Employee maliciously complies with manager's demands to be notified "every single time" he leaves his desk: 'Yes, ma'am!'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Mar 26, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

Some managers need to learn to calm down. If you happen to not be available that one moment when your manager needs you, please know that this is not your fault, and your manager has absolutely no right to overreact. If you say that you were in the bathroom and they choose to double down in an effort to make their overreaction seem justified, then please know that your manager might be crazy.

This employee was told to notify his manager every single time he left his desk after an incident when he legitimately was just in the bathroom like a normal, functioning human being. Well, he decided to comply with her demands, albeit maliciously. He shared his story via Reddit's r/MaliciousCompliance subreddit, and after a few days of constantly messaging his supervisor every single time he got up, she had enough. He even messaged her when he got up to print something a few feet away from his desk. Hey, this is what she asked for, right?

Keep scrolling below for the full story. For more, check out this post about the top "HR is not your friend" stories.

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  • 01
    "Why weren't you at your desk?"
    via Domenico Loia
  • 02
    Must notify manager to use restroom MOC Before I get into the story, I realize there are jobs where notifying your boss when you leave your desk or post is a normal practice. However, that was not the case at this job. We had Top Secret clearances, and handled collateral secret equipment and sensitive encryption key material on a regular basis. They assumed we were adults and generally treated us as such.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 03
    Also, the fallout isn't juicy (sorry), but the story is funny to me. I was an Airman in the Air Force working in COMSEC. It's difficult to fully explain this job to people who have never done it, but the short version is glorified inventory management with penalties for messing up including but not limited to prison time.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 04
    We were working out of a temporary facility and not all of us in COMSEC could fit in the secure room. So, we were spread out in multiple offices. Myself and my direct supervisor shared a small office, while my NCOIC (manager) was in a different one.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 05
    One day, I did what all civilized humans do at least once a day, and went to use the restroom. I came back, my supervisor said Sergeant Smith (I honestly don't remember my her, NCOIC, name) was looking for you. So, I went to her office:
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 06
    Me: Yes ma'am, you wanted to see me? Her: Why weren't you at your desk? Me: I was just using the restroom, ma'am. Her: You need to be at your desk at all times, and when you're not, you need to let me know. Me: Yes ma'am!
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 07
    At the time besides email for computer communication, we were using Skype. It was common practice in that office to send quick messages to each other over Skype. So, I made sure to let her know every time I left my desk using Skype - just as she ordered me to.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 08
    Every bathroom break. Every drink from the water fountain. I even notified her I was leaving my desk to come talk to her after she told me to come talk to her. Every. Single. Time. I left my desk, she was notified.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 09
    Me: Ma'am, I getting up from my desk to grab a form 16 from the printer. Her: Why are you using a printer in a different room? Me: I'm not, but I have to leave my desk to retrieve it.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 10
    That was the last straw. She had enough. She told me to stop telling her when I leave my desk except when I leave for lunch.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 11
    keegman907. This also belongs on r/militiouscompliance 3.1k Reply Share
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 12
    JJisTheDarkOne ⚫ We had Top Secret clearances, and handled collateral secret equipment and sensitive encryption key material on a regular basis. Now, we know you officially can't comment on the Aliens, but if you were to scratch your ear that wouldn't be confirming their existence... 573 Reply Share
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 13
    WaveLindsay OP I actually applied to work at Area 51, but my application was turned down. 495 Reply Share
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 14
    EnvironmentalCoach64. It uhh sounds like they really wanted you in that Chair. I uhh hope you were only Forced to do that for a short time. 201 Reply Share ..
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 15
    WaveLindsay OP. I mean, it is known as the Chair Force for a reason. But, it only lasted a week. 164 Reply Share
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 16
    Gammafire8211 'They assumed we were adults and were treated as such.' You know somebody singed your boss' area of control and you just happened to not be immediately available. High tech world... 126 Reply Share
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 17
    WaveLindsay OP. I found out later she just wanted to know if I filled out an inventory form we call a form 16. It's a routine part of the job.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 18
    31spiders ⚫ Had to burn my freebie award....it's yours. For service mainly but the smiles too. Enjoy!
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 19
    mechant_papa I once worked in a similar environment. We had separate little offices with a door and a table. A guard you down the would hall to your assigned office and close the door behind you He sat at a desk at the end of the corridor. If you needed to leave he would come get you and you out. I never saw anyone else working in the area and I wasn't meant to. It was all very secure.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 20
    chipariffic Haha I love seeing stuff like this.
    via u/WaveLindsay
  • 21
    chickachickabowbow The only way I'll ever notify someone that I'm going to the bathroom is if I'm taking a shower with them.
    via u/WaveLindsay

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job malicious compliance work malicious-compliance-reddit reddit thread Reddit toxic-work-environment
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