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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I was told off by a work colleague

454 replies

selepele · 02/11/2018 20:28

i have been at my current job since June, the person concerned has been there longer than me. He is the accounts guy, not my manager and I do not need to answer to him at all.

He works downstairs and me upstairs but you can see my desk if you walk round the corner from downstairs as I'm at the top of the stairs.

I work as admin so people sometimes ask me to type up stuff for them ect, which is no issues. I was hired to do the project manager and ICT persons admin.

so this particular person I have never had issues with and had a good relationship with until today.

He ask me to type up some stuff and I ask when does he need it by which he says "its not urgent, like 2-3 days I don't need it today" he gave me this work around 3pm

so everyone has left the office and it is just me and him (we are a small team of around 8) he walks pass the stairs (at the bottom of the stairs) once and sees me on my phone, he then does it again to go loo then when he is back turns around and says to me...

"I will appreciate if you do what I told you to do and not play on your phone"
I said I am doing it which he said "no youre not" and I said you told me it wasn't urgent which he said "that's not the point you don't just sit there on your phone"

I was very shocked by his attitude, as stated he is NOT my manager or of any authority to me.

He didn't even come upstairs to see if I had done anything since giving it to me so I made a point to finish it all and put it on his desk before the end of the day at 5pm.

I then left and I did slam the door and ignore him when he said bye to me.

do you think I am wrong at all?

He asked me to type up some stuff for him, which was fine

OP posts:
BlueJava · 03/11/2018 11:20

for industry-related info. (Sorry pressed post too early).

Gwenhwyfar · 03/11/2018 11:40

"Also, OP if your line manager, the project manager is his line manager wouldn't his admin fall within your remit if he is working on accounts?"

Not necessarily. Depends how the team works.

Goldenbear · 03/11/2018 11:41

This is why I put a question mark, I was hoping the OP might answer.

Gwenhwyfar · 03/11/2018 12:04

OP has already said he's not one of the people she usually does work for.

Devora13 · 04/11/2018 17:53

How old are you? Is there any reason why you couldn't have a quiet word with him and say 'I didn't mind doing your work for you but I do expect you to be polite, and not ask me why I'm not doing it right away when you've said it wasn't urgent. Just a few manners would be nice.'

PersianCatLady · 04/11/2018 17:55

I am always amazed at people who say "It is only MN, SPAG doesn't matter".

Either you can use SPAG correctly or you can't.

Aside from typos, there is no reason why SPAG from an admin assistant should be worse on MN than anywhere else.

needsahouseboy · 04/11/2018 18:01

So you were on a personal call during work time? YABU

a1poshpaws · 04/11/2018 18:02

what is SPAG ?

greathat · 04/11/2018 18:04

I teach teenagers. I have a constant battle with some that they shouldn't have phones out in lesson time and point out they wouldn't be able to do it at work. If you have breaks that's when you should be on your phone, if you're working then you should be working

Gabilan · 04/11/2018 18:09

what is SPAG ?

Spelling and grammar, I assume. If you do work in a job that requires reasonably good spelling and grammar, it does become habitual. I'm not as careful on MN as I am in my job but I'm not as devil-may-care as the OP seems to be.

a1poshpaws · 04/11/2018 18:10

Ah. Thanks Gabilan.

EleanorLavish · 04/11/2018 18:23

My husband has a business, and employs a fair number of staff.
He doesn't give a hoot if you are making a personal call, or looking at something funny on FB, whatever. As long as they are all professional, get the work done, he is happy. He says you can tell the dossers.
If you are a hard worker no manager should mind occasional calls or time on phone,IMO.
I think he was very rude OP.

PersianCatLady · 04/11/2018 18:23

Sorry SPAG = spelling and grammar

PersianCatLady · 04/11/2018 18:28

Gablian
I agree.

One thing I have noticed is that the OP has made the same mistakes with SPAG several times in different posts.

Rather than being careless, it looks as if she always makes those mistakes. Almost as if she thinks that is the right way to do it. In particular, the tenses of words. Worrying for someone in admin.

ilovesooty · 04/11/2018 18:29

I must admit I'm a little surprised by the number of times the OP refers to him going pass

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 04/11/2018 18:31

You must make sure you tell your manager what happened as soon as you get in on Monday - and before he does. ( He will!!)
Explain about your phone use and make it clear you would not take advantage of this.
Explain that you did the work he asked you to and it was on his desk by 5.00 pm
but having told you it was'nt urgent he kept checking on you and say that you didn't appreciate his tone, since you were doing the work he asked for and Ask your manager what their policy is on doing work for him.
Then if Accounts guy says anything to your manager, they will know your side first.
Don't make a habit of slamming doors etc... that is just going to get you into trouble. Take the higher ground.
Having done all that - move on and pretend it never happened but be wary of this guy in future.

PersianCatLady · 04/11/2018 18:47

Ilovesooty
Exactly.

onceandneveragain · 04/11/2018 18:51

FruitCider
Don't think anyone has suggested that they would 'spontaneously combust or discombobulate' if not allowed to use their phones - but if you are allowed in your workplace then why shouldn't you? In lots of jobs you can't take days off when you want, or sit down for the whole of your shift - does that mean everyone should stick to term time only holidays and stand all day?

WhattodoaboutWailmer
Everybody at my work, any any level, can lock up - although it's a code, not keys. Similarly, managers have no jurisdiction at all over any other employees not under their direct control. Why are you so determined to assume that everyone else's workplace is like yours?

9ofpentacles "Our workplace is strict about phone use so it would annoy me to see a colleague on their phone - especially if I am run off my feet." BUT THE OP'S WORKPLACE IS NOT STRICT ON PHONE USE SO IT'S NOT A PROBLEM

FFS you could say 'Most workplaces strongly discourage the use of weapons. I work in an office and would be shocked and terrified if I saw a colleague holding a knife. Therefore nobody should ever be seen holding a knife and if you see a colleague doing so they should be sacked." Which would make perfect sense if someone worked in an office or school, but completely irrelevant if they were an operating surgeon/chef/worked in armed forces, etc.

Why do people just completely make up their own scenarios to match with their very limited experience instead of reading what the OP has actually written?

horizonglimmer · 04/11/2018 18:54

Only read the first page, but my goodness at all the, you should NEVER be on your phone at work. So what, these people never have a chat with a colleague, never make a cup of tea outside of lunch time. Of course people take quick breaks at work to chat, to look something up, to walk up the stairs to take a break. Most people can't just work solidly for four/five hours. Everyone takes a break, even if it is just gazing into space for a minute.
We all do it. It is actually healthy and helps you to be more productive. You'd grind yourself down if you didn't. And you get more out of your employees if you treat them like humans not robots.

Ilikeknitting · 04/11/2018 18:56

You say
I work as admin so people sometimes ask me to type up stuff for them ect,

Honey, if you can’t spell ETC, please stop typing for anyone! Did any of this really happen?

Original poster
selepele · 04/11/2018 19:16

I’m close with my manger also close with the lady who has been there a long time so I am going to tell them what happened kind of feeling nervous for tomorrow

OP posts:
Namelesswonder · 04/11/2018 19:18

Wow, some of you work in weird places! I have never worked in a place where phones are not allowed and where it’s not the norm to message or take phone calls during work hours (have worked in academia, finance, government, NHS). Last week my manager stepped out of a team meeting to take a family call - the world didn’t fall apart! If you are working hard what’s the problem with taking microbreaks to clear your head? Talk about treating adults like children.

selepele · 04/11/2018 19:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
selepele · 04/11/2018 19:23

I don’t usually reply to the rotten individual on here but some of you are just taking the pis about ‘don’t work here or there’

You have no control over your own life let alone a complete stranger

I’m glad I don’t work for some of you you really are toxic and unhappy so try make everyone else miserable like you

Sorry hasn’t worked Smile

Thank you to the helpful answers

OP posts:
WitchesHatRim · 04/11/2018 19:28

You have no control over your own life let alone a complete stranger

Wow you know all about posters lives on an anonymous forum? That's some claim.

I’m glad I don’t work for some of you you really are toxic and unhappy so try make everyone else miserable like you

That makes you sound like a child.