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‘They Take the Credit, You Take the Blame’: TikToker Lists 5 Bosses Worth Quitting Over

A coach lists five bosses worth quitting over, sparking a viral outpouring of employee misery across the internet.

By mitch·5 min read
A tired office worker leans against a cubicle wall while scrolling through social media posts about terrible bosses.

Zero Dollar Coach, the man behind the TikTok account @zerodollarcoaching, has a simple message for workers everywhere: some bosses are not worth your time, no matter how much they pay you. On September 5, he posted a video listing five kinds of bosses he believes employees should quit immediately, and the response has been overwhelming. With over 121,300 likes and 2,000 comments as of publication, the video has sparked a wave of agreement — and a few dissenting voices.

The creator, who goes by Zero Dollar Coach, made the video with a caption that stated he would not work for such people even “if they doubled [his] salary.” That is a bold position, and it lands with force.

Five Kinds of Bosses Worth Quitting

Zero Dollar Coach’s list is straightforward, and each entry comes with a clear rationale. Here is how he breaks them down:

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  • The boss who watches the clock instead of watching your work — this person takes issue with employees being a few minutes late, leaving early, or taking a day off, even when given months of advance notice. The creator argues that these people need to realize they have “hired adults” and stop “taking attendance.”
  • The boss who needs to approve everything — these people treat employees like capable adults but burden them with constant anxiety instead.
  • The boss who regularly asks about every other income source an employee might have — the creator responds that if an employee is not targeting the business they are primarily working for, then it doesn’t matter what kind of work they do to make some extra money to make ends meet for their own personal life.
  • The boss who protects a problematic employee — this person knows there is an annoying or problematic employee in the company, so several people have to change schedules or quit entirely. Yet this kind of boss says that the people need to work it out amongst themselves. The creator says, “you’re the boss,” so it is their responsibility in the first place to make sure everyone else is happy and can work in peace instead of protecting one employee just because they are “too scared to have an uncomfortable conversation.”
  • The boss who takes the credit — the familiar scenario that several comments agreed with. “They take the credit, you take the blame.” The creator summed up this type of boss with that one line. So when something happens correctly or as planned, it is always their credit, but if something goes wrong, the blame always goes to the employees.

Each boss represents a failure of leadership, and the video’s popularity suggests that many viewers recognize these patterns in their own workplaces.

What the Comments Said

The video’s comments section is where the story gets interesting. Many viewers agreed with the creator, and some even offered their own examples. One of the most-liked comments read, “I need to work for you.” Another said, “I know this boss.”

But not everyone was on board. Some commenters pushed back on the clock-watcher category, arguing that being on time to work is a non-negotiable for them, both as an employee and as an employer. Even if it happens sometimes, one should not “make it a habit.”

One commenter wrote, “Bro just said 4 things my manager does.” That single sentence captures the frustration of recognizing a pattern in your own workplace.

The video’s engagement numbers show a split audience: those who feel seen and those who feel challenged. The likes and comments together paint a picture of a workforce that is tired of bad management.

The Numbers Behind the Video

The video’s performance is notable on its own terms. Over 121,300 likes and 2,000 comments is a substantial response for a single post, especially one that asks viewers to consider quitting their jobs.

Metric Number
Likes Over 121,300
Comments Over 2,000
Date posted September 5

The engagement shows that the topic resonates. Workers are willing to share their experiences, even anonymously, when given the chance.

Why This Video Matters

The video’s appeal is partly performative. People enjoy sharing stories about bad bosses, and this list provides a framework for doing so. But the list also serves a practical purpose. It gives workers a vocabulary for describing their frustrations, and it normalizes the idea that quitting is sometimes the right choice.

The video’s creator is not offering career advice so much as validation. For many viewers, seeing their experiences reflected in a list means they are not alone.

The dissenting comments are worth noting too. They show that workplace norms vary widely, and what one person considers intolerable another considers essential. That is a reminder that management styles are deeply personal.

The video’s success is a sign of the times. Workers are increasingly vocal about their rights, and platforms like TikTok give them a megaphone.

The Bottom Line

Zero Dollar Coach’s video is a call to arms for the disenchanted worker. It is a list of bosses to avoid, but it is also a mirror held up to the worst of management. The video’s popularity shows that many people agree with the assessment.

The comments section proves that the list is incomplete. Viewers are adding their own entries, and the conversation continues beyond the video itself.

For anyone considering quitting, the video offers a simple test: look at your boss and see if they fit any of the five categories. If they do, the video’s creator has a clear recommendation. The question is whether you are willing to act on it.

The video’s message is blunt: some bosses are not worth your time, no matter how much they pay you. That is a powerful statement in a world where loyalty is often rewarded with frustration.

Source material: “‘They Take the Credit, You Take the Blame’: TikToker Listed 5 Bosses Worth Quitting Over, Commenters Are Naming Their Own Managers,” The Daily Dot.

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