‘Lock the doors’: Retail employee kicks customers out after manager demands they abide by ever-changing schedule, store loses major sales, manager gets written up as a result

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
May 30, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

We've all worked jobs where we are expected to do exactly what we are told and never use our own judgment for any decision. Some people, when they find themselves working for strict managers like these, basically shut off their brains and work on autopilot; they simply do only what the boss says and never leave the box they created for them.

Other people find ways to rebel. 

When the opportunity presents itself to both follow the rules and still rebel, one must take it. It is the perfect way to show managers that sometimes your own judgment is required on the job, without actually doing anything wrong. If following the orders led managers to realize they are not working with robots, and that their employees might actually have a thing or two to contribute, it's definitely a win-win situation.

The story of the retail employee below, who, by following orders, proved to their managers that doing as instructed, no matter what, does not always lead to the best results. 

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  • 01
    "I did what I was told"
    via AlenaPaulus

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

  • 02

    Manager told me to 'follow the schedule no matter what, so I did. Store closed early, customers angry and she got written up.

    So this happened a few years back when I worked at a small chain retail store. I was a part time shift supervisor, which basically meant I had all the responsibility and none of the pay.
    via maris_sa
  • 03
    We had this new manager, who came in like a hurricane. She was super into structure and rules and wanted everything to be done exactly how corporate outlined it. Fine, I'm all for
    via maris_sa
  • 04
    structure, until it becomes absurd. The issue started when we began getting inconsistent shipments and corporate would update our hours week
    via maris_sa
  • 05
    by week. One week, we would close at 9pm. The next, 8pm. The posted hours on the door weren't always updated quickly and I would sometimes use discretion to keep the store
    via maris_sa
  • 06
    open a little later if I saw customers still browsing. You know, customer service. But then Becky pulls me aside one day and said I was not being consistent. These were
    via maris_sa
  • 07
    her words: I don't care if there are 20 people in the store. If the schedule says close at 8, you close at 8. Lock the doors at 8 sharp. Don't use your judgment. Follow the schedule no matter what.
    via maris_sa
  • 08
    Then she sent me a mail about it, just to remind me. Cue malicious compliance. That Friday, the mall was doing some late night promo thing
    via maris_sa
  • 09
    and we were packed. Our schedule said 8pm closing, though. So I did what I was told. At 7:55, I got on the intercom and announced:
    via maris_sa
  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10511678720
    via Sandrabertilla

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

  • 11
    Attention shoppers. The store will be closing in 5 minutes. Please bring your items to the front. People were confused, other stores were staying open late.
    via maris_sa
  • 12
    But I followed orders. At 8:00 sharp, I locked the doors. We had over 30 customers still inside, most with full carts. I made them all check out or leave. Some were p' ed, some
    via maris_sa
  • 13
    just left everything behind. We lost a lot of sales. The cherry on top? Becky showed up at 8 to check how we handled the crowd and was livid to find the store dark and
    via maris_sa
  • 14
    closed. She tried to throw me under the bus but I had her email printed out and highlighted where she said Do not use discretion. Follow the posted schedule exactly.
    via maris_sa
  • 15
    She got a formal write up from the district manager and from that point on, I was encouraged to use my judgment again.
    via maris_sa

  • I worked as a retail employee when I was younger, and it drove me crazy when my boss refused to listen to my input. I never got to maliciously comply with one of his demands, so I live vicariously through stories like these. 

    I hope you found it as satisfying as I did…

  • 16
    CoderJoe1 "Are you sure about that?" should be a red flag for these idiots.
    via CoderJoe1
  • 17
    threepossumsinasuit "can I get that in writing?" is my personal favorite Imao
    via threepossumsinasuit
  • 18
    maris_sa OP I was really happy when I saw her mail that day because I knew it'll come in handy
    via maris_sa
  • 19
    Chi_mom If your store is in a mall and mall management finds out the store closed early, then the store can also be fined. You should anonymously tip off mall security.
    via Chi_mom
  • 20
    Street Pound133129 From my understanding, you're not wrong. She's not wrong. The only difference maybe she did not get the exact instructions from corporate for her own CYA. Well played, corporate. Well played..
    via Street_Pound133129
  • 21
    Pristine-Flight-978 When a manager won't give their instruction to you in writing, then you should always email them a summary of their verbal instruction with the closing clause "I will be following the aforementioned
    via Pristine-Flight-978
  • 22
    direction but if I have misunderstood your instruction then please correct me via return email. Thanks....." ALL WAYS LEAVE THE BALL IN THEIR COURT - is a guide I live by in office politics.
    via Pristine-Flight-978

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workplace-stories employee job malicious compliance retail tales-from-the-workplace retail worker reddit story entitled customers workplace tales-from-retail Reddit funny entitled people
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