Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

“Half Past Stupid O’Clock”: Micromanaging Broker Tracks Trucker’s Every Move, She Has Enough
100

“Half Past Stupid O’Clock”: Micromanaging Broker Tracks Trucker’s Every Move, She Has Enough

ADVERTISEMENT

If you asked a room full of people who loves a micromanager, it’s unlikely that you’d see a forest of raised hands. This redditor surely wouldn’t raise hers.

The netizen recently turned to the malicious compliance community to share how she dealt with micromanaging people at work, after they woke her up at “half past stupid o’clock”.

Scroll down to find the full story below, where you will also find our interview with Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Jon Gruda Ph.D., who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on micromanaging.

Rest is a crucial part of a trucker’s job

Image credits: Tony Mrst / pexels (not the actual photo)

This trucker’s sleep was interrupted by a micromanager, who was then served a portion of malicious compliance

Image credits: Anastasia Shuraeva / pexels (not the actual photo)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: mmmmpisghetti

Image credits: mmmmpisghetti

Micromanaging can be detrimental to both the employee and the company

According to an expert in organizational behavior, Dr. Jon Gruda, micromanaging usually harms employees more than it helps. “It often signals a lack of trust in employees’ abilities, leading to decreased autonomy and higher stress, reduced job satisfaction, and potential burnout. Micromanaged employees may feel undervalued and disengaged, reducing productivity and increasing turnover.”

In addition to the detrimental effects on employee well-being, micromanaging doesn’t help the company itself, either. “Micromanaging disrupts team workflows and organizational efficiency. It causes frequent interruptions, slows decision-making, stifles creativity, and prevents employees from developing leadership skills due to dependency on approvals for even minor decisions,” Dr. Gruda continued.

ADVERTISEMENT

While the redditor’s workflow likely differs from that in a corporate setting, for instance, it’s arguably not that different in regards to how detrimental micromanaging can be. Surveys reveal that such a style of management has resulted in negatively impacting the morale of as much as 85% employed individuals who’ve experienced it, and it has made nearly seven-in-ten of them consider changing jobs.

Image credits: Jonathan Borba / pexels (not the actual photo)

The overly attentive management style often originates from a manager’s insecurities and need for control

Dr. Gruda pointed out that micromanaging often stems from a manager’s insecurities and need for control. “Managers might micromanage out of fear that independent work by employees could reflect poorly on their abilities. Organizations should support managers by providing training to build their confidence and trust in their teams, which can help reduce micromanagement and foster a more positive workplace culture,” he told Bored Panda.

However, if organizations can’t provide said support or managers simply can’t seem to let go of control, the employee can try taking matters into their own hands; to some extent, at least. For those dealing with a micromanager, Gruda suggested focusing on three points, the first one being setting boundaries and asking for autonomy. “Express your need for autonomy and propose how you can manage tasks independently.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The second point was seeking feedback and clarifying expectations: “Address any unclear expectations with your manager to reduce unnecessary oversight,” Gruda advised. Finally, try focusing on building trust by demonstrating reliability in your tasks to gradually build trust and reduce micromanagement.

In situations where building trust or seeking a long-term professional relationship does not make much sense—or is simply not worth fighting a micromanager’s aggravating ways for—engaging in malicious compliance can also be an option; the netizen revealed that for her, it resulted in an apology for waking her up at “half past stupid o’clock”.

Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo)

The netizen shared more details in the comments

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Fellow redditors discussed similar stories

Poll icon

Poll Question

Thanks! Check out the results:

You May Also Like

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

Do you think childless individuals should be expected to chip in for group babysitting costs during friend gatherings?

Read & Poll
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

“They Saw The Blood Leave My Body”: Woman Refuses To Tip 10% At Bridal Store

How do you feel about the practice of tipping at a bridal store?

Read & Poll

17 Y.O. Is Done Sharing Her Birthday With Her Late Twin, Parents Are Not Having It

Do you think the girl should be allowed to celebrate her birthday without the remembrance of her deceased twin?

Read & Poll
Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Start the discussion
Add photo comments
POST
rwtnuhkielf7 avatar
HTakeover
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With those kind of update requests, makes me think they have an extra package hidden in those onions.

glennschroeder avatar
Papa
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That possibility was mentioned in one of the comments above. The driver replied that if so he or she should have been paid more.

Load More Replies...
oldmanfl01 avatar
Steve Hall
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never mess with truck drivers, it will not end well for you.

amoni-radlee avatar
Kathy O'Sherry
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That overzealous distributor will suck c***s in hell for eternity for their outrageous micromanaging transgressions that fateful day.

lesleyfarrington avatar
Charity Angel
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I assume that the censored word could be interchangeable dependent on the preference of the individual (as in the opposite of their preference)

Load More Replies...
rwtnuhkielf7 avatar
HTakeover
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With those kind of update requests, makes me think they have an extra package hidden in those onions.

glennschroeder avatar
Papa
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That possibility was mentioned in one of the comments above. The driver replied that if so he or she should have been paid more.

Load More Replies...
oldmanfl01 avatar
Steve Hall
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never mess with truck drivers, it will not end well for you.

amoni-radlee avatar
Kathy O'Sherry
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That overzealous distributor will suck c***s in hell for eternity for their outrageous micromanaging transgressions that fateful day.

lesleyfarrington avatar
Charity Angel
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I assume that the censored word could be interchangeable dependent on the preference of the individual (as in the opposite of their preference)

Load More Replies...
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda