An employee has been praised for reporting his micromanaging boss to HR after he was made to adhere to ridiculous rules, such as not using the bathroom during his nine-hour workday
An employee has slammed their boss for banning him from using the bathroom during his nine-hour workday.
The man, who works from home, explained how he is on his second warning for leaving his desk unattended – but he insists he only got up to use the toilet.
Annoyed about him ‘skipping’ work time, his manager put a new rule in place banning him from leaving his desk throughout his shift. He said on Reddit: “I work from home. My manager claims that if I leave my desk for 10 minutes I will get written up. It’s my second warning in two weeks.
“Everyone on the team takes 5-30 min breaks throughout the day. Sometimes in the morning after drinking coffee, I have to go to the bathroom. Right at the 10-minute mark he calls me today. He doesn’t do this with anyone else and says he’s not micromanaging (his words not mine). He said quote from ‘8-5 you can not leave your desk. I am watching your screen’.”
Believing his manager is in the wrong, he reported him to HR for harassment – but now he is worried whether he overreacted about the situation. He added: “I am the top performer on my team (just got my yearly evaluation). Most phone time, always early, always leaving late, and take no vacation time (no kids). Was I right to report him?”
Commenting on his post, one user said: “This is not prison. Take a pee break whenever and however long you wish. If your manager does not like it, grab his trash bin and sh** in it.” Another user added: “Take your computer/phone with you to the bathroom. Make it uncomfortable for him.”
A third user suggested the disgruntled employee could write a snarky message, such as: “‘Dear HR – I cannot work today as I’m in the hospital with a distended bladder due to being forbidden from leaving my desk between the hours of 8am-5pm for any reason per (insert micromanager name) here on CC’.
“This occurred during work time I will be submitting workman’s comp claims and working with the local labor board. Thanks!” One more user added: “This sounds like at attempt at a constructive discharge. In short, he might be trying to make it so unpleasant that you just up and quit.”
