Boss likes to micromanage her employee and act as if she didn't hear when she tells her that she needs to be out of the office as soon as her shift ends: 'She will keep me for an additional 15 mins sometimes.'

Author image for María Cetra
María Cetra • Writer
Aug 8, 2026 6:00 PM EDT

Working hours have an end, which is fixed and cannot be changed just because some boss wants to exploit their employees.

Being an employee is really hard, especially if you have to put up with an annoying boss who takes pride in pushing you over your working hours, micromanaging you, and ignoring your complaints and recommendations. We can use a thousand tips to make the situation better, but the truth is, there is no out till you resign or you change bosses. So really, it isn't particularly in your power how your manager treats you. Of course you could always get the law involved as you are working extra hours for free, but it will most likely just categorize you as a difficult employee, which is worse.

So what can the person in this story do? Nothing? Well, she could try to do a quick checkup at 4:30 so she could leave on time, or maybe she could express the issues to human resources in the hope that they would fix it. But really, nothing guarantees that this toxic workspace will change into a good one, because the toxic part is just the boss. So she can only really hope that her manager lives or that she finds a new job where the environment is different.

There is actually no certain way to be sure that a workspace isn't toxic till you are a part of it. So what do other people do to know that they won't be miserable at their job? Accept their fate? Work remotely? Be your own boss? I'm actually curious how employees manage to know this information beforehand or how they fix the environment once they are already a part of the company. How can we change something like this? Is the toxic aspect really just the manager of this office? Do we just look forward to escalating the career ladder to avoid having bosses? I really don't know how to help this girl. It seems like she's deemed, and she just has to accept it or leave. 

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  • My boss I've posted about her before, but one thing I'm struggling with is her doing this strange thing at the end of the day We work in the office 3 days a week, I work 9-5, she gets in later 10-6. When I've finished the working day, pack up and about to leave, she always insists on me going through my work tracker or my current tasks. I tell her I have to go as I have plans I need to make, and she just ignores me
    via Informal-Meaning-483
  • A man looking stressed in an office. Representation.
    via Vitaly Gariev

    A man looking stressed in an office. 

    Representation. 

  • and keeps talking. I tell her we can go over it in the morning but she wants to know now. She will keep me for an additional 15 mins sometimes. It's really annoying me and I've missed plans because of it, what is this behaviour? She's also very into her micromanagement and criticising of my personality so this is part of a bigger problem
    via Informal-Meaning-483
  • Spiritual Ad6547 Start scheduling a check in at 4:30p to review. Let her know you leave at 5, so reviews must be done before.
    via Spiritual Ad6547
  • lavinialloyd Put a daily meeting in with her 30 mins before end of the shift, recurring daily. Then send an email explaining that you understand she requires a status check at the end of every day, and to ensure moving forward this takes place within working hours, you've put in time for a status check. If she declines the meeting move it slightly earlier. If she declines again go back and ask her what time she
    via lavinialloyd
  • would prefer for the status check. If she says a time when your shift ends, then ask whether you should log your overtime or instead come into work half an hour later everyday to get back the time. Make sure you get everything in writing over email. It honestly sounds like a weird power move to me and I imagine she'll back down pretty quickly once you start getting a paper trail together.
    via lavinialloyd
  • A woman looking sleepy at her computer while another coworker works behind her. Representation.
    via Informal-Meaning-483

    A woman looking sleepy at her computer while another coworker works behind her. 

    Representation. 

  • NoRubbersAllowed Ask at 430 if she can look over all of that
    via NoRubbersAllowed
  • lamNotTheMama Update her earlier, then leave at 5pm
    via lamNotTheMama
  • LadyLenear57 Why are you telling her you're leaving. Just leave, problem solved.
    via LadyLenear57
  • ash_ok_ Just ask her, how we can work to avoid that? Ask her what she needs.
    via ash_ok_
  • Silver-Positive-2295 Start setting boundaries. It's okay if it happens 1-3 times but everyday is a toxic sign. My manager would come to office at 11 and end up till 7/8 as she was in the top management. She had a nanny, cook maid etc so she didn't have anything to do while we ending coming at 9 and leaving at 7- 8 and also working at night. I left the job as I couldn't keep asking her to respect my boundaries and now she regrets it.
    via Silver-Positive-2295
  • lostone3592 Start putting in for overtime. Or schedule a tagup at 4:30.
    via lostone3592
  • Saloau You need to say "boss name, my work day is over at 5. If you have concerns please see me before then as I must leave at 5 for personal obligations." And then at 5 cut in and say " oh would you look at the time, must dash." And walk away. It's hard asserting yourself and don't be a carpet and let yourself get walked on.
    via Saloau
  • jaygeezythreezy If it's an option, you could always just come in an hour later, too. I agree that boundaries should be respected, but if she's going to insist you stay that extra hour to align to her schedule then come in when she does! (If that's an option)
    via jaygeezythreezy
  • Other-Mess6887 This is the biggest advantage of a carpool. I have to go NOW. Three other guys are waiting for me.
    via Other-Mess6887
  • gsb999 Tell her she can walk with you to the bus stop, car park etc and discuss on the way. When you get to the car, get in and tell her anything else to discuss will have to be taken up in the morning
    via gsb999
  • Metaposa Are you hourly or salaried? If hourly, put in a hard stop. If salaried, sorry but that is not hourly and you are not contractually bound to a set 9-5. You should have 15 minutes to check in with her at 5. Make other plans. This is her passive aggressive way of telling you that you are acting like an hourly employee when you are in fact salaried. Alternatively, schedule a daily check in at 9:30am, half an hour before she usually gets in. That may send the message.
    via Metaposa

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Tags

micromanagement corporate toxic workplace overworked-employees work shifts
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