But even though I marked the calendar with the time and informed my coworker, who ultimately is the only one who needs to know as she takes her lunch after I take mine, that's not good enough. I am supposed to ask for permission. I responded that this is a personal obligation. I am not asking for time off for. I'm saying, I'm leaving at x time. Period. End of story.
Boss also said I need to give more notice in the future so they can decide if it's “okay” for me to take off. But obviously they would approve such a request if it is a necessity.
Again, this is not a time off request. Its a Im leaving at X time. I marked myself out on the shared calendar and did not take my lunch break at my usual time.
It isn't about approval. It's about control.
EDIT – because it is coming up in the comments.
I work in an administrative position in an office. There is NOT a legal requirement in my state regarding when in my day I have to take a break. I've looked. They're not covering their ass here. They're being asses.