The Office: 10 Worst Things Michael Scott Ever Did

Being a boss is no easy feat, as you can never have your cake and eat it too. While being popular and beloved by your workforce is possible, it's also statistically challenging, as you're always going to have to make harsh decisions that lead to someone disliking you. Even the most well-liked boss has an enemy or two.

Then, there are people like Michael Scott, who focus so much on being a friend rather than a boss that they create an incredibly uncomfortable work environment.

Michael Scott is one of the funniest sitcom characters ever, and that's thanks to the fact that his constant need for attention and lack of boundaries led to some of the most amusing and painful moments of awkward comedy in TV history.

His lack of self-awareness took the concept of being a boss and turned it into what seemed like a nightmare for his workers, yet still managed to charm the viewers into loving him, as his joyful naivety and blissful optimism was always a joy to behold. Yet, there were a fair few moments where he may have stepped too far over the line.

Michael Scott genuinely cared for his workers, that much is indisputable. While he abused his power often and struggled with boundaries, he can never be accused of hating his staff. However, that doesn't mean he wasn't perfectly willing to set their concerns and issues aside for the sake of nepotism.

The issue of giving preference to family members is all over jobs and businesses, so it's no surprise that it made its way to The Office. This moment came during the appropriately titled episode "Nepotism" after Michael hired a young man called Luke Cooper.

Luke wasn't just any old employee. He was the son of Michael's estranged half-sister and was only hired so Michael could get back in favour with her. Sadly for him, this plan didn't work as Luke was an absolute disaster in the workplace. He deliberately goofed around, messed up drink orders and had the worst work ethic possible.

Despite the protestations of his other workers, Michael defended Luke time and time again, for no reason other than the fact that they were related. However, this all came to a head after Luke annoyed everyone with a laser pointer, and Michael stepped in by spanking him in front of the entire office.