'Don't worry, message received loud and clear': Employee puts power-tripping micromanaging Karen manager in her place by following her orders

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Aug 26, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

Turning a power-tripping authority's own methods against them by adhering rigidly to their strict rules—turning the authority they love so much into their own downfall or to be "Hoist with their own petard," as Shakespeare would have put it. There's a reason why this theme is so pervasive throughout history and intriguing to us through to the modern day: the poetic justice of someone's own misuse of authority against them by turning their orders into a perfect act of defiance. It's the type of thing many of us have likely encountered at some point in our lives or are sure to encounter at some point in our careers.

The true beauty of this tactic lies in its subtlety, not requiring subordinates to engage in open rebellion in order to handle the errant authority member, only adhering to their hypocritical and poorly designed rules in order to ensure their downfall.

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  • While working at a grocery store during their gap year, this worker had what was a pleasant enough job turned on its head when a new power-tripping “Karen” manager came in and took over the department where they worked, changing things for the worse. Things hit a head when the manager banned the worker from completing “go-backs,” accusing them of wasting time doing so. For those who have thankfully never had to complete these, a "go-back" is when an item needs to be returned to the shelves after a customer either returns it or decides not to purchase it at checkout. Anyways, banning the worker from doing this was obviously a bad call, meaning that the worker was unable to keep up with this task and remain efficient. 

  • 01
    Finally able to give a Karen [manager] some grief."
    via Joshua Rawson-Harris
  • 02
    A bit of background. I used to work at a popular grocery store that's known for rolling over for customers. I started working for this grocery store during my gap year (before college). I wanted to save up some money before taking on the crippling burden that is student loans. When I started the job was easy enough and the vast amount of people were kind.
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 03
    I didn't have to deal with a lot of Karen's, and the hours were flexible. I really enjoyed my coworkers and managers. Life seemed great. That is until our department got a new boss. I don't know what it is about new boss's but they always have to go on a power trip to consolidate power and to show everyone "they mean buisness".
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 04
    Our Karen manager went around the department and started criticizing people for the stupidest things. Even if we were doing our job correctly, she would show up and tell us to "work faster," and we were "stealing company time." We all hated her but she is our boss so we just tried to do what we were told.
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 05
    I pride myself on finding the quickest and most efficient way to do a job (Thanks for the upbringing, Mom). I applied this to any of my duties for the day. It just so happened that the end of the day was coming up, and we had to return products that customers left behind (non-perishable, of course). I was voluntold to go do it.
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 06
    This wasn't an issue as I had done this plenty of times before. I went about my task and finished in about 10 minutes. The second I got done, my KM called me into her office, and the following conversation ensued.
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 07
    Karen Manager: Close the door. Now, do you know why I called you in here? Me: No? Karen Manager: I am trying to improve efficiency in the department, and you took way too long to do those go-backs. I won't tolerate people slacking off in my department. Do you understand? Me: I wasn't slacking off (trying to defend myself). I was just...
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 08
    Cutting me off, she reiterated Karen Manager: Do you understand? Knowing I was being railroaded, I just said sighed and said yes. Karen Manager: To ensure you don't slack off again, you are forbidden from doing any more go-backs. I don't care if the store manager tells you otherwise. This is my department, and you will do as I say. I'm the boss
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 09
    I get a smile on my face as I realize what she just said. I nod my head and reply Me: Understood, I won't do go- backs no matter what. My Karen Manager replied with an Umbridge smile and said Karen Manager: Good, now go back to work and don't forget what I said. I'm the boss.
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 10
    Iturnedn around so she couldn't see my grin and said Me: Don't worry, message recieved loud and clear. A few days go by without incident until I finally get a chance to put my malicious compliance into action. The front desk supervisor seems that the go-back cart is full and asked me to return the products. I smile and say
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 11
    Me: Sorry, supervisor, Karen Manager said I was wasting time and I am no longer allowed to return products. The supervisor gives me a weird look but just shrugs and tells another coworker to do it instead. This cycle continues on for the next month. One day, the store manager happens to be manning the front desk. The end of the day rolls around, and he looks at me and says
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 12
    Store Manager: Hey, OP, we have a lot of go-backs, and I need you to return them. Me: Sorry, Store Manager. I'm not allowed to do go-backs anymore on account of slacking off. Store Manager: looks frustrated and says Store Manager: I don't care if you are allowed to or not. I am telling you to take these back.
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 13
    Me: Sorry Store Manager, Karen Manager told me I am not to do any more go-backs no matter what, and I'd better follow her orders. Karen Manager told me that this is her department and that she is the boss.
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 14
    I and Store Manager looked stormed into the managers office. A few minutes later, Store Manager called Karen Manager to his office over the intercom. Karen Manager came waddling out of her office and went into Store Managers office. The door closed, and we could all hear muffled yelling. After about ten minutes, the door opened, and Karen Manager shuffled out. She glared daggers at me and told me to come to her office. I happily complied and said
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782
  • 15
    Me: Yes, Karen Manager, how can I be of assistance Karen Manager: You are allowed to do go-backs again. That is all I smirked and left her office, happy that I could put a Karen in her place Update: I'm surprised a lot of people enjoyed my story. I will continue sharing stories from this job and a hospital I used to work at. Hope you all enjoy them Update part 2: I forgot about rule 8. Hopefully OP doesn't really count. Everything else should be fixed
    via u/Icy_Wing_1782

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supermarket workplace discussion workplace-stories jobs job malicious compliance retail work grocery workplace grocery shopping workplace malicious compliance employment grocery store in the workplace
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