A Frivolous Symptom Of Much Deeper IssuesNOT my story
I had a very similar situation to the one in this story at one job. We had low-walled call center cubicles. We were not a call center, but the space used to be one, so we kept the furnishings. I would go down to the company cafeteria, get my lunch, and then bring it back up to my desk and eat and read on my lunch break. If anyone happened to stop by my desk because they needed something quickly, I didn’t mind at all setting aside my lunch and book, quickly helping them, and then going back to reading and eating.
Then, my manager asked to talk to me.
Manager: “Someone has complained about you reading a book on company time.”
Me: “I was on my lunch break.”
Manager: “I know that.”
Me: “Why didn’t you back me up and tell the complainer that I was on my lunch break?”
Manager: “Because perception is reality. You need to be aware of how things look.”
I ALMOST said, “Well, my perception is that you are a dumba** idiot who doesn’t know squat about managing, so is that the reality?” I didn’t say it, but it was hard not to.
Instead, I printed up a sign that said “ON BREAK” and put it on top of my monitor where it was highly visible whenever I ate lunch at my desk. I also started taking two fifteen-minute rest breaks during the day and putting up the sign while I read my book. I was a salaried exempt employee, so those were not required by law, and before then, I had never cared to take breaks. I would ignore anyone who came by my desk while I was on break, and if they tried to get my attention, I would point to the sign and go back to reading.
My manager didn’t like that at all but couldn’t say anything about it. As soon as I could, I found a new job.
A Frivolous Symptom Of Much Deeper Issues NOT my story
I had a very similar situation to the one in this story at one job. We had low-walled call center cubicles. We were not a call center, but the space used to be one, so we kept the furnishings. I would go down to the company cafeteria, get my lunch, and then bring it back up to my desk and eat and read on my lunch break. If anyone happened to stop by my desk because they needed something quickly, I didn’t mind at all setting aside my lunch and book, quickly helping them, and then going back to reading and eating.
Then, my manager asked to talk to me.
Manager: “Someone has complained about you reading a book on company time.”
Me: “I was on my lunch break.”
Manager: “I know that.”
Me: “Why didn’t you back me up and tell the complainer that I was on my lunch break?”
Manager: “Because perception is reality. You need to be aware of how things look.”
I ALMOST said, “Well, my perception is that you are a dumba** idiot who doesn’t know squat about managing, so is that the reality?” I didn’t say it, but it was hard not to.
Instead, I printed up a sign that said “ON BREAK” and put it on top of my monitor where it was highly visible whenever I ate lunch at my desk. I also started taking two fifteen-minute rest breaks during the day and putting up the sign while I read my book. I was a salaried exempt employee, so those were not required by law, and before then, I had never cared to take breaks. I would ignore anyone who came by my desk while I was on break, and if they tried to get my attention, I would point to the sign and go back to reading.
My manager didn’t like that at all but couldn’t say anything about it. As soon as I could, I found a new job.
(Contd)