'What a complete waste of my time': Micromanager tries to get employee written up for forgetting to take notes, manager's boss intervenes and fires her

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 11, 2023 4:00 PM EST

Some managers spend way too much time micromanaging than getting anything productive done. We all know what it's like to have a manager who seemingly has made it their only job to watch you like a hawk. Perhaps that intense vigilance is just in your head… just kidding, you're probably not wrong. Most people with authority like to spend more time flexing that authority than using it for good. In fact, when I have found myself in a position like this employee, I don't even care if the manager uses their forces for good. I just want them to get off my back and let me do my job in peace. Unfortunately, micromanaging people also do not have the greatest understanding of the art of letting go, so you're pretty much stuck with them until someone quits or gets fired.

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  • 01
    "You better not forget anything or else we will look stupid. Do you want to look stupid?"
    via Charles Deluvio

  • This thread was posted to Reddit by u/HomocusPocus, who found himself getting constantly threatened by his micromanaging boss Dana. Dana put OP on an important project and told him they would look stupid if he forgot something again. However, OP had enough confidence to know that if Dana really tried to get OP in trouble, OP would likely be safe given that he is a top-performing employee. That's exactly what ended up going down. Not only did Dana end up embarrassing herself in front of her boss Frank, but she also ended up unemployed. Keep scrolling below for the full play-by-play. When you're done, here is another story about a Karen and Kevin boss duo who threatened their employee. 

  • 02
    Manager said I'm too forgetful and said I might make us look stupid at work... Joke's on her. My manager "Dana" is one of those micro managers. I work in healthcare, but I am basically an IT Project Manager that works remotely for a department that creates automation solutions for our company.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 03
    Dana is new to management but not the company. (She's been a manager for six months and I started reporting to her because of a reorg about two months in to her manager role.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 04
    Dana is probably the worst manager I've ever had. She's really combative, doesn't trust us to do our jobs, micro manages, and constantly challenges our work. I've been with the company for two and a half years. I'm considered a high performer based on previous annual reviews.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 05
    Dana was speaking to me during my 1 on 1 and gave me feedback I was too forgetful. (All because I forgot one small detail. It didn't even impact the project, but Dana jumped on this and really focused on it. I apologized.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 06
    A few days ago Dana asked me via messages to help her with a project she was managing. This was a very high stakes project (Executives had eyes on it.) I needed to take notes for her during a meeting. She said "you better not forget anything or else we will look stupid. Do you want to look stupid?" I said nope.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 07
    Well during the meeting I "forgot" to take notes. Dana called me to go over the meeting notes. "Oh I forgot, oops." Dana had scheduled a meeting with her boss "Frank" (our director) to formally write me up and put me on a performance improvement plan.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 08
    During the meeting, Frank goes: "Homocus Pocus is a regular high performer on our team. What is this about? Dana explains everything and Frank goes: "Well did you even record the meeting?"
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 09
    Dana said "no I forgot." Frank then replies: "Should I write you up for forgetting to do that?" SILENCE until Frank goes: "What a complete waste of my time Dana don't do this again."
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 10
    I later then messaged Frank about what Dana said asking me I wanted to look stupid. Frank apologized and said that won't happen again. Later in the day, Frank sends an organizational announcement that Dana is no longer with the company.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 11
    Echoeversky 10 hr. ago Outstanding 167 ↓ Move meme. Reply Share
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 12
    No_Illustrator2090. 4 hr. ago I've had something like this happened. If you see that your manager is incompetent it's likely his boss sees this too and it's probably not the first time.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 13
    Miyage93 9 hr. ago Did she forget how to manage lol. (Rhetorical). Hilarious. Love it
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 14
    NoOlive3989 · 6 hr. ago Frank is a legend
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 15
    Good-Contact1520. 5 hr. ago I would bet there were other complaints filed against her which also helped lead to her getting fired
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 16
    codguy231998409489 6 hr. ago Frank handled business quickly
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 17
    Organic Language_582 3 hr. ago Those who can't do... manage
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 18
    Otherwise-Parsnip-91. 4 hr. ago Thank god you had competent leadership that knows what they are doing. It's crazy how quickly you can go from being a star employee to the worst employee because of a change in management. It's happened to me.
    via u/HomocusPocus
  • 19
    sykeed 1 hr. ago Frank is a leader. Sadly they are Unicorns in the corporate world now. Good on him.
    via u/HomocusPocus

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