Date: 202009
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Aircraft: No Aircraft
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Workload; Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I plugged in to work Position 1 and Position 2 Low by myself. Staffing was a major issue. The Controller-in-Charge had tried to call in overtime; but no one was available until later in the afternoon. (Our only overtime was Controller Z. He had worked the mid the previous night.We had multiple controllers go over 2 hours on position; many without D-sides or any help.The Controller in Charge; Controller Y; worked over almost 11 hours. This is of course well over the prescribed 10-hour shift. He was forced to work Controller A's handoff and D-side while he also worked the Controller-in-Charge position.I was aware of the staffing situation; but at the time I was not aware that they would mandate Controller Y work more than 10 hours in a row. Thus; I was anticipating the loss of another Controller. Position 1 and Position 2 would be going red (or above the facility delineated 'safe' number) in the next 45 minutes. And I knew that I would still be on position.I called the surrounding ZZZ1 Center Sectors XX; YZ; YA; YB and advised them that we were short staffed; and I was going to be on a 'red' sector. As a result; I needed 25 nm in trail to ZZZ Center International. ZZZ1 Center was extremely accommodative. The operations manager at ZZZ Center then came down to the area and began to pressure the CIC Controller Y to relieve the mile in trail restriction. With XX years' experience working arrival aircraft into ZZZ; I did not think that was a prudent decision. The Operations Manager countermanded my request and told ZZZ1 [Center] to disregard my control instructions. I was made aware of this development; and I reiterated to ZZZ1 Center that for safety; staffing and volume I would have to enforce the restriction. Keep in mind that I gave ZZZ1 at least 45 minutes lead time on this development. I was not springing anything on them. All the controllers were extremely accommodative; and I thanked them for their help. Operations Manager came up to me in an intimidating manner while I was working; and told me that I was not allowed to put in-trail restrictions on ZZZ1. I told him to call me on the line if he was going to order me to do something. I wanted any interaction recorded for self-preservation purposes. He did leave but refused to call me on a recorded line. He appeared later and told me that I was not allowed to make in-trail restrictions for my sector. I told him that if he wanted to take responsibility for the aircraft he could; but I did not think that it was safe. I refused to be intimidated. He then threatened me with an investigation and told me that I would 'need a rep.' I told him that I no longer felt safe working a busy sector by myself with the threat of an investigation hanging over my head. [Thankfully]; CIC Controller Y assigned newly-arrived overtime Controller Z to relieve me.Operations Manager called the X area and ordered CIC Controller Y page me back to work. I advised him that I would return shortly after using the bathroom. Controllers should be allowed what restrictions they put in place for their sector. There is a culture of fear; intimidation and completely disregard for law; rule and regulation.




Synopsis: Center Controller reported disagreement with Operations Manager when Controller put in aircraft flow coming into the sector reporter was working.