'I'm literally never late': Boss demands employee to text her as soon as she leaves the house, employee complains to her boss's boss

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Sep 14, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

There is a reason why you should avoid giving your boss your phone number if you can help it. Sometimes, you don't have a choice, but what you do have control over is when you choose to respond to your boss. The reality is that engaging with your boss is part of your paid employment. Therefore, you really only need to do it when you're on the clock. It can be hard to draw those boundaries, especially in this day and age when it's nearly impossible to unplug. However, if you do manage to establish those boundaries from the get-go, anyone who contributes to a healthy workplace environment should understand this attempt at balance. 

This thread was posted to Reddit by u/drdolots0, who opened up about their tense back-and-forth exchanges with their boss about texting outside of work hours. It turns out that their boss wanted them to arrive ten minutes early (without getting paid for that extra time, of course) so that she could leave on time for her second job. So this boss wasn't demanding anything for the good of the company; it was a completely selfish act. Evidently, when OP brought this issue up with her boss's boss, they told OP that her boss was almost always late to work. So her demands were not only selfish, but they were also wildly hypocritical.

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from folks in the comments section. For more stories like this, here's one about a shady HR move regarding an employee's PTO request.

Advertisement
  • 01
    Hand - "Boss expects me to text her when I leave my house"
    via Jonas Leupe
  • 02
    Font - Boss expects me to text her when I leave my house My boss has repeatedly tried to get me to come in 10 minutes before the start of my shift so she won't be late for her other job. At first she demanded I do so (until I spoke with her boss lol). She dropped it for about a month. Last night before I came in (7 minutes before the start of my shift, exactly) she called me 5 times back to back. When I came in she asked me to text her before I leave the house from now on "if you're going to be
    via u/drdolots0
  • 03
    Font - I clocked in on the dot. We argued back and forth about me texting her before I left my house. She didn't seem too happy with my refusal lol. I'm literally never late, usually arrive a few minutes early. I just don't see myself continuing to do so if she's going to harass me when I don't do her bidding immediately lol. It's so frustrating being told I'm doing something wrong and not being courteous. I'd say calling me 5 times in a row when I'm driving on the interstate and trying to keep
    via u/drdolots0
  • 04
    Font - Update: I discussed it with the GM this morning. Don't have to come in early to accommodate the front desk manager. Because, as he said, "you are not a manager and that is extremely hypocritical of her considering she is the only one late every week." So that's that, folks.
    via u/drdolots0
  • 05
    Font - LVCSSlacker 6 hr. ago It's definitely a them problem. 805 B Reply Share
    via u/drdolots0
  • 06
    Rectangle - Hopfit46 4 hr. ago Thats an iss- you(issue) not an iss- me. 4 153 B Reply Share
    via u/drdolots0
  • 07
    Font - Toolatrecrew 6 hr. ago "So you want me to start my workday by texting someone at work? So you will start paying me when you receive my text? If I text you when. I leave at 8 to arrive at 8:50 you start paying me at 8 right?" 781 Reply Share
    via u/drdolots0
  • 08
    Font - drdolots0 OP. 6 hr. ago That's what I don't think she gets. Like that is work, we are not friends. You're my boss. Requesting this and framing it as a "favor" to her was so gross imo. She also tried to get everyone to help her move out of her apartment by saying it was a moving party. No one showed up. Free labor and a nice little power imbalance is her cup of tea. 666 Reply Share
    via u/drdolots0
  • 09
    Font - Ubetta BNaked - 6 hr. ago So crazy she's your boss but still has to work a second job 218 Reply Share
    via u/drdolots0
  • 10
    Font - BeerscotchR6 - 6 hr. ago Tell her to get block her number, and report her for harrassment.
    via u/drdolots0
  • 11
    Font - Just 4 hr. ago Getting_By_1. Why don't you set your phone to block her when you're off the clock, since you are off the clock?
    via u/drdolots0
  • 12
    Font - drdolots0 OP. 4 hr. ago I do! This is great advice though. I usually unblock her before my shift so I don't forget lol.
    via u/drdolots0
  • 13
    Font - Opposite-Level-8346. 6 hr. ago Why don't they just change your start time, if that's workable for you? If it's not, or they won't, then too bad for them. I'm not taking their side, but hr rules are stupid. Also, if you're salaried tell them to C off. Don't do things for free
    via u/drdolots0
  • 14
    Font - drdolots0 OP. 6 hr. ago I would be okay with it if my start time was changed but this was already a discussion with the general manager. I am an hourly employee. Not sure why she thought it was a good idea to start pushing for me to work unpaid hours again (I never agreed, but she has tried before). General manager told me it was her responsibility, not mine (obvi haha). She tried to frame it as a "favor" but she is my boss and it just feels so unethical to frame it that way with the powe
    via u/drdolots0
  • 15
    Font - sebwiers 4 hr. ago "If I get a bunch of calls and texts from work, I gotta pull over and answer them. That's gonna make me late".
    via u/drdolots0
  • 16
    Font - Iwamoto 4 hr. ago i would take this to her boss again, and as others mentioned, make it clear that you'd be willing to do so, if that text then counts as you clocking in. her boss will then probably dismiss the whole thing.
    via u/drdolots0
  • 17
    Font - nocturneisabundant 5 hr. ago Technically you're supposed to be paid in for 15 minute increments for your boss texting you outside of work about work related things So start billing for each of these exchanges. Watch how quickly they stop.
    via u/drdolots0
  • 18
    Human body - brawl 4 hr. ago paper trail with her boss bcc'd on it. Get her do dig her own grave in writing
    via u/drdolots0
  • 19
    Font - Routine_Answer8476 - 3 hr. ago "My job starts at OI am unavailable for any work related contact until that time. Your number and all work related numbers will be blocked outside of my schedule"
    via u/drdolots0

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

boss workplace-stories toxic-manager work stories toxic-workplace job work toxic-boss Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article