workplace nightmares

It sounds almost harmless when a boss says, “Hey, can you give me your passwords? Just in case something happens to you.” But let’s be real—that’s not a quirky workplace request. That’s a giant, flashing red flag. Passwords are the keys to your professional and personal world, and sharing them doesn’t just break trust—it puts you at risk of blame, data breaches, and even legal trouble.

Sometimes, a toxic workplace doesn’t announce itself with shouting matches or public humiliation—it sneaks in through smaller, subtler demands. A reader recently shared that their boss told them: Bring me coffee every day, or I’ll mark you as “non-collaborative” on your performance review. It’s the kind of situation that sounds almost laughable until you realize it’s a genuine abuse of workplace power

You’ve just had a baby, and your boss says maternity leave depends on naming your child after him. It sounds outrageous—and it absolutely is. But beyond the shock, the legal question remains: Is this behavior illegal? Can you sue and win? This guide walks you through what to consider, how to respond, and how to protect your rights if your employer crosses a serious line.