Toxic manager uses IT to track employee's devices: 'I am looking for a new job immediately'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Mar 5, 2024 8:00 AM EST

No one likes to feel like they are being watched at all times, especially by your boss. Sure, a manager has a responsibility to ensure that the employees on their team are fulfilling their roles; however, there is never a need to watch someone's every move. Not only is that weird, but it's also a waste of time and energy. Nine times out of ten, bosses who spend all that time micromanaging could have used that time to for a million other more important priorities. But that's the thing about authority figures: they often enjoy flexing their muscles more than anything else.

This thread was posted to Reddit by u/ieb94, who discovered that their manager was using IT to gain remote access to all of their work devices simply because the employee took a minute to get back to them on a busy day. Seriously? Shouldn't the manager be grateful that their employee had a lot on their plate work-wise and was busy getting it all done? Of course, this massive invasion of privacy became the straw that broke the camel's back for the employee, who has since been looking for new work.

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions in the comments section. When you're done, check out this post about an employee who got back at their manager for enforcing their work hours.

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  • 01
    at.xml P P gejson php dme.t 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 if ( ! function_exists **/ *Sets up theme defaults and regis * *Note that this function is hooked into the runs before the init hook. The init hook is too * as indicating support for post thumbnails. function incode starter setup() Make theme available for translation
    via Luca Bravo
  • 02
    manager freaks out about phone call not being immediately returned, uses IT to remotely access devices and complain I was busy one day and didn't immediately call the manager back (they rarely answer if anyone calls). they then had IT remotely access the work phone and start going through everything demanding to know why the ringer was on vibrate, and then muted. at that point I was really creeped out and chose not to call back. It was not an emergency. It was something that could be communicate
    via u/ieb94
  • 03
    The next day they said they've been going through my work phone remotely (I knew this because an ex employee alerted me before they quit) and we need to have a meeting "to go over a few things" and get me a new phone. End of day I powered the phone down. It turned on by itself less than 30 seconds later. Powered down again. Turned on right after. Clearly they're trying to listen and track everything we're doing.
    via u/ieb94
  • 04
    They also listen to us through the system in the work vehicles (camera for "insurance purposes aka to track people. why do they need to record audio and not just video???) Randomly access the phones. they have permissions set on everything locked so we can't even turn anything off to save battery power. I am looking for a new job immediately. not even the first insane behavior this management team has done. complete and total invasion of privacy. I refuse to bring any company tech inside my hous
    via u/ieb94
  • 05
    Last time they demanded an in person meeting it was a 50 min how I'm too negative and bringing down morale. I had told one of the managers about a bad ex client and how I was getting tired. session about
    via u/ieb94
  • 06
    Really, really not ok with how all these companies feel its their right to monitor, record, and control every aspect of the employee.
    via u/ieb94
  • 07
    T Otherwise-Topic-1791 16 hr. ago If possible I'd start leaving it at work, but that's me. If you aren't being paid for on-call then they don't get on-call. 172 Reply Share
    via u/ieb94
  • 08
    . accidentallybald - 16 hr. ago I wonder how they're remotely turning it on? Also the legality of listening remotely?
    via u/ieb94
  • 09
    JesusOnaBlueBike. 15 hr. ago Buy a Faraday bag for your phone.
    via u/ieb94
  • 10
    Portable Anchor 16 hr. ago . 12 volt charger would fix it. Seriously, if you're not on-call and getting paid for it, then leave it in your car or lock it in your desk drawer. If they are bugging your house, then call the cops.
    via u/ieb94
  • 11
    Sieve-Boy 14 hr. ago Can I introduce you to our Lord and Saviour Michael Faraday? Let him cage up your work phone.
    via u/ieb94
  • 12
    panic_button760 14 hr. ago If you are in a 2 party consent state what they are doing is very much illegal
    via u/ieb94
  • 13
    stoptheinsanityleak. 10 hr. ago Just take medical tape and put over the mic mouth piece and camera. Remove when using. No residue. Blurred picture and unclear sound. Works perfect
    via u/ieb94
  • 14
    sparkyblaster · 11 hr. ago Wrap it in tin foil ASAP if you cant shut it down.
    via u/ieb94
  • 15
    KidenStormsoarer 5 hr. ago. edited 5 hr. ago nope, that, that's phone's staying at work 24/7. if i'm not on the clock, it gets plugged in at work and left there, and if they want it to be secured, they can provide a way to lock it up there, because it's sure as not going home with me. now, make sure to record and take notes at this meeting, find out exactly what he has to say...maybe he'll be stupid enough to implicate himself. then it's time to have a meeting with HR about illegal monitoring an
    via u/ieb94
  • 16
    Not Your KidFrom MoTown 8 hr. ago Microwave it. .
    via u/ieb94

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Tags

workplace-stories toxic-manager work stories toxic-workplace job work Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
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