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Office downstairs making me really uncomfortable

180 replies

Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:28

I moved into a new office two months ago. There are only three offices in the building and one company has two rooms downstairs whilst I have the office upstairs, and then there is a small office a corridor down from me. It’s within my budget compared to anything else I have seen and just really lovely. However, I introduced myself to the downstairs office just to say hi and to ask them for the toilet codes. The guy seemed nice. But there is another man who refuses to acknowledge any of me or the women who work in my office.

On Monday, I was waiting to be picked up outside with two of my colleagues. We weren’t talking loudly and were just standing. As the man approached one colleague said hello, he swerved her ignoring her, and went inside.

Today again I was outside about to leave standing on the corner outside of the building, he swang round the corner and nearly hit me, and as approaching didn’t slow until the last minute when I quickly stood out of the way.

I didn’t know what to do so just said ‘that was close’, he looked straight at me, and walked past.

I’m trying to keep myself to myself but it’s only a small building so it’s impossible not to see him at least once a day - ie: when leaving at the end of the day or nipping out to grab lunch.

They've just left as I stay until six, and I heard him locking the entrance despite knowing I am still here (luckily I have my own set of keys).

It’s just feeling very hostile and I don’t know what to do or what he’s thinking of us. We are quiet and respectful, polite and we do not bother them. I ensure we continue this way because I love the office!

Any advice?

OP posts:
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Blackandwhitemakesgrey · 18/10/2023 10:11

AliceOlive · 04/08/2023 17:41

Is her perhaps from a religion or culture where men don’t mix with women outside of their families?

I was thinking this too. I can’t remember where I read about this to recall what religion/culture it is.

Treesinmygarden · 07/08/2023 03:51

Caramilk · 06/08/2023 18:19

@Treesinmygarden
Yes, I am aware of being bullied, just almost impossible to prove as they don't often do things in front of others, and a lot of it looks like a one off, so if they're pulled up on it they say "oops, forgot very sorry" or do a major "oh my poor mental health can't cope with being pulled up" and if I say I'm not happy then I look petty.
No HR department because we're too small.
Raising it gets sympathy - they give the impression they believe me but I suspect they then go to the other side and do the same. They're reluctant to do anything even on the odd occasion there has been proof because they don't like upsetting apple carts.

Of others around one person has tried saying something - so now they discount their accounts as they "will back me", most people won't notice because they're not in enough to realise it's consistent, and others are too scared to speak up because they can see anyone who does gets similar treatment.

You poor pet! I've been bullied more than once in my working life and it's just shit!

I work in Employee Relations and I see this shit all the time. The bullies are careful and subtle. The only way to do anything about them is to take out a grievance/Dignity at Work complaint, and even then you are unlikely to achieve an outcome that is satisfactory to you.

Please, please do not ever consider harming yourself. This job, and these people, simply aren't worth that.

The best thing you can do, is to get out of that toxic environment. Move on somewhere else, where you will be treated with respect. I wish I had done that years ago but am too close to retirement to go anywhere else now.

You should avail of some counselling too - I'm guessing your workplace doesn't have any but talk to your GP. You are worth so much more xx

Caramilk · 06/08/2023 18:19

@Treesinmygarden
Yes, I am aware of being bullied, just almost impossible to prove as they don't often do things in front of others, and a lot of it looks like a one off, so if they're pulled up on it they say "oops, forgot very sorry" or do a major "oh my poor mental health can't cope with being pulled up" and if I say I'm not happy then I look petty.
No HR department because we're too small.
Raising it gets sympathy - they give the impression they believe me but I suspect they then go to the other side and do the same. They're reluctant to do anything even on the odd occasion there has been proof because they don't like upsetting apple carts.

Of others around one person has tried saying something - so now they discount their accounts as they "will back me", most people won't notice because they're not in enough to realise it's consistent, and others are too scared to speak up because they can see anyone who does gets similar treatment.

TheCatterall · 06/08/2023 17:48

I’d be asking his colleagues if he’s always such a chatty bloke/ignorant around woman etc - or that his complete blanking does make you and colleagues feel uncomfortable and is this normal for him around new people or just women?

they either take on board the feedback about their employee/partner etc or all start blanking you but it’s the only way you’ll find out anything?

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 17:18

Indeed, posters tying themselves in knots to justify swerving threateningly towards someone in a car.

Yuasa · 06/08/2023 16:45

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 13:38

Where does op say she was standing in the car park? If she was, it was quite a foolish place to stand.

Where does she say she wasn't?

I stand in car parks all the time. I'm not foolish. Usually before or after going to a car. Or maybe waiting for a lift.

What is your beef exactly?

And even if someone is standing or walking somewhere inadvisable in a car park, a driver ought to be going slowly enough and looking around enough that they don’t almost hit them!

When driving I regularly come across pedestrians walking in the road (because they’re such big hard men they don’t need to be on the pavement) as well as the odd teenage lad riding their bike into my path to be provocative. Absolute idiots, obviously, but I’ve never come close to hitting one.

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 13:38

Where does op say she was standing in the car park? If she was, it was quite a foolish place to stand.

Where does she say she wasn't?

I stand in car parks all the time. I'm not foolish. Usually before or after going to a car. Or maybe waiting for a lift.

What is your beef exactly?

HelpMeGetThrough · 06/08/2023 13:34

Perhaps he's a cat in a humans body. Cats are miserable little fuckers.

(I do like cats).

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 13:25

Well can you explain how you can nearly hit someone 'swinging' around a corner then nearly hit them again by driving straight towards them? I'm presuming not or you would have said and the OP would have said instead of throwing a hissing fit and leaving the thread.

You are determined to read nonsense into a couple of words. OP didn't give us a forensic analysis of the incident.

Nor did she have a hissy fit.

What's your motivation to make yourself look so out to get OP and prove her wrong?

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 13:17

Otherwise you are making this about you when there could be a million explanations

And dear @WandaWonder that's why OP is on MN.

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 13:15

You don't have to be at police level threatening to feel uncomfortable.

Take no notice OP.

And feeling uncomfortable is not 'making it all about you.'

As if there's nothing in between being self centred and dialling the police station.

People are having fun taking the piss on here.

WandaWonder · 06/08/2023 13:02

If you genuinely feel threatened call the police

Otherwise you are making this about you when there could be a million explanations

sunglassesonthetable · 06/08/2023 12:57

Posters on here literally getting their knickers in a twist how OP could get narrowly served by a car. What? There's literally a dozen ways that could happen. Narrow pavement, car park, corner, bollards. Industrial Estate area
Dear god.
We don't all live in a toy town with roads and pavements.
It happens. And get off your high horses about 'swang'.

But keep going you sound ridiculous.

gogomoto · 06/08/2023 11:29

Personally I would see if i could speak to someone else in his office, having seen my ex neighbour laughing with colleagues yet fully blanking us I know people can be like that

MasterBeth · 06/08/2023 11:28

Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:37

@Giveover80 i never said he was walking - I said he swang round which I thought made it obvious it was a car?

Even this sentence suggests you're not very good at inferring what other people might be thinking. Saying someone swang round doesn't imply they are driving a car!

gogomoto · 06/08/2023 11:27

I had a neighbour like that, completely blank you. Turns out he was an alcoholic which bipolar. He's moved now. He nearly knocked down the neighbours kids too, lost his licence thankfully

FuppingEll · 06/08/2023 11:26

Willmafrockfit · 06/08/2023 11:21

she was standing,
if you can;t be bothered to read her account no point in posting
she is looking for support not belittlement

Yeah exactly, standing in the same place but managed to nearly get knocked over twice by the same car? Once when it passes her swinging around the corner and again when he drives straight at her? It makes no sense at all. So he drove past her swinging around the corner nearly knocks her over then turns around and drives straight at her staring her in the eyes? Come on. If it was that dramatic she would be calling the police not posting on mumsnet.

Willmafrockfit · 06/08/2023 11:23

that is her prerogative,
she was after support which you are determined not to give @FuppingEll

FuppingEll · 06/08/2023 11:22

Willmafrockfit · 06/08/2023 11:20

ok @FuppingEll
you are determined to not support the op

Well can you explain how you can nearly hit someone 'swinging' around a corner then nearly hit them again by driving straight towards them? I'm presuming not or you would have said and the OP would have said instead of throwing a hissing fit and leaving the thread.

Willmafrockfit · 06/08/2023 11:21

she was standing,
if you can;t be bothered to read her account no point in posting
she is looking for support not belittlement

Willmafrockfit · 06/08/2023 11:20

ok @FuppingEll
you are determined to not support the op

FuppingEll · 06/08/2023 11:18

Willmafrockfit · 06/08/2023 10:53

in the op's account
she was in the carpark, waiting for a lift, he drove at her
i think that sounds pretty intimidating @HarrietJet
dont be so sure to say no crime
she did elaborate but you are just being ignorant and pedantic for no reason at all

Oh come on her account of nearly being hit doesn't make any sense.

Today again I was outside about to leave standing on the corner outside of the building, he swang round the corner and nearly hit me, and as approaching didn’t slow until the last minute when I quickly stood out of the way.

Break it down. He swang around a corner and nearly hit her. So presumably was really fucking close to her driving past her around the corner? Then he managed to drive quickly towards the person that he had just almost hit while driving past them, then she dove out of the way? How do you nearly hit someone swinging around a corner then nearly hit them again by driving straight towards them? Unless he was doing mad donuts or something which I think she would have said it just doesn't make sense and is obviously a wild over reaction from someone who is determined to think a bloke is out to get her because he doesn't say hi and locked the building when he was the last from his office to leave presumably to make sure the now empty office of his employer was secure.

HarrietJet · 06/08/2023 11:08

If there's CCTV footage of op nearly being run over of course she should report it to the police. Who would suggest otherwise? Op didn't need either you or me to tell her that, presumably?

CherryMaDeara · 06/08/2023 11:04

HarrietJet · 06/08/2023 10:43

The police? Reporting an unfriendly person op passes on the street occasionally??

Op has refused to elaborate on the attempt to "run her over" when she was standing outside the office door and he was driving (presumably) on the road. I suspect it's exaggerated hype.
No crime here, folks...

There may be cctv footage. Leave OP alone. People like you alwats tell women to ignore their instincts.

Willmafrockfit · 06/08/2023 10:59

@HarrietJet
i have outed you as the man in this situation

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