New Boss Forces Employees to "Sign Out" Before Going to the Restroom

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Aug 22, 2023 6:00 PM EDT

One of my least favorite things about high school was asking to go to the bathroom. I didn't have a problem with the principle of asking for permission, but every teacher had a different policy for it. During the first week of school, I had to make a restroom cheat sheet because I had eight different teachers who all wanted me to ask to go to the restroom in a different way. Some had hall passes, some only let one person go at a time, and some didn't want you to ask at all, and would get mad if you did. I was so glad that in college, you could leave the classroom whenever you wanted with no questions asked. Once you get into the working world, it's the same situation. One worker almost 15 years into his job found himself in a pickle when his new boss demanded that workers "sign in" to indicate they've gone to the restroom. 

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  • 01
    Font - r/antiwork u/Maleficent_Ad7033 • 1d My new boss wants us to sign out anytime we go to bathroom or take lunch. I refuse to do so and have been threatened to be written up. What do I do?
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  • 02
    Font - So I've been at this company for 18 years now. I'm a high performing senior member of my team. My boss just took another job and my new boss is a hard when it comes to knowing where we are at all times. I'm almost 40 years old and I'm not about to walk over to his cubicle, slide my dot to the left to signal I'm going to the bathroom. maaaaybe I could see that for taking lunch. But we have a set 30 minute lunch everyday so it's not really a thing in my opinion. Since I refuse to sign out w
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  • 03
    Rectangle - I'm tempted to go to HR if this can't be resolved. What would you do?
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  • 04
    Font - Living Internet4924 • 22h 1 Award I kept scrolling but never saw a comment to this effect. OP, have you taken it to HR - not to COMPLAIN about it, but to ASK about it? My first stop would be asking whether this is a new company-wide policy, and if so, where are the FAQs and communications about it. Stop there. Ask nothing else. See what they say.
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  • 05
    Font - HR often gets painted as "not on your side," but the reality is, HR is on the side of "keeping the company from getting sued or fined." If this is just an overzealous manager who has created a new policy on her own, which is what it sounds like, HR may not be aware that it's happening. If you're a salaried employee and your work does not require being at your desk at specific times, she may be toeing the line of legality, and HR doesn't like people who toe that line. You don't have to com
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  • 06
    Font - Now, if HR comes back and says they support her new policy or management style... then it may be time to brush up your resume or look for a new role internally. Reply 4.3k
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  • 07
    Font - okayusernamego • 19h Yeah I agree with this. Don't make a big stink like some others are suggesting until you have a little more info, just send a polite HR email asking about if this is a new company wide policy, are there medical exemptions, is there an expected "acceptable" number of bathroom breaks, etc. They should either reply with answers to these questions, in which case you decide whether you want to comply or look for new employment or fight; or, they talk to your manager and ho
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  • 08
    Font - Overall-Lynx917 • 1d Be careful here. With 18 years seniority you could be one of their more expensive employees. This could be the start of a process to drive you out. Start a diary. ... Reply 8.2k
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  • 09
    Font - ragingthundermonkey. 21h In addition, once they hit 40, assuming this is in the US, they become protected from age discrimination. Eliminating an expensive piece of payroll before then could be seen as desirable in some situations. ... 2.6k
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  • 10
    Font - CaptPotter47 • 1d "Sliding out" for lunch might make sense. Although it's weird that your boss wants you to do that at his desk. Like I could see putting up a "at lunch sign" on your desk. But bathroom breaks? That's dumb and possibly illegal, due to medical issues. Your new boss is wanting to show his power off to you and assert dominance right off the bat. Reply 519 ...
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  • 11
    Font - Maleficent_Ad7033 OP. 1d I do have Crohn's. I'm in remission at the moment but it is something I could use if I had to. G ... 497
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  • 12
    Product - hacktheself • 1d If this is documented, you can advise your boss and HR that using the restroom is an ADA issue and this practice may be considered discriminatory. Doubly so if you can get a lawyer to write a professional nastygram. 450
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  • 13
    Font - El-Kabongg 23h ● 1 Award I'd ask if SHE had to do the same with her boss and if not, why she's not suggesting it to him/her as the best way to manage people. 792
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  • 14
    Font - Austin913 22h Things need to be managed. People need to be led. She is not a leader. 430
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  • 15
    Font - CharacterCoreGaming. 1d 3 Awards I say go nuclear compliance... They threaten to write a loyal employee up for minor things they're finding reasons to discipline or remove knowledgeable higher paid staff to replace with lower paid yes people. Move the dot, document the amount of time used to move it, each time. Compile this data into a document and use it when next evaluation occurs... If you've been a good employee for 18 years under other management, but suddenly a problem one, why the
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  • 16
    Font - CaptPotter47 • 1d Everytime you get up, move it. Need a bathroom break - move it Drink from the fountain - move it Sharpen the pencil - move it Grab a print - move it Comply super maliciously. ... 2.8k
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  • 17
    Font - Swiss_El_Rosso 1d ● Move it once, next dont move as you "forgot", move it 3 times in row, dont move two times in row. Doing this until he creeps out or he his understanding that his request is... Managers needing such games to prove their importance are .... I wish you good luck. .......... ... Reply 625
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  • 18
    Rectangle - Maleficent_Ad7033 OP. 1d Love it. Might be a great way to end this insanity. She's new to management so maybe I just give it time. ... 312
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