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The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/Large_Art9229 on 2025-04-25 16:28:41+00:00.
Years ago I was head of quality control for a major partner company that built transmission parts for a big us automaker that started with F. My job at that company consisted of daily audits and testing of parts to make sure they met specifications and functioned correctly. One of the testing procedures was a machine that would test the parts to ensure they rotated 360 degrees without catching or getting stuck and they either passed or failed. Failed parts would get reworked of course. For the first year the job b was great and I took pride in it because if your spending over 50 grand on a new car you'd want it to work properly right?.
Well after a year the plant manager and CEO of the partner company came up to me one day and said that we would no longer be doing the rotation test. I was surprised because for one any changes in procedure have to be approved by F and second my written work instructions at the station has to be changed out, updated and stamped with approval which was standard procedure anytime work instructions were updated. The work instructions would also have to be reviewed by F. they told me to not worry about it and just stop testing the parts and to just pack them up and ship them. I definitely sensed a crapstorm coming because we did unfortunately have a high defect rate and without this test process 30 percent of the parts the customer received would be bad. But cue malicious compliance.
First thing I did was cover my butt. I typed up an official document stating I would not be responsible for any bad or defective parts that make it past me then I had it signed by the CEO and plant manager who didn't even really bother looking over it then I had it notarized by our companies notary.
Within a month the results were clear we were getting many complaints about bad parts and parts were being returned at an alarming rate. Some higher ups from F even did a walk through to try and see what the issue was and that's when they noticed that we weren't testing the parts before sending them out anymore. I was called into the conference room later that day for a meeting with the plant manager,the CEO and the higher ups from F. The plant manager and CEO looked furious and I knew they were gonna put the blame on me but I was prepared.
PM op the reason we called you here is because it was brought to our attention you aren't testing the parts before sending them out anymore is there a reason for this? He said with a smug look
Me yes you said not to test them anymore and to just send them out
CEO that's not true we never said that
I then proceeded to pull out the paper they mindlessly signed. Me here's the agreement you signed saying I'm not responsible for any bad parts getting sent out and how were no longer testing them. The plant manager and CEOs face both went pale and I then gleefully handed the paper to the higher ups from F. I was then asked to leave the room and on my way out I handed my 2 weeks notice to the plant manager because I knew this company was screwed and has another job lined up.
Long story short they lost their contract with F and got sued for 3 million dollars. The company shut its doors and last I heard they filed for chapter 3 bankruptcy. I don't know what happened to the building or anyone else that worked there and I don't even Care but I do know F had a major parts shortage for a while after this