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'I always put in 8 hours': Micromanaging boss doesn't believe top-performing worker is actually working at home

I've written about this same premise quite a few times in the annals of Fail Blog, but any time your boss is accusing you of doing something despite there being no evidence—and especially when the evidence shows quite the opposite—it's more than likely that they're just projecting their own personality flaws, predispositions, and hidden thoughts. Basically, they're just admitting that if they were in your position, they would be doing the same thing they're accusing you of.

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Posted by Brad Dickson
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  • This worker got hired in a new position near the start of this year, and the position promised flexible working conditions with two days of working from home. This was a considerable perk for them since the commute to the office would be “miserable" due to multiple construction projects. Things started off promisingly, and their coworkers assured them that the company had a healthy and “lax” working environment. However, their boss soon cut their two days from home down to one day from home, with their boss demanding that they be in their seat at the office for 8 hours a day—despite the fact that they were meeting all deliverables. 

    Then, during their annual review this past week, they were told in not-so-explicit terms that their manager didn't believe that they were actually working when they were at home, now requiring them to be in the office for five days a week and revoking all flexibility in the working arrangement that had originally been agreed upon.

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  • 1
    Posted by u/asparagal3s 10 hours ago Anti-micromanage boss took away my WFH privileges I got hired at this place 8 months ago doing environmental consulting. They offered two days WFH when I was hired which was a perk since the commute has massive construction projects & wastes that much more of my day. I had done the same work at another firm so there wasn't much of a learning curve.
    Via u/asparagal3s
  • 2
    Upon hire everyone said how lax the company is. Some dude leaves at lunch every day to WFH half day. My department counterpart has two days WFH. All I was told was to make sure my calendar is updated. So if I had a doc appointment or something away from the office, I would leave for the appointment & WFH the remainder of the day like my coworkers do. Well that apparently became a problem & my boss cut it down to one day. He wanted to see ¡ in seat 8 hours a day. Which I get. But also up until th
    Via u/asparagal3s
  • 3
    At my annual review today it was expressed that they don't believe how much I'm actually working when at home even though I always put in 8 hours one way or another & my work shows it. Was told I do great work & communicate issues well. But my desk is in a high traffic area and I end up wasting more time talking here than I do at home. So now I have to be in the office 5 days a week to not improve actual performance but an illusion or at least my boss's ego. On top of three coworkers quitting re
    Via u/asparagal3s
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  • 4
    Shadow_84 7 hr. ago . While looking for that new job, reduce your output. If they don't think you can do your job fully, stop working on the extra stuff. Reply Share 676 AMonkeyAndALavaLamp · 6 hr. ago This. Stop taking on other people's responsibilities, especially if they think you can't handle them while WFH. Show your boss the distractions in the office have an effect on your output. Reply Share 287
    Via u/asparagal3s
  • 5
    Green_Mix_3412. "No".or "My compensation will need to increase by x amount to account for loss of wfh." 169 Reply Share mikemojc Yes, if that was part of the employment offer, and that is now off the table, you will need to be compensated for its removal. just like if they stopped doing and HSA or 401K contributions Reply Share 87
    Via u/asparagal3s
  • 6
    westwayne It's all about control. My job did the same to me and I was a top performer before they eventually fired me. Not only did I find another job, I switched industries. I was so over the micromanagement. 146 Reply Share
    Via u/asparagal3s
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  • 7
    Garrden 6 hr. ago I don't think WFH is a "privilege". It's a productivity enhancing tool. Either way, your boss is committed to whatever they are doing so you need a new job 47 Reply Share
    Via u/asparagal3s
  • 8
    BeMancini 7 hr. ago edited 4 hr. ago New job. No notice. Don't even give them a resignation, just leave your stuff there. They don't respect you, so don't show them any respect back. Edit: I recognize this is a fantasy reply. ↑ Reply Share 102
    Via u/asparagal3s
  • 9
    techbear726 hr. ago Just WFH for two days a week and if they threaten you, explain all the extra work you're doing because of those leavers, and cutting the commute out is the only way to get it done, so they can pick either you come in to the office 5 days and do only your job, or, you can pick up extra and WFH two days. But ultimately, you probably need a better job / boss, unfortunately. Reply Share 45
    Via u/asparagal3s
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  • 10
    Velocityg4 6 hr. ago Don't take on the extra work without extra pay. 20 Reply Share RightingProse . 6 hr. ago Bad managers don't manage projects or people, but time. 20↓ Reply Share
    Via u/asparagal3s
  • 11
    Duke582 4 hr. ago Three coworkers quitting recently. A true mystery. O wait, no it's not. 14 Reply Share
    Via u/asparagal3s
  • 12
    Mosstheboy 4 hr. ago They employed you offering 2 days WFH and then unilaterally changed your working conditions. How is this justifiable? These people have shown you who that are. You should make any decisions with this front and centre in your mind. 14 ↓ Reply Share
    Via u/asparagal3s

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mircomanager workplace discussion employment issues boss antiwork workplace-stories micromanager employment-discussion job work coworkers job seeker workplace Horrible Bosses job interview employment in the workplace

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