Coworker Refuses Part Exchange, Gets Malicious Compliance
The Original Post
Few days ago, Big Jim approached me (Dumbleskunk Postlethwaite the 7th).
“Bobbybatterbottom has a time sensitive test he needs me to run, we need parts but dont have any in house. If we order them, they’ll arrive too late and push back a lot of work so Bobbybatterbottom said I should ask you, if you had any we could have”?
I tell Big Jim that I will check my project area and bring him some if I have any. I then ask if Bobbybatterbottom has ordered any yet?
-Yes but they will be arriving too late.
One day later im added to the email chain and add:
“Bobbybatterbottom, I have two of the parts youve requested and I understand how time sensitive this test is, I’ll bring Big Jim the parts you need and let’s swap? When your ordered parts arrive, you won’t need them anymore so I’ll take them off your hands because the parts im giving you will then be useless after you’ve run your test”
Bobbybatterbottom replies “thanks for the parts, as for the new parts, Im not responsible for ordering parts for your department, please use the proper channels”….
…
…
What an interesting development.
I reply.
“Hello Bobbybatterbottom, Big Jim informed me you needed 2 parts to run a test, unfortunately im not responsible for ordering parts for your department, please use the proper channels
Good luck, Dumbleskunk Postlethwaite the 7th”.
Continued doing my work,
sure hope they get their work done on time.
—————————————End of line———————————-
Edit to say: This skyrocketed to my most biggest post of all time. Thanks for that everyone AND thanks to whoever gave me that award, Ive never gotten one before so thats new. 😄
————————————–
Edit 2 Electric boogaloo: 3 people have asked me to use names instead of Colleagues X Y and Z because names are less confusing.
Colleague X is now Bobbybatterbottom
Colleague Y is now Big Jim
Colleague Z (me) is now Dumbleskunk Postlethwaite
Hope that clears up any confusion. 🙏🏻
What Reddit Said
Reddit absolutely loved this perfectly executed malicious compliance. Users praised OP for the flawless mirror response that exposed the coworker’s hypocrisy. Many noted how Bobbybatterbottom essentially shot himself in the foot by being unnecessarily rude.
However, some Redditors predicted potential workplace drama ahead. Most agreed the coworker brought this entirely on himself. In fact, many users applauded OP for standing up to workplace bullies who take advantage of generous colleagues.
The Verdict
The overwhelming consensus: this coworker refuses part exchange malicious compliance was absolutely justified. Bobbybatterbottom learned a harsh lesson about biting the hand that feeds you. This is a perfect example of malicious compliance where karma strikes immediately through the person’s own words.
Original post from r/MaliciousCompliance (2,755 upvotes, 147 comments)