A 21-year-old employee’s experience at work has sparked online discussion after they were publicly called out by their manager for using their phone—even after completing all assigned tasks.
The incident was shared on Reddit, where the employee explained that they had finished their workload nearly an hour before the official log-off time during overtime. With no further tasks assigned, they began scrolling through their phone while waiting for the shift to end.
According to the post, the manager, who usually leaves by early evening, stayed back unusually late that day. Around 8 pm, he quietly approached the employee’s desk without being noticed.
The employee wrote that the manager suddenly appeared beside their chair, catching them off guard. He first asked whether all work had been completed. When the employee confirmed, he advised them to ask for more tasks instead of using their phone.
The situation escalated when the manager reportedly informed senior staff to monitor what everyone was doing. He then pointed directly at the employee and mentioned that they were using their phone, even though others nearby were doing the same.
The employee felt singled out and embarrassed, especially as colleagues laughed and compared the moment to a student being caught by a strict teacher. In the post, the employee joked that finishing work early had turned them into “office entertainment” for the day.
The incident quickly gained attention on Reddit, where users shared mixed reactions. Some pointed out that employees are expected to stay productive if they are being paid, including during overtime. Others criticised the manager’s approach, saying public shaming was unnecessary.
One user commented that such behaviour is common in corporate environments, while another said they had never experienced something similar in years of working.
The post has reignited conversations around workplace expectations, overtime culture, and how managers should handle idle time once employees complete their assigned duties.
Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. The claims have not been independently verified.
