Boss Makes New Break Room Rule, Then Loses It When Worker Follows It Exactly

Employee policies exist to ensure compliance with regulations and keep things in order. But let’s face it: not every company guideline makes sense, and it can be detrimental to workflow, productivity, and the overall system. 

While going against such policies may be the knee-jerk reaction, one can also comply maliciously. This is what a fast food employee did, and the result of his actions earned him a reward.

His managers, on the other hand, had to face some unpleasant consequences. You will find the entire text below. 

Some companies impose policies that don’t make sense

McDonald's restaurant exterior at sunset, highlighting break policy impact on kitchen operations.

Image credits: Boshoku / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

A fast food employee dealt with his employers’ questionable rules about taking breaks during shifts

Employee break policy narrative posted on a memo discussing work break issues at McDonald's near schools.

Text discussing break policy effects on productivity and health risks. Manager enforces strict break room rules.

Text about employee break policy strictly enforced, causing chaos in short-staffed kitchen.

Text describing fast-food chaos as employee adheres to break policy.

Employee takes break, chaos ensues with orders for 47 quarter pounders and 75 nugget meals, testing break policy adherence.

Employee follows break policy, as kitchen prep area becomes chaotic in busy restaurant environment.

Image credits: Marcel Heil / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

As a response, he maliciously complied with them 

Employee on break watches kitchen chaos unfold as orders pile up, management intervenes.

Employee adheres to break policy while kitchen chaos unfolds, checking phone during the last minutes of break.

Woman with curly hair and red lipstick, following break policy, watching kitchen chaos unfold.

Image credits: Polina Zimmerman / Pexels (not the actual photo)

His actions made a strong point, as they also highlighted the inefficiency of the imposed guidelines

Text shared on break policy violation involving regional manager's threat.

Text about an employee following break policy, observing kitchen chaos.

Text about kitchen chaos aftermath, detailing refunds and food waste due to break policy adherence.

Kitchen chaos with food scraps in a messy pile, highlighting break policy impact.

Image credits: Muu-karhu / Wikimedia (not the actual photo)

Upper management eventually amended the breaktime rules, as the author received a reward 

Text discussing break policy adherence and kitchen chaos with employees taking home food boxes.

Text displaying edited break rule about clocking in early at manager's discretion during rush events.

Text about an employee who strictly follows break policy, leading to free meals and discounts.

Image credits: DrD3adpool

Rules that take away choices and focus on activity instead of outcomes may be problematic

The fast food restaurant’s break time policy does serve a purpose. However, it also restricts employee choices, making them feel less accountable for their jobs. 

As author and leadership expert Kevin Kruse explains in an article for Forbes, “employees will feel less and less ownership over their own work, and their emotional commitment (i.e., engagement) decreases.”   

It can also happen if a company imposes rules to focus on activities that control outcomes. Kruse gave the example of a policy against working from home to ensure employees provide a full day’s work. 

According to the author’s story, the fast food chain he worked for implemented the break time rule to streamline kitchen operations. However, it backfired. 

As Kruse explained, implementing such rules allows upper management to “micromanage from afar.” 

Image credits:  Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

“They stifle creativity and insightful thinking. They disempower workers in the spirit of protecting against very low chances of risk or loss,” he wrote. 

So, how does an employee handle a questionable company policy? Executive coach Liz Ryan says going against it may also be a sensible approach. As she explained in her Forbes article, bending a nonsensical rule may help encourage change. 

“The more irrelevant a rule becomes, the faster it will slide into oblivion. The more often employees ignore the rule, the faster it will happen,” she wrote. 

The author’s defiant compliance with the rule in place may have highlighted its inefficiency. His actions did foster an amendment in company guidelines, and he received a reward in the end. 

Commenters had mixed reactions to the story as the author answered some of their questions

Reddit comments about break policy causing kitchen chaos with overlapping employee breaks.

Text exchange about strict break policy leading to chaos during kitchen rush hours.

Comments about employee break policy praised and rewarded with a gift card.

Online forum conversation about strictly following a break policy, leading to workplace kitchen chaos.

Reddit discussion about employee break policy and labor law compliance in the workplace.

Discussion on employees sticking to break policy amid chaotic kitchen scene.

Reddit users discuss 4/20's significance and large food orders, highlighting cultural aspects around break policies.

Reddit discussion on employee break policy and store chaos, highlighting issues with handling large orders.

Reddit discussion about employees following break policy and taking home leftover food to reduce waste.

Text from a comment discussing break policy and large order rules in restaurants.

Comment discussing break policy and chaos from large orders lacking notice.

Forum comment on break policy legality and labor rights advice.

Reddit comment about break policy and chaos in the workplace, highlighting management issues.

Reddit comment discussing break policy and kitchen chaos during big orders.

Employee strictly follows break policy, emphasizing its importance and potential fines for violations to ensure compliance.

Employee adhering to break policy as chaos unfolds in kitchen.

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