This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/br00kssofia on 2025-07-22 15:02:22+00:00.
My manager sent a passive-aggressive message to the whole team, clearly aimed at me: “Lunch breaks are unpaid, but everyone is expected to be available during core hours, including lunch”.
I used to take a quick walk or step out to grab coffee, never missed meetings, never late. But fine. If she wants me “available”, I’ll play along.
I started eating lunch at my desk every day - no headphones, not working. Just… sitting. I ignored emails and messages, and when people came over, I’d smile and say, “I’m on my unpaid break, but I’ll jump on it at 1”.
One day she sent a message at 12:10 asking for a report ASAP. I didn’t reply until 1:00. Someone else had scrambled to do it by then.
She later asked why I didn’t respond, and I said, “I was available, just not working. As instructed”.
She never brought up lunch breaks again.