Manager scolds employee for leaving his desk to use the restroom, employee drives her crazy by messaging her constantly: 'I made sure to let her know every time I left my desk'

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Mar 18, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

No employee should have to be monitored constantly. It's not for anyone involved. Chances are that the manager has better things they should be focusing on at work, while the employee would probably be a lot more efficient and productive without having to deal with the feeling that their boss is watching their every move.

One would think that the mutually beneficial solution—that is, allowing employees to have the space to complete their tasks and responsibilities with some agency of their own—would be more commonplace in work environments. Unfortunately, one should not bet money on that mutually beneficial solution being enforced in the vast majority of workplaces…

Advertisement
  • 01
    acer YETI "You need to be at your desk at all times, and when you're not, you need to let me know"
    via Max Andrey

  • Here, we have an employee who worked on a team that handled confidential information, so it's understandable that there should be rules about leaving one's desk unattended with files and files of sensitive information available to anyone who walks by. That being said, these strict rules should certainly not lead to an inability to go to the restroom. If one has to leave one's desk for such a purpose, one should not have to notify one's boss every time one needs to do a number two. Unfortunately for this employee (and by extension, his boss), he ended up having to announce it every single time. Rules are rules, I guess…

  • 02
    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
    via WaveLindsay
  • 03
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 04
    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
    via WaveLindsay
  • 05
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 06
    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.
    via WaveLindsay
  • 07
    Myself and my direct supervisor shared a small office, while my NCOIC (manager) was in a different one.
    via WaveLindsay
  • 08
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 09
    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.
    via WaveLindsay
  • 10
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 11
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 12
    B skype COWA 162 · Q ..
    via Tirza van Dijk
  • 13
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 14
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 15
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 16
    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.
    via WaveLindsay
  • 17
    WaveLindsay OP.. I mean, it is known as the Chair Force for a reason. But, it only lasted a week.
    via WaveLindsay
  • 18
    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...
    via WaveLindsay
  • 19
    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 WaveLindsay
  • 20
    31spiders. Had to burn my freebie award....it's yours. For service mainly but the smiles too. Enjoy!
    via WaveLindsay

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job desk malicious compliance work workplace malicious compliance toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article