Employee refuses to text overbearing boss every time she leaves the house, asserting boundaries: 'I'm literally never late'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Nov 3, 2025 8:00 AM EST

Imagine needing to send your boss a text every time you leave your home to go to work.

At a certain point, you might as well share your location with them to let them track you. Shouldn't you be allowed the right to stop for a coffee on your way to the office, or make up the excuse that the trains are delayed because it took you ten more minutes to get ready than usual? Also, sometimes, the trains really are delayed, and there is nothing you or your boss can do about that fact!

In this instance, we have an employee who was constantly bothered by their boss about their punctuality because their boss was frequently preoccupied with needing to get out of the office for her second job. Yes, that's right. None of this had to do with work itself or the employee's tardiness. It was all about the boss's personal schedule. 

Moreover, the employee was never late! This was all an extension of the boss's anxiety, so why should the employee put up with this nonsense?

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  • Side view of young businessman drinking coffee while sitting on his bicycle.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • Here's hoping that the author's boss learned a real lesson about boundaries. There are many things bosses can demand of their employees that walk the fine line between professional and unprofessional. However, while this isn't necessarily crossing a personal boundary, it does cross a professional one. Plus, it's annoying to have to put up with your employer's anxiety like that!

  • "Boss expects me to text her when I leave my house"

    My boss has repeatedly tried to get me to come in 10 minutes before the start of my shift so she won't be late for her other job. At first
    via [deleted]
  • she demanded I do so (until I spoke with her boss lol). She dropped it for about a month. Last night before I came in (7 minutes before the start of my shift,
    via [deleted]
  • exactly) she called me 5 times back to back. When I came in she asked me to text her before I leave the house from now on "if you're going to be late." I corrected her and let her know that I wasn't, in fact, late.
    via [deleted]
  • I clocked in on the dot. We argued back and forth about me texting her before I left my house. She didn't seem too happy with my refusal lol. I'm literally never late, I
    via [deleted]
  • usually arrive a few minutes early. I just don't see myself continuing to do so if she's going to harass me when I don't do her bidding immediately lol. It's so frustrating being told I'm doing something wrong and not being courteous. I'd
    via [deleted]
  • say calling me 5 times in a row when I'm driving on the interstate and trying to keep an eye out for my exit is discourteous but WHATEVER.
    via [deleted]
  • Update: I discussed it with the GM this morning. Don't have to come in early to accommodate the front desk manager. Because, as he said,
    via [deleted]
  • "you are not a manager and that is extremely hypocritical of her considering she is the only one late every week." So that's that, folks.
    via [deleted]
  • A businesswoman texts on her smart phone in an office environment.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • LVCSSlacker 6 hr. ago It's definitely a them problem.
    via [deleted]
  • Hopfit46 - 4 hr. ago Thats an iss- you(issue) not an iss- me.
    via [deleted]
  • Toolatrecrew · 6 hr. ago "So you want me to start my workday by texting someone at work? So you will start paying me when you receive my text? If I text you when. I leave at 8 to arrive at 8:50 you start paying me at 8 right?"
    via [deleted]
  • drdolots0 OP 6 hr. ago That's what I don't think she gets. Like that is work, we are not friends. You're my boss. Requesting this
    via [deleted]
  • and framing it as a "favor" to her was so gross imo. She also tried to get everyone to help her move out of her apartment by saying it was a moving party. No one
    via [deleted]
  • showed up. Free labor and a nice little power imbalance is her cup of tea.
    via [deleted]
  • Just_Getting_By_1. 4 hr. ago Why don't you set your phone to block her when you're off the clock, since you are off the clock?
    via [deleted]
  • drdolots0 OP 4 hr. ago I do! This is great advice though. I usually unblock her before my shift so I don't forget lol.
    via [deleted]
  • Opposite-Level-8346. 6 hr. ago Why don't they just change your start time, if that's workable for you? If it's not, or they won't, then too bad for them. I'm not taking
    via [deleted]
  • their side, but hr rules are stupid. Also, if you're salaried tell them to off. Don't do things for free
    via [deleted]
  • drdolots0 OP 6 hr. ago I would be okay with it if my start time was changed but this was already a discussion with the general manager. I am an hourly employee.
    via [deleted]

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employment issues employee toxic-workplace work overworked-employees Horrible Bosses bad bosses employment toxic-work-environment
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