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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Office downstairs making me really uncomfortable

180 replies

Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:28

I moved into a new office two months ago. There are only three offices in the building and one company has two rooms downstairs whilst I have the office upstairs, and then there is a small office a corridor down from me. It’s within my budget compared to anything else I have seen and just really lovely. However, I introduced myself to the downstairs office just to say hi and to ask them for the toilet codes. The guy seemed nice. But there is another man who refuses to acknowledge any of me or the women who work in my office.

On Monday, I was waiting to be picked up outside with two of my colleagues. We weren’t talking loudly and were just standing. As the man approached one colleague said hello, he swerved her ignoring her, and went inside.

Today again I was outside about to leave standing on the corner outside of the building, he swang round the corner and nearly hit me, and as approaching didn’t slow until the last minute when I quickly stood out of the way.

I didn’t know what to do so just said ‘that was close’, he looked straight at me, and walked past.

I’m trying to keep myself to myself but it’s only a small building so it’s impossible not to see him at least once a day - ie: when leaving at the end of the day or nipping out to grab lunch.

They've just left as I stay until six, and I heard him locking the entrance despite knowing I am still here (luckily I have my own set of keys).

It’s just feeling very hostile and I don’t know what to do or what he’s thinking of us. We are quiet and respectful, polite and we do not bother them. I ensure we continue this way because I love the office!

Any advice?

OP posts:
Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:41

@D20 i really do have a gut feeling. I have spoken to one colleague who has said she also feels uncomfortable

OP posts:
Giveover80 · 04/08/2023 17:42

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saltinesandcoffeecups · 04/08/2023 17:42

So what are your options here OP?

Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:42

@Hannahsbananas i said I was standing on the corner near the office, he pulled round - into our office car park - and didn’t slow down until I quickly moved. I’m sorry this all sounds ridiculous I was asking for advice not to be laughed at

OP posts:
Avatartar · 04/08/2023 17:42

Is he deaf? Keeps autocorrecting to dead! Can you get cxtv outside your office entrance?

Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:44

@Avatartar Nope I see him chatting with his colleagues in the corridor

OP posts:
Giveover80 · 04/08/2023 17:44

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Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:45

It’s difficult to describe the location & the area it happened without taking a picture. It happened, and I’m sorry that I’m not good at explaining

OP posts:
Giveover80 · 04/08/2023 17:45

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Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:46

@Giveover80 i was responding to the person who used a laughing emoji and called it ridiculous.

if no one finds it concerning that’s fine. I asked for advice and I’m happy to receive different thoughts

OP posts:
rosesinmygarden · 04/08/2023 17:46

I can see why you feel uncomfortable OP. Gut feelings happen for a reason. Ignoring them isn't a good idea. Is your office secure within the building?

saltinesandcoffeecups · 04/08/2023 17:47

Ok so we know he was driving now, are you saying he was trying to hit you?

FKATondelayo · 04/08/2023 17:48

Oh my days, the responses to this are ridiculous. YANBU OP, and there is a vast contingent on MN who are dedicated to denying that any male behaviour - no matter how obviously hostile - is ever a problem. A bloke can literally nearly run you over and it's 'oh he probably has autism / social anxiety / dementia'.

I would complain to landlord about the car incident and the locking door incident. Are you an all-female office?

Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:48

@rosesinmygarden yes it is secure and I’m not worried he’s going to do anything bad. It’s just awkward being in such a small building where there is no option not to bump into each other that’s all. I just wanted some advice on what to do I.e just leave it and get on or to ask if I had done something to upset him and apologise

OP posts:
Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:49

@saltinesandcoffeecups no of course not. I do feel he was trying to intimidate me

OP posts:
FKATondelayo · 04/08/2023 17:49

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😂

AtrociousCircumstance · 04/08/2023 17:50

Just want to add that I’m also surprised at so many posters diminishing a woman noting the hostile behaviour of a man.

He is making many many non-verbal statements to you with his behaviour and it would make most women tense and on edge; you shouldn’t have to have that at your workplace.

jeaux90 · 04/08/2023 17:51

This would concern me too OP.

Have you come across him inside the building? Walked past you? Or walked at you so you have to move?

SirCharlesRainier · 04/08/2023 17:51

You've been a bit unlucky, OP - sometimes, on here, the first few messages set the tone. So if your first couple of replies are from posters with a thing for minimising and picking holes, others join in and it becomes a bit of a feeding frenzy, and unrepresentative of what people would make of it in real life.

So don't worry too much about these odd responses. This man sounds awful, rude - and almost ran you over! (In a way that you've described perfectly well btw, despite PP pretending to find it sooo hard to understand.). Trust your gut, avoid him where you can, whinge about him to like-minded colleagues, but don't be cowed or made to feel like you should lessen yourself or avoid conversations with others .

saltinesandcoffeecups · 04/08/2023 17:51

Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:49

@saltinesandcoffeecups no of course not. I do feel he was trying to intimidate me

So again what are your options? You can either report him to your company, his company, or the police.

rosesinmygarden · 04/08/2023 17:53

Officeprobs · 04/08/2023 17:48

@rosesinmygarden yes it is secure and I’m not worried he’s going to do anything bad. It’s just awkward being in such a small building where there is no option not to bump into each other that’s all. I just wanted some advice on what to do I.e just leave it and get on or to ask if I had done something to upset him and apologise

Assuming he knows he's intimidating you and is doing it deliberately, I personally wouldn't give him the pleasure of reacting. If, by chance, he's ND and it's not deliberate then it won't matter that you don't interact with him will it! You aren't obliged to.

I would make a note of these things in case it ever escalates. And keep yourself safe.

rosesinmygarden · 04/08/2023 17:54

SirCharlesRainier · 04/08/2023 17:51

You've been a bit unlucky, OP - sometimes, on here, the first few messages set the tone. So if your first couple of replies are from posters with a thing for minimising and picking holes, others join in and it becomes a bit of a feeding frenzy, and unrepresentative of what people would make of it in real life.

So don't worry too much about these odd responses. This man sounds awful, rude - and almost ran you over! (In a way that you've described perfectly well btw, despite PP pretending to find it sooo hard to understand.). Trust your gut, avoid him where you can, whinge about him to like-minded colleagues, but don't be cowed or made to feel like you should lessen yourself or avoid conversations with others .

Excellent advice!

Blanketpolicy · 04/08/2023 17:54

we had a guy who used to live across the road from us, ds was friends with his step-son. His mum was lovely, but the guy did the same weird ignore you when you said hello to him in the street type thing - you could be walking right past him on the same pavement and he would just be blank. Wasn't just me other neighbours said the same and I think it is natural to make you feel a bit unnerved.

Nothing sinister about him (that I know of), he just wasn't very interactive - always wondered how he coped at work as he was a police sergeant. The one time I spoke to him face to face I knocked on the door about something to do with his stepson and his wife wasn't in, so he had no option but to talk to me because there was no-one else there to talk to, he was actually ok.

Locking the building doesn't seem like an issue at all. The driving thing he maybe just didn't see you/react in time.

OhcantthInkofaname · 04/08/2023 17:54

I see a nitpicker on here...ignore
As I see a lot on MN about ND kids - they grow up to be ND adults. He could be one of those. Take his lead and back away.

VioletOrange · 04/08/2023 17:59

I’d feel the same as you, OP and don’t understand why some pp are giving you a hard time.

Could you speak to this man’s colleague, the one who seems ok? Ask if there is a problem?

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