People stealing at work is a big problem. Whether it's employees stealing each others' lunches from the fridge in the break room, or in one TikToker's case, a boss stealing her ideas and presenting them as her own.
Cristina Sevcenco, a Romanian TikToker, was tired of her boss presenting ideas to higher management that were not hers to take credit for, so she set about creating a failsafe that would ensure she got proper credit for all of her work.
Her boss didn't like the change.
Once Sevcenco posted her ingenious, and petty method of watermarking her work whenever it's downloaded, people shared their stories.
Apparently a few managers enjoy taking credit for employees' works.
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
Sevcenco realized what she had to do when she brought up the fact that her manager used a major market report--which brought great insight--to gain clout with a room of powerful people without mentioning her by name.
"She did not flinch an eye about this subject — quickly brushed it off and moved on to the next."
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
So, due to the demand, Sevcenco gave a tutorial in a follow-up video on how to add a watermark to your work once it has been downloaded.
The manager at this job unfortunately retaliated, leading Sevcenco to seek new employment.
"My career definitely slowed down. She didn’t give me as many projects anymore, [and] she was talking to everyone about how to perform better, [except] me. Later on, I found out they replaced me and I had 21 days to find another job."
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
@cristinasevcenco/TikTok
Sevcenco is employed elsewhere, but has changed her main focus to freelancing as she has become disillusioned with the corporate world.
"I think [managers passing off work as their own is] common because in this field of work, it’s like a lion cage. You need to fight your way up. Literally. No matter who gets hurt."
Sevcenco creates plenty of job and corporate content for your viewing pleasure.
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@mikeredmond/Bluesky
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social