'We see EVERYTHING': 20+ bosses share what they see when their employees think no one's looking

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Sep 24, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

If you like to procrastinate at work, definitely be sure to check who's looking over your shoulder. Look, we all have to be honest with each other, bosses and employees included. We all need to take breaks at work. It's literally impossible to always be working. If you dare to think otherwise, you obviously aren't capable of recognizing that the quality of your work has likely suffered as a result of going non-stop for over eight hours a day. 

Now, for those of you who are able to procrastinate for longer than just a couple of breaks a day, power to you! But chances are you're not being careful enough because your boss has to know. When you're constantly minimizing windows when they walk by or when you're just clicking on your computer all day without typing… trust me, they probably have a sense. And don't forget that if your boss has an idea of what you're up to all the time, the entire IT department definitely knows so much more.

If you're still doubting whether or not your employers have any clue how many hours of Netflix you have consumed on the clock, take a look at what these bosses from this r/AskReddit thread had to say and reconsider. For more content like this, here are 10 wild workplace stories where coworkers completely lost their minds.

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  • 01
    Font - r/AskReddit. Posted by Bosses of reddit, what are some things that your employees do that they think you don't notice?
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 02
    Font - Elements-fury. Use Reddit instead of working. 2.8k Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 03
    Font - return2ozma. I work in IT. We see EVERYTHING. ↑ 938 ↓ Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 04
    Font - outsideohio For me its just the conversations where they assume nobody can hear them, but they are in the middle of an open work space. It's a lot like having your middle school child and a friend of theirs in the back seat of your car. They forget you are there and say things you are pretty sure they would not normally want you to hear. 926 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 05
    Font - FaultySky Not a boss, but was high ranking in a department. You deleting your browser history or using Incognito Mode does not hide what you are doing on the internet. We see and know everything.
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 06
    Font - [deleted] when I was a worker I'd worry about the boss catching me slacking off online. Then I became the boss and worried one of my staff would catch me slacking off online 593 ↓ Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 07
    Font - JADW27. Protip: people who are typing more than clicking are usually working. People who are clicking more than typing are usually browsing or playing a game. There are exceptions, but this is mostly accurate. ↑ 490 ↓ Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 08
    Font - Rmanager It amazes me how quickly people forget there is a surveillance system and it has a 4 to 6 month history. ↑411 ↓ Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 09
    Font - Mother Duane Watch Netflix on her second screen while half working on the other. I honestly don't even really care because this only happens when she's alone in the office, but the excuse of "someone told me I needed to see this one scene" makes us both look dumb. 397 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 10
    Font - Bmc00 Quickly minimize whatever they're looking at as I walk over to them. Dude, I know you're not just staring at Outlook, why even pretend? 386 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 11
    Font - PM_ME_UR_WORK_NUDES. I know this particular employee doesn't have as many doctor's appointments as he says he does. I know he is going on job interviews, and I'm fine with that. Our time together has come to an end. He is no longer the best fit for us, and we for him. I like him enough to give him the space to look around as long as the work is getting done, which it is. Best of luck Matt! 360 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 12
    Font - 20160119 Shop. Like, honey, you're missing three reports I asked for and you spend more time clicking than ever typing and you get all your clothes orders delivered to the office and pile them up in your cube. I know you're not working back there. 365 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 13
    Font - G imnotaloneyouare My boss: So did you watch the hockey game last night? Me: We both know you saw me on the security camera watching the game. Does it bother you I watched it, or that your team lost to mine? 281 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 14
    Font - [deleted] Leave early and come in late 260 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 15
    Font - forumdestroyer156 I know people probably know how much time I spend on youtube, reddit, etc., but I get all my work done on time if not early. Think they give a 239 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 16
    Font - bapnkimchi I own a book binding company and our previous van took a so I bought a new cargo van. What my driver doesn't know is that there is a gps device that links with my phone (that came standard with the van) and I know where his location is during his drop offs and pick ups. Now I know where his favorite breakfast joint is that he loves to stop by in the mornings during his routes. lol 152 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 17
    Font - [deleted] Text. All. The. Time. Seriously, you signed the contract that said no phones in the department. It's a rule that is there to protect you if there was ever a confidentiality breach, you're on camera! How many times do you really need supplies from the closet?!?! Also talking on each other and me In a very small work environment. Just like I get being bummed out on the boss (me) but stop dragging your coworkers. It makes the work environment so toxic. 146 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 18
    Font - liproqq Working hard. ↑ 140 ↓ Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 19
    Font - tactical_nutshot There's the typical "slacking but pretending to work" but you know what, what I really notice is when they go above and beyond. Sometimes they'll take on tasks they didn't need to, helping out their coworkers. No one ever really mentions it, but I see it, and I remember like that when you ask me for a day off in short notice because something big came up. You know what, you helpful it. Enjoy your day off. 119 have at Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 20
    Font - Eleven918. At my old office, my boss and the lazy employee sat with their backs to each other. Both had mirrors on their monitors to see what each other were up to XD. Most amusing thing I have seen in a work place. 112 Share
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 21
    Font - toycrew1062 Listen to music in the warehouse when they shouldnt be. (Big safety violation but the warrhouse is so big that its impossible to see everyone)
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 22
    Font - throwawaytokeep1 OP. I hate when people watch movies at work, idk why, other forms of slacking don't bother me, I guess it's the cockiness of it that bothers me
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 23
    Font - KitsuneRouge. Calling in sick every Tuesday after a long holiday weekend. I know you just want another day off, because who wouldn't? Just say you are going to be out and that's that. I just don't get the last minute game, and it makes it more difficult for me to plan work balance for the team.
    via u/throwawaytokeep1
  • 24
    Font - N "[Watching] Netflix on her second screen while half working on the other"
    via Alex Kotliarskyi

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work askreddit toxic-boss Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit company job interview interview toxic-work-environment
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