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Family Matters: Co-worker problem...hope this belongs here! |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2009 : 09:52:17 AM
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So, yesterday, I wasn't given a lunch break at work, due to the fact that we were having meetings most of the day. I was totally fine with that. I adjusted my "restroom" breaks accordingly.
Until 3:00 or so. There was a few mintues I was able to take a bathroom break to go drop off the mail. As soon as I walk into the bathroom, shut/lock the stall door, and sit down, my co-worker comes CHARGING into the bathroom saying "MEGAN!?!? MEGAN!?!? WE HAVE A CRISIS!!! THE PRINTER STOPPED PRINTING AND I CAN'T FIND THE TONER!"
I was aghast. This was, by far, one of the rudest situations I have ever been in.
I told her that no printer crisis was ever bad enough to warrant her coming into the bathroom to get me, especially since I hadn't had a break all day. I told her I would come back in when I was done.
I "finished up", walked back into the office, walked into the copy room, grabbed her by her shoulders, turned her sideways to face the area where the toner is kept, and said "HERE IS YOUR TONER" and I pointed to it and left.
I would really like to bring this up to my supervisor, because, even though I'm "just" there receptionist/admin assistant, I don't think I should be treated like a second class citizen. Ladies, give me some advice here. Should I mention it, or just ignore it?
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world. www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2009 : 10:48:15 AM
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I would mention it, that is one reason they have a supervisor. I think it was rude of the girl to go in the bathroom and mention this. Good luck. Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2009 : 12:19:31 PM
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If it had been a serious emergency - like someone actually injured or a real fire alarm or something like that - then I wouldn't have minded being tracked down in the bathroom. But for toner? I worked in a law office and we had some serious printer emergencies, we even had a male attorney holler into the womens' bathroom looking for his assistant at a critical moment - but unless there was a five minute deadline to get something sent off for a filing at the court, I think a toner emergency can wait. I would try to tactfully bring it up to the supervisor, stressing that it wasn't any kind of a real emergency.
Kimberly Ann Farmgirl Sister #225 Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4737 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4737 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2009 : 3:03:44 PM
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I agree, mention it to your supervisor. If this behavior continues, you may want to keep a log of it.
Dawn in IL |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2009 : 3:43:02 PM
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Chasing someone into the bathroom is like calling in the middle of the night. It had better be really important. How rude. |
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Claude09647
True Blue Farmgirl
761 Posts
Claudia
Our Dairy Farm
Pennsylvania
USA
761 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2009 : 7:00:06 PM
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I would mention it to the supervisor. Bathroom time is YOUR time. I think that was VERY inappropriate. When your doing "Your Business" that is you time and that took some nerve to storm in the bathroom and talk to you while you are going to the bathroom.
"My ideal day is sitting on the back porch, cup of green tea in hand, slippers on, and just watch the cows in the pasture"
http://claude09647.blogspot.com/ |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2009 : 7:09:54 PM
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It sounds like this co-worker is a drama queen. I wouldn't give in to her demands for attention. You should probably bring it up with your supervisor. Cindy |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Nov 20 2009 : 06:32:00 AM
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Well, I brought it up to my supervisor, and asked that she not say anything to her, but, rather, that I wanted my supervisor to know what had happened, and that I thought it was quite innapropriate. She could've waited OUTSIDE the bathroom, or waited in the office where I sit (I can see the door to the bathroom) until I came out. I really thought it was unnecessary and rude.
I see a pattern forming as well with this co-worker. She's been sick all week, and her, me and one other person answer phones. Today I need to take an extra long lunch break, and she just happens to make an appointment for the time when I am suppossed to be gone for my lunch. I politely let her know that she would have to talk to my supervisor about it, as I had already scheduled this time off. She said she already had let my supervisor know that SHE needed to leave (one of the three of us needs to be there at all times) and I told her that my supervisor already knew about my time-off needs, so, it would work out.
I've heard that this lady is the office "Troublemaker" and I hope that I can continue to handle her tactfully.
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world. www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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Claude09647
True Blue Farmgirl
761 Posts
Claudia
Our Dairy Farm
Pennsylvania
USA
761 Posts |
Posted - Nov 20 2009 : 7:54:53 PM
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Be super nice to her. I work with a person that tried me make it a living hell when i first started. Well, i was uber nice to her when she was not nice at all to me, screaming and yelling at me even.... but when she was done on her rant, i would just ask her if she would like some iced tea. Boy, would that ever make her mad. And when i would leave for the evening i would sit in my car and just laugh at the top of my lungs because i had managed to keep my sanity while hers was to be questioned! I hope this helps. Even when you dont even want to look at her because she has made you so mad, offer to share you snacks your brought in for the day. My mom of all people taught me that trick. At first i told her she had lost her mind because i couldnt do it because she was not nice to me so i was not about to be nice to her, well once i finally took my mom's advise..... IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM!!!
"My ideal day is sitting on the back porch, cup of green tea in hand, slippers on, and just watch the cows in the pasture"
http://claude09647.blogspot.com/ |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2009 : 12:42:51 PM
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I would mention it, especially if this is something that happens quite a bit. Unless the building was burning, NOBODY has the right to rush into the bathroom to get you.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
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buffypuff
True Blue Farmgirl
1183 Posts
Claudia
Deer Park
WA
USA
1183 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2009 : 10:11:10 AM
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I would like to put my 2 cents in on this. I am not sure in what kind of office you work, or what are your state rules, but in mine, it is against L&I (Dept. of Labor & Industries) for a worker not to get a 10 minute work break every 4 hours, & a 30 min. lunch. Sounds like with your meetings, things were askew anyway. Secondly, maybe she sounded the alarm, or someone else told her to get you, and she felt pushed by the other person. It was uncool for her to contact you during a private moment, but having been a nurse for over 40 years, I know these things happen. Not nice, but one has to think about the whole picture. I think you were right, to contact your supervisor, but I am wondering why your company did not take care initially regarding no lunch or coffee breaks. A breakdown in workers' rights, leads to other breakdowns in human courtesy. Is this person really out to get you, or is she truly having some personal problems that infringe on your need for a longer lunch? I may be totally wrong, but from the outside, seems to me there could be more to the story. Hopefully your supervisor will supervise appropriately.
"Half of success is the assurance of support along the way." cr
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2009 : 07:25:27 AM
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Well, we aren't really told that we are to take our 10 minute breaks. We can be sticklers and TAKE them, but, many times you're just "expected" to work through them. As far as lunches are concerned, I am very aware that since I work 5 hours (8-1) without any break, that the company is breaking the labor laws. I just don't know how to go about changing it. My supervisor takes her break at 12:00, and I have to wait until she gets back, 1:00, to take mine.
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world. www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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ramonaj
True Blue Farmgirl
118 Posts
rhonda
gibsons
british columbia
Canada
118 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2009 : 8:26:19 PM
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my only advice is to keep documentation of all the inappropriate stuff she does - date, time,etc. in case you ever have to deal with a harrassment issue with her. this has happened to me, where a staff person followed me into the bathroom for stupid stuff and that ended up being the least of my problems with her. those squeaky wheels tend to cause problems and unless your supervisor can deal with it, you'll end up questioning your own sanity. good luck with it. nothing can make a day as bad as a nut for a co-worker.
happiness to all sentient beings |
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knitnpickinatune
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Sherrie
Gardena
California
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2009 : 08:47:37 AM
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I don't mean this in a mean spirited way-but does this co worker have mental issues? Do log everything & keep your supervisor up to date on what she's doing. Unfortunately I have to deal with a high fashion drama queen as well-for whatever reason,she hasn't been able to stand me since I was hired 6 years ago. She often makes rude & criticizing comments about my clothes,hair,you name it. She's tried getting bossy with me as if she were a supervisor in which case I stand up to her. She likes to pass her work load onto others. (or try to) In my case,the supervisor lets all this go until the girl really goes over the line,then I hear my boss talk to her like she's 7 yrs old. Other co workers are convinced this individual "isn't all there" Only way out for me is to leave the job altogether as the supervisor protects her and won't do anything to remedy the situation. Good luck to you,and do take your breaks-it is the law!!!!
http://www.pluckyfarmgirl.blogspot.com http://www.mandochicks.com http://mandolinbabe.net http://www.mandolinbabe.com http://www.mtndulcimer.com
@MandolinChick on Twitter fingerpickin Farmgirl #702 |
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Family Matters: Co-worker problem...hope this belongs here! |
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