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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect my colleagues to behave like adults in the office? Very long rant!

38 replies

Charlene1 · 07/03/2008 00:07

I am seriously having "issues" with these people! Have already posted about some of them in Employment issues", but need to know if I am being oversensitive/unreasonable etc.

2 of my colleagues are best mates and have frequently referred to me as "stupid cow", "fat fucker in the corner" etc when they didn't know I was listening, told me to "stick my training up my arse" that I was supposed to do with them, take the piss out of everyone else, are two faced and smarmy to other staff/managers etc. I don't sit near them thankfully, so they think I can't hear them - but I can!

They run down to the toilet after me or the the other women go and see/sniff if we've poohed (seriously) and sprayed air freshener to cover it up, then come back, make vomiting noises, say "it smells", and call us "dirty bitches" behind our backs (I overheard them) for going to the toilet at work. We have one toilet for all the women.

They shouted loudly the other week that whoever had spilled stuff/stunk the microwave out was dirty and put a sign up saying "clean it after use". I had used it for a ready meal which split so it smelled, but I cleaned it up and other colleague saw me cleaning up - obviously missed a bit though, and there was already dried on stuff from someone else - so I feel like I can't heat food up or go to the toilet anymore - I can't afford to eat out everyday, and sandwiches just don't fill me up all day.
They piss about deciding what to have for their dinner and expect other people to get it from the shop and told me once they were going the chippy but I couldn't have doner emat as it stunk, so they would get me something else. If I don't ask them if they are coming the shop/going out they moan and bitch that we've not asked them and they have to go for their own dinner.
They never make cups of tea - they expect to be waited on all day, and they have told the office junior previously to "get downstairs and make me some cereal" etc.

They refuse to do work I need them to do so I can do my job, whinge if I copy the boss in on emails asking them to do things; refuse to do any training or use the new office system, so I have to do it all etc. They just snigger and bitch. I have emailed my boss and their boss to say they are not using it, but have not said about the bitching, as they would just deny it and flutter their eyelashes at them (Boss thinks they're brilliant). They think they're indispensable and have just got rid of their manager by grassing him up for something so he got the sack as he was to thick to realise he was being set up by them.

Today, I said to 2 other people I thought were "acquaintances" at least that 50 odd year old women shouldn't work in school offices, as it takes jobs away from mums with school age kids that can't afford childcare - I meant women of over 60 etc, but it came out wrong, as they are around 50, but only look early 40's. We were talking about jobs, hours and pay etc at the time so it was just part of the conversation!

They both proceeded to "rip my head off" and rant I didn't know how lucky I was today to have flexi hours and tax credits etc, and at their age they should work less hours - I said yes, but they don't have to do it in a school - our town's school offices are full of older women with grown up kids, who have been there for years - so no chance of anyone getting the jobs, staying until their kids are older then leaving to let someone else have the hours they need. I know loads of mums who'd love a job share in a school office.
I said I wasn't being offensive to them, just that it was my opinion, not personal to them at all.

They bitched about me for about an half an hour, looking over occasionally and whispering, and then ignored me the rest of the afternoon; they told the other "harpies" (DP's name for them!! what I'd said, didn't say bye etc at hometime.
They always think they know better than me from cleaning products, tantrums, work etc because they are older and have grown up kids so talk down to me about most things, but I accepted that up to now as I recognise, yes they have more life experience, but they shouldn't shout me down and tell me I am wrong to express my opinion on anything should they??

If you've got this far, thanks for reading!

So, AIBU about the way they are all behaving towards me?

OP posts:
Charlene1 · 19/03/2008 00:49

Hi, it's getting worse by the day - they specifically go to "sniff the air" and comment every time I go to the toilet for more than 2 minutes - today they claimed "it was awful, like a gas leak" - of course they didn't say it directly to me. They specifically made a special trip to look in the toilet.
I did not make it stink to my belief - certainly not any more than the rest of the world does, and they themselves make a horrendous smell in there and leave loads of floating toilet paper but deny it's them. They also DON'T use the air freshener and brush to clean up when they go - the rest of us do.
They bitched about how long me and the others have for lunch when they didn't know I was still in the room - again, no name mentioned, so I couldn't say anything.
This is making me ill, as I am having to try and hold on all day until I get home, so I don't have to use the toilet for anything, as I don't like going there anyway - it is right by the front door with a thin wall so people can hear you when you are in there.
Men and visitors sometimes use our toilet as well but I am getting "the blame" for other people - someone left the seat up and peed on the floor - obviously a man, but to them, it must have been me (er, no it wasn't!)
I don't know how to word a complaint, either by speaking to my boss or writing it without sounding stupid - I am getting really down over this - this is spoiling my job more than anything.

OP posts:
Beastofburden · 19/03/2008 12:51

Hi, I am new here but not new to this kind of thing.

First off: they log as you?? change your password right now. That is lethal.

Secondly, you are all in now in a hole where you can see no way out. A third party wont be the trauma you think it will be, it will be a very welcome way forward.

I agree with all the advice to document the behaviour and then check what your policy at work on bullying is. Then focus on the bits that are clearly unacceptable- dont dilute your case by "they were so mean, they didnt offer to get my lunch"- go for the language, the disobedience of reasonable instructions and the demonstrable effect on your productivity.

Then ask for new colleagues which may mean you get the new role, not them. Fine, make sure its a payrise.

TenaciousG · 19/03/2008 13:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StealthPolarBear · 19/03/2008 13:27

Is your boss present? In the room or does he/she work elsewhere?
If you don't mind me saying your diary needs a lot of editing before it could be used - you need to leave out the petty stuff and stick to facts. It needs to be as formal as possible without being over the top.
(Apologies if that was the MN version of your diary )

StealthPolarBear · 19/03/2008 13:29

They are pathetic immature bullies BTW. They sound like they must have very sad lives if they really hvae nothing better to do. It sounds as though they feel stuck in the jobs they're in and taking it out on you is their way of passing the time - like a blood sport. It's horrible, but this situation should be sorted for you very soon, they will be unfortunate enough to have their substandard personalities for the rest of their lives.

Blueskythinker · 19/03/2008 14:09

I really feel for you - I have been here, and it takes over your life - I agree your diaries need edited - don't use phrases like they couldn't be arsed to do xyz (although I am sure this is for MN only!) Instead state things like 'I asked x to do this at (time). At (time) I checked and it had not been done. I asked again and got this explaination' - don't sink to their level.

When I was being bullied, I actually confronted them, had a full team meeting, and told them this was bullying and circulated a copy of the neutral working environment. (It helped that I was in charge of the office though). Inside I was shaking the whole time. The bullies crapped themselves! And it got sorted - I offered a fresh start for those who wanted it, and facilitated transfers for those who didn't, but left them in no doubt that one way or another this was stopping. Only 1 transferred to another job, and another actually approached me and apologised after. There can be happy endings

Keep good notes for as long as it takes. And can you use a loo elsewhere? Pop out to a local cafe? I know it sounds ridiculous, but it may make you feel less self conscious.

helenhismadwife · 19/03/2008 19:26

it sounds worse than the school playground to me how horrible for you, I would suggest contacting Acas here for advice and support they are excellent

HereComeTheGirls · 19/03/2008 19:31

Do they say this ridiculous stuff about the toilet in front of people? I would say something if they do, like "I can't quite believe how immature you are being, are you 8 years old". It might annoy them but they are being totally mean to you anyway so I doubt they could be worse. And it would definitely embarrass them, as it should.

HereComeTheGirls · 19/03/2008 19:33

I realise other people have given you more intelligent and constructive advice ..but I do think you should show them your claws just a little.

Charlene1 · 21/03/2008 23:49

Yes, my diary here is not the same as the real one obviously! - I am keeping notes in 3 sections - general work, specific work, personal attacks etc with date of request and (non) outcomes. We have no policies on bullying or a union - contract just says write to manager if you have a grievance. Cannot change password as people do need to log in to check emails if I am off in case of missing orders etc.
Bluesky - no there are no other toilets anywhere - that's part of the problem - I cannot wait all day until I get home to go the toilet. I had to wait 3 hrs on Friday until they went for lunch to go for a wee and then go again after they left - so I went the loo twice in an 8 hour day. I feel bloated/fingers have swollen up badly so I can't get my rings off - god knows what this is doing to my kidneys and digestive system. If I "dared" say anything to them either separately or publicly, I dread to think how they would go back at me or how they will stab me in the back - it could actually get violent, and I'm not going to jail and leaving my kids without a mother because of them - they always make sure the boss never hears anything when he is in, and are so "fake nice" and arse licking it's unbelievable. When he's out they are so gobby and swearing loudly and slagging everyone off that we literally cannot make phone calls as we can't hear because of them. If the other manager tells them to keep it down they tell him no. he has reported them, butnothing has been done.
I made them tea the other day - as soon as they tasted it they were slagging me off about it - why bother asking for one if they don't like my tea?? No one will say a word to them in my defence if it kicks off actually in the office - they are just getting away with it.
HereComeTheGirls - yes they say things in front of existing staff/visitors/new staff etc. We have a new staff member now - all he's heard all week from them is: "how much I/others go to the toilet, how crap my tea is, what a bitch the rep is, what a dickhead my boss is, what a stupid laugh X has, what an arsehole the other manager is, how shit the customers are etc". I bet he's really impressed with is new job!!
I am seriously thinking of recording their crap on my mobile as "insurance" but that would probably backfire!
I don't have a big problem with anyone else, I can live with their "minor stuff" against this - I know all offices have bitching, but this is beyond office politics!
DP says I should leave, but why should I? I'd lose all my employment rights and they've won then. But there is no way they will get sacked - and I think the others are just talk and wouldn't complain about them if pushed - it would be me against them - and they would smarm their way out of it.

OP posts:
NutterlyUts · 22/03/2008 03:49

Get in early, tape tape recorder to under their desk in record mode. Collect at lunch. Repeat as ness until you have enough evidence to nail their asses!!

Blueskythinker · 24/03/2008 21:40

Charlene, I agree, you need to tape record this. (Although you may need to concoct a story of how your dictaphone 'accidentally' set itself to record).

When you make your diary entries, make sure you note who else was present at the time. Also if any customers overhear this behaviour, make a note of it.

Can you make a lighthearted passing comment like 'you two are obsessed with the toilet!' Try to turn it round? Do you genuinely think it would get violent? If so, I really really feel for you - it must be awful.

Re password, surely if you are on microsoft office, you can set the delegates setting, so that they can access your e-mails, but not using your password? Or use autoforward rules. Change your password anyway, and if you are off, you can change it back - in our work, using someone else's password is a sackable offence!

Are you in a union? Could you join one?

Alternatively, tell us who they are, and someone from MN will go round and sort them out

Blueskythinker · 24/03/2008 21:42

Look at this

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