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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work printer drama

56 replies

Iliketoparrty · 09/09/2015 15:41

So we have a big ass printer at work, its huge. It takes about 10 reams of paper at a time and is used by about 50 folk.

Occasionally when you go to use it, it needs filling with paper. Doing this isn't difficult.

There is someone in my team A who is disabled so she can't lift stuff or bend down. A went to use the printer and it was empty. Another person also wanted to use it B who is on a different team on our floor. I sit near the printer so I heard her ask him to put in some paper as she physically can't.

B said no I'm too busy. I just want my printing. A said its in the printer queue so A's stuff needs to be printed first. B says just hurry up pointing to the paper boxes.

As I had overheard I got up to put in some paper in the printer saying to B that A can't fill the printer, it only takes a minute. After it was filled A got her stuff as did B.

B has now threatened to complained to his manager unless A apologies for asking for help B is more senior than A although not me so A is worried about getting in trouble if she doesn't. I've told A that I'll deal with it. Aibu to tell him to ODFOD and go to him manager thenHmm

OP posts:
wasonthelist · 09/09/2015 16:29

I see a small risk with a pre-emptive strike that B could claim it was all nonsense and a misunderstanding/never happened, and A might go along with it for a quiet life?

Agree B is a pillock unless he thought A was just being lazy/difficult - but even then hard to see how he thought it was "beneath" him.

I see this a lot though, even today. I take rubbish, dirty cups etc out of meeting rooms and put in the bin/dishwasher - many colleagues just dump stuff everywhere and anywhere.

squoosh · 09/09/2015 16:36

I think not bothering to put dirty cups and dishes in the dishwasher is inconsiderate and lazy but it's not on a par with point blank refusing to assist someone who's asked for help to load paper into a printer. I mean I assume he's aware of her disability.

InimitableJeeves · 09/09/2015 16:39

I think there's definitely something to be said for suggesting that B needs disability awareness training, not least because otherwise the firm could find itself on the wrong end of a disability discrimination claim unless B stops being an arsehole.

Original poster
Iliketoparrty · 09/09/2015 18:02

I don't know has manager but I've had a word with him. Just said he is right Wink he should speak to his manager. I'll go with him right then. B then said he was joking about complaining. He is happy to leave it. I said but I'm not.

I know B has had DDA training I was in the same class. The longer I thought about it the more annoyed I am. A has had a pretty shit year ( she has been off work) and B thinks he is a big man not.

He said don't say anything I'll apologise to A tomorrow, I'm under pressure etc. I said no do it now.

Hopefully he will apologise.

OP posts:
frenchcheeses · 09/09/2015 18:05

I'm really pleased that you've pulled B up on this. People need to learn to think before they act/speak and in future perhaps he will.

GoringBit · 09/09/2015 18:09

Beautifully handled, OP. Maybe B will stop and have a think next time he's tempted to be an arsewipe.

Moln · 09/09/2015 18:10

I just filled the printer at work because it ran out of paper and there was a job of a 5843799647754 paged document ahead of mine. The person whose document it was isn't disabled though. I just thought I'd help her (and I wanted my print out)

If she was disabled I'd have filled the printer for her even without having anything in the print queue.

I don't think I'm unusually kind though. B is a total wankbadgered tosser.

SolidGoldBrass · 09/09/2015 18:15

Is B the sort who generally think that any woman in the office should do his bidding because he has a penis? I got a sniff of that from your pos. If it is the case, then it's even better that you pulled him up.

wasonthelist · 09/09/2015 18:15

I would like to claim small credit for predicting the response from B. I take my hat off to you OP for following this through though.

Loki17 · 09/09/2015 18:21

I'd go to his manager and put in a pre-emptive complaint.

Original poster
Iliketoparrty · 09/09/2015 18:22

I spoke to A. He apologised, well sort of. He claimed he thought she was having it on. That she was doing "the lttle woman thing". All he had to say was I sorry I was a twat. I'll try to be less of a twat. But he has made it worse.

A has decided to go to our manager ( he is in later). I let her know I'll support her. B instead of having a quiet chat decided to speak to A in the kitchen where there was about half a dozen people including folk from our team. So they will be able to back up the " little women" comment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iliketoparrty · 09/09/2015 18:24

Soild I've never spoken to him before, but he gave off the God loves me, I have cock vib.

OP posts:
PausingFlatly · 09/09/2015 18:36

Bee-yootifully played, OP. Absolutely throwing him with his own weight there.

Shame he really is that much of a twat, and that you and A are having to do this, but you're making a good job of it.

MyCatIsABiggerBastardThanYours · 09/09/2015 18:44

So not only is he probably breaking DDA rules he is also now making sexist comments.

Is he usually a twat or is this a one off? If a one off then a quiet word about not doing it again. If this is more of a regular occurrence then take it to his manager and consider formal complaint.

Original poster
Iliketoparrty · 09/09/2015 19:02

I don't know if this is what he is usually like. I've never really spoken to him.

My manager is in. A is in with him now. I'm happy to let her decide whether she wants to go down the formal route. I hope she does but given she has been off work ill recently I understand if she doesn't.

OP posts:
TenForward82 · 09/09/2015 20:37

Another vote for brilliant handled, OP!

PowderMum · 09/09/2015 21:10

Well done OP every company has a dick like Mr B, generally they get away with their behaviour as bosses have more important things to worry about. But add in the disability factor and it needs action.

Topseyt · 09/09/2015 22:14

Charis, AIBU is a high traffic area and a good place to come when needing to sound off, and why not.

AIBU to wonder if perhaps you are being rather a pedant? There is Pedant's Corner you know. I don't post there, but do occasionally like to read it.

OP, B is a twat. His manager should be informed.

Original poster
Iliketoparrty · 09/09/2015 22:33

I spoke to A before I left work, is is going to make a formal complaint and myself and a few others from my team will back her up.

I had a chat with someone from B's team apparently he has been coming out with that type of shit for years and no one has done anything.

He is a sexist disablist cunt who deserves everything he gets.Grin

OP posts:
TiredButFineODFOJ · 09/09/2015 23:04

What a cool thread! Well done to you party B is acting like a petulant child from the past, everyone else so far has been...grown up, well mannered and reasonable. I hope A is teeated with more respect in future.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 09/09/2015 23:14

I'm just place marking really but what a terrible day in the office for B! First to out yourself as a bit of a twat, then ramp it up to disablist before culminating in some misogyny. That's the triple!

He could only have made it worse if he'd actually cupped her boobs while saying it. Or kicked her walking stick out from under her Wink Grin

Hopefully a good bollocking will sort him out. He needs it. Well done op.

Inertia · 09/09/2015 23:28

As you are more senior than A, and at least as senior as B, I do think you should speak to B's manager . This will make it clear that it's not a spat between two people who are both to blame.

AyeAmarok · 10/09/2015 00:04

Well you called him on it and gave him a chance to apologise. He's such a cunt he couldn't even manage that.

Deserves what is coming to him.

Fatmomma99 · 10/09/2015 00:13

I've come to this thread to late to comment helpfully, because it's all happened, but I will just say I am just a weak and feeble woman, with no idea of how to do all that "man" stuff, like load a photocopier with paper, so although I'm able-bodied, I NEED a man like B who'll do it for me, and I'm very upset he won't just help out our weak and feeble sex, because we need it, and we need men like him.

p.s. Go A!

TheDowagerCuntess · 10/09/2015 00:21

Anyone who uses something like filling a printer with paper as a means to engage in a power trip is obviously deeply unsatisfied with life.

Loser, I'm afraid. And handled brilliantly by you and A, OP.