Working America's My Bad Boss Contest is an opportunity for workers to speak out about the difficulties they face every day on the job. Share your story about a nightmare boss—and you may win a well-deserved, weeklong vacation.

How the Contest Works

Submit a story about your bad boss—it can be your current boss or someone from a previous job. Our editorial team will edit and post stories that will then be eligible to receive votes. All stories must fit within the contest guidelines. Review the contest rules or see the contest guidelines.

My Bad Boss website readers will vote on their favorite posted stories. The first semifinalist voting period will begin Thursday, July 10th, 2008, and end Tuesday, August 19th, 2008. The first voting period lasts for eleven calendar days, and each voting period thereafter will last for one week, with the two stories with the most votes selected as semifinalists per week, until we reach eight finalists.  Semifinal winners will be announced by Saturday following the end of each voting period. The eight semifinalists will become contenders for the "People's Choice" Grand Prize: a free, weeklong vacation getaway at their choice of 500+ locations. An additional story will be selected by Working America staff for the "Most Outrageous Story" award. The winner of the "Most Outrageous Story" Grand Prize also wins a free, weeklong vacation getaway at their choice of 500+ locations. Learn more about the Grand Prizes.

Maybe you’re the lucky one who doesn’t have a bad boss story to share. That’s OK—you can participate by voting for your favorites or sending in comments on My Bad Boss Contest horror stories.

Guidelines for Working America's My Bad Boss Contest

To Enter the Contest

• You must post a story about a current or previous bad boss.

• Stories must be about your own personal experiences with an employer.

• Do not include the name of the company or any personal names or other personal identifiers with the story. For legal reasons, stories including this information will not be posted.

• Working America's editorial staff will review and may edit all entries before posting. Submitted entries will be reviewed within three working days. Entries deemed irrelevant, potentially libelous or inflammatory will not be posted. The name of the company and any personal names or other personal identifiers will not be posted. Working America reserves the right to edit any entries to maintain the anonymity of the entrant, to remove profanity or to remove any information deemed irrelevant, potentially libelous or inflammatory. Entries may be edited for length.

• Be brief. A good length is not more than 250 words. Long entries will be edited.

• After completing the submission process, please allow three working days for review.

• Stories that do not get the most votes in a weekly voting period will be rolled over into the next contest period. Votes received from previous voting periods will not count toward subsequent semifinalist or finalist vote totals.

Anonymity

• Although we ask for your name and employment details to enter the contest, this information will not be made public on the contest website. Contest entries will display only the name alias you provide and the state you provide, along with the text you enter, subject to editing by Working America staff to maintain confidentiality. 

Prizes

The finalist who receives the most votes during the final voting will receive the "People's Choice" grand prize.

An additional story be selected by Working America staff to receive the "Most Outrageous Story" grand prize.

Prizes will be awarded to each semifinalist winner. View prizes.

Voting on Entries

Anyone can vote. Just click on the vote button on your favorite story to cast your vote. You can vote on as many stories as you like, but only one vote per story in a 24-hour period is permitted.

Commenting on Stories

All Working America members may comment on stories. If you are not already a member, you can become a member by commenting on a story. As with the My Bad Boss Contest entries, Working America's staff can choose to edit or not post a comment to maintain the anonymity of the participant.  Working America's staff also may edit or not post comments deemed to be irrelevant, potentially libelous or inflammatory, or which include profanity.

Voting Periods

The semifinalists will be determined from the top two contestants whose stories receive the most votes during these voting periods:

1st Semifinalist Vote: Thursday, July 10, 12 p.m. until Tuesday, June 22, 11:59 a.m.

2nd Semifinalist Vote: Tuesday, July 22, 12 p.m. until Tuesday, July 29, 11:59 a.m.

3rd Semifinalist Vote: Tuesday, July 29, 12 p.m. until Tuesday, August 5, 11:59 a.m.

4th Semifinalist Vote: Tuesday, August 5, 12 p.m. until Tuesday, August 12, 11:59 a.m.

All semifinalists will compete for the grand prize.  The voting period for the "People's Choice" Grand Prize is: Tuesday, August 12, 12 p.m. until Tuesday, Aug. 19, 11:59 a.m.  Be sure to return often to vote for your favorites!