What are you supposed to do if you have a job where the place is toxic and the rules are a little too strict?

Well, in this person’s case, the best idea was to get the hell out of there!

Check out how they handled it in this story from Reddit’s “Malicious Compliance” page.

Start now!

5 mins late is inexcusable?

“This was from my first job in a family run SME where the husband was the director and the wife was the GM.

It was a very toxic workplace and I am very thankful I left the job 5 years ago now. I dreaded every single day at that company.

They were doing the extra work.

As it was my first job, naturally I tried to work harder and worked late into the night (without any OT compensation) very often.

A little bit of a background: I am not a morning person but I don’t mind working late usually.

One time we were working on a project and I was trying to prepare everything ahead of time. My official working hours were 9 to 6 but I usually find myself getting dinner and going home around 11+.

Those few days, I started to report for work a little late, about 5 to 10 mins past 9 and my boss (the director) called me into the room and gave me flak for it.

It was time to prove a point.

Cue the malicious compliance.

If the working hours meant so much to him, I should adhere to it STRICTLY.

From that day onwards, I stopped staying late past office hours and worked strictly from 9 to 6.

He clearly notices it because he called me into his room for a chat a week later and told me he noticed I’ve been going home “early” recently.

I told him I’ve just been on time. He couldn’t do anything to me because I’ve been delivering results.

Well, this should be interesting…

The day I threw in my resignation letter I he called me into the office for an awkward conversation

Boss: Have a seat. Fiddles with resignation letter on his desk

Me: Sits down with a very happy expression

10 mins of awkward silence

Boss: So there’s nothing I can do to make you stay?

Me: Nope.

10 mins of awkward silence

Boss: Just know that if you want to come back to this company anytime, we will have the door open for you.

Me: Okay.

10 mins of awkward silence

Boss: That is all.

Here’s what folks had to say.

This person nailed it.

Another Reddit user talked about clock watchers.

This individual talked about their own work experience.

One individual shared a funny story.

And this reader has a great boss.

I’m sure they’ll miss this worker.

Nicely done!

If you liked that story, check out this post about a group of employees who got together and why working from home was a good financial decision.