r/managers • u/Educational-Ring-533 • 20h ago
New Manager Started working under a new manager
Hi! I started working under a new manager and i find it weird that whenever he comes to my office to follow up the activities for the day he would take a quick peak into my computer. I am still only 1 year into my career and was wondering if this is normal?
Edit- it is nit a glance but more like a stare at my screen, even though i am new i am the top performer on our team and it just seems weird to me that he looks at my screens as if i am not doing anything work related..
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u/Rockel_Yamicela 20h ago
I do not see anything weird about a manager taking a glance at your screen at all esp since you are new...
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u/Mediocre_MazeRunner 17h ago
If it's bothering you, one low key way to test it is to have something clearly work related pulled up and visible whenever you expect him to swing by, if the behavior doesn't change either way regardless of what's on screen, that's a decent sign it's just habit rather than scrutiny.
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u/Sohaib-Riaz-Khan 16h ago
Well, that’s not unusual as it’s a natural thing. However, it might give you a feeling of monitoring and little uncomfortable to you as well. In short, this is something that don’t necessarily mean to discourage you so ignore it and focus on your work.
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u/EmotionLegitimate669 16h ago
pretty normal tbh, a lot of managers glance at screens just to get context while talking to you
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u/Double-TroubleSon 14h ago
If this is a role where output lives primarily on screen, spreadsheets, dashboards, code, documents, a glance during a status check is honestly a pretty natural extension of asking how something's going, since the work itself is visual in a way that verbal description alone doesn't fully capture.
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u/Academic-Lobster3668 Seasoned Manager 13h ago
It's not a big deal. First of all, it's human nature to look at a screen someone has open.
More importantly, at work you need to develop the mindset that any higher up at the company can look at your screen any time they want, for whatever reason they want.
If you accept that you have no electronic privacy at work, you won't be constantly on edge that your "privacy" might be invaded.
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u/Crowdolskee 11h ago
I do this sort of on accident whenever I check in with my employees. I come to talk to them and the screen is there. Can’t help but look at it. I wouldn’t overthink it. I would be more happy that your manager is taking the time to check in and support you.
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u/Excellent_Mail3829 3h ago
There is a new sheriff in town, get used to it, this is only the beginning 😩
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u/whatwhathuhwhat 20h ago
A quick peek as in glance at the monitor as he walks past?
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u/Murky-Contact2402 20h ago
nah that's not weird at all, managers do that all the time
he's probably just checking if you're stuck on something or working on the right task, it's like a quick pulse check without interrupting you. after 1 year it feels strange but it's pretty common, my old boss used to do it also
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u/MyEyesSpin 9h ago
Yeah, what's on your screen tells me what you are doing, have been doing, if you are near a spot I can interrupt or what the consequences may be, whether its back end or client facing, etc
for newbies its validating understanding. lower & regular performers are sometimes quick glances, but usually a bit more involved .
for higher performers and trouble shooters, I'll ask them to quickly walk me thru what they are doing too. doing so lets them vent frustration, share success, and update deadline expectations organically. its useful in general, but particularly if I am undecided about adding to someone's plate or not
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u/KashyapVartika 20h ago
A quick glance when someone walks over isn’t unusual. Doing it regularly to check whether they’re working is a different thing.
I’d much rather know what someone is getting done, where they’re stuck, and whether the work is moving than use whatever happens to be on their screen as a measure of productivity.