'I'm quitting tomorrow': Employee discovers her boss planted a hidden video camera, bails without notice

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Apr 14, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

You know that feeling everyone occasionally gets at work that you're being watched 24/7? Well, what if you suddenly discovered that this was actually the case?

Sometimes when you have a micromanager for a boss, you get the feeling that someone is breathing down your neck and following your every move, as if they are just waiting to point out an error or give you a hard time about the way in which you go about fulfilling your daily responsibilities at work. This obviously does not make for a pleasant work environment, but I suppose I'll take the feeling of being watched all the time over the reality of that actually being the case. 

This worker at a small shop of just three employees discovered that when her boss wasn't around, she was surveilling the Redditor and their coworker via a hidden video camera she planted in the shop. The worst part is that when their boss unveiled this information, she did it casually as if it wasn't the giant reveal that it was. Thankfully, this employee had enough self-respect and freedom to call their boss out for crossing a major line. 

Keep scrolling below for the full play-by-play. When you're done, feel free to take a look at this post about another micromanager's comeuppance.

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  • 01
    CANON EF LENS 70mm 1:2.8
    via Matteo Bernardis
  • 02
    My boss watches me on the video cameras even on her days off so I'm quitting
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 03
    I work at a little boutique alongside 2 other people, one being my coworker and one being my manager. There's only the three of us - I've only been there for a month now and I can't stand it, mostly I can't stand my manager. There can never be a positive thing that leaves her lips without something negative following up right behind. Nothing we do seems to be good enough...
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 04
    which is bizarre because it's a small shop and we work very hard. She constantly belittles us, it's a small shop in France and I'm only half French so she'll make little jokes that I can't spell in French infront of customers - as well as make jokes
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 05
    that I can't count... the breaking point was when she admitted that she watched the sécurité cameras everyday even when she's not working. She'll watch them multiple times and call the store (on her days off) to tell us to not do this, or do this etc... well the day before yesterday my coworker and I were at work, my manager clocked out for the days after working the full 8h and left.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 06
    However unbeknownst to us, she actually left the store and pretended to leave but casually sat in a bar in- front of the boutique for an hour watching us and see if we were working (as well as being on her phone with the security cameras).
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 07
    She admitted this to us yesterday with pride, no shame in sight. My other coworker quit a week ago (it's a month long notice here in France on certain contracts if you are done your trial period). My manager cannot afford to lose me, however I feel so disgusted by her that I'm quitting tomorrow and I'm giving her two days notice. She's gonna struggle but that's what she gets for constantly criticizing me when all I did was work hard.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 08
    Allusionator 10 hr. ago Unfortunate, she sounds rather unhealthy in her connection to work for a person to be in charge. Hopefully you can find someone easier to work for and she can be a little bit less severe and retain a worker. You'd be doing her a kindness to politely explain why it has become untenable, she doesn't. deserve it and will probably I or defensive but be you just hope it changes her for the next employee who has to deal with her. 161 Reply Share
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 09
    • gonzar09 9 hr. ago Twisted set of morals in that one. I'd get out while the getting's good. Nothing more infuriating that knowing you're constantly being watched, micromanaged, and treated with disrespect openly.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 10
    Proof_Independent400 9 hr. ago Why give two days notice? She could make those days for you. Quit effective immediately by text or email before your next shift.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 11
    jensreuterberg. 6 hr. ago It depends on the laws concerning employment. I mean if they have left their trial period its a month long and not 2 days.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 12
    Alexreddit103 · 6 hr. ago Most european countries forbit that kind of suveillance. Camera's are ok, but spying on your employees is not. Check your local laws for details and repport her if neccessary.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 13
    Danymity 6 hr. ago "She admitted this to us yesterday with pride, no shame" Tell her you quit "with pride and no shame."
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 14
    RockNRoll85 9 hr. ago Sounds like she's got a major power trip. Hopefully you leave that place quick
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 15
    Few_Carrot_3971 - 8 hr. ago That is bizarre behavior that person is exhibiting. She sounds sick. I hope you leave right away. No need to live with such a person watching your every move.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 16
    Tallguy71 7 hr. ago Write a resign note in a way she can see you typing it. Then hand it to her and say "I quit and you can COUNT on it"
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 17
    Toni164 5 hr. ago She's such a control freak that she's lost control of herself
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 18
    Dommccabe 5 hr. ago Sounds like a weirdo... Leave ASAP... go work somewhere healthier
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 19
    . VelvetHobo 2 hr. ago Sounds like she wants to work all the time anyhow, seeing as she constantly monitors the cameras. So you are really just giving them what they want. No need to feel any guilt.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 20
    perplexedvortex · 3 hr. ago Your manager sounds bored as Nothing in her life to do besides watch cameras.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye
  • 21
    Odd-Mud-3251 - 3 hr. ago Quit, and be sick for the rest of the remaining period. Lie. Yes. Lie. It's okay. You've earned it.
    via u/peepeeinmyeye

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