New supervisor tells employee not to bother coming in to work if he's even 5 minutes late, he just turns around and goes home every time he gets stuck in traffic, prompting a reversal of the rule: 'I won’t be coming in'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
May 15, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

One of the most unfortunate things that can happen in any job is the departure of a trusted boss with whom you have excellent rapport and mutual respect. All that history is gone in the blink of an eye, leaving you to navigate a new dynamic with someone who might have an outlook that isn't congruent with what was formerly the status quo. Now you're starting from square one, left to rebuild your most crucial working relationship with a new personality with whom you might clash, the banter is gone, and the entire balance of the office has been turned on its head.

The worst outcome is that you get some new upstart manager with an ego and a chip on their shoulder, desperate to prove their worth in their new role by making as many changes as possible, putting into place a whole slew of foolish new rules that don't have the effect they were intended to.

It's often been said that the best way to get rid of a foolish rule is to strictly adhere to it, proving its foolishness through the consequences associated with it. Of course, it would be much easier just not to pass the rule in the first place, but if every new supervisor weren't meddling in things they didn't understand, then they'd be out of things to do.

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  • 01

    "If you're late again, don’t bother coming in. So… I didn't."

    A
    via Paul Hanaoka

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    "If you're late again, don’t bother coming in. So… I didn't."

    Used to have this chill supervisor understood traffic happens, life happens, as long as the work got done. Then we got a new guy. Corporate type. Obsessed with "punctuality culture." First week he calls me into his office: "You've been 5-10 minutes late a few times. That won't fly anymore. If you're late again, don't bother coming in at all."
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  • 03
    I asked if we could talk about adjusting my shift slightly. I work late most days anyway. He cuts me off: "We have to maintain standards. No exceptions." Alright then. Next Monday, I hit traffic. GPS says I'll be 12 minutes late. So... I didn't go in. Took the day. Sent an email: "Following your guidance. Late again, so I won't be coming in." No reply.
    via lilysincla
  • 04
    Then I did it again Thursday. Same deal light traffic delay, stayed home. HR finally emails me like "Are you planning to return to work?" I forwarded them his exact words. No edits. Suddenly there's a "clarification" meeting. Apparently the policy was "miscommunicated." I'm welcome back and minor delays will now be "handled with understanding." Guess he didn't expect me to follow instructions that well.
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  • 05
    HRDBMW 4h ago I had a company do that to me once. They set a policy of points. and the points were the same being late or not coming in. I was NEVER late, except one day I got stuck on the wrong side of a train, and no place to turn around. So I called out. Then they got upset because I was the only guy on my shift who did my job. Not. My. Problem.
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  • 06
    Dimension10.4h ago I knew a person that was a great worker but was often late, long commute. They adjusted his shift start time by half an hour, but didn't immediately tell him, so he was always on time even though he thought he was late.
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  • 07
    . Bradddtheimpaler • 4h ago In my high school, the punishment for being one second late was identical to the punishment for being five hours late. I can't tell you how many times I heard the bell ringing for my first class while I was walking to it, turned right around, put my books. back in my locker, and left to go spend my morning at the park reading a novel, or getting some coffee or something and watching the river roll by, then I'd roll back into school a little after lunch.
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  • 08
    nottakenby ⚫ 5h ago Way to handle the new guy efficiently
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  • 09
    sosolidq 5h ago • I had a similar thing years ago while a student working part time in a restaurant. The restaurant closed for refurb and all staff had a weekend of training on new standards etc. First day, the guy taking the training went on a rant about the importance of punctuality and said that anyone arriving late wouldn't be allowed to enter.
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  • 10
    I hit traffic on the second day of the training so turned around and went home. Had a phonecall asking my whereabouts and I explained. They asked me nicely to please make my way there so I did, in time for the afternoon. Nice morning though.
    via lilysincla
  • 11
    JoeyJoeJoeSenior 4h ago "The plant called and they said if you don't come in today don't bother coming in on Monday." "WOO HOO four day weekend!"
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  • 12
    georgiomoorlord 5h ago Best way to remove a ridiculous rule is to strictly enforce it.
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  • 13
    lordthorn777 • 5h ago my boss used to b about me being late some days. untill he drove the way i come to work though the bridge tunnel and got stuck in traffic for 2 hours because some one decided to have an accident wich for me happens about twice a week sometimes more no matter what time i leave for work he no longer says anything if im late
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  • 14
    LindonLilBlueBalls 5h ago I commute 40 miles each way for work everyday, so I get that traffic can happen unexpectedly. But how are you late to work multiple times a week?
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  • 15
    Egoy 12h ago I mean not to be a and all but if you're consistently late maybe start leaving home. earlier instead of jeopardizing your career by being a little sh to your boss.
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  • 16
    outdoorsatx • 12h ago If you are late "a few" times in a single week, then the reason is not unforeseeable traffic. It is that you leave home too late.
    via lilysincla

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