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Employee Shares A “Verbal Warning” In Print That They Got For Spending 9 Minutes In The Bathroom, Makes People Crack Up At Their Boss
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Employee Shares A “Verbal Warning” In Print That They Got For Spending 9 Minutes In The Bathroom, Makes People Crack Up At Their Boss

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As you probably know, there are two categories of employees who receive promotions. Some maintain the same working relationship with colleagues who have now become subordinates. The latter, having become superior, obviously feel entitled as kings, and begin to behave accordingly.

There is nothing to tell about the first category of bosses, but the second ones fully compensate for this with bizarre minor or major nit-picking about employees. Some newly minted bosses sometimes even give out tragicomedies in Big Brother’s style, turning the lives of colleagues into a mixture of hell and a circus.

For example, this story, recently posted on the Reddit Antiwork community, has 10.8K upvotes and over 3.3K different comments. Most of the commenters are advising the Original Poster to leave this job, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

More info: Reddit

The Original Poster got a “verbal warning” from their supervisor in printed form

Image source: OhDrewzy

So, the OP said that they received a verbal warning from a supervisor at work. Moreover, the employee was forced to sign this very “verbal warning” in printed disciplinary action form, which by itself looks very weird. However, the very content of this form is even stranger.

The weirdest accusation was that the OP spent 9 minutes in the bathroom

For example, on July 20, the OP, according to their supervisor, wasted ten minutes just standing up and talking to colleagues “while the rest of the team was focused and worming”. Then, right before the break, they went into the bathroom and spent nine minutes there. Moreover, they even counted the two minutes that the employee spent heading to the bathroom.

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Image source: OhDrewzy

Furthermore, the OP, according to their manager, lost another ten minutes when they spoke on the phone, and then communicated with other employees. As stated in the text of the disciplinary form, “It looked like they were pretending to work, but were actually wasting time.”

In total, the manager counted 31 allegedly “wasted” minutes of working time

In total, they counted as much as 31 minutes of allegedly lost working time. In case this happens again, the employee was threatened with being sent home. And, to end the epic, they were told to sign this “verbal warning” and a copy was sent to the HR department.

People in the comments were shocked by this situation and told the OP that they should quit immediately

To say that the commenters were amazed by this post is an understatement. Some folks compared what they saw with the plot of Black Mirror, some – with the dystopias by George Orwell, but everyone agreed that it was simply impossible to work normally in such a toxic atmosphere.

Some people online also took the opportunity to roast the supervisor by being sarcastic or pointing out spelling mistakes like “worming”.

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Image source: OhDrewzy (not the actual photo)

The most frequently repeated advice to the Original Poster was to get out of this company as soon as possible, and definitely not to sign any papers – especially weird ones like this one. And, moreover, to tell everyone what company this is.

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However, the OP has already begun to tell and, perhaps, will still leave this toxic place of work. But all the same, such cases need to be somehow dealt with, especially since they still take place. Maybe you have experienced similar cases of discrimination too, so feel free to write about it in the comments.

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katejones_1 avatar
Kate Jones
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know. I've been on the other side of it working with that guy who is clearing milking not being on the floor or on the phones, etc. And it makes me have to do more. We had a guy who would wait until 5 minutes before his break and would go to the bathroom, spend 10 minutes in there, then go to break late which threw off everyone's break. All so he could get an extra 10 minutes out of it. Then would take 10 minutes to get back on phones. I work with someone now in a call center where she goes into 'extra time' which keeps you from getting calls and is supposed to be used to finish up something for a customer, not to look at her phone like she does. So I get talking to someone about their time-wasting. Not sure why they called it 'verbal' when they wrote it up. They should have just talked to him and then proceeded to do write ups if necessary.

cherryn5150 avatar
Lizzy Crit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could just be the formalities of that particular place. First warning is verbal, no corrective action but it's documented what was discussed. Next is first written,then second written, which may or may not come with a suspension or some other discipline. Now they have 3 warnings total which "establoshes a pattern" and they can now terminate you "for cause" and avoid unemployment payments.

Load More Replies...
heliocracy_1 avatar
Heliocracy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, you don't go to the bathroom ten minutes before a break unless you're goldbricking. Also that write-up has three different examples. The reason they do this (and the reason it's not micro-managing) is because they noticed dude is wasting time frequently, and they needed to start documenting it so they can fire him.

shrimpyninni avatar
AsexualShrimp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just me or did BP censor the “-ing” in worming and spelling in the post?

juliaartigue avatar
juice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's what it looks like, but on the original post it's the crying laughing emojis (😂)

Load More Replies...
nikkiwaters avatar
PandaPops
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always... always get paid to pee!! Go before or after your break but never in your break time

cartooncasey avatar
Casey Payne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of dystopian nightmare places do all y'all work at that this is acceptable management? The very idea of this behavior is insulting. If you don't agree with my work habits, be an adult and come talk to me as an equal. Passive aggressive BS is for children and cowards. And no, I have never worked at a place that had cameras that watched over their employees like criminals.

v_suslaviciute avatar
Kill-Bunny
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a colleague that was pissed on me for taking breaks. Our work was not dependent from each other, but while going for a smoke break, coffee, wc, anywhere, I had to pass her working station. I went to smoke (she was chatting with other employee who came by), I went back (they still chatting), I went to bathroom, they still chatting. went back - still chatting. went for coffee - still chatting. went back - still chatting. She was chatting for about 1,5 hours (this is almost daily occurrence for her). During all that time between my breaks, I've cleared about 15 tasks and already did the all maximum planned for the day (when I take more breaks, I work much faster, also breaks are encouraged by the law here, you don't have to spend full 8 hours working). COB came, I went home, she stayed because of how much work she had left to do. Later on she accused me of having too much smoking breaks and tried to talk to some management about that :D I mean, the audacity :D

erikgranqvist avatar
Erik Ivan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a lot of countries it is illegal to time how long you are at the toilet.

marthaburger avatar
Martha B.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d like to get an estimate of how much time the manager spent tracking and writing up the the so-called ‘slacking’ employee. While managing people is part of his job, it does not seem like the best use of the manager’s or the company’s time to be micromanaging to that extent.

lorilathrom avatar
Lori Lathrom
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got fired for something I didn’t do and was give a form to sign. I informed them I wasn’t signing, and that they needed to prove I did it. They left to discuss, and came back with a completely different form, that stated I had sexually harassed a 400lb gay man. I told them, “I’ve been married 25 years to my high school sweetheart. I have fillet mignon. What would I want with green bologna? I’m not signing anything.” I made a complaint to BOLI and the Employment Div. I was compensated, and it didn’t affect my work record.

findgretta avatar
I'mNotARoboat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand there are folks who legitimately waste time. I also understand there are managers making money simply to micromanage which probably costs way more to pay that person and p**s everyone off than it does to allow a little grace for humans working.

dawnmariebulut avatar
D-m Keilman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In indiana as long as your work time visit to the toilet is less than 20 minutes they aren't supposed to say squat. If it's 20+ they can call it your break.

roepi avatar
fallfun12 avatar
Fall F.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As well as strong, nationwide and respected labor-laws. True, it's a reality just in 1st world countries .....

Load More Replies...
skidog911 avatar
Kusotare
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your supervisor is a creep. Freshen up your resume and start looking for a new job. Once you have found it, tell your supervisor you're going on a bathroom break...and never return.

katejones_1 avatar
Kate Jones
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know. I've been on the other side of it working with that guy who is clearing milking not being on the floor or on the phones, etc. And it makes me have to do more. We had a guy who would wait until 5 minutes before his break and would go to the bathroom, spend 10 minutes in there, then go to break late which threw off everyone's break. All so he could get an extra 10 minutes out of it. Then would take 10 minutes to get back on phones. I work with someone now in a call center where she goes into 'extra time' which keeps you from getting calls and is supposed to be used to finish up something for a customer, not to look at her phone like she does. So I get talking to someone about their time-wasting. Not sure why they called it 'verbal' when they wrote it up. They should have just talked to him and then proceeded to do write ups if necessary.

cherryn5150 avatar
Lizzy Crit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could just be the formalities of that particular place. First warning is verbal, no corrective action but it's documented what was discussed. Next is first written,then second written, which may or may not come with a suspension or some other discipline. Now they have 3 warnings total which "establoshes a pattern" and they can now terminate you "for cause" and avoid unemployment payments.

Load More Replies...
heliocracy_1 avatar
Heliocracy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, you don't go to the bathroom ten minutes before a break unless you're goldbricking. Also that write-up has three different examples. The reason they do this (and the reason it's not micro-managing) is because they noticed dude is wasting time frequently, and they needed to start documenting it so they can fire him.

shrimpyninni avatar
AsexualShrimp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just me or did BP censor the “-ing” in worming and spelling in the post?

juliaartigue avatar
juice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's what it looks like, but on the original post it's the crying laughing emojis (😂)

Load More Replies...
nikkiwaters avatar
PandaPops
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always... always get paid to pee!! Go before or after your break but never in your break time

cartooncasey avatar
Casey Payne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of dystopian nightmare places do all y'all work at that this is acceptable management? The very idea of this behavior is insulting. If you don't agree with my work habits, be an adult and come talk to me as an equal. Passive aggressive BS is for children and cowards. And no, I have never worked at a place that had cameras that watched over their employees like criminals.

v_suslaviciute avatar
Kill-Bunny
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a colleague that was pissed on me for taking breaks. Our work was not dependent from each other, but while going for a smoke break, coffee, wc, anywhere, I had to pass her working station. I went to smoke (she was chatting with other employee who came by), I went back (they still chatting), I went to bathroom, they still chatting. went back - still chatting. went for coffee - still chatting. went back - still chatting. She was chatting for about 1,5 hours (this is almost daily occurrence for her). During all that time between my breaks, I've cleared about 15 tasks and already did the all maximum planned for the day (when I take more breaks, I work much faster, also breaks are encouraged by the law here, you don't have to spend full 8 hours working). COB came, I went home, she stayed because of how much work she had left to do. Later on she accused me of having too much smoking breaks and tried to talk to some management about that :D I mean, the audacity :D

erikgranqvist avatar
Erik Ivan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a lot of countries it is illegal to time how long you are at the toilet.

marthaburger avatar
Martha B.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d like to get an estimate of how much time the manager spent tracking and writing up the the so-called ‘slacking’ employee. While managing people is part of his job, it does not seem like the best use of the manager’s or the company’s time to be micromanaging to that extent.

lorilathrom avatar
Lori Lathrom
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got fired for something I didn’t do and was give a form to sign. I informed them I wasn’t signing, and that they needed to prove I did it. They left to discuss, and came back with a completely different form, that stated I had sexually harassed a 400lb gay man. I told them, “I’ve been married 25 years to my high school sweetheart. I have fillet mignon. What would I want with green bologna? I’m not signing anything.” I made a complaint to BOLI and the Employment Div. I was compensated, and it didn’t affect my work record.

findgretta avatar
I'mNotARoboat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand there are folks who legitimately waste time. I also understand there are managers making money simply to micromanage which probably costs way more to pay that person and p**s everyone off than it does to allow a little grace for humans working.

dawnmariebulut avatar
D-m Keilman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In indiana as long as your work time visit to the toilet is less than 20 minutes they aren't supposed to say squat. If it's 20+ they can call it your break.

roepi avatar
fallfun12 avatar
Fall F.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As well as strong, nationwide and respected labor-laws. True, it's a reality just in 1st world countries .....

Load More Replies...
skidog911 avatar
Kusotare
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your supervisor is a creep. Freshen up your resume and start looking for a new job. Once you have found it, tell your supervisor you're going on a bathroom break...and never return.

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