What does it take to be completely untouchable at work?

[PithyMintFawn]

I work in a big corporate and I’ve noticed there’s this one guy who seems completely immune from any expectations or consequences. He shows up to meetings when he wants, barely contributes, and yet no one complains or even acknowledges it. It’s almost like an unspoken rule - he moves between teams every few years and people just know not to involve him in projects. If he does something unprompted, everyone reacts as if he’s done something amazing.

From what I’ve gathered, HR won’t touch his case, and there seems to be some underlying reason he’s so protected. This is unlike anything I’ve seen in my career. AIBU to wonder what kind of situation would lead to someone being completely untouchable at work? Have you ever seen this happen?

He knows where the bodies are buried.

I was hoping someone would mention these connections, so I didn’t have to. Thank you, and to @Cyclebabble too.

It was quite a significant theme in the Endeavour TV series, reflecting real life I believe.

Hello everyone we just wanted to let you know that this thread was started by a returning troll who will not be returning now - they rarely do in any event. However as it has gained some traction we are going to let it run.
MNHQ

I sat next to someone like this, luckily in a different department. She did no work at all that I could see. Spent her entire day going for cigarette breaks (and returning reeking of a combination of that and some hefty sprays of perfume), and having loud phone conversations where she would cackle and laugh like a hyena. Weirdly she was quite senior, actually the only bit of work I ever saw her do was performance reviews for her team of managers - done loudly over the phone of course, so we could all hear what should have been private.

If you weren't useful to her she wasn't interested. Sat next to her for months and she literally looked right through me. Which suited me fine.

And then they get me as their manager and I naturally want decent performance, they are incensed as to them they are doing nothing different , they get put on a pip, go off sick then come back and raise a grievance against me, that stops the pip and suddenly it’s me getting invited to meetings and investigated. And everyone is very surprised when I’m a bit worried and upset as I’ve nothing to worry about. Grrr

Nepotism. Saw it in my last workplace.

I agree with this too and that includes senior managers!

There's a few if these in my workplace

1-squeals 'mental health' if she's asked to do anything
Will work for a week or two,go off sick (at the same time as her husband) enjoy a month or two until the sick notes run out,comes back,squeals about her mental health then rinses and repeats
The managers where shit scared of her as she had the union in her back pocket and hr on speed dial-she knew her rights,but wouldn't take her responsibilities
She's off on maternity and won't be back-she's had a shock as babies are far harder on mental health than a job

2-the biggest bully I've ever met
She tries to bully,bluff and abuse her way through the shift while doing nothing (normally found chatting or hiding in the toilets on her phone)
She's picked the wrong workforce to bully as we are all standing up to her-Cue a load of 'I'm being bullied!'
The old manager would bend over and take it up the arse for her but the new one won't and has stood up to her-Cue even more 'I'm being bullied!'
Turns out that daddy not only got her the job in the first place,but was in bed with the old manager (and both are bigger bullies than she ever could be)

3-she got the job (along with her sister) because her aunt was high up in the company and knew where the bodies where
Lazy,bossy,spiteful,full of bullshit and thick-and I'm being nice
Auntie went on sick leave and for personal reasons,had to leave
She's been exposed now as top boss auntie isn't around to cover her arse anymore

4-lasted two weeks
Her mum was mates with another top boss,so got her the job
She hid in the toilets all shift,vaping away and did nothing the whole time
This boss left 10 days into this girls career,so for the last 4 shifts,we had to haul her onto the shop floor (my colleague takes no crap)
She was asked to take a tray to a table,she refused,threw a tantrum and walked out

5-young lad who seems to think he's at the top of the tree
Bosses everyone around,is soooo rude,refused to do any work and whitters on about god all the time
He's not religious but by claiming he is,he's protected

Thankfully,we have a new manager who is kick-arse and takes no shit
She's doing her best to weed out the losers but it takes a long time

Is he Boris Johnson? Or Trump?

Watch "Office Space".

I think people who are untouchable at work fall into four categories:

1 - Bullies - they are feared or have some kind of hold over senior management. They are smooth talking bullies who will take anyone down who challenges them. So people just let them get on with it through fear of being next .

2 - Nepotism - They m are related to someone high up in the company or HR . In my experience the toad was related to the woman in HR . They shared the same uncommon surname and both denied any connection but I'm convinced by watching their body language they were related . He got away with stuff that most people would have been sacked on the spot for . She smoothed everything trivialised and swept everything under the carpet for him . He always got his story in first thus giving her time to prepare his defence .

3 - Like-ability - Sone people are so charming , comical and pleasant to be around that they actually are morale boosters . They get away with doing the bare minimum and are good at looking busy but spend a lot of their time socialising and therefore build up support and loyalty . They get away with being late , bring ill , or going over their allotted breaks . Stealing company time - a sackable offence .

4 - Indispensability- Usually have a skill set that Is indispensable and would be an absolute pain to find done one else to take their place or take on duties such as out of hour key holders or work antisocial hours .

The rest of us are ten a penny .