Image via Complex Original
The Office turns 10 today. If Michael Scott were throwing the party, he might ask Phyllis to jump out of a cake, order 5,000 balloons covered in his portrait, knock a candle over, light the place on fire, and pretend the firemen that show up are male strippers he ordered. Surprise!
But for the occasion, we decided to make a list instead. There’s plenty of Pam loves Jim and Jim loves Pam moments, Dwight being an idiot, or memes to be made of co-worker confessionals. Most importantly, though, if any lesson is to be learned from spending 10 years watching The Office, it’s what’s not to do via the character of Mr. Scott. If anyone in any sort of management position did any of the things Michael did, they’d all be fired by now.
We’ve narrowed down 10 instants of Michael at his managerial worst. Choosing only 10 wasn’t an easy task. If you’re an Office advocate, you know there’s at least one every episode.
Flirting With Middle-Aged Employees
Appeared in: “Sexual Harassment,” Season 2, Episode 2
It's definitely not a good idea to tell an employee the only worry you have about them being attractive “is getting a boner” around them, as Michael tells Phyllis in the beginning of Season 2.
Framing Someone Instead of Firing Them
Appeared in: “Frame Toby,” Season 5, Episode 9
If you want to get rid of someone you work with, don’t frame them, and definitely not with Caprese salad. When Toby returns and replaces the woman Michael is dating, Mr. Scott tries to frame Toby with what he thinks is marijuana. Turns out it was actually salad.
Fake Firing Someone
Appeared in: “Pilot,” Season 1, Episode 1
How can we forget the first sign of Michael’s inadequacy as a manager? He calls sweet Pam into his office and fires her for stealing Post-Its. Turns out, he’s kidding. Hilarious to him, clearly not to her.
Sharing Intimate Details of Your Vacation With the Whole Staff
Appeared in: “Back From Vacation,” Season 3, Episode 12
Not only is Michael taking a risk by bringing his boss on vacation and combining business with pleasure, but also he mistakenly sends out a picture of it to the entire office. Keep your lips (and letters) sealed, Scott.
Screwing Up Everyone's Health Care to Save Money
Appeared in: “Health Care,” Season 1, Episode 3
In the first season, Michael delegates Dwight with creating a cheap health care plan. The number one way to piss off your office? Stripping down their PPO.
Jumping Off a Roof for Safety Training
Appeared in: “Safety Training,” Season 3, Episode 20
This will not only get you fired, but killed. It's definitely not worth dying to make a point about office safety.
Pretending to Be Willy Wonka for a Marketing Stunt
Appeared in: “Golden Ticket,” Season 5, Episode 19
If you want to offer clients a discount, don’t give out golden tickets. You may end up losing a huge chunk of revenue and nearly closing down your office (unless you can pay it back in lollipops and Oompa-Loompa loans).
Holding Leadership Training on a Booze Cruise
Appeared in: “Booze Cruise,” Season 2, Episode 11
Did Michael really think a leadership training exercise on a party boat would work? Or that telling people it was sinking would be a good idea? Yes, yes he did.
Impersonating a Film Producer (When That's Not Your Job)
Appeared in: “Local Ad,” Season 4, Episode 9
Shooting an in-house commercial to compete with what Michael calls the “corporate crapfest” is just going to waste everyone’s time. And putting employees to work writing jingles and sketching logos probably isn’t the most efficient use of time either. Then there's the time when Michael mouthed off to advertising consulters and headquarters while pretending to be James Cameron, which is a direct route to the cutting room floor.
Bringing Two Dates to a Charity Event
Appeared in: “Casino Night,” Season 2, Episode 22
Especially when one of them is your boss.