From micromanaging nightmares and Slack meltdowns to bizarre team rituals and wildly inappropriate emails, Australians are being invited to share their most outrageous, hilarious, or just plain unbelievable bad boss stories all in the name of learning and leading better.
The campaign is being led by Compono, an Australian HR tech company that uses behavioural science, AI, and organisational psychology to help build stronger, more self-aware teams and develop future-ready leaders. While the campaign’s tone is light-hearted, its mission is serious: to spark real conversations about leadership and workplace wellbeing.
At the centre of the initiative is Compono CEO, Rudy Crous, a registered corporate psychologist with more than 20 years of experience and a front row seat to some serious workplace failures.
“We’ve all experienced leadership that missed the mark. After two decades working with organisations across Australia, I’ve seen some truly wild cases, but most bad bosses aren’t bad people,” said Mr Crous.
“They’re often promoted without the training, support, or self-awareness needed to lead well. This campaign puts a spotlight on the behaviours employees quietly put up with every day, while showing what great leadership could look like instead.”
From today (15 August), Australians can submit their workplace horror stories at worstboss.com.au, and have the option to remain anonymous if they’d like to.
Submissions close 15 September, after which Compono will shortlist the 10 most jaw-dropping or painfully relatable entries, for Australia to vote for their number one worst boss story.
Some early entries hint at what’s to come:
For every vote received, Compono will donate $1 to mental health charity R U OK?.
“We know that poor leadership can have a serious impact on mental health. That’s why we’re proud to support R U OK? through this campaign. It’s one more way we’re helping to bring wellbeing into the leadership conversation,” said Mr Crous.
“If we can openly talk about these stories and learn from them, we’re already one step closer to creating workplaces that don’t drive us crazy. Better bosses aren’t a myth, they’re just leaders who’ve had the right support.”
The winner, to be announced on 13 October, will receive a $5,000 holiday voucher, along with a “career glow-up” – three one-on-one sessions with a workplace psychologist designed to help them bounce back from their boss-related trauma.
Entries can be made here.
Media enquiries:
Laura Pocoe Adoni Media | 0499 646 083 | laura@adonimedia.com.au