New manager yells 'WAKE UP' at coworker who was awake and reading emails at their desk: 'I'd [...] give my actual manager a heads up'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jun 6, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

When you're new at a job, you might feel like you have to prove yourself. You might feel like you have to make a good first impression right away or else you'll be back on your behind without a job. If you're a certain kind of person at a certain kind of job, you might feel like you need to come out the gate swinging, ready to make changes, and take no prisoners. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. 

Maybe they hired you for a specific purpose and you want to waste no time getting right to it. Maybe the way they do things needs a genuine shake-up and you're chomping at the bit in order to do so. It's usually best, though, not to step on any toes. After all, you're the new guy and you don't want to ruffle any unnecessary feathers. You might pay for it later down the road. 

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    ee
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • That's what one new employee tried to do in this story, though he took an interesting route. He thought he'd try to swing his power around just a little bit too soon. And he made some weird choices in the process. Read on for the story to see what happened and how his coworker responded. 

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    New Manager (not mine) yelled at me to "WAKE UP!" when I was reading emails at my desk. What should I do?

    I am an office admin at my job and work near the front of the office. There's a new manager (does not oversee me) that came into the office for a new employee he hired. I was reading emails at my desk and he was standing near the end of the hall
    via u/cloudypisces
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    and then shouted "WAKE UP!" Naturally, my head swung to the side because someone yelled and he was looking right at me. I said "I'm awake, I'm reading emails." He said "you were snoozing". I have no idea if this was a 'joke' or what but I was put off. His new employee is weird, honestly. His employee was right around the corner and said "was she sleeping?" But I did not hear the manager's response.
    via u/cloudypisces
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    He does not seem like he has changed his attitude towards me or treated me differently and has not brought it up. But it is sitting in my mind. Should I do something? So weird. This was at the beginning of the week this week.
    via u/cloudypisces
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    TLDR: New manager, that does not oversee me, shouted at me from down the hall to "WAKE UP!" while I was at my desk should I do?? :/ working.
    via u/cloudypisces
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    Commenters gave their thoughts on what he should do.

    YouNeedCheeses 1h ago Idk I would probably just brush it off for now, but if that kind of behaviour persists I would mention it to your own manager. The fact that he's new and feels the need to speak to you like that is a red flag. People like that usually off the wrong person eventually. I'd be annoyed by that interaction as well.
    via u/YouNeedCheeses
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    R... 1h ago Edited 40m ago • . Document the situation, keep it on hand, and be aware. Just because he doesn't oversee you now doesn't mean he might not in the future, and this is the kind of thing you want documentation for in case of that possibility.
    via u/RoyalZeal
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    JenninMiami · 42m ago I'd complain to your manager immediately that this person yelled at you for no reason, in front of everyone. That's weird af!!
    via u/JenninMiami
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    Cheezburger Image 10514205696
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

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    very-square .57m ago These people. Try to keep. your distance (but it seems. like you can't because you're at a station that they walk by and will probably choose to walk b just to keep poking at you) and stay as professional as possible.
    via u/very-square
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    If it happens again, try to call it out calmly in the moment and be direct. Also document this and any future instances. If it were me I'd probably fly off the handle and say something like "I resent that accusation" which is precisely what you shouldn't say.) That dude is an
    via u/very-square
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    SarcasmReallyS... 46m ago I've had this happen to me because I can be very still when reading something on the screens or watching some training video. I would write a firm email to the new manager, copy your manager on it and state that
    via u/SarcasmReallySucks
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    you do not appreciate being yelled at because it is unprofessional and does not fit in the workplace. Also state that if this new manager would like to address your performance, he should speak to your manager directly. This
    via u/SarcasmReallySucks
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    action both documents the incident and makes your manager aware of the issue. No one likes a workplace buy and you should always stand up to it immediately.
    via u/SarcasmReallySucks
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    Vivid-Kitchen1917 42m ago . Probably not the best advice, but I had that happen once. I held up the company phone and yelled "the f back with the same energy is wrong with you?" About three months
    via u/Vivid-Kitchen1917
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    later he said I was lucky he didn't ask me to step outside so I rolled up my sleeves and went outside. Two months later he promoted me. Some people. just shouldn't be leaders.
    via u/Vivid-Kitchen1917
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    Loud Adhesivene... 44m ago Not my manager.. i'd tell him off and then give my to actual manager a heads up that he may be a bit moody about it.
    via u/LoudAdhesiveness3263
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    Spiritual_Lemon... . 52m ago The would also hit me weird too. I've had supervisors like this before. It was awful. I've been gaslit and had really weird declarations made about me. Totally incorrect. I'm really sorry this might not go well. Who are your allies there?
    via u/Spiritual_Lemonade
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    Roam1985 · 41m ago • Shout back "F OFF" that's it. When people say you were too harsh: tell them He's not your manager and you don't appreciate some newbie
    via u/Roam1985
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    a h le trying to get you fired by lying about you sleeping at your desk. If he does it again, you'll have to meet a lack of professionalism with an equal and much more severe/potentially violent lack of professionalism.
    via u/Roam1985
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    Duo-lava 39m ago "excuse me! who the f are you talking to me like that"
    via u/Duo-lava
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    FensterFenster · 36m ago You know, I come from a place (not saying it is healthy or right) where raising your voice abruptly at someone in a disrespectful manner incurs the risk of getting a hand across the mouth (open or closed, depending on the situation).
    via u/FensterFenster
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    That being said, I am in no way condoning workplace. harassment or violence. Simply making a point that some folks get all too comfortable in the way they talk to people in the workplace without knowing who the f they are speaking to.
    via u/FensterFenster
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    Idgaf if you're a manager, director, CEO, or President of the United States, watch your mouth.
    via u/FensterFenster
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    frindabelle • 50m ago same, i'd probably let it lie but if it keeps happening make a note of it
    via u/frindabelle
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    Obvious-Water5... 43m ago Mention it to your actual boss and try not to take it personally. This was probably just trying to throw his weight around.
    via u/Obvious-Water569
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    mehmench • 21m ago . This 'manager' has created a hostile work environment by yelling at you from across the room. Look at how it's affected you. Report him to HR and your manager.
    via u/mehmench

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