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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be getting irritated with colleague’s time monitoring

31 replies

Everythingnow12 · 09/07/2019 17:33

I work in a team of accountants. 5 accountants, 2 seniors, and our manager is in another location. I’m one of the seniors, but have no line management responsibilities.

One of the team seems to be obsessed about being critical of the other team members behind their back and particularly about what hours they are working (and what they are being paid,and sick leave)

We have standard hours (ie 40 per week), but overall our manager is fine about being flexible about start and finish times: so long as we do our work and work the full hours)

My colleague, Chris is not a senior, but keeps moaning about what hours others do; if they leave early or are a wee bit late, or if they are looking on the internet too much. He moans to me about it: ie “Andy (the other senior) left at 4 today.” “Laura was 5 minutes late this morning”.

I have told him that as far as I know they have worked their hours, and I’m not there to sit and watch what time others come and go.

He makes pointed remarks about people being off with “stress” but having nothing wrong with them (I have MH problems and have been off on sick leave earlier this year: HR and line manager were supportive)

He tried to stir trouble by telling me that the other senior complained that I’m on a higher salary than them (I joined the company later) and then got the same salary as me. I said “oh that’s excellent, I’d have done the same, well done Andy”

Recently I’ve reduced my hours and he comments constantly on when I start, when I finish, and when I go for lunch. “Oh, you’re 10 minutes late”, “oh, why are you working late?”

I usually just ignore, but honestly, it’s getting on my nerves now.

Aibu to be irritated with him

OP posts:

mbosnz · 09/07/2019 17:36

Have you asked him if he's going to make the time up that he's spending on obsessively watching what other people are doing, rather than doing his actual work?

Jennifer2r · 09/07/2019 17:42

Get yourself a stock phrase you can repeat when he starts with it, then just say it evety single time while walking away:

"I'm not really interested in what anyone else is doing Chris"

"Let's just not worry about that Chris"

"Lets just focus on our own work Chris"

Choose one and interrupt him loudly with it every single time while ending the conversation walking away.

Dancingfairydreams · 09/07/2019 17:45

My colleague did this until I pointed out that the wall clock was actually 3 minutes faster then the phones & PCs, therefore I wasnt actually late but also that she left 3 minutes early every day! That soon put a stop to the clock watching!!

SushiForAmateurs · 09/07/2019 17:52

This is absolutely dire for company culture.

It's far more important that people are respected as adults, and trusted to get on and do the job they're paid for, than to work from 9-5 down to the minute.

Productivity and loyalty is measurably better when the company culture is good, and it's a happy place to work.

Can you sit him down and explain this to him, and tell him that he is doing far more harm than good, and that he's being politely, but firmly, asked to stop with the obsessing?

He sounds like a child.

IncandescentShadow · 09/07/2019 17:54

We have standard hours (ie 40 per week), but overall our manager is fine about being flexible about start and finish times: so long as we do our work and work the full hours)

Thats maybe causing problems though. If theres a perception people are being treated more favourably with regards to in-work hours, people can react.

My DH's former workplace became a nightmare to work in. He was refused flexi-time, but others were allowed it. One manager changed to working remotely 3 weeks out of 4, another junior manager regularly left early to collect her children or do tasks, or had random days WFH. Some employees were allowed time off or unofficial flexi-time, yet others weren't.

He left for another job at least partly due to the stresses caused by never being sure that other people were pulling their weight. They are still recruiting...

WhatchaMaCalllit · 09/07/2019 18:05

I would interrupt him with "Let me just stop you there Chris" and then don't follow it up with why you want to stop him. Move on to something else. It'll drive him up the walls!!! Better still if you say that and move away from him after saying it so that he either has to follow you with "What did you want to say?" or "Why?" and you can say "Well your comments about when I take my lunch break or when I start/finish during the day are really only something that I need to agree with HR, my manager and me so it really isn't a topic up for general discussion"

Lamentations · 09/07/2019 18:09

'Chris, you have spent 7 minutes today complaining about what other people are up to. When will you be making the time up?'

CoraPirbright · 09/07/2019 18:09

“As long as they are completing all their work, what business is it of yours or mine?” And then wait, for an uncomfortably long time if necessary with an expectant look on your face, waiting for the twat’s answer. Can pretty much guaranty there wont be one (other than some spluttering and mumbling).

TowelNumber42 · 09/07/2019 18:13

Given Chris is not a senior, I would raise it with his manager as a performance and culture issue.

Your company has chosen to allow flexible working yet Chris is repeatedly undermining the company's ethos. People are being made to feel uncomfortable, which is presumably the exact opposite atmosphere that a policy of flexibility is intended to create.

If Chris wants to complain about his seniors' choices around flexible working then he should raise that directly with them. Undermining the boss and the culture is not OK. Especially not in a small team of skilled professionals.

PCohle · 09/07/2019 18:14

God no that would infuriate me.

It's not very mature but I suppose I would say "So?" or "I'm sorry I'm not sure I understand your point" every time he pointed out someone leaving early etc.

Archie1411 · 09/07/2019 18:18

Report him to your manager - this sort of behaviour in the workplace is toxic (have unfortunately been on the receiving end ). Tell them what others work is nor their concern but if it bothers them that much they should report it to the manager

RickJames · 09/07/2019 18:20

Is your colleague NT? This sounds like he might have some obsessions and he can't help being annoying. Maybe ask him why he's so bothered and take it from there...

Xyzzzzz · 09/07/2019 18:20

Having line managed someone like that they need to be told to stop. It’s none of their business and it’s terrible for the culture and team.

ControversialFerret · 09/07/2019 18:44

Two things:

Firstly, tell your manager. I'd want to know if one of my team was behaving like this, because it's terrible for morale.

Secondly tell him to pack it in. Be blunt - Chris can you please stop complaining about timekeeping. I'm fed up of hearing about it and really am not interested at all. If you think there's an issue then raise it with , because I don't want to hear anything more about it.

Livpool · 09/07/2019 18:54

I work with someone like this. I told her she must have nothing to do to be aware of comings and goings.

Always telling someone else's business. She is currently off sick and hasn't been missed. I'd feel bad but last year another colleague had some bad personal news - which she shared with the team

RockinHippy · 09/07/2019 19:02

I'd want him out & pdq. He needs a strong chat at least. His toxicity is not good for company morale & team spirit. I really cannot stand employees like this, wannabe managers, who think they could do a better job & just stir up shit because they're not in charge. Dreadful

BrightYellowDaffodil · 09/07/2019 19:11

I’ve worked with someone like this. Everyone who came in after them got a comment of “Glad you could make it, bloody part-timers, ha ha ha!” and anyone who left after him got “Sloping off early then? Bloody part-timers, ha ha ha!” Despite the fact that people work flexi-time and have every right to come in late (because they stay late) or early (because they start early).

Headphones are the way forward. Or a way of stone-walling him: “I’m sorry Chris, I don’t see a problem”. Repeat until the tedious bugger gives up.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 09/07/2019 19:21

Although I can see why it's tempting, I don't think turning the tables on Chris by commenting on his timekeeping or responding with a witty put-down is helpful in this situation actually. It could look as though the pair of you are sniping at each other, which will make everyone else feel uncomfortable and reflects badly on you as the Senior. Instead, I would raise it through the proper channels as a performance issue. Speak to whoever line manages Chris and explain that his fixation with others timekeeping/terms and conditions is making his colleagues feel uncomfortable. It's an unnecessary distraction, it's bad for morale and Chris risks isolating himself from the team. If someone I manage was doing this I would absolutely want to know about it!

RockinHippy · 09/07/2019 19:44

Minister is correct,it's tempting to snipe back, but as his senior would be unprofessional. It definitely needs raising as an issue through the proper channels & he needs a proper talking to in order to set him straight that his behaviour is unacceptable & affects team moral.

Though tbh, I not sure that will have much effect if that just the type of person he is & doesn't get that its wrong, but hopefully that will be enough. I have in the past let someone go for this sort of behaviour though as talking to them had no effect as they felt they knew better

HelloyouKant · 09/07/2019 19:57

People like this make work shit. He needs to shut up and get on with his work.

Original poster

Everythingnow12 · 09/07/2019 19:58

He’s actually an excellent worker and really knows his stuff. But it’s the constant moaning about what other people are doing that irritates me. Last night he mentioned me leaving “early” and I pointed out to him that I wasn’t leaving early but on time. I think it could be a bit of jealousy as he feels he is being underpaid (I’ve told him to speak to our manager regarding this) and everyone else is getting paid too much. I think he feels hard done by because he does work really hard. But he doesn’t seem to realise that not everyone’s life revolves around work, and not all of us are striving to be perfect at all times (if he’s not moaning about colleagues he’s having a good moan about family and friends). I haven’t a clue whether he is NT or not.

I’ll have a chat with our manager over the next few days

OP posts:

SmallAndFarAway · 09/07/2019 20:01

But it is a performance issue - part of his job is being a member of the team and create a decent atmosphere at work. I'd want to know if I were his manager, so good plan to bring it up.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 09/07/2019 20:22

So he’s putting in extra time and feels hard done by that others don’t? Is there an “Importance of Work/Life Balance” course he could be sent on? Or maybe time management, since everyone else seems to get their work done in working hours. Probably because they don’t spend their time mind others’ business...

Benjispruce · 09/07/2019 20:26

NT?

Benjispruce · 09/07/2019 20:26

National Trust member? They are known for their clock watching.

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