Boss scolds architect for 'personal use' of work laptop. Their malicious compliance cost him both money and pride
My boss saw it in the recent files while we were reviewing a project together and told me the computer was for work only.
Bosses can sometimes impose rules that may seem a bit too harsh. However, when an employee maliciously complied with a company's rule of using work products solely for work purposes, the boss not only regretted his decision, but it also cost them more than €1000 ($1153) worth of bills. Sharing the hilarious story on November 21, Reddit user u/Few_Jaguar_9360's post has been upvoted more than 12,000 times so far.
u/Few_Jaguar_9360 once worked as an architect at a firm. For one of their daughter's birthdays, the employee used the Photoshop software on their work laptop to create birthday invites. However, this 10-minute craft session did not sit well with his boss when he found out. "It took maybe ten minutes. My boss saw it in the recent files while we were reviewing a project together and told me the computer was for work only. I just said "Ok", because… well, what else was I going to say," they shared.
Following the incident, the employee was asked to travel in order to survey a building. They finished their task with whatever materials were provided to them, including a measuring tape and a laser. However, upon their return, their boss inquired about the photos they were supposed to take. Here's when the employee used their quick thinking to give the boss a taste of his own medicine. "I told him I hadn't taken any photos, since my phone was personal. He was furious on the inside, but couldn't show it, because months earlier I had asked the company for a work phone and they had refused," they explained.
A 2023 study by Hazem Ahmed Khairy explored how benevolent leadership can influence employee motivation. The study found that when leaders show genuine care for employees' well-being, it significantly increases job engagement. But in contrast, by calling out the employee for a simple usage of office software while still expecting them to click work-related images on a personal device, the boss learned a lesson on how harsh rules can backfire.
Surprisingly, the employee received a brand new Samsung and was again sent back to the city with all the expenses taken care of by the company. Soon after the post gained traction, many online users shared their thoughts on the story. u/Impossible-Ship5585 wrote, "This good as taking the photos with your own phone is a data security breach." u/Kirjavs shared, "Just keep your own phone as well. Having a professional phone is the first step to 'why didn't you answer last Sunday?'" u/tacticalpotatopeeler commented, "Just be sure to leave that Samsung on the desk when you go home for the day :)"
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