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People Share Unethical Business Practices That Are Extremely Common

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Everyone has a story about a rough job they used to have. Maybe it was a bad boss who got on your nerves every day, or perhaps strict company guidelines forbidding you from wearing pants that went above your ankles. Either way it left a bad taste in your mouth that lingers to this day. What usually ends up happening when you talk it out with enough people is a lot of these shady practices seem to pop up in many areas.

Strange...

Reddit user, u/IllCreme, wanted to know:

What is unethical but is extremely common practice in the business world?

When You Already Know...

Giphy

I don't know about "unethical as f-ck," but going through the motions of pretending to entertain outside candidates when you've already decided on who internally will get the job. Wastes everyone's time.

cinnapear

Let's Keep You Where You Are

You apply for a new job within your current company, but do not get an interview or offered the job. Your current manager blocked it because you are deemed too valuable where you are.

A manager I worshiped apparently did this to me many times. The kicker is she would encourage me to apply for the position knowing full well what her plan was.

Spooty03

This Seems Really Open Ended

Companies(mine) that give you PTO hours that end up being capped but if you use the PTO you are punished by losing pay/shift differentials.

pureerickk

Re-categorizing Overtime?

Companies being allowed to give workers just below the minimum requirement of hours to avoid giving them benefits. Minimum is 40 hours a week? Work them 39.9 and not a minute more, or call any extra time 'overtime' so they get paid double or time and a half or whatever, which is great in the short term but cheaper in the long term of the company than giving them benefits.

SubjectShape

A.B.S. = Always Be Standing

Don't know if it's been said before, but why in 2019 is it still considered "rude" for people to be sitting on the job? Restaurant Hosts or Supermarket Cashiers, like if its a slow hour of the day just let people rest their feet I don't get it.

Moreover, my Mother's owned a hair salon for years and has to stand up to do hair properly. She's been doing it her whole life, and used to in heels, so she has a lot of foot pain and tends to break foot bones every so often. And she doesn't even have a choice in her profession, why do that to people who would do just as good sitting down?

Peach-n-Key

Define: FREE

Using the word "free" when I have to spend money to get the free thing.

It's not free unless I can walk into your business, get your product or service without paying a single penny, and walk out of your business.

If I have to pay even a single penny, it is not free, it is "included with purchase".

If words don't mean what those words mean, then nothing means anything.

Dont_touch_my_elbows

Just A Lot Of Waiting...And Waiting...And Waiting...

"On call" scheduling: i.e. requiring employees to call in two hours before their shift starts to find out whether they are actually working--if you're not needed you don't get paid.

This insidious practice is unfortunately legal in the majority of U.S. states.

urban_snowshoer

It's All The Same, Right?

Not disclosing to the customer that their product was built with used/refurbished parts. The justification is that: They have a failure rate the same as new ones.
I'm sure if the customer knew they'd probably be pretty pissed off though.

olrustyeye

Sure, By The 15th You Meant The 27th, Right? Next Month?

Paying invoices late, especially BIG companies that pay a few months late. It kills small business, and seems to be quite normal here in the UK

Ctoone

Beneficial Redirection

Investment services like Edward Jones, who will recommend investing in funds that make THEM the most money. It's impossible to get good advice from these places.

shoestringbow

Keeping It Hidden

Hiding fees until the service is provided.

justgumunderatable

I was in a car accident that required an ambulance ride, and I was charged DOUBLE for it. Apparently the 2 ambulance companies in my area are in cahoots, so rather than share the business in my area 50/50, they apparently devised a way to "split" it 100/100. They each have one person from the other company ride in their company's ambulance. The explanation I received was since a medic from the other company was riding along in the ambulance I took, they now can both charge me. Again, they didn't split the fee. They each charged me fully. It's almost a brilliant scheme, but also absolutely unethical and ridiculous, and I can't fathom how this is even legal. On a side note, they didn't even treat me on the ride.

CombOverDownThere

Locking Them In

Purposefully giving part time employees erratic schedules so they can't take on a second job.

Violet_Plum_Tea

The Magical 32

Giving your employees just few enough hours that they don't qualify as a full time employee, so you don't have to pay them benefits.

KeepitGoatse

I worked at Wal Mart in high school. There were older adults who worked tons of overtime. Really put their heart into the company. How were they rewarded? At the end of the pay period, they had shifts cancelled to keep them under 40 hours. Such a garbage company.

You can bet when I witnessed people shoplifting I looked the other way. F--- that company.

arch_nyc

Who Loses When You Only Watch The Bottom Line?

Chronically and purposely understaffing.

Looking at you, retail and Assisted Living companies.

Ihateambrosiasalad

If They Don't Say Anything, Don't Pay Nothing

Not paying invoices until you've been chased multiple times.

As standard policy.

slefj4elcj

Marking It Up

raising prices before putting items on sale

_baloney_sandwich_

As a former kohl's cashier, I can attest that they are the WORST with this. It should be illegal.

nope134

Any grocery store. I buy the same stuff every week and I know what the prices are, I know you literally made the price on this 150% and marked it down to regular price.

Noyes654

JUST. LET. ME. CANCEL.

I hate how convoluted it is to cancel a gym membership in most places. It's super shady. Sometimes you HAVE to mail a letter to the companies headquarters. Canceling at the gym isn't enough. Lots of people have gotten bills months later even though they were told over and over it was complete.

TheBloodEagleX

Jealous, Much?

Giphy

Firing someone the moment you find out they're looking for another job.

Lyn1987

We Are People, After All

The multitudes of ways in which work life bleeds into personal life and you're expected to just accept that(and worse, actively embrace it) else you're perceived as someone who doesn't want to get ahead or otherwise isn't as valued as the person who does. The company will always try and get more free time from you but far less than always (bordering on never) actually give you back what that extra time costs.

yockobird

What's an awful thing your job does that's considered legal? Tell us all about it!

People Describe The Most Traumatizing Thing They Ever Experienced As A Child

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Life is hard. It's a miracle to make it through with some semblance of sanity. We are all plagued by grief and trauma. More and more people of all backgrounds are opening up about personal trauma and its origins. Finally! For far too long we've been too silent on this topic. And with so many people unable to afford mental health care, the outcomes can be damaging.

All of our childhoods have ups and downs and memories that can play out like nightmares. We carry that, or it follows us and the first step in recovery is talking about it. So who feels strong enough to speak?

Redditor u/nthn_thms wanted to see who was willing to share about things they'd probably rather forget, by asking:

What's the most traumatizing thing you experienced as a child?
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childhood

People Divulge The Real Reason Why They're Still Single

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Being single can be fun. In fact, in this time of COVID, being single can save lives. But the heart is a fickle creature.

And being alone can really suck in times of turmoil. None of us are perfect and it feels like that's all anyone is looking for... perfect.

Now that doesn't mean that all of us are making it difficult to partner up. Sure, some people are too picky and mean-spirited, but some of the rest of us are crazy and too much to handle. So one has to be sure.

The truth is, being single is confusing, no matter how much we try to match. So let's try to understand...

Redditor u/Mcxyn wanted to discuss some truths about love and our own issues, by asking:

Why are you single?
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being single

Chefs Divulge The Most Important Tips That Amateur Cooks Need To Know

Tiard Schulz/Unsplash

Whether you're an at home parent, a college student just leaving the nest, or a Food Network junkie, there are a few basic tips that everyone should know.

Chef's gave us some of their top tips for amateurs and beginner at home cooks that will really make a difference. They are trained professionals with years of experience in the kitchen, so they definitely know what we're all missing.

If you're looking to improve some of your cooking skills and techniques, but you're still learning how to boil water correctly, this list is for you.

Redditor BigBadWolf44 wanted in on the secrets and asked:

"Chefs of Reddit, what's one rule of cooking amateurs need to know?"

Let's learn from the masters!


What a common mistake!

"A lot of the time when people add salt to a dish because they think it tastes flat, what it really needs is an acid like lemon juice or vinegar."

- Vexvertigo

"Instructions unclear I drugged my dinner party guests and now they're high on acid."

- itsyoboi_human

"Yes! Or tomatoes. They're pretty acidic too and go with so many things. Our dinners are so much better once the garden tomatoes are ripe. Or if a dish is too acidic, oil/butter or a little sugar can help add balance to it."

- darkhorse85

"Like tomato and eggs. Every Chinese mom makes those slightly differently and I haven't had a tomato egg dish I didn't like yet."

- random314

"There's a book called 'Salt Fat Acid Heat' that comes highly recommended to amateur cooks."

- Osolemia

"Reading even just the first chapter about salt made a lot of food I cooked immediately better, because I finally understood salt wasn't just that thing that sat on the dinner table that you applied after the meal was cooked."

- VaultBoy42

"Salt is important for sweets. A batch of cookies without that little hint of salt doesn't taste quite right."

- Osolemia

Unfortunately, this tip might not be accessible to everyone. Many people who contracted COVID can no longer use their sense of smell the way they used to.

"Have a friend that lost his smell from COVID, and now he only recognizes if food is salty, sweet, sour or bitter."

- AlphaLaufert99

"Just wait until he gets his sense of smell back and a ton of foods smell like ammonia or literal garbage now. Yeah, that's fun... It's been 7 months for f*cks sake just let me enjoy peanut butter again!!!!!!!!!"

- MirzaAbdullahKhan

You can't take back what you've already put in.

"You can always add, but you cannot take away."

- El_Duende666

"I find people's problems usually are they're too scared to add rather than they add too much."

- FreeReflection25

"I see you also grew up white in the mid-west."

- Snatch_Pastry

Safety first!

"Not really a cooking tip, but a law of the kitchen: A falling knife has no handle."

- wooddog

"I'm always so proud of my reflexes for not kicking in when I fumble a knife."

"If I drop anything else, my stupid hands are all over themselves trying to catch it (and often failing). But with a knife the hardwired automatic reaction is jump back immediately. Fingers out of the way, feet out of the way, everything out of the way. Good lookin out, cerebellum!"

- sonyka

"Speaking of KICKING in. On first full time cooking job I had a knife spin and fall off the counter. My (stupid) reflex was to put my foot under it like a damn hacky sack to keep it from hitting the ground. Went through the shoe, somehow between my toes, into the sole somehow without cutting me. Lessons learned: (1) let it fall; (2) never set a knife down close to the edge or with the handle sticking out; (3) hacky sack is not nearly as cool as it could be."

- AdjNounNumbers

"Similarly, NEVER put out a grease or oil fire with water. Smother with a lid or dump baking soda in there (do not use flour, as it can combust in the air making things worse)."

- Metallic_Substance

How else will you know it tastes good?

"Taste the food."

- OAKRAIDER64

"Also don't be afraid to poke and prod at it. I feel like people think the process is sacred and you can't shape/flip/feel/touch things while you cook them. The more you are hands on, the more control you have."

"No, this does not include situations where you are trying to sear something. Ever try flipping a chicken thigh early? That's how you rip a chunk out of it and leave it glued to the pan until it's burnt."

- Kryzm

Here's one just for laughs.

"When you grab a pair of tongs, click them a few times to make sure they are tongs."

- Kolshdaddy

"People really overlook this one. You've gotta tong the tongs a minimum of 3 times to make sure they tong, or else it can ruin the whole dish."

- BigTimeBobbyB

If you're looking to get into cooking or to improve you technique, pay attention to these few tips.

Salt generously, add an acid to brighten things up, and don't forget to taste your food!

If all else fails, you can always order take out.

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

cooking

People Describe The Most Inappropriate Thing They Ever Did As A Kid

Victoria_Borodinova/Pixaba

As part of the learning process, children often do embarrassing things before they learn a little more about the world and all the different implications therein. While the inappropriate moment is usually minor and ends in laugher some instances are truly mortifying.

One such instance involved a little sister who was around 6 at the time. It was the 90s and at the height of the youth-focused PSAs (think the frying egg representing your brain). One type was a safety PSA about stranger danger. The speaker would remind the children that if a stranger tried to take you anywhere to yell “Stop, you're not my mommy/daddy" to raise the alarm.

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