I took a job out of desperation.

65 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 7:48PM UTC

   It's a reflection of the culture of the company. If their supervisor doesn't care about this behavior there is a certain culture at work. Comparing this culture with your prior jobs is really unnecessary. Every company is different, every culture is different. And like you said, you took the job out of desperation so it's not up to your standards. I would try not to monitor them.

2. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 12:04PM UTC

   As "they" say, it's a feature, not a bug.

3. Diann OchwatJuly 5,2023 at 7:50PM UTC

   It is annoying. Don't stoop to their level. Management knows and maybe it's a setup. Remember when they go low, we go high.

   Hang in there!

4. Gretchen SkalkaJuly 5,2023 at 8:46PM UTC

   We've all heard that famous phrase - be the change you wish to see ...

   This is a terrific opportunity to help them develop professionally WITH you through your example.

   The important part of that is to invite them into your experience in doing so.

   Perhaps there's a process that needs buttoning up or documenting or maybe turn the video watching into upskilling through video courses.

   If they're having trouble filling the time - help them by example.

   That's a great leadership technique, as well.

5. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 8:52PM UTC

   This is so interesting to me! I love this and I'm so sorry but I would have not seen anything wrong with this. I don't think you're old fashioned - I just think you're from a different generation from me. We come from different background and cultures and eras.

   Right now, I am extremely busy but I am watching tv and movies in the background or listening to music. But I can also understand where it can look unprofessional.

   You can also start watching movies if the boss is not saying anything to them if you want or you can utilize the time to do what you'd like. As someone said before me, you can watch video courses to upskill yourself. :) totally up to you. Definitely just be mindful of your own time and not of others is my approach.

6. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 9:50PM UTC

   They definitely not watching videos for up-skills. They are watching Korean soap operas. ?

7. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 9:53PM UTC

   I get your frustrations completely, but I'd say nothing.

   Although you would probably be in the right.... it'll hurt you in the end.

   If they are working on mindless work and listening to the Netflix, it's probably ok. But if it's without the headphones and they are using work as an 8h break from home - let the boss figure it out.

   You mentioned it's a job out of desperation. Maybe your dream job is out there now?

8. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 10:14PM UTC

   I would definitely NOT say a thing. Do what you need to do and move on.

   it’s not your job to oversee them.

   these things will have a way of biting you in the end.

9. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 10:24PM UTC

   Don't say anything. In the long run being a teacher's pet never pans out. If you guys are a team, rather try yourselves to do more work (if possible) or share training stuff with them or work-related videos and speak to them on those.

   I have a "junior" that works right across me, and she loves sketching and watching things on her ipad. whenever I see it has been too long, i simply request she helps me on work I need to get out. Unfortunately you cant come down on them without looking like a wet blanket and you will get iced out - even in work-related opportunities.

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 6,2023 at 7:21AM UTC

    I think you should stay in your lane. Unless you are their supervisor or you've been asked to monitor their time, it's really none of your business.

    I don't quite understand why, if you think watching movies is wrong, you're asking if you should do it. I'd say that decision is up to you.

11. Kat ReelJuly 6,2023 at 11:23AM UTC

    I personally wouldn't say anything. Honestly, I feel this is becoming more of a common thing. I work in a desk setting and almost everyone has earbuds in listening to a TV show, podcasts, or music. If work is not getting accomplished, I hope their supervisor says something to them.

12. Kristin BurnsJuly 6,2023 at 12:26PM UTC

    If it's a desk job in banking, I'm guessing there are appointments with clients and other times without, right? Why not watch a movie in their downtime? Would you feel as negative about them listening to music, reading a newspaper, or playing solitaire? If it's over their headphones, what is the difference? Unless they are shirking work that falls on your plate, I'd ignore it and find ways to spend your ample free time pleasurably too - this is not a forever job for you, so looking for a new role, catching up with friends on a group chat or finding a new podcast could all be ways to fill your time.

13. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 12:48PM UTC

    I don’t see what’s wrong with this, personally. Maybe they’re just watching movies in between their downtime. So long as they’re getting their work done, I think it’s okay.

    This reminds me of when I’d do call center work. When there were long gaps in between phone calls, we’d talk to each other. Sometimes, I’d read MSN Money or other sites. I’ve heard of call center employees coloring in activity books or knitting when the day gets really slow.

    The problem only starts if they’re not getting their work done and it starts to impact your ability to your work. For example, if they’re dumping assignments on you that they waited until the last minute to complete because they were busy watching Netflix, then I think it’s fair to complain to them about it. Otherwise, I’d be cool with it, personally.

14. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 1:37PM UTC

    Unless their movie watching is directly affecting you, this is a MYOB situation. You do you and, unless you become their supervisor at some point, just let them be. It will catch up to them eventually but don't give them reasons to be petty towards you.

15. MislynJuly 6,2023 at 1:44PM UTC

    It may not have a positive reflection on the group but that’s a boring job and being on the phone passes time. Maybe don’t make it so obvious. I’ve watched tv shows, messaged friends all day, looked at fb for hours anything to kills time. I did some part-time online work at a full time job. Just don’t let your boss see you being unproductive and you’ll be fine. Shoot my boss did nothing but sit in his office and look at Facebook watch YouTube videos or talk to his friends and family on the phone all day. Everyone does it.

16. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 2:50PM UTC

    "Watching a Movie" is no different than listening to music or a podcast or audio book. So many jobs are mind numbing and people need something going on in the background to stay awake. Honestly, without music, I couldn't bear some of the monotonous aspects of work. Also, many jobs have downtime and you are there to be "available." I see no problem with this as long as the work is ultimately being done. Additionally, I have learned the hard way as someone in my 40's, act your wage. If doing more and taking on more isn't paying more, it is not worth your time. Additionally, you are not in charge. Stay in your lane.

17. Barb HansenJuly 6,2023 at 3:51PM UTC

    My advice to you is to chill.

    You are not a supervisor and what other people do at work to "pass the time" (as long as that activity is not illegal, immoral or harmful to others or the company) has nothing to do with you.

    If I have mindless work to do (that work that we all do that doesn't take 100% concentration, which is frankly most of our work days), I listen to podcasts, or audiobooks. I have netflix (and other streaming services) or youtube streaming sometimes as well. Am I 100% watching the video? No - maybe - sometimes yes. it just depends.

    Here is my advice.

    Should you jump on the "everyone else is watching/listening to a streaming service" bandwagon?

    It depends.

    Can you have an audio-track playing in your ears while you are working?

    Will that audio-track help you focus while you work?

    Do you want to do listen/half watch something while at work?

    Other than that, just let it go and enjoy whatever you do to "pass the time" at work :)

18. misskelleypJuly 6,2023 at 4:44PM UTC

    On the one hand I'm of the "tend to your own knitting" school of thought. On the other, this is stealing from the company at it's most basic.... Surely there's actual work that would benefit the company that these folks could be doing? That said, you are NOT the supervisor, and I don't see a way for you to come out untainted, no matter course of action you take. So maybe just do your own work, and ask for more when you need it, and ignore what others are doing unless and until it becomes the right time to say something.

19. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 6:23PM UTC

    In some fields, there are busy times and no-real-work times. If things ramp up in July or August, OP will learn this.

20. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 12:42PM UTC

    Stealing is a stretch. It sounds like they are doing their work as the movie plays.

21. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 12:29PM UTC

    At my job sometimes we are busy and can’t even scratch our heads and other times we don’t have anything to do so the entire team finds something to do. Some watch movies on their phone, some listens to audio books, browse social media on their phones etc. Our Director and managers know that as soon as we have sone work to do we are going to deal with speedy and efficiently. We works as Business systems analysts and when we have work to do we aren’t being idle.

    I would suggest you focus on you, as long as what they are doing isn’t affecting how you do your job.

22. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 12:29PM UTC

    Worry about yourself and mind your business.

23. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 12:34PM UTC

    Yes - good advice, at least for the moment. They need to HOPE and pray you never get promoted and become their supervisor....

24. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 12:40PM UTC

    My friend, just mind your business. Your post gave no indication that this is a problem beyond you simply having the opinion that it’s unbecoming. In the same breathe you consider joining in the same behavior, so it couldn’t possibly be that opposed to your standards for professionalism or your productivity. Just chill and do your work … for the best outcome.

25. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 12:44PM UTC

    I have complex feelings about this. I too have worked in the banking industry where there has been down time and despite asking for more ad hoc projects, sometimes there was just not more to do when Youu have done everthing. You could be slammed our you could be bored. I once had a colleague who hated me. I don't know why, but they did. They would complain about me all the time saying things that I was not doing stuff work related and on FB. Yet, all my work was done. And this person was not even on my team nor someone I reported to. At the same time, while they complained about me, they were constantly in and out gossiping sometimes ten times a day with other people in my department totally non-work related when they were supposed to be minding reception and this behavior to me was distracting. I brought it up to my supervisor and she said if I say something, then this could create a can of worms, and I agree with you, they should not be doing that. But do you want to go here? I said why not, they did it to me... Fair game. This person also abused inappropriate use of confidentiality but the firm never chose to address it even though they knew they were the culprit. Its a tough line, but I would say just be a duck. Its easier said than done, but involving human resources in anything- unless it is really serious is a slope you don't want to slide down. My best advice is mind your business and focus on you.

26. Gwendolyn FreeJuly 7,2023 at 2:52PM UTC

    That's exactly the advice I was given.

27. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 12:58PM UTC

    You have been presented with the perfect opportunity to keep your head down and myob.
    Unless their lack of work ethic ends up causing you to work more than the hours for which you are paid, just pretend you don’t see it. I wouldn’t start watching movies yourself, however. Eventually, someone with formal power is going to figure it out. To say something means alienating the two slackers, and possibly their supervisor, who will come under fire from not taking care of it themselves. The only way to come out of this well, is to be able to say that you are so focused on your own work that you’ve not noticed what they are doing. Now, if it starts affecting your workload, as in you cannot get it done, you should mention your workload, but not that they are watching movies all day. Don’t move the target to yourself!

28. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 2:05PM UTC

    Unless they expect you to do their work-or aren’t giving you crap which is usually what happens, let it go. Are they asking you to clean up the area or being D&@$? That happened to me.

29. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 2:12PM UTC

    Trust me. Not only are they on camera, every keystroke they make is recorded, so this is not happening.

30. Gwendolyn FreeJuly 7,2023 at 2:49PM UTC

    Take it from me, act like you don't see what your colleagues are doing. I was recently in a similar situation at work, and it did me no good to say anything. Stay in your lane and do your job. Mind your business and let the rest go. Eventually, it will catch up to them.

31. Gwendolyn FreeJuly 7,2023 at 2:55PM UTC

    The working world has certainly changed! Just by this conversation!

32. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 3:02PM UTC

    I came across some interns playing games on their computers and not hiding it. How I handled it was to quietly walk up to one from behind and whisper - check mate and when they looked up I said "I see you are playing games. If you have nothing to do - just ask others for work. If I see this - what do the managers, you may want to work for seeing? Take this as a learning opportunity and move forward". They thanked me and it was not obvious if they kept playing games or not.

    Are they younger? Younger workers seem to do this from what I see. Does their job have down time? I know part of my job is me working on the computer and I listen to podcasts (like today I am the only one in the office) and if someone comes by - I turn it off. Just noise and keeps my mind stimulated as well.

33. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 6:06PM UTC

    This entire approach is so condescending.

34. Focused721350July 7,2023 at 3:17PM UTC

    Good Morning,

    How about minding your own business and worrying about you doing your job! Since you say you were a Supervisor at one point! I'm sure in a Banking situations they're on Camera being filmed. So! Let their Boss worry about it. BTW! If someone jumped off a side of a cliff! Would you contemplate on doing it too? Ridiculous! Obviously! You have way to much time on doing NOTHING RIGHT?

    Ms. T ;)

35. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 3:29PM UTC

    Definitely posting anonymously. I have watched Netflix or Hulu, or Prime, at my desk. Not continuously but at times to just take the edge off of the day. And I'm late late boomer, but an early adopter of technology. Anyway, I think this is the new world for better or worse.

    If you want my guidance for you, you do you. Do your work and focus on yourself, that is the only thing you can control. Good luck! As I'm posting this between a less horrid small work project and a more horrid larger work project!

36. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 1:18PM UTC

    please don't ever retire. I don't know you but I already want to work for you. I'm a millenial, but some of my best bosses have been tech savvy boomers who get things. when they leave, I do too, as the job is never the same. and yall keep retiring and leaving us the bad staff ?

37. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 4:17PM UTC

    I think we work in a different world today. Prior to Covid, everyone was in the office and it was bustling with chatter. Working remote during Covid, no chatter but I needed the background noise and had the television on while working. Now back in a hybrid state where the office is somewhat empty, no assigned desk and a team is not always in on the same days, I still need the background noise so I am one of the people with Netflix on my iPa or listening to some sort of music or talk radio as I work. As long as they are getting the job done there should be no problem.

38. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 4:46PM UTC

    I think doing this at a work situation is completely unethical but, you should think only about your own work. If you are committed to your career and making something out of what may be a boring monotonous job then ask your manager for other things to do. Focus on growing your own skills or if you have downtime use that time to study or read about other work that might be more stimulating or help you to get into something uphill that could be higher paying or more career growing. Let the others do what they choose to without judging them unless you think you want to out them to the manager. My suggestion is to not do that and leave it for each of them.

    Your own career though means a lot to you so make the best of it and take on other things to make yourself better.

39. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 6:05PM UTC

    Not always unethical. There are receptionists who have to sit at their desks and are allowed to do what they need to do when bored and they have asked for and there is no other work for them to do - so not always unethical. Guards sit at a desk 24/7 and if in an office setting the night hours are long and boring. Some read, some watch shows on their phones...hard to call that unethical.

40. misskelleypJuly 7,2023 at 9:44PM UTC

    if the company allows it, fine, but in this case the employees are stealing paid time from their employer and giving the employer no value for that paid time.

41. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 3:38PM UTC

    How are they stealing? She didn't say they weren't getting their jobs done.

42. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 1:13PM UTC

    yes it's not 1995, like I posted above.

43. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 5:08PM UTC

    Since you're not their leader you need to keep your involvement there. Is it affecting their work? Are they not working? It could be considered the same as listening to music while at work. Is your group performing poorly? Who is acting unprofessional due to watching a movie while working? Is this an open office plan where others can see it? Not sure of what the result is from them watching movies as noted. Yes, times have changed and the approach to work can look differently.

44. Wendy Place BurnsJuly 8,2023 at 12:24PM UTC

    Don't compromise your integrity for their lack thereof. Do your best regardless and just keep looking ?

45. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 1:05PM UTC

    Not a big deal. It's the way of this company. You have to accept that this is where you decided to work.

46. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 1:11PM UTC

    its not 1995. if it's an underpaid/bad benefit job for the area they're probably working at their compensation level. it's a j.o.b. not a career move. no one compensates you for going above and beyond anymore. honestly this post kind of shows how out of the loop you are.

    I also guess when you Supervised you actually cared about your staff and helped them grow, another rare thing these days. Blane the system, not the people.

47. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

    Stay in your lane. Do your job and start to lopok for a new job-ASAP

48. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 4:20PM UTC

    I'm Gen X and living in a new working world. We are programmed from an early mindset to be and act a certain way at work. It's aged me fast, honestly. Give 150%, work OT, weekends, take work with you after you leave, etc. It has created physical, emotional and mental issues for a lot of people. I have a remote job with a great company. My first week I showed up early, stayed late, worked through lunch and by the end of the week I was stressed and not retaining much. My bosses were like, why are you doing this? We like you, you're doing great and you are going to get burned out if you don't relax. Second week it caught up with me and I worked sick the whole week. They were like, why? Just go home, relax. In my confused way of brainwashed thinking (from prior employment), I was like, ok, after I finish a couple of things. So, I left 20 minutes early on friday. As long as tasks are getting accomplished, why are we so caught up in the idea that we have to always be doing something? If the company doesn't care, use that time to do some self care. I'm reading a great book on spiritual growth (purchased by my employer) and I watch self help and inspirational videos on YouTube or listen to meditation music. I have no clue what my co-workers do in their free time at work. But, everyone seems pretty happy and the company is making profits. If the boss is happy and doesn't care, don't worry about it. The younger generations are pretty intuitive and I think they will live way longer than former generations because they are learning the art of just being instead of always doing.

49. AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 12:10PM UTC

    Just being instead of always doing. Wow, big thank you on this! Your work ethics mirrors me. I'm a Gen X, too. No wonder I feel burned out in my past jobs. Earn our own living, live a quiet life and mind our own business.

50. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 5:32PM UTC

    Here’s some good advice: do your job, monitor your own performance and, mind your own business.

51. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 6:12PM UTC

    My your own business

52. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 6:01PM UTC

    It depends.... If you are in a situation where you are making up the slack for other people or see work is not being done, then I understand why you would be upset. However, I have worked call center jobs before where sometimes it was back to back calls, while other times it was hours between calls. Keep in mind the company is paying you for your TIME too. If you're in a job where your job is to wait, being well-behaved, watching movies, and not getting into trouble may be the best thing. My piece of advice would be to stay in your lane. If you don't feel comfortable watching movies, use any down time for self-development. This is something that may even help you get ahead faster in the same company. If you say you like the job and who you work with, monotony can be quite comforting and lead to work/life balance.

53. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 6:07PM UTC

    I do a lot of data entry and will often have movies or Spotify on while I do this. I love the job, but it puts me to sleep sometimes. Having background noise, and a little bit of caffeine, is a god-send.

54. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 6:09PM UTC

    PS. I do other stuff in my job too, but the data entry stuff has to get done. Every job is always going to have a boring part. Everyone's gotta fill out paperwork or an expense report at some point. It's part of life, might as well embrace it and make the best of it.

55. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 7:35PM UTC

    When I did the part of my job that's mindless, I listen to old Beverly Hills 90210 episodes

56. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 7:41PM UTC

    I have had people tattle on me constantly. I'm old enough to be their mother

    If I'm late from lunch..... where were you? If I get a call....who is that? No time to talk (people who always talk)It's annoying.Just say your hellos, do your job and go home while istening to anything you want (headphones please!!)

57. AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 11:32PM UTC

    I wouldn’t say anything about it, I understand why it would bother you. I also have strong work ethics. I pride myself on my detail oriented skills. I am allowed to use ear buds when I work in the office. I mostly work from home and use a speaker. I listen to podcasts and I can’t work in complete silence. In the past I have worked with others that weren’t getting as much work done as I was . At my last job when we were still using paper I did most of the filing, my coworker would purposely work slower. I finally said something and we had our own file bins. Mine wasn’t as full as hers. So I totally get where you are coming from. I’m a Gen X too so I always take pride in my work. I’m one of 3 long term temps and I do more tasks than the others. It has created some pressures I feel from the department leads to always help out and was given a guilt trip for taking an extra day off at the end of July. It’s much needed down time! Hang in there - hopefully things get better for you.

58. AnonymousJuly 9,2023 at 5:07AM UTC

    Definitely don't say anything. They'll feel judged and hate you for it. If the work is super dreary, they probably can do it whilst watching Netflix.

59. AnonymousJuly 9,2023 at 3:09PM UTC

    Observation is always good; however, since you're not in the position of authority, I think you should mind your business. I don't mean that offensively, and you're not really into your job; therefore, you should focus on bettering your position...and if indeed you do get a position as a supervisor, then you can address that movie situation.

60. AnonymousJuly 10,2023 at 1:08PM UTC

    If they are doing their work, and they're not client-facing, who cares? Maybe their supervisor is already aware. Even if they're not, you're not their supervisor, so it's probably better to mind your own and focus on what you have to do. You never know what conversations/actions are being had/taken behind closed doors.

61. AnonymousJuly 10,2023 at 1:42PM UTC

    You need to worry about your career prospect than what your coworker is doing. If your job is a dead end, and that's why your peers are giving up on their jobs, you need to look for a new job or be transferred ASAP.

    If they are just lazy, and you still want to be in this job, then work super hard to show that you are different than them. Sooner or later your hard work will be recognize.

62. AnonymousJuly 10,2023 at 3:14PM UTC

    For someone who is neurodivergent, I have to distract my brain sometimes to get work done. I will put on a comfort show, something I have watched many times to distract one part of my brain in order for the other part of my brain to focus on the work. Watching movies isn't a bad thing as you are making it seem. Work is not supposed to be set up to contain your attention or be so hyper-focused that you literally sit in front of a computer for 8 hours and come out on the other side with a healthy mind. If your job function is to almost be like a robot, and you are human, then we should be grateful to have a job but we ALSO can't destroy our brains on these employers time. Just stick to focusing on your work and not judge your colleagues for figuring out a way to endure the excurtiating process of being present for 8-9 hours for a pay check.

63. AyianJuly 10,2023 at 6:23PM UTC

    I second this. I have migraine triggers commonly found in offices. Distracting my brain with something like a show I'm not engrossed in or have seen before can help down out those triggers and facilitate concentration in the task at hand.

    If the actual job is being done well, only a toxic work environment will look poorly upon passive watching of shows. It's not unlike listening to a podcast while you're working, just more visible.

64. AnonymousJuly 11,2023 at 4:28PM UTC

    This must be your first job in banking. This is common practice in the industry and doesn’t reflect at all on their performance as employees. Learn to adapt and also to mind your business.

65. MislynJuly 11,2023 at 6:22PM UTC

    I worked in banking and I wouldn’t say it is a common practice. Most people in banking stay busy all day with loads of paperwork. Yes there is down time and yes a teller has plenty of time to be on their phone. I’m sure she will adapt and mind her own business.