Oh man, you are not alone. I did the exact same thing with my snake plant. Thought it was a tough guy that could handle anything. Turned out I was watering it every three days like a maniac. Got a moisture meter on a whim and figured out the bottom of the pot was soaked for weeks. Let it dry out completely for like a month and a half. It pushed out three new pups just last month. That little meter really is a lifesaver.

Yeah I used to skip the sealing step too. Not anymore after this.

Hold up, have you ever actually worked a catering event? The guys are usually hauling 50lb ice bins and grills while the women do plates and wipe tables. Your boss probably just didn't think about it and went with what he's seen work for decades. Not everything is some big sexist conspiracy.