Management claim vet tech is late to work 60% of the time, insists arriving at 9:01 AM is late: 'This has been my normal for 8 years'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Feb 21, 2026 9:00 PM EST

Professionalism does not always necessitate perfectionism. 

When someone is hired to do a job, it is expected that they will do their best to fulfil the duties of that role. In most cases, there are certain parts of the job description and contract that are non-negotiable, and other parts that can be a little bit more flexible, so long as the important things are taken care of. For example, if you consistently exceed your targets, a boss might not be so annoyed if you are five minutes late finishing your lunch break.

That being said, not every management team or HR department is going to be so forgiving when an employee bends the rules. When they decide that they are going to enforce a policy, even the most minor of transgressions can begin to cause an issue. Sometimes this happens for good reason, and other times, it is an example of the worst kind of micromanagement. Good workers are usually at their best when they feel like they are trusted by their higher-ups, not being watched and judged for every single inconsequential thing. This is the behavior that greatly diminishes job satisfaction when it happens consistently, or to an unreasonable degree.

 

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  • a male veterinarian touches the neck of a German Shepherd dog in an examination room
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A veterinarian touches the neck of a German Shepherd dog 

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

  • One man felt disgruntled with his workplace of eight years when it was suddenly decided that he was not good enough at arriving on time. He worked as a vet tech, and the new management of the practice had informed him that over the past couple of months, he had been late for 60% of his shifts. His day started at 9 AM, and they marked him as late when he arrived at 9:01 or 9:02 AM.

    He felt that it was unfair that he was being judged for this, especially because he routinely worked overtime to prepare for the next working day. He wasn't sure if his anger at this was unreasonable.

  • My management is getting on me for being late 60% of the time

    I am currently working at a veterinary clinic as a technician. I have been working there for 8 years and never had a problem with being late.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • There have been maybe 3? Times i was genuinely late in those 8 years, all being just sleeping through my alarm.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • Today the new management who has been there a little under a year called me into their office to tell me they were addressing my late starts in the morning.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • Apparently this came to light during a "management meeting" This lady with a straight face handed me a paper with my entire clock in and out times from the start of December to the end of January with 60% of them highlighted as late.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • I start at 9:00 am. Every. Single. Highlight. Was 9:01- 9:02am.... Some of these even 8:16 am when they had me scheduled on days when appointments still don't start until 9am.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • At this point I'm just shocked I'm being called into the office over something so trivial.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • And honestly it felt like slap in the face that they would be getting on my a about this just now after this has been my normal for 8 YEARS.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • This just tells me that not only is it honestly not a genuine issue, it also tells me they are just micro managing the f out of this practice.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • A practice that is privately owned so I work shoulder to shoulder with the owner who treats me like family, I watch his new born, he has stated I'm like a brother to him, and that when I had another job offer he said he would "do anything to keep me" and the woman handing me the paper?
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • I've Been to her daughter's graduation and been on relatively good terms for a long time.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • a veterinarian checks the ears of a German Shepherd
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A veterinarian checks the ears of a German Shepherd

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

  • What makes it worse is I stay overtime all the time to make sure the place is clean and ready for the next day almost every night!
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • We close at 6pm and I routinely stay till 6:30-7 just to make sure everything is done.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • They would rather get on my a about the 30 minutes that they are not paying me in a 2 month period for then address that their staff is going into overtime because of the mismanagement almost every night!
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • I say staff because it's not just me staying late but on average I tend to get stuck with it.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • Even asking some co-workers they all said it was stupid and that they tend to come in at 9:01 ext.
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • HL, they even have Dr.'s and the owner showing up on average 10 minutes late to start their morning appointments!
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • I understand there's a professional standard to be held to and it's a slippery slope to say "well if 1 or 2 minutes was ok then surely 5 can't hurt" but every highlight was 1 or 2 minutes?!
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • At this point it feels like I'm being targeted. I'm not a tool, I'm a person and a minute or two on occasion is not hurting anyone!
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • Clearly it hasn't for 8 years prior to now! AIO?!
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • a veterinarian checks the teeth of a German Shepherd
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A veterinarian checks the teeth of a German Shepherd

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

  • muphasta Stop doing extra. They obviously care more about you being clocked in on time than they do the actual work. 'em.
    via muphasta
  • Dirtmonkey68 Original Poster's Reply You're not wrong. Just s ks all those years amount to "hey you were 1 minute late so now you're being reprimanded"
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • No-Individual3345 I get being annoyed about lateness, but this sounds extreme. Sometimes managers just forget we're human.
    via No-Individual3345
  • Dirtmonkey68 Original Poster's Reply Honestly I'm just sad I didn't get a picture of the document with my clock times to really just emphasize how ridiculous the situation looked on paper
    via Dirtmonkey68
  • Lake_Wakin NOR - Why are you working after you clock out? In the US, not paying you for the entire time you are working is a violation of FLSA. They should know this. Starting today, don't be late. Clock in by 9:00. Clock out at 6:00 and leave. If they ask you to stay late, state "Sure. I'll clock back in and do whatever you need." If they say no it's not paid, you leave. No wonder the owner doesn't want you to leave. You give him free labor. He is using you. The new manager is a dumba for calli
    via Lake_Wakin
  • TimelyMeasurement435 MOR. Unfortunately you have gained new management that likes to micro manage. You can't change that. The only things that you can change are your clock-in time and your place of employment. Go ahead and finish being mad and then decide what you want to do. If you like your work and the people (or most of them) that you work with, then make a point of getting to work five minutes earlier. Otherwise, polish up your resume and start looking for a new place to work.
    via TimelyMeasurement435

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management employee job work veterinarian workplace late
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