'She knows I'm watching now': Employee written up by hypocrite manager for being 10 minutes late, begins documenting manager’s repeated tardiness and early departures, sends it to HR, getting his write-ups removed and manager silenced

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Oct 13, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

"If you're going to make the rules, you better make sure to follow them." A quote I'd imagine would be written on the front page of this employee's handbook (he just seems like the type who'd have a handbook, okay). After this employee was ten minutes late for work due to some traffic, his manager decided to write him up, despite being given valid reasoning. But soon after, he began to notice something quite ironic…His manager always seemed to stroll into the office late, latte in hand, spring in step. She'd always take lunch breaks that lasted a bit too long and somehow disappear from the office past 3 p.m. on Fridays… So did the rules of punctuality not apply to her?

Seems not. So he took it upon himself to write down every instance of her tardiness and early departure, compiling a list of pages throughout the following weeks. Then, after she confronts him for a late arrival weeks later, he decides to email his detailed log of her 'habits' to HR, and adds a little spice to the mix by CC'ing her boss in the email as well. Let's just say his write-up was dropped, and she never glared at the clock again as he entered the office.

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  • However, some could argue that she’s planning her revenge. As a woman who still holds power in the office, she can get him back for his petty revenge! He should watch his back, as a bright target could’ve likely just been placed on it. Maybe hypocrisy is just part of the real world, and he should hit that LinkedIn “Open to Work” button now. Or perhaps he’s taught her a valuable lesson she will learn from?

  • 01
    Employee writing in his notebook
    via afloimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    Got written up for being 10 minutes late. Manager showed up 30 minutes late the same day. So I started documenting everything.

    My manager wrote me up for clocking in at 9:10am instead of 9:00am. Said it was "unacceptable" and showed "lack of commitment." Traffic was bad that morning.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 03
    This was the first time I'd been late in six months. Same day, she strolls in at 9:30 with her Starbucks, chatting on her phone, zero explanation.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 04
    When I asked if managers had different rules, she said "that's different, I have management responsibilities." Cool.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 05
    So I started keeping a detailed log. Every time she was late (happened 2-3 times a week), I noted it.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 06
    Every extended lunch break (usually 90 minutes instead of 60), documented. Every time she left early (Fridays she'd disappear by 3pm), recorded with timestamps.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 07
    Employee leaving the office
    via gettyimagespro

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    Did this for two months. She wrote me up again for being 8 minutes late due to traffic.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 09
    That's when I emailed HR and CC'd her boss. Subject: "Request for clarification on attendance policy." Attached my spreadsheet showing her attendance over two months.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 10
    Had a meeting the next week. Both write- ups got removed from my file. She got a "verbal warning" which probably means nothing, but at least she knows I'm watching now.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 11
    She's been on time ever since and hasn't said a word to me about my clock-in time.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 12
    The best part? Two other people on my team heard about it and started doing the same thing.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 13
    She's basically been neutered. Can't power trip anymore without someone documenting it. Not a perfect ending, but I'll take it.
    via SlenderSmackdown
  • 14
    Shocked employee reads email
    via gettyimagespro

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    scooplatt Document everything, always. The second they apply one rule to you and not themselves, you start building the case. Well played.
    via scooplatt
  • 16
    unserious-dude It may feel good now, but I would look for another job. The boss is toxic.
    via unserious-dude
  • 17
    dplans455 Someone did this to my manager at a place I used to work at. They submitted 3 months worth of "notes" on the manager's daily activities. You know what happened? She got fired. No, not the manager, the employee.
    via dplans455
  • 18
    Sure_Acanthaceae_348 I hope you can find a new job soon. A manager who writes you for something outside of your control is looking to fire you for any possible reason anyway.
    via Sure_Acanthaceae_348
  • 19
    Beneficial_Grape_430 documenting everything is the way. hypocrites hate being held accountable. keep that log tight. managers hate when the tables turn.
    via Beneficial_Grape_430
  • 20
    texasusa The employee may win a battle but your boss will always win the war. You now have a flashing neon target on your back. I do agree that your boss knows nothing about managing people.
    via texasusa
  • 21
    Oops|HadAnAccident She's going to have it out for you. Been there and got fired for the most ridiculous reason ever. Took my unemployment and found something better. Good luck!
    via Oops|HadAnAccident
  • 22
    Retrohex Most of the directors where I work come in an hour after most us and leave an hour before. My department head typically only worked 3 or 4 days a week but they did fire him so that's good
    via Retrohex
  • 23
    Telefundo You need to be SO very careful now. I would bet money that she's starting her own "list" of infractions you commit. No matter how minor, enough of them add up and you could be out the door.
    via Telefundo
  • 24
    zorrorosso The manager is indeed lame since she care more about writing the employees up excessively than actual "managing", which is indeed sign of a manager churning off a small controllable tasks they can just write up in a few minutes, than do proper work.
    via zorrorosso

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workplace-stories employee petty-revenge-reddit revenge working hours timestamp complaint workplace Horrible Bosses hypocrites workplace drama late Reddit without warning written up
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