“Make Your Own Schedule,” She Said—So I Did: A Malicious Compliance Masterpiece from the Night Shift
Ever had a boss toss off a snarky comment, only to have it backfire spectacularly? If you work retail (or have ever begged for a day off), you’ll want to grab the popcorn for this story. Reddit user u/concettababe, a night shift cashier at a 24/7 convenience store, recently shared a tale of “malicious compliance” so perfect it sent their entire workplace into a scheduling tailspin—and had Redditors cheering from the sidelines.
Let’s just say: sometimes, taking instructions literally is the most satisfying way to make a point.
The Setup: One Headache, One Manager, and One Snarky Remark
Picture this: It’s the middle of the night, your brain is pounding from another relentless headache, and the fluorescent lights are not helping. You’re trying to power through your shift (10 PM to 5:30 AM—oh, the joys of convenience store life), and all you want is a single night off to rest your aching head.
So you do the reasonable thing: you ask your manager for a night off. But instead of empathy, you get a snap so sharp it could slice your migraine in half:
“If you don’t like the schedule, make your own.”
Well, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.
Malicious Compliance Mode: Activated
Most of us have, at some point, dreamed of making our own schedule—rolling in when we feel like it, skipping the days we’d rather spend sleeping, maybe working a casual four hours if we’re feeling generous. For u/concettababe, fantasy became reality.
Instead of just taking a single night off, our hero went full throttle:
- Skipped two nights entirely
- Worked a mere four hours the third night
- Took another night off
All without so much as a warning or a “by your leave.”
The cherry on top? They put their phone on Do Not Disturb, blissfully ignoring every frantic call and text from their manager (who, by the way, only comes to the store once a week—on Mondays). It was, in short, a scheduling free-for-all.
The Fallout: Manager Meltdown and Staff Uprising
When the manager finally appeared for her weekly visit, she was less than pleased. Cue the scolding:
“That’s not what I meant.”
But, as u/concettababe coolly replied:
“Well, you said make my own schedule, so I did.”
Suddenly, the floodgates opened. Other staff started asking if they could customize their own schedules, too. Day shift, night shift—everyone wanted a piece of the freedom pie. The manager, once so cavalier about her offhand remarks, suddenly cared a lot about “clear communication.” Turns out, vague directives can come back to bite you in the… scheduling software.
Why This Story Resonates (and Entertains)
This isn’t just a hilarious instance of malicious compliance—it’s an all-too-relatable tale for anyone who’s felt undervalued or dismissed at work. When management expects employees to follow the rules to the letter, but bends or breaks them at their own convenience, it’s only natural to take them at their word when the opportunity arises.
Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about the poetic justice here. It’s the workplace equivalent of “touching the hot stove”—sometimes, managers need to experience the consequences of their own inflexibility or sarcasm to appreciate the value of genuine communication.
And let’s not forget the ripple effect: u/concettababe’s bold move inspired the entire staff to question the status quo. Suddenly, the power dynamic shifted, if only for a moment, and the manager was forced to reckon with a very literal interpretation of her words.
The Malicious Compliance Takeaway
What can we learn from this midnight misadventure? - Words matter—especially when you’re in charge. Vague or sarcastic instructions can lead to chaos (and possibly a staff revolution). - Clear communication isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the key to avoiding schedule-related anarchy. - Sometimes, the best way to make a point is to take things at face value. Malicious compliance isn’t just about being cheeky; it’s about highlighting flaws in the system.
So next time your boss gets a little too clever with their instructions, just remember: you might be one literal interpretation away from workplace legend status.
Have you ever brilliantly complied with a ridiculous request? Or watched a manager’s words come back to haunt them? Share your stories in the comments—we could all use another dose of workplace justice!
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Original Reddit Post: i made my own schedule