Bad Manners and Brimstone

I wonder if this is a bit of communication style difference?  I tend to be a very direct speaker and I can have trouble getting the point sometimes from a less forthright statement.

So, to me that statement by the supervisor is vague

"S - I appreciate you making the package secure"

If I were the supervisor I would probably say (and as an employee I would appreciate hearing):

"Nonetheless, the lids must be taped.  It is company policy that every lid be taped, without exception, regardless of the other security measures."

No doubt, the employee should follow company policy but I can kind of see how the employee didn't get it.