Micromanager enforces new clocking-in rule requiring employees to send four selfies per day: 'It feels unnecessary and uncomfortable'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jan 9, 2025 8:00 AM EST

No one enjoys the feeling of being watched at all times during work hours. Employees sign contracts to give their time and effort to fulfill their job responsibilities. No one is signing up for constant surveillance, and managers should know by now that constant surveillance doesn't help anyone or anything. It doesn't help the work get done, it doesn't make your employees feel protected, and it certainly doesn't create a healthy work environment. 

The worst part about having a micromanager for your boss is that it's nearly impossible to get them off your back. If you're doing your job well, they will use that fact to justify their micromanagement. If you're not doing your job well, they will only micromanage you more. Unless you have a close relationship with your micromanager's boss, you're unlikely to be able to get them to rein it in. The best course of action, unfortunately, is to lie low and do your job to the best of your ability given the circumstance while starting to look for other work in your free time.

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  • 01
    come Parking es "New clock-in system requires 4 selfies a day" the Kitchen 24 Room temperature Off * G
    via Unsplash+ (Behnam Norouzi)

  • Here's hoping that this employee is able to get out of their toxic work environment as quickly as possible. They have had to endure a ridiculous new policy change in which they send selfies through an app (rather than the physical punch clock in the break room) to clock in and out. This also includes clocking in and out for lunch, so that means employees are sending four selfies every day. Talk about an inconvenience!

  • 02
    I've never posted here before, but my job just made a new minor policy change that apparently only I think is absurd and I wanted to get other perspectives
    via transyoshi
  • 03
    on it. Up until now, my job had a punch clock in the break room that we all use for clocking in and out. You put your password in and then your hand. Sometimes
    via transyoshi
  • 04
    you could use a digital version in our work app that would let you clock in from your phone, though management didn't like that because someone would have to manually approve it.
    via transyoshi
  • 05
    This week, we were all notified that we are required to use the new and improved clock-in feature on the app, and are no longer to use the punch clock.
    via transyoshi
  • 06
    V
    via Kenny Eliason

    RIP to the old manual punch clock in the break room!

  • 07
    The app now requires exact location plus a selfie in order to: clock in, clock out for lunch, back in from lunch, and out for the day. I find this to be beyond absurd,
    via transyoshi
  • 08
    and apparently I'm the only one at work who thinks so. To be fair they never said it had to be a particularly good or charming photo, everyone else is having fun with it and taking cutesy selfies with peace signs and stuff. Idk I'm just kind of irritated,
    via transyoshi
  • 09
    it feels unnecessary and uncomfortable. Allegedly it was rolled out because a handful of employees were "cheating the punch clock and abusing clock in times" whatever that means. I
    via transyoshi
  • 10
    don't see why they wouldn't just discipline those people and be done with it. Is this normal elsewhere? DAE do this regularly for work?
    via transyoshi
  • 11
    ETA: I've been taking pictures of things like my lunch or my work station instead of my face since the mandate was announced. I got the text today that the pictures from now on need to be of me/my face.
    via transyoshi

  • Several members of this online community weighed in with their opinions about how unnecessary, over-the-top, and unfortunately unsurprising this whole new policy is. Here's what they had to say in the comments!

  • 12
    ReaverRogue • 22h ago . "If you want me to use an app, provide me with a work phone. If you're asking for a selfie, please confirm exactly how and where this data is being stored, for how long, and for what purpose."
    via transyoshi
  • 13
    SparkyMonkeyPerthish • 21h As a non American, why do all your employers seem to think you are irresponsible children and treat you as such?
    via transyoshi
  • 14
    routertwirp • 21h ago "I dont have a cell phone" When provided with a company phone, middle finger pic, every day.
    via transyoshi
  • 15
    PolyAndPolygons • 22h ago Yeah, no. That's crazy
    via transyoshi
  • 16
    ammybb 22h ago I worked for a place that would automatically take a photo of you when you clocked in, but I don't remember an actual policy that our face had to be in it so sometimes I would dodge the camera.
    via transyoshi
  • 17
    I wouldn't say this is a normal practice but it's definitely becoming a thing. with more and more tech that allows it becoming more available.
    via transyoshi
  • 18
    You're not wrong for feeling. uneasy though because it does seem like just another step in the ever increasing surveillance state. Where do your selfies go? Are they
    via transyoshi
  • 19
    automatically deleted? How do you have assurances about these things? All this should be made clear if they're going to force a policy like that.
    via transyoshi
  • 20
    Plus ...sometimes I just don't want my picture taken even if it "doesn't have to be flattering" like.. stop looking at me like that, you know? Ugh.
    via transyoshi
  • 21
    Sorry you're having to deal with this. I know it's not a great solution but personally...I always have indeed open and am always looking for new opportunities. So maybe
    via transyoshi
  • 22
    gently keeping your feelers. open for a new job is your best bet. I doubt your employer will go back on their investment even if you ask them to think more deeply about this choice. Either way, good luck.
    via transyoshi
  • 23
    . Ok_Spell_4165 • 22h ago It is sadly becoming more and more common and I am with you in feeling uneasy about it.
    via transyoshi
  • 24
    That being said, if your only way of clocking in requires an app, make the company pay for a phone/tablet for you to clock in rather than using your own device.
    via transyoshi

  • For more stories like this, take a look at this post about a pregnant employee who got even with her nosy coworkers.

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workplace-stories toxic-manager micromanager employee work stories toxic-workplace manager job work overworked-employees Horrible Bosses company toxic-work-environment
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