half of U.S. employees polled said they were fully aware of what’s expected of them in the workplace.

The same survey found that Americans don’t seem to rate their colleagues very highly when it comes to output on the job. Only 28% said their co-workers were committed to doing quality work. Even fewer (18%) said they themselves were satisfied with their current company.

#22

My MANAGER going off on complicated customers.
Each time things could’ve been resolved if she was deescalating. People were just more mad at her attitude.

#23

My coworker flat ironing her hair at the cubicle.

Image credits: aliciaj_marie

#24

these passive aggressive emails… with everyone and their mother cc’d

Image credits: omyitsflyky

Chan has some advice for anyone with a “Houdini manager” or one who has mastered the disappearing act and is never around when their team actually needs them. “If you’re dealing with this kind of leadership, start by documenting everything: dates, incidents, and any communication that highlights the issue. If the pattern continues, escalate it to HR or a higher-up,” she advises.

“But if the company culture tolerates bad management and nothing changes? That’s a red flag. In that case, the best move might be to start looking for another workplace.”

#25

Coworkers fawking eachother ( separately married btw ), and a huge cheating scandal between coworkers (love triangle)

#26

Some jerk trying and failing to get the receptionist’s attention while she was on an important call. She kept turning her chair away from him so he finally lifted his foot and waved it in her face.

#27

A coworker cut her fingernails at their desk.

Image credits: bedia_r2

It’s important to remember that often, someone’s attitude at work might change when they’re struggling with something in their personal life.

“Life happens,” says Chan. “Good managers know employees aren’t immune to stress. As ideal as it would be, personal struggles don’t just disappear out of nowhere, and they can potentially spill into peoples’ work lives. The right move is to check in privately, offer support, and see if adjustments (like a lighter workload or flexible hours) can help.”

However, the expert adds that personal issues aren’t a free pass for ongoing unprofessional behavior. “If it starts disrupting the team, there need to be clear expectations and a plan to course-correct. Compassion and accountability can coexist, but it’s strong leadership that’ll find the balance. And that starts with leading by example. If a manager is going to call out unprofessional behavior, they’d better hold themselves to the same standard.”

#28

My old boss making sexual harassment jokes to me and about me to other coworkers

#29

Nurse at a ltc facility left to get lunch 30 minutes away… the only nurse in the building 🙃 she was gone for a whole hour

#30

My male boss wearing flip flops. We work in a corporate Building.

#31

Loudly cackling like SpongeBob every 2 seconds.

Image credits: _j3angr3y_

#32

My coworker was talking on the phone but her other finger was stuck in her nose

#33

Vaping on Microsoft Teams.

#34

Emails without proper professional formatting.

Image credits: supreme___overlord

#35

Me. On my iPad watching Dateline.

Image credits: juvenciaaa

#36

A nurse picking her nose then touching a public computer keyboard.

#37

You got an hour? You can tell when the managers are sexing each other. Baby daddy trying to fight the new dude and all three work there. Threatening security because they have to screen you every time you come in. Stealing clothes and being dumb enough to wear it on the job you stole it from! Promoting h*es who just started. Promoting illiterate people. Managers getting mad because certain people don’t disclose their sex life. On the phone more than doing their job. Answering the phone stupidly.

#38

Recently had the owner of the company brag about his house and condo in front of all of us employees when another employee asked him if he was affected by the LA fires. It was the most unprofessional, tone deaf, unnecessary comment I had heard, especially during a tragedy. I can keep going but I ended up leaving the company a week later. I can’t believe there are still bosses … uhhh people, that are that crappy and lacking in situational awareness.

#39

Misconduct and abuse from higher ups, bullying coworkers/peers, scapegoating

#40

Everyday someone walks around with no shoes sometimes it’s even without socks

#41

Prolly what I’m doing rn.

#42

Someone polished their toes on their desk while on the clock

#43

Shouting match between two colleagues.

#44

Last week a girl had on a crop top in our office.

Image credits: jazmind1016

#45

Social media type messaging between coworkers. They talk about anything and everyone.

#46

My trainer was rolling a L as he was showing me around the job.

#47

CoWorkers getting busy in their car on break.

#48

Having to cover for my boss every other Monday because she was hungover and called out. Being raised hell because I asked for a week of (unpaid) vacation time months in advance. Cliques / cattiness and drama at work for no reason. The spa industry is kind of like reliving high school all over again and if you try to set boundaries and don’t kiss a*s you’re immediately pegged as rude and unlikable.

#49

Durags & Basketball shorts at an office job.

#50

The amount of petty stealing. “Oh it doesn’t matter if I take paper and other office supplies”. It’s just the same as shoplifting.

#51

I saw someone throw a ball of trash at their Sous Chef

#52

Director lying about progress of the museum to the commissioners 🤷🏾‍♀️
Director watching a big white man scream at me in a parking lot … twice
Director missing every single meeting about museum content then when it was ready to go and sent off she then turned around with 200+ edits
Director claiming to be watching the cameras and time clock to check my clock in and arrival time.

#53

Party with beer kegs out back in the parking lot after work.

#54

I came to work one morning and the night shift nurse that I gave report to the day prior had a completely different hairstyle. I found out she got her hair braided by a coworker overnight lol. They were both on the clock when this happened.

#55

The security guard wearing a bonnet almost every shift.

#56

Crying when you receive constructive feedback.

#57

My white manager calling me asking why I didn’t tip out my other manager (illegal af)

#58

A White Woman Berating a Black Woman In Front Of Everyone.

#59

Not having on a bra. even if your t*****s small. It’s weird and we can always tell.

Image credits: ayriaseni

#60

Hotboxing the storage room at work with some coworkers on a slow rainy day. It was awesome.