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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I still be upset over Boss shouting at me today?

144 replies

bengal38 · 14/01/2013 16:23

I work in a school kitchen and today the Boss shouted at me infront of the 2 Area Managers and my work colleagues for putting 5 spoons of meatballs instead of 5 meatballs in a childs plate.

I asked the Boss how many spoons of meatballs and she said to me 5 only. I then went to do the next childs plate and she told me it was too much and she meant 5 meatballs and not 5 spoons.

Later inside she shouted at me over it. I did apologise but she said that next time it happens she will scream at me and she then started touching her head saying to me "are you not aware of what I mean when I talk to you". I got the impression that she thought I was thick.

I was really upset but I did explain to her that I said to her how many spoons but she said that I should have known she meant 5 meatballs and not 5 spoons.

OP posts:
kinkyfuckery · 14/01/2013 16:26

Well, really you should have known that 5 spoonfuls of meatballs would be far too much for a small child's school dinner.
But the way the boss spoke to and treated you, was totally uncalled for. I'd report her to her superior. She sounds like a bully.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 14/01/2013 16:26

yanbu she should not of spoken to you like that in front of others.

AnneNonimous · 14/01/2013 16:29

YANBU that sounds like bullying and is totally inappropriate in a work environment whether there were others present or not. Humiliating and degrading to you, it's not ok for her to act like that.

AngryTrees · 14/01/2013 16:30

Complete overreaction on her part. Over meatballs? Christ's sake.

LoopsInHoops · 14/01/2013 16:31

Screaming is never acceptable in a professional environment.

Original poster
bengal38 · 14/01/2013 16:32

We work in a secondary school so the kids ages are from 12 up to 18

OP posts:
hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 14/01/2013 16:34

I guess 5 spoonfuls of meatballs would leave the kitchen short of a main course for the kids at the back of the queue.

squeakytoy · 14/01/2013 16:34

Considering the many many threads you have started about your perceived grievances at work, dont you think it might be better to find a different job.

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 14/01/2013 16:35

YANBU, its' not ok for her to shout at you at all.

BabsAndTheRu · 14/01/2013 16:35

What a bully, no wonder your upset. It's totally unacceptable to speak to someone like that, she's got a massive power trip going on there. Trying to make herself look good in front of her managers, if they are good managers they will not have been impressed by her.

LoopsInHoops · 14/01/2013 16:35

Are these tablespoons or those big serving spoon things?

Naoko · 14/01/2013 16:36

Completely inappropriate. No matter what your mistake was (and as you had asked and her answer was unclear it's more of a misunderstanding than a mistake, a minor one at that - not like you poisoned someone), shouting at staff is never right, and saying that she'll scream at you next time you make a mistake is Shock. It's bullying, and you should complain to her superior, HR, or whatever the procedure is where you work. Don't stand for it.

Shakirasma · 14/01/2013 16:36

YANBU. I can understand her frustration as 5 spoons of meatballs is clearly far too much for 1 person, child or adult.

However the way she dealt with the problem was completely unacceptable. Nobody has the right to speak to another adult in that manner, I don't care if they are royalty they would not get away with speaking to me in that manner!

pictish · 14/01/2013 16:36

Unacceptable. I take it you are quite new in the job? It can be very nerve wracking when you are determined to get it right, and you followed what you thought she told you to do. Ok, you misunderstood, but it was a genuine mistake, and absolutely should not have shouted at you.

Please do not allow her to talk to you like that again. If she does, calmly tell her that you are quite happy to be instructed, but you will not be shouted at and humiliated.

PurpleStorm · 14/01/2013 16:36

YANBU, your boss's reaction was very very rude and unprofessional.

Hammy02 · 14/01/2013 16:39

No-one should ever shout at someone in a workplace. Ever.

fuckadoodlepoopoo · 14/01/2013 16:39

Wow that's bullying, nasty and unprofessional. Is there hr or a boss above her that you can speak to?

Just out of interest, how many meat balls would you get on 5 spoons?

I wouldn't have known either really as i don't eat meat. I over estimate how much a person needs as i don't realise how filling it is.

HecatePropolos · 14/01/2013 16:39

That is an unacceptable way for her to speak to you.

It doesn't matter what mistake you have made, that is bullying behaviour on her part and totally inappropriate.

In your shoes, I would complain. Nobody has the right to treat someone like that. You made a mistake. She told you it was a mistake. You apologised. You know now what she meant.

wtf was with the head pointing and the threatening to "scream" at you?

Unacceptable.

Original poster
bengal38 · 14/01/2013 16:39

I have been there since May last year so I am still new to the job.

OP posts:
pictish · 14/01/2013 16:41

Since May last year? That's not new to the job.

Not that it matters...she should not have shouted at you.

CSIJanner · 14/01/2013 16:41

Complain. To shout over in front of students, area managers and colleague alongside the head gesture is unacceptable. She needs to apologise and realise that in her position, she cannot act in that manner.

squeakytoy · 14/01/2013 16:41

Sorry but if you have been there since last May you are hardly new to the job at all!

Hulababy · 14/01/2013 16:43

The woman was very rude and very unprofessional. Her behaviour was totally unacceptable. I would be putting in a formal complaint if I had been at the receiving end/.

Pandemoniaa · 14/01/2013 16:45

Well you aren't new to the job if you've been there since May are you? However, shouting is always unacceptable in the workplace and YANBU if it upset you. However, I'm a little surprised that you'd need to ask about portion sizes after all this time so I wonder if you are having trouble getting to grips with the job. Not that having a shouty manager is ever going to help your capability, mind.

NolittleBuddahsorTigerMomshere · 14/01/2013 16:47

YANBU she WBVU to shout at another adult, let alone in front of others. Don't let it upset you though OP