To be annoyed with colleague?

[Plusnett]

Today in the office, I had a meeting booked with a colleague. At the meeting time, he said he needs to reschedule as they urgently speak with Jane and proceeded to show me his Teams chat with Jane discussing a situation. I said “that’s fine, you talk to Jane and I’ll ask someone else to stand in for our meeting”. Julie walks over and I look for someone to stand in.

5 minutes later when I’m by myself (but in front of other colleagues) Julie confronted me in earshot of others to say that she didn’t find it funny that I called her “Jane” and don’t fucking do it again. I asked her what she’s referring to and she the above. I said that the mutual colleague said he needs to talk with Jane, not her, and I was just repeating what they said, I wasn’t talking about her. Julie said she doesn’t care and I’m not to do it again.

Aibu to be annoyed? how would you follow through with this? There isn’t much of a backstory, she has a history of blowing things out of proportion and “confronting” people. I personally haven’t had a conversation with her so we haven’t had “run ins” before. I just think her standards of behaviour fall short. It wasn’t even a mix up, the mutual colleagues had to sort something out with Jane and Julie just walked over at the wrong time.

Do this.

If you found her manner threatening mention that too.

Has her anger made you feel unsafe in the office ?

These are the words to use IMO.

You have every right to be at your desk conducting your business without being randomly verbally attacked by a colleague.

Blow it up on her.

She only does this because she thinks she can get away with this.

Don't confront her directly, the formal route is best.

That level of anger is very threatening and does make people feel unsafe.

Your company have an obligation to provide you with a safe working environment.

I would call ACAS for advice.

Is this a health and safety issue too?

We work at DWP (public facing). I complained but doubt she’d be majorly reprimanded as her manager told me she is disabled and going through a hard time apparently.

It is supposed to be a corporate office environment yet today she’s gone and blown up again at someone else for “stealing” her parking space during break. And then a customer complained about her.

I was wondering why no one else has reported her before but I think they just don’t care enough to. She’s a mouthy shite but has scoliosis so walks around in a strained manner, massaging herself and carrying a hot water bottle etc. Her manager said she’s neurodivergent and may have misunderstood. There still hasn’t been an apology.

Irrespective of her challenges you are entitled to a safe respectful working environment.

Are they saying you are not?

Respond to their excuses with the question are they saying she is entitled to verbally abuse and attack you?

Put that into a follow up email.

A paper trail is your friend here.

Have you a union rep to contact?

Whatever her challenges, you are entitled to feel safe.

Keep emailing what they are saying and asking for clarification on whether you have a right to feel safe during your working hours.

They will not like trying to respond to this question.

Mention your distress and humiliation at such a public verbal assault.

Be a PITA.

This.

Swearing at colleagues is not acceptable. I would report.

Your comments about her disability and about her as a person don't reflect well on you.
If her behaviour is unprofessional and you want to raise a complaint you have a right to do so. It might not be upheld for reasons other than the fact that you think that she's getting special treatment. (And there are aways two sides to a story)

There’s one of these in almost every DWP office (I’ve worked at a few). I doubt the managers will do much though.

We work at DWP (public facing). I complained but doubt she’d be majorly reprimanded as her manager told me she is disabled and going through a hard time apparently.

So here manager is quite happy to divulge personal details to all and sundry ?

Sounds a great place to work. But now I can understand why so many PIP decisions are wrong.

Wouldn’t have thought scoliosis is classed as a disability.

oh don’t worry, I’m a picture of serenity at work, I’m just having a rant on here. the way she speaks to people isn’t appropriate. Both colleagues and claimants have picked this up. I can assure you that you as staff, or as the public, you wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of her outbursts. The information about her health may provide some context but an apology would be appropriate. She might have her own circumstances but it doesn’t give her the right to take her frustration out on others.

@SerendipityJane honestly most staff want to help the public and get it right, but unfortunately there’s colleagues like this that detract from productivity just like any other office. It’s hard to focus on work when a colleague is behaving poorly behind the scenes, leads to high turnover etc

Do you get to decide ?

Depends on the severity does it not and how it affects someone. It’s a bit by the by anyway. Op I did have sympathy but your comments about her scoliosis are quite shitty so I wonder what kind of environment it is anyway. Keep the health stuff out of it and just mention her behaviour. It’s not a free pass to be a dick.

I’d definitely discuss with the manager! She sounds like she needs taken down a peg or two!

As for the parking, at my work it is a nightmare for parking. Whoever’s there first gets the spot and that’s it! Is it annoying when I have to park a 20 minute walk from the office cos all the spaces are gone? Yeah, but that’s on me for not getting there sooner 🙃

She screams of entitlement and clearly regards herself as superior to everyone around her!

I think if she has a history of this sort of behaviour it's about time someone spoke up. I fnd it infuriating when someone thinks they can say something 'negative' then just declare the topic closed.
I'd calmly ask her explain herself and then say something like 'I think the paranoia is setting in there Julie' if she continues with her gobbiness I might say 'Julie, if people really were talking about you, do you really think being called Jane would be the thing to worry about"
Tbh I don't think there's any point being nice or even passive aggressive.
Julie, I've told you once and I'll tell you again. I'm not interested in what you thought, said or had for dinner. This private conversation is not your concern.