When even bathroom breaks are monitored; Employee reveals how he couldn't even take loo at work

A recent incident shared by an employee on Reddit is shedding light on the frustrations of workers in private companies in India, especially regarding strict office policies. The employee's post has gone viral, drawing attention to the rigid work environment and micromanagement that many employees feel burdened by in today's corporate world.

The incident: A strict manager's break policy

In a post titled "Boss Punished a Coworker for Taking an Extra 25-Minute Break," the employee shared a screenshot from a group chat where their manager reprimanded employees for taking more than the allotted 60-minute break. The manager insisted that all breaks, regardless of how short, must be taken within a one-hour window. The post details how employees were reminded to "adjust" their break times to ensure that no one exceeded the 60-minute limit in total.

A request for extra break time met with rejection

The situation escalated when one employee requested an additional 10-minute break for a bathroom visit. The manager denied the request, stating that the official break was strictly 60 minutes, and there would be no exceptions. The employee's defense that bathroom breaks should be accounted for was dismissed. The manager's response was firm: "Let's stick to the official 60-minute break, and that’s it."

The internet reacts: Criticism of micromanagement

The post quickly sparked a debate online, with many criticizing the micromanagement style of the boss. Social media users compared the workplace to a school environment and questioned the reasoning behind such strict break time policies. One user wrote, "I’ll never understand the obsession with strict break times. What are they trying to achieve?" Another commented, "What kind of workplace is this? Never heard of anything like it."

However, some users raised questions about the nature of the job, suggesting that perhaps constant monitoring was necessary due to the work's demands, but still criticized the manager's approach.

Conclusion: A micromanaged workplace sparks debate

This incident highlights the growing frustration with micromanagement in many corporate environments, particularly regarding small yet significant details like break times. As more employees voice their concerns, the question remains: where should the line be drawn between necessary supervision and unreasonable control?