I live in a country that recently had a sudden security situation where missiles were being intercepted overhead. Authorities were advising people to stay home if possible.
I work for a small company that sells non essential goods. My job is basically sitting behind a desk on a computer and everything I do can easily be done from home.
The situation started over the weekend. I asked in our work group chat if we should work from home but no one responded, including the owner. The next morning there were loud noises outside and it felt obvious to me that staying home was the safer option, so I messaged saying I would work from home.
One of my managers replied that she had already gone to the office and that the roads were very clear. When I asked if she heard the noise, she said yes and that there were actually three missiles intercepted above the compound.
Later she privately messaged me saying I should never make decisions like that myself and that I needed approval from the owner first, especially since I am new. I ended up calling the owner and he approved me working from home, which I sent to her.
She still said it was a negative point that I made the decision myself. I told her this felt like a different situation since there were missiles outside. At one point I sarcastically said something like “if there was a nuclear bomb would I need approval too?”
My boss later told me I created tension because I stayed home while she went to the office and left her child at home. He suggested I apologize, which I did, even though I felt this whole thing could have been avoided if management had simply told everyone to work from home.
She never responded to my apology and now at work she won’t even say good morning to me or answer my messages.
AITA for deciding to work from home before getting approval in that situation?
Nta. no job is worth dying for. management failed all of you by not informing everyone they should stay home.
The OP is clearly not doing their duty if they aren’t on the roof of the workplace fending off actual missiles with a three ring binder and a fire warden’s helmet.
Ah you had me going for a second
NTA. If there’s a missile situation going on, most people’s first priority is not dying, not checking whether their manager approved WFH. At most, maybe you could’ve sent a quick message. But choosing safety over work is like the most normal reaction.
Nta…they are…taking care of their own People is evidently not one of their concerns.
NTA. Also, it seems that the owner is less of an asshole than your immediate supervisor, so if the security situation persists, I suggest going directly to the owner. Normally I wouldn’t advise people to bypass their immediate boss, but in your case it seems best.
I’d ask for more info about the security threat but that might trigger the moderators, and independently of geopolitics no job is worth risking your life over.
This would fall under the right to refuse unsafe work. NTA
No, you are not.
The government has asked you to not go out
This is ridiculous, and I would raise it directly with the owner
NTA I life and death situations you must act to save yourself. If you aren’t urgently needed then stay where it’s safest.
So, because she couldn’t make a common sense decision to stay home and protect herself and her child, she’s gonna take it out on you? 🤔
NTA – and your office is full of bees. If it is unsafe to leave your house, and the local authorities have said that you \*shouldn’t\* leave your house unless absolutely necessary, going into the office shouldn’t have been expected. You might want to address the fact that your boss isn’t talking to you with the owner. That can’t be good for the company’s goal of ‘getting things done’.
NTA for working from home. You are, though, for the snarky comment about a nuclear bomb. I think it was funny, but never, ever be snarky with the boss.
I hope you and your coworkers remain safe!
NTA. Job would have replaced you by the end of the week if your car had been hit by a missile and ended your existence. Maybe they’d have sent a card to your family.
As to the manager throwing a piss fit, let her. Those types never last long, just don’t rise to her nonsense.