'I just stood there': Manager demands employees stick only to assigned tasks, employee complies by refusing to help customers outside of their department

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 13, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

As much as we all love to complain about work, and actually having to work while we're at work, we all also know that not working while at work is a lot worse.

Confused? Let's break it down.

Think back to a day when you had a lot to do at work. You clock in at 9, and you pretty much work non-stop until 5, and it's time to go home. Then, think back on a day when you had absolutely nothing to do, when all you did was stare at the time on your laptop and wait for the minutes to pass by.

Now, answer this question: Which of these days went by faster for you? Which day was more fulfilling?

Yes, working is annoying, but not working can be even more annoying. So even on days when you don't have a lot to do, you usually rather find stuff to keep you busy than stare into the abyss and wait for the day to be over.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • However, some people are cursed with managers who would rather have you do nothing than help out with tasks that are not technically yours, and that is exactly what happened with the manager in the story below.

    Luckily, it wasn't long before the employees proved to their manager just how pointless their instructions were. Keep scrolling to read how they did that.

  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10516577536
    via Tempura

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

  • 02

    "You have to follow the schedule" okay, guess I’ll just sit here then

    I used to work at a small retail store where the manager was obsessed with "sticking to the schedule." Like, no helping with tasks that weren't written in your official hourly breakdown.
    via VelvetVanillaWhisper
  • 03
    One day, I finished my assigned duties early ,stocking a small section and organizing a shelf. I saw a coworker struggling with a heavy delivery in the
    via VelvetVanillaWhisper
  • 04
    back and offered to help, like any normal human would. Manager saw me and stormed over: "What are you doing? That's not your
    via VelvetVanillaWhisper
  • 05
    scheduled task." I explained I was just helping out since I was done early. "Doesn't matter. Follow your schedule exactly." Okay then.
    via VelvetVanillaWhisper
  • 06
    So I went back to my area, which was spotless, and just... stood there. For 2 full hours. Staring at the already-stocked shelves.
    via VelvetVanillaWhisper
  • 07
    Customers asked for help? "Sorry, not my department." Boxes were piling up in the back? Not my task.
    via VelvetVanillaWhisper
  • 08
    BEK
    via Thomas_EyeDesign

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

  • 09
    At the end of the shift, the manager gave me a weird look and said, "You didn't do much today." And I just
    via VelvetVanillaWhisper
  • 10
    smiled and said, "I was following the schedule exactly like you asked." She never said that again.
    via VelvetVanillaWhisper
  • 11
    Just_Aioli_1233 Most people sk at being in charge of others
    via Just_Aioli_1233
  • 12
    sad_puppy_eyes The correct response from the manager should have been.... Manager saw me, and came over: "Here, let me help too"
    via sad_puppy_eyes
  • 13
    The job gets done quickly, and the employees are happy to see their boss helping when it is needed. I'm not saying the manager should be constantly doing
    via sad_puppy_eyes
  • 14
    their employees job, but this sounds like a unique situation. If the manager had time to come over and b, they had time to come over and help.
    via sad_puppy_eyes
  • 15
    lamHim_Se7en When dealing with supervisors/managers like this, I always ensure that my assigned tasks always take the full amount of time allotted, if not more.
    via lamHim_Se7en
  • 16
    Finishing early and sitting around doing nothing gives them the idea that you need to be assigned more tasks. And they will not be paying you for the extra duties, not if you've proven you can do them in the time allotted.
    via lamHim_Se7en
  • 17
    Halogen 12 Most everyone I've worked for/with hates having nothing to do. When someone has run out of things to do, they come and ask me if they can help me
    via Halogen12
  • 18
    in some way. Oh heck yes, my sweet darlings, there is never nothing to do in my world! I really like seeing that attitude. Yes, they could get on their phones and waste time, but they'd rather be busy and helping.
    via Halogen12
  • 19
    revchewie Isn't it funny how often "quit helping them and just to your job" turns into "I have nothing to do and everything is going to h I"?
    via revchewie
  • 20
    Nopantsbullmoose God I hated managers like that. Like sure don't let us ignore the more important stuff but don't force us to "follow the schedule/task list" just because.
    via Nopantsbullmoose

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

Tags

boss workplace-stories employee manager job malicious compliance retail tales-from-the-workplace retail worker customers reddit story ceo workplace Reddit company
Scroll Down For The Next Article