REFLECTION PAPER: Horrible Bosses

One of the worst scenarios that an employee may dream of is having a difficult boss to
work under. Bosses that are too strict, give too much work, insensitive or impatient are some of
the characteristics that employees dont like. Lets face it, I dont think anyone would like bosses
or superiors like that.
The film Horrible Bosses shows three friends Nick Hendricks, Dale Arbus and Kurt
Buckman struggle working under their own horrible bosses. Nick works under David Harken
who reprimands Nick and saying that Nick isnt fit yet for a promotion so he awards it on
himself. On the other hand, Dale works as an assistant for Dr. Julia Harris who continues to
sexually harass Dale despite of him being engaged. Julia even threatens to show Stacy (Dales
fianc) some intimate pictures of her and Dale if he wouldnt have sex with her. Lastly, since
Kurts original boss died, he now works for his boss son whose name is Bobby that is a drug
addict and doesnt really care about the company at all. With these circumstances, theyve
decided to kill their respective bosses.
Over the course of studying Human Resource Management (HRM), I have realized that
Human Resource, in its simplest form, is about improving an employees work environment in
order for the organization to maximize its employees skills and potential. The film Horrible
Bosses illustrated how an employees work environment in this case, their respective
employers - can affect their performance and thinking, even to the extent of wanting to murder
their bosses.
Among other things, I think what the film basically wants to show is one significant point
no matter what your position is; even if youre superior or not, even if youre the boss or not, a
harmonious relationship always starts with MUTUAL respect. It is critical that both or all of the
individuals involved have respect for each other. If Harken respected Nick as his employee and
not someone to just boss around, if Julia respected Dale as her assistant and not her sexual toy
and if Bobby respected Kurt as his colleague and not as his fathers favourite play toy, then the
idea of murdering their bosses might not cross the friends minds and Harken will not be
imprisoned, Julia will not be blackmailed and Bobby will not be killed.
Putting aside the films fictitious plot, in the end of the day, it states that how you treat
your employees will reflect in the business or even in their employers as well. Just like what the
old saying goes, What goes around, comes around.