Dear Snarky – My Boss is Spying on Me With a Doggie Cam

Dear Snarky,

I work for a very small company and my co-workers and I just discovered the owner is spying on us. She brings her dogs to work and has set up several treat dispensers around the office. The treat stations will throw out a dog biscuit from an app on her phone.

Yesterday when the Xerox repair guy was there he told us that he has one of these treat dispensers and they have cameras where you can check in on your dog from – you guessed it – the app on your phone.

I always thought it was funny that a treat dispenser was in my cubicle and in another employee’s office that the boss doesn’t seem to like. There’s also one in the kitchen where people hang out. It now makes sense how our boss knows stuff that we didn’t tell her.

Should we confront her about the spying or contact an attorney.

Signed, Spy Cammed

Dear Spy Cammed,

I’m not an attorney (Sadly watching hundreds of Law & Order episodes don’t count as a legal education.) so I don’t know what your rights are concerning office spying. I do know though that you need to confirm that you’re being spied on. I suggest saying something pretty random in front of the doggie cam and see if it gets a response.

Next you need to have some fun with the doggie cams. I would randomly bark in the camera throughout the day or do an enthusiastic rendition of “Who Let the Dogs Out” or “Secret Agent Man.” Basically do what you can to let your boss know that she’s been b-u-s-t-e-d.

Now onto less entertaining business – maybe it’s time to start looking for a new job. The whole spying on employees with doggie cams is super creepy. If this is what the office culture has disintegrated to I would be inclined to find an employer who wouldn’t stoop to this level of subterfuge.

***

Want to have a spring fling? Then get to reading one my books!!! There’s Empty a “laugh till you cry” menopausal revenge adventure. (Yes, you read that right menopausal revenge. It’s a thing.) Back to School is a hysterical read for any mom who’s experienced elementary school parent drama. Trouble in Texas is a tall tale of what happens when a daughter lets her septuagenarian mom enlist her in a wild scheme that could end up with both of them in jail. And Four Seasons of Snarky is full of short stories (perfect for the person who doesn’t have much time to read) that feature tales of suburban revenge. 😉

Please click this Amazon link to experience the fabulousness. 😘 www.amazon.com/stores/Sherry-Claypool-Kuehl/author/B00S5WL2N4

3Comments

Add yours

1

Cassie on October 10, 2019 at 11:36 am

Great advice. I worked at a company where we found out our boss had been spying us and I was out of there in 3 months. I understand if there’s been a theft problem but for someone to target you with a camera in your cubicle is just gross and a HUGE red flag.
- 2
  
  loptastic on October 10, 2019 at 5:03 pm
  
  I wonder if her boss is paranoid that people are talking about her. I’ve known enough people (*cough cough my mother cough cough*) that might seriously considerate this if they were technologically aware and savvy enough to do so.
  
  Just sayin’ social anxiety is a bitch and undiagnosed brain cooties make everyone suffer.
  
  Or maybe she’s just nosy. Also a possibility.
3

loptastic on October 10, 2019 at 5:35 pm

I wonder if her boss is paranoid that people are talking about her. I’ve known enough people (*cough cough my mother cough cough*) that might seriously considerate this if they were technologically aware and savvy enough to do so.

Just sayin’ social anxiety is a bitch and undiagnosed brain cooties make everyone suffer.

Or maybe she’s just nosy. Also a possibility.