'I gave her exactly what she asked for': Micromanager boss scolds employee for lateness, regrets it when employee stops working long hours

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  • 01
    Think before you micromanage, folks. M Another post popped up in my timeline today that brought back memories; debated just commenting as the story is similar but what the heck, figured I'd post it as its own thing.
  • 02
    The manager before my current one was a right tyrant; hated throughout the department by just about everyone. She'd fly off the handle at the slightest provocation, and it was a real whiplash for me because my previous job had a manager who was mostly absent.
  • 03
    Part of his absence meant that he didn't care when we showed up, or when we left, so long as we worked 8 hrs, and there was an unpaid hour lunch in there somewhere. Overtime wasn't getting paid (we got lieu hours instead), but the work needed to be done, so make it happen.
  • 04
    And I loved that, because often I'd come in around my start time, skip my breaks and lunch to get more done, and leave sooner at the end of the day. And I've always hated micromanagement. Give me a task, give me the resources to complete it, and listen if I think I've found a better / more efficient way to get you what you want, but need your sign off.
  • 05
    Cut to my current job, under the tyrant. She was actively trying to make me quit for a variety of reasons - it was a year in that I found out she had only hired me to fill the position until her preferred candidate's contract ended, then she hoped to bully me out of the role so they could take it (nice).
  • 06
    One day, she decided to nitpick my arrival time, even though. she'd previously said she didn't care when I showed up or if I had to stay late, same as my old job. The work had to be done and there was no overtime, so do what I needed to and if I needed an afternoon off, I could have it.
  • 07
    But now, as she was tightening the noose. 'The hours are 8-4'. She was big on reversing her position and claiming that was the position the entire time, you very kindly.
  • 08
    I'd just about had it with her anyways, so I gave her exactly what she asked for. But there was no way I was being bullied out of this job. Came in right at 8, and made sure she saw me every morning at 7:59. Took my breaks and my half hour lunch, which I normally skipped. And left right bang on at 4pm.
  • 09
    Cut forward a few weeks, and she hauls me into her office because I've been falling behind. I shrugged, and told her that there weren't enough hours in the day to do the job the way she wanted it.
  • 10
    "Well (another employee who has a similar position) gets their work done!" "Yes, but (another employee) often comes in early, or stays late, and doesn't get paid for that extra." "So? Why don't you stay late to get your work done?"
  • 11
    "If you'll remember, boss, you gave me for coming in late in the morning, and specified the hours are 8-4. You were very clear "That is the job you were hired to do". I used to come in early sometimes, or stay late when I got behind, and skip my lunches and breaks, but once you decided to give me a hard time about when I walk in, in the morning, I complied with your instructions. Maybe you
  • 12
    should've thought of that before doing something that'd lose you all that extra work." And I walked out. Never got in trouble for it again, though she found other ways to harass me for nearly another year before she was unceremoniously told to retire. As far as I know, no one was sad to see her go.
  • 13
    Her replacement isn't much better, but she's acknowledged that she knows I'll stay late when I need to, so I've gone back to old habits, and haven't gotten a complaint. Yet.
  • 14
    SoThUsNalsTa At least you'll already know what to do when the new boss starts pulling the same
  • 15
    kryotheory "So? Why don't you stay late to get work done?" Because I'm not a chump- door mat that's gonna let you steal from me to make your metrics look better. Never work for free. you, pay me.
  • 16
    Stabbmaster Double plus good for the fact that on top of all that, her friend candidate of choice couldn't get the job either, possibly getting screwed out of a renewable contract depending on circumstances. So possibly a friendship ended as well.
  • 17
    Spe99 If they are hiring managers with the same bad behaviours then the problem is probably higher up.
  • 18
    boredbytheabyss Sounds like constructive dismissal, no wonder they where asked to retire
  • 19
    throwawaymybuttock Why is it that staying late is seen as better than coming in early or skipping breaks? So weird
  • 20
    highfatoffaltube The only time it's ever appropriate to micromanage someone is when they have proved beyond doubt that they are at their job, they are on an improvement plan and they need constant supervision to raise their standards of work.

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