@Damaged
 
I think you’re giving workers too much credit; most of them under that boss would be afraid to take sick days, and would just put up with his abuse trying to keep their heads down. and if he did lay someone off as a show of force, it would be even more terrifying.
 
but even “good” bosses are masters of passive aggressive guilt tripping. they get people genuinely caring about them and trying to help them out of the goodness of their heart. any boss that tries to call your group a “team” is doing that.
 
I’m not a big fan of bosses, if that wasn’t obvious. so maybe I’m just being salty over nothing.

@redweasel  
Using these kinds of motivational “tricks” is a great way to poison an otherwise healthy work environment, increase employee turnover, and otherwise inspire your workers to take as many sick days/leave days without giving anything other than the absolute minimum of notice required.

this guy is an excellent boss.
 
doing his job very well. exactly what he’s paid to do.
 
the only thing he’s doing wrong is being too obvious about it to his employees.
 
may he drown in christmas pudding so don’t be too hard on him. he’s just lying to try to get more work from you for less pay, as bosses will do. he probably doesn’t believe it himself, and is only pretending that you’re incompetent and unimportant (or essential and important) to keep from getting laid off himself. “probably,” because there are people crazy enough to genuinely act that way, and employers try very hard to find them and hire them to be bosses. even then though, it’s just mental illness; there’s no rational argument other than deception and intimidation.
 
I guess what I’m saying is he doesn’t think he’ll drown in work. he doesn’t think you’re a lazy leech. he’s just saying it to trick you. he’s probably just acting when he’s emotionally distressed, but if he isn’t, it’s nothing you’re doing wrong, just his mental illness. so take your vacation time, and you’ll be showing compassion for him, without showing compassion for his lies.

@Dirty Bit  
I’m not very self-motivated, so I wouldn’t.

A friend of mine would probably spite this guy so hard…He works at Walmart.
 
@Tavi959
 
Doesn’t anyone?

 
My inner Jew joyces at t/his poor handwriting.

You starting to sound like a corporatist

Liquidate the managerial class

If you don’t need me, why do you need me?
 
This is why I like being my own boss.

Reminds me of a friend of mine who had a job he hates. He got another job in another state and told his current employers he’s quitting. He’s been enjoying the panic mode they’ve all gone into now that he won’t be around anymore. Some of their OTHER employees announced they are quitting since he is. He’s pretty sure that business won’t last more than two more years.

@Background Pony #2E1B  
Yeah, I decided to bypass all of that, and became my own boss after engineering college. B)

@BigBuggyBastage  
Aren’t they all?
 
One of the things you learn when you leave home and begin to work is that Dilbert isn’t fiction–if you are lucky enough to get a white-collar job.

Something tells me TJ’s boss is a penny-pinching, micro-managing douche hole.

Poor TJ.