Office Scapegoat Humor: When the Blame Takes a Day Off

Office scapegoat humor exists because blame is rarely accidental at work.In many organizations, it is quietly assigned, informally understood, and consistently relied upon.

When that system breaks—even temporarily—stress doesn’t reduce. It spreads.

This cartoon captures a familiar workplace truth: when the scapegoat isn’t available, everyone else suddenly feels the pressure.

Why Office Scapegoat Humor Works

1. Scapegoating Is Treated Like a Role

The humor comes from treating scapegoating as an official function, not a failure of leadership or culture.

When the designated person isn’t available, stress rises—not because work has increased, but because blame has nowhere to land.

2. The Joke Happens Outside the Office

This line isn’t delivered in a meeting or a review. It’s said casually at home.

That contrast matters:

• At work, scapegoating feels normal

• Outside work, it sounds absurd

The cartoon lets the realization happen naturally.

3. “Official Scapegoat” Is the Reveal

• Most workplaces deny having a blame culture. But their behavior suggests otherwise.

• One person absorbs failure. One role explains delays. One team protects everyone else.

• Calling it “official” doesn’t exaggerate—it clarifies.

Workplace Blame Culture in One Sentence

This cartoon isn’t about incompetence or laziness.

It’s about how organizations feel calm when someone else is expected to fail—and how stressful things become when that person takes leave.

More Cartoons on Workplace Politics

If this office scapegoat humor feels familiar, you’ll find many more examples in my Scapegoat Cartoons collection.

Scapegoating is just one of several dynamics explored in my broader Office Politics Cartoons series.