'Ok then, no more using our brains': Management insists workers use inferior process flowchart, the predictable occurs

Brad Dickson • Managing Editor

Jan 26, 2023 12:00 PM EST

The ability to listen and follow directions is often important when it comes to your performance in the workplace. The last thing an employer wants is someone who is going to go rogue and take matters and process into their own hands. Of course, if your job is to be creative and think of new ideas, you'll usually be encouraged to do so, but I'm willing to bet there are still processes and guidelines to follow.

The problem is that process is never ironclad unless you're building something like a spaceship where things have infinitesimal tolerances; I'm willing to wager that there's wiggle room. Processes can be incredibly redundant and cumbersome, aiming to help workers who have less technical experience or problem-solving capabilities. In the case where you have an experienced and effective worker who doesn't need this framework to make the right call, it stands to reason that this person should probably be left to their own devices; too much structure can stand in the way of results.

That's what this worker encountered when their manager insisted that they use the company process flowchart under threat of firing, with no exceptions. This would lead to a predictable outcome in a classic story of malicious compliance that was posted to Reddit by user u/Obsidian-Winter.

. . .

Next, check out this story where a workplace tried to instate disciplinary action for "unplanned" sick leave.

01

via Kelly Sikkema
02

via u/Obsidian-Winter
03

via u/Obsidian-Winter
04

via u/Obsidian-Winter
05

via u/Obsidian-Winter
06

via Alvaro Reyes

"I could usually identify the fault in the first minute of the call based on the symptoms described by the customer, and I seem to have a knack for being able to explain tech issues using accessible language"
07

via u/Obsidian-Winter
08

via u/Obsidian-Winter
09

via u/Obsidian-Winter
10

via u/Obsidian-Winter
11

via u/Obsidian-Winter
12

via u/Obsidian-Winter
13

via u/Obsidian-Winter
14

via u/Obsidian-Winter
15

via u/Obsidian-Winter
16

via u/Obsidian-Winter
17

via u/Obsidian-Winter
18

via u/Obsidian-Winter
19

via u/Obsidian-Winter
20

via u/Obsidian-Winter
21

via u/Obsidian-Winter
22

via u/Obsidian-Winter
23

via u/Obsidian-Winter