'You're supposed to do this to reduce eye strain': Coworker calls out colleague for 'staring into space' for 30 seconds at a time, inferring they're slacking off

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Sep 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

One of the challenges of working in an office is prolonged computer use. Our bodies weren't meant to be sitting still all day typing on a computer, but for many of us, it's what we do 8 hours a day. But there are a few little things we can do to make it easier for our bodies. We can take frequent breaks to get up, stretch our legs, and walk around. We can maintain good posture so we're not slumping into nothingness. And we can reduce eye strain by giving our eyes a break every now and again. Doctors actually recommend it. 

But that doesn't stop nosy coworkers from thinking that you're slacking off, even if you're indeed making yourself more productive by staying healthier. Some people just don't understand what makes others tick. And more than that, they don't know how to keep their opinions to themselves. The world would run a lot smoother if we knew when to have tact and not open our mouths to correct someone. You never know what's happening inside their head, and you wouldn't want to assume. 

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  • A young man stares into space at his desk.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • But that's what the coworker in this story did when they called out their colleague for doing something as simple as staring into space. But the coworker was understandably miffed and brought his concerns to the internet. Scroll on to read what happened in the interaction and decide what you think about it. 

  • Coworker called me out for staring out into space. Was that appropriate?

    I work at a computer all day and sometimes I will look out a window for 30 seconds or so or stare at something else, just as a mental break. A co worker called me out for doing this, almost inferring that I don't get my work done, despite getting my work done. I pushed
    via u/Pizza_Hero24
  • back a bit on their claims starting it's the way I work. I informed them if I were just on my phone every 5 mins, that would be different, but this is not the case. Was the co worker in the right to call this out? Am I wrong to look out a window every once in a while?
    via u/Pizza_Hero24

  • Commenters agreed that this was a ridiculous request.

    Anoukk93d ago Change it up..... stare at the coworker for a few minutes every hour
    via u/Anoukk9
  • Flat-Delivery6987 • 2d ago · Edited 2d ago . This is the power move. Turn your entire seat towards them and just stare for 30 seconds without breaking eye contact and then just nonchalantly turn back to what you were doing without acknowledging it.
    via u/Flat-Delivery6987
  • Brief_Amicus_Curiae . 2d ago And not at their eyes or usual area of the body. Like their left elbow or mid chest so they think they spilled something or have some other clothing malfunction.
    via u/Brief_Amicus_Curiae
  • Two coworkers work together, facing each other.
    via TheStandingDesk

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

  • • esgamex 2d ago Actially you're supposed to do this to reduce eye strain: "Another cause of computer eye strain is focusing fatigue. To reduce your risk of tiring your eyes by constantly focusing on your screen, look away from your computer at least every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object (at least 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds.
    via u/esgamex
  • Some eye doctors call this the "20-20-20 rule." Looking far away relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye to reduce fatigue.
    via u/esgamex
  • Another exercise is to look far away at an object for 10-15 seconds, then gaze at something up close for 10-15 seconds. Then look back at the distant object. Do this 10 times. This exercise reduces the risk of your eyes' focusing ability to "lock up" (a condition called accommodative spasm) after prolonged computer work.
    via u/esgamex
  • Both of these exercises will reduce your risk of computer eye strain. Also, remember to blink frequently during the exercises to reduce your risk of computer-related dry eye."
    via u/esgamex
  • Peeve1tuffboston 2d ago Simply say to them: "Well, if you were doing your own work and focusing on task at hand, you wouldn't have even noticed me....so why are you staring at me anyway?"
    via u/Peeve1tuffboston
  • Morbid-Vixen • 3d ago Is this person your supervisor or just an employee too? Because either way, they have no right to say that. I'm petty, so next time you need an eye break, stare directly at them for 30 seconds. That way you get your screen break AND they can't baww about you "staring into space". Two birds
    via u/Morbid-Vixen
  • ellieappa 3d ago Only appropriate response is to ask him if he watched The Office Season 5 episode 3 and have a stop watch on hand for every time he doesn't appear to be doing work
    via u/ellieappa
  • . gaysaporta · 2d ago This is insane. I started a new training class today and the new hires are told that if they need to get up, walk around, do jumping jacks, get a coffee, whatever to wake up and focus, DO IT.
    via u/gaysaporta
  • MellowTones · 2d ago It's beyond stupid of them. Any non-trivial task requires actual old-fashioned thought, which is probably better done whilst looking out the window than staring at the screen or maintaining a desperate stream of clicks and keyboard bashing. And them interrupting you probably cost the company 15 minutes for you to get back in the zone.
    via u/MellowTones
  • Belle-llama · 2d ago . Tell them to mind their own business. You have the right to think anyway you want.
    via u/Belle-llama
  • alloutofchewingum • 2d ago Tell your coworker to mind his own business Staring out window>griping about staring out window
    via u/alloutofchewingum
  • VFiddly 2d ago . They were not right. Expecting people to be completely focused for 100% of the time they're at work is madness. Also if they're not your supervisor it's none of their business, frankly.
    via u/VFiddly
  • Solid_Milk3104 • 2d ago . The co-worker is doing the same thing but staring at you so turn it around on them and start staring at them.
    via u/Solid_Milk3104
  • MysteriousMoon1 • 2d ago Catch THEM looking out the windows, or literally anywhere else besides their screen, and then in your best impression of THEM you accuse them of not getting any work done bc they are "staring into space". When they try to defend WHERE they were looking OR
    via u/MysteriousMoon1
  • WHY, that's when you say something like "As you have previously established, anyone who breaks eye contact with their screen AT ALL for ANY reason during the workday obviously isn't getting ANY work done!!!" Then ask them for some time management tips, like how
    via u/MysteriousMoon1
  • they use the bathroom without breaking eye contact. Perhaps they take their computer into the bathroom? No? Well then, I think we have established that in certain situations, its not only necessary, but appropriate to look away for a brief time!!" Or maybe next time they do it,
    via u/MysteriousMoon1
  • just tell them how impressive it is that they are already done with the workday x amount of time before it officially ends, bc if they had any work left to do at all, they wouldn't have time to spy on their co workers!! These are just my (halfway) silly suggestions. I do hope your able to get them to leave you
    via u/MysteriousMoon1
  • alone, even if its by embarrassing them or shaming them into silence ✗ sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Assuming it isn't a supervisor. In that case I suggest maybe going to h.r or looking for a different job quietly.
    via u/MysteriousMoon1
  • LordBuggington • 2d ago I dont think I would make it a week in an office. I would be like mind your business and be in hr
    via u/LordBuggington
  • Lucky-Guess8786 · 2d ago I read recently that it's important to use your long distance viewing if you stare at a computer all day long. Every 30 mins or so stare out the window for a couple of minutes and focus on trees or a building or something and look for a detail. Use your long distance eye lens. It's good for your eye health.
    via u/Lucky-Guess8786
  • Lazy_Wishbone_2341 • 2d ago My optometrist instructed me to do this. Keep doing it and if they whinge again, say it's on medical advice.
    via u/Lazy_Wishbone_2341

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job bosses work coworkers working eye health reddit story toxic-boss workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
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