>"He thinks he knows everything!"

God, this is crazy. If she relies on proficient people, she must trust them. I cannot understand her motivation—just for fun or cruel?

I've met some employers who dangle these sorts of things in front of people, probably telling themselves that they are being sincere, but when the time comes to deliver there's always a new goalpost. They have the same motivation as any manipulator, to take from you as much time and energy as you can be cajoled into giving.

Obviously I wasn't there, but that would be my suspicion. GP responded to being shamed appropriately. There are times in my life when I have been the sucker who feels compelled to double down. Perhaps it's a form of sunk cost falacy.

Her position was due to nepotism, I believe, and so her personality problems weren't disqualifying. The other person who cleaned trays was a kind of diversity hire, an adult with the maturity of a four year old or so. So I don't think "motivated employee does good work" was in her common experience. The bakers and cooks knew to keep their heads down around her. I was playing in the U.S. Open (chess) at the time, so I welcomed some time off (and then pursued other work).