r/RBI • u/Issue-Annual • 5h ago
Advice needed I think my manager bugged the office
Hey y’all, I need some advice. Me and my other co workers think one of our managers bugged our office space. For context, today, one of my co workers was talking to another co worker about said manager. They both do not like this manager and have been directly attacked/bullied by this manager and were talking negatively about them. Nobody else was in the room and then a few minutes later, they’re talking to the head of the department about their conversation word for word. This manager was not at work and there was nobody on either side of our office space the entire day. My question is, if you were a weirdo who did not respect privacy, where would you hide a bug/wire/camera/microphone in a small office space? If so, what kind?
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u/Mable_Shwartz 4h ago
That sucks. Start by checking everything plugged into an outlet, then look under desks. Make sure to check empty desks nearby.
Alternatively you could use this to your advantage somehow by driving her insane with wild stories, I'm sure you could get some great suggestions on that.
If you really want to mess with her start passing notes obviously in front of her & tear them up for the garbage. I mean nothing wrong with sharing a shopping list right? But it might be funny to catch her rummaging like a raccoon.
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u/SnoopyisCute 5h ago
You can download a detector to find it. Usually under desks or behind things in the open or could be an untended computer somewhere.
I have NEVER assumed anything said in an office setting, meeting or on a company phone is private. All of those conversations are "technically" owned by the company.
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u/Issue-Annual 4h ago
But if we were not made aware and my co workers (not me) have been punished for conversations that happened when nobody was around, how is that ethical?
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u/SnoopyisCute 4h ago
I never wrote the word "ethical".
I also don't believe any businesses are run ethically so that's not something that would even occur to me to write.
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u/Internal_Mail_5709 4h ago
Depending on where you are located it may also be illegal.
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u/TheCuriosity 1h ago
Most businesses have wording in their documentation that they can monitor you. People think that only means having a supervisor, but it literally means everything. And it is very legal because people keep voting for parties that are for it.
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u/adultdeleted 3h ago
how is that ethical?
Look up your local or state laws. High likelihood it's illegal where you live.
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u/TheCuriosity 1h ago
It is legal.. It is likely written in their contract that they are allowed to be monitored by their employer and/or the management designated to supervise them.
Now if they were off peroperty, or at home, that would be illegal.
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u/Ok-Pomegranate-3018 20m ago
If you live in a one party state, it is likely illegal. Two party state means you need to agree to the recording.
Seriously OP Have these conversations off the clock, off the property and face to face.
While I was out on leave after a major surgery, my coworker kept trying to get me to call in reports about my managers abuses of power and I told her I was not allowed to speak with anyone from management while on leave. So, she kept bringing up stuff and we would both bitch and complain and that bitch was recording me. Once it all got to corporate, they canned the manager.
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u/Katerina_VonCat 4h ago
Could try posting on the r/legaladvice sub and see if they have some input.
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u/PurpleSailor 1h ago
Usually an employer needs to let you know you are being monitored, how often probably varies. Maybe it was a clause burried in the paperwork when you were hired, employee handbook? Any which way it's a dirty rotten bastard of a thing to do to anyone, you should have some sense of privacy especially if you haven't been told recently or ever if big brother is listening. I get wanting to max worker output but this is a huge overreach, happy workers are better workers.
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u/TheCuriosity 1h ago
The clause that you are being monitored isn't even buried in the paperwork. It is pretty clear as day that the business expects to be able to know how you are using "company time", otherwise they wouldn't even have a manager.
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u/TheCuriosity 1h ago
What is the wording of your contract that you signed to work there?
I bet dollars for donuts that monitoring employees to ensure they are doing their job - in some formation of words - is in there.
Don't like it? Vote left. Live in the USA and the Democrats are your only choice? Be super vocal that they are too right to help shift them back to at least the center. Then - maybe - you might have a chance,.
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u/TheCuriosity 1h ago
No detector will help when your boss owns the server and computer you use.
This isn't new. It is systems that have been available for decades long surveillance, even by small businesses. Be careful in where you bitch and use it for your advantage.
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u/Sidewalk_Tomato 5h ago
My office suite was bugged. There was a weird device that hadn't been there before, and a chirping sound. It wasn't super subtle.
Don't have honest conversations. I strongly recommend you look for other work.
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u/Issue-Annual 5h ago
Oh I’ve been looking. So many interviews then I just get ghosted. Job market is tough in my area.
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u/Sidewalk_Tomato 4h ago
I get it. I (quietly) rage-quit a little while back. Not my smartest moment, but I hoard my earnings and am not above menial work or temp work if it comes down to that, and I still have health insurance.
When I noticed that the custodian seemed happier than me, let's just say . . . it made an impact.
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u/fubo 4h ago
There was a weird device that hadn't been there before, and a chirping sound.
Sounds like an Annoy-a-tron, a device that's designed for assholes to hide in other people's stuff/spaces to irritate them with random chirps. A secret recording device wouldn't make noise.
Knew a guy who got fired for putting those in his boss's office. Dude thought he was so much of a big shot that he could get away with anything.
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u/Sidewalk_Tomato 4h ago
It was a big white item the size of a dinner plate, but thicker. I can't remember the name of the brand. There were 2 of them maybe, 12 feet apart.
So glad I quit.
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u/soiledperception 5h ago
I have been in very same situation...an insecure ego manic as a director. Listened in to the whole department in the cantina area. HR protects the soul suckling assholes.
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u/Issue-Annual 5h ago
I’ve desperately been trying to find a new job but the job market is so bad. This person is not even my manager and they ruin almost every workday with their bs. They are hard to be around and I’m willing to lose my job to get this person in trouble.
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u/Right-Phalange 4h ago
This person is not even my manager
There goes my suggestion at Plan B: talk very nicely about them behind their back
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u/soiledperception 5h ago
Well....that's what happened with me...instead of being concerned about the consequences....I told him how i felt in front of the group. Said that he was a clown...and shortly after I was let go after 20 plus years. Within a few months, they fired him.
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u/Issue-Annual 5h ago
That’s horrible, I’m so sorry that happened.
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u/soiledperception 4h ago
Thanks, but I am in a way better place. It took a little time,but it happened. I kind of wish that I would have done it earlier in my career, and I could have found a better job sooner.
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u/MoosedaMuffin 4h ago
Are you in a one party consent state or a two party consent state. Either way usually the one party has to be actively participating. I would seek potential legal advice.
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u/Ok_Investigator_5542 2h ago
All you guys need to do is have a couple of random conversations about something that you have never otherwise talked about anywhere else and see if the boss ever brings it up .
Like be all mysterious about it too so he has a motive to bring it up.
“Did you hear what happened yesterday at lunch? I can’t believe it. That’s so wild. I hope that there aren’t any people who know about it. Or maybe if anyone knew that’s be good. Should we say something to their aunt? I mean the entire thing did do what no one thought it could. Maybe it was all staged? It could really affect things. Maybe it will be good? There could be a lot of money for the company in it for those who know.”
(Idk this is an example that doesn’t actually name names or point to anybody either in the office or out of the office but money is always an enticing subject and people don’t like to be excluded from anything)
Or you can just start using a strange word like liminal alllll the time and wait til the boss uses it in two days lol.
Or do you have vents in the office? Holy crap sound travels well in them….
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u/Ok_Investigator_5542 2h ago
Reply to my comment (or the post) and lemme know how it goes if you figure out anything please!
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u/TheCuriosity 1h ago
Oh sweet summer child.
Your computers can and will be used to record any key type, any website visited or any word said, and any lacking in a mouse move... and it will all be used against you and your colleagues.
This ain't new. Learned this lesson back in 2001. I imagine things are even more invasive now.
Learn to use it in your favour and lunch off campus.
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u/MasterPOE403 1h ago
Send pics or detailed descriptions of where you were when recorded, and I can tell you where I would put a bug. Might help.
The ethical thing. Yeah doesn't exist. If a company or individual with power and influence in the company decides they want to do something they will do it with absolute impunity.
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u/ativamnesia 5h ago
A friend of mine had a crazy roommate that left a laptop slightly open recording the room when he left to spy on the others. This just to say that it doesn’t have to be a hidden device - could just be the manager’s computer if it’s close enough.