How a Stingy Boss’s 3p Refusal Cost the Company Hundreds: The Delicious Art of Malicious Compliance
Imagine this: You’ve just returned from a work-mandated training course—a week of your life spent earning a certificate you already deserve. You submit your expenses, proud of your thriftiness... only to be summoned by your boss, who refuses to approve your claim. Why? Because you spent three pence—yes, £0.03—over the allowed dinner limit. If you’re already rolling your eyes, you’re not alone. But this is where the fun begins: When told to “read the policy,” our protagonist does exactly that, unleashing a tidal wave of reimbursement that leaves the penny-pinching boss eating humble pie.
This tale from Reddit’s r/MaliciousCompliance is a masterclass in turning bureaucratic pettiness into poetic justice. And as the comments reveal, it’s a scenario that resonates with anyone who’s ever been nickel-and-dimed at work.
Three Pence and a World of Trouble
Let’s set the scene: England, 2015. Our hero, Redditor u/Large-Meat-Feast, is dispatched on a mandatory weeklong training course. The rules are laid out: train tickets and hotel (with breakfast) are covered, but lunch and dinner are on the employee, with strict daily caps—£5 for lunch, £11.72 for dinner (that odd 72p is the sort of arbitrary number only HR could love).
But things go awry on the last night: the dinner bill comes to £11.75. That’s a three-pence overspend. Surely, this is no big deal—especially since previous nights’ meals were below the limit. But nope! The boss, wielding the policy like a sword of righteousness, refuses to sign off and commands our protagonist to “read the policy.”
As u/cbelt3 quipped in the top comment, this is “classic penny wise, pound foolish. Well done. (All for thruppence!)” Several commenters, like u/thijser2, highlighted the absurdity: just the cost of two employees discussing this issue for a few minutes would dwarf the disputed three pence. As one person noted, “people cost (including management, facilities etc.) around £100 an hour... is it even worth the fuss?”
Malicious Compliance Unleashed
Thus begins the glorious act of “malicious compliance.” Our hero reads not just the expense policy, but the entire staff handbook and contract. And what treasures lie within! Turns out, the company owes for:
- Reasonable evening calls home (no receipt needed)
- £5 per night spent away from the family
- A £30 bonus for travel over three hours
- Overtime for course hours beyond the standard 37
- All travel time counted as work, with double pay for Sunday
- An extra overnight stay on Friday due to late return
Instead of the original £75, the new claim totals nearly £175—plus £150 in overtime. As u/Help_meToo astutely guessed, all this policy sleuthing and form-filling was (of course) done on company time!
When confronted, the boss sputters, but the policy is airtight. Our hero stands firm, even threatening to escalate and file a formal complaint. The result? Every penny is paid. As u/BodaciousVermin put it, “The boss had to kiss goodbye that bit of power he thought he had over you and the team. Well done.”
The Comment Section Reacts: Wisdom, War Stories, and Wry Humor
The story struck a nerve with the Reddit crowd—over 7,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments, many sharing similar tales. “Stepping over a dollar to pick up a penny is one I’ve heard,” said u/Ludwigofthepotatoppl, capturing the idiocy of such management tactics. Others, like u/PilotEnvironmental46, shared how they took a more relaxed approach: “If the amount was in the right ballpark, I just approved it and moved on... nickeling and diming is just stupid.”
But not all bosses are so wise. Several commenters recounted their own battles with penny-pinchers and the creative ways they got their due. u/drifterlady’s story is a classic: denied a £5 fuel claim in favor of a “shorter route,” she switched to public transport—which required an overnight stay and ran up a £300 claim. “This was acceptable because it followed the rules. I had a great night in town each time.”
Others highlighted how outdated policies can backfire. “£12 for evening meal even 10 years ago is bloody tight,” said u/SubjectiveAssertive. OP chimed in: their new employer allows £45 for dinner and £20 for lunch—a far more realistic sum.
Then there’s the delicious irony: sometimes, the company wants you to spend more, not less! u/Careless-Cat3327 was reprimanded not for overspending, but for eating too cheaply in London: “They weren’t happy I was eating crap everyday... I was told to go to a restaurant and have a good steak as my allowance was £75 per day.”
Lessons in Policy, Power, and Petty Bureaucracy
So what can we learn from all this? First, that an inflexible, nitpicking approach to expenses rarely saves money—often, it costs far more. As u/mizinamo calculated in another thread, a simple argument over a $3 bridge toll probably cost the company $11 in staff time.
Second, as many commenters pointed out, a good manager doesn’t sweat the small stuff. Policies should protect against abuse, not punish reasonable, honest employees. And as u/Tasty-Jicama5743 described, companies that trust their staff with per-diem allowances (no receipts needed) often see less bureaucracy, happier teams, and actually save money in the long run.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly: always read the policy. You never know what hidden gems you might discover—especially when your boss insists on it.
Conclusion: Petty Power Plays, Malicious Compliance, and Sweet Justice
There’s a special kind of satisfaction in seeing bureaucracy hoisted by its own petard. Whether it’s three pence or a three-hundred-pound claim, these stories remind us that fairness, trust, and a touch of common sense go a long way in the workplace.
Have you ever been on the receiving end of penny-pinching madness? Or maybe you pulled off your own act of malicious compliance? Share your stories below—because sometimes, the best revenge is simply following the rules.
And the next time your boss tells you to “read the policy,” grab a coffee, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
Original Reddit Post: Angry boss refuses expense claim and tells me to read the policy for guidance.