clock watcher

noun

1. an employee who demonstrates lack of interest in a job by watching the time closely to be sure to stop work as soon as the workday or shift is over.

2. any person who watches the time closely, as in expectation of some news or event.

clock-watcher

noun

1. an employee who checks the time in anticipation of a break or of the end of the working day

Other Word Forms

• clock watching noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clock-watcher¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Himpathy can cause otherwise rational people to perform the mental gymnastics necessary to arrive at "the workplace is at fault for encroaching on our private lives," as if a man in his position is a put-upon clock-watcher under the surveillance thumb of corporate productivity apps even when working remotely, and when can he possibly be expected to find a private moment?

From Salon

Alexis Owen-Hobbs as the high-stepping Gladys, Peter Polycarpou as the obsessive clock-watcher and Colin Stinton as the pugnacious boss lend superb support, while Stephen Mear proves yet again he is our most inventive showbiz choreographer.

From The Guardian

A. It’s really bad when you have a clock-watcher culture.

From New York Times

For the average clock-watcher, there's not much to worry about.

From New York Times

Larner was anything but a clock-watcher, but on a certain bright day in June he was seated in his laboratory doing just that.

From Project Gutenberg