Did something a bit silly at work

[Saracopp]

I regularly visit schools for my job. One school had to change premises to a larger school site whilst building works were being undertaken on the original school building.

The support staff of the new building were unpleasant and unfriendly- possibly because they didn’t want to share their building with another school.

Each week for the past nine months or so I’ve experienced unpleasantness with one particular member of staff on the front desk. Things like deliberately keeping me waiting to let me in and out of the building (she would pretend she wasn’t in the office, but I could see her in the reflection of one of the windows, she thought she was out of sight), abrupt manner, unhelpful, not passing on messages, rolling eyes because she has to get out of her chair to press a button to release the door, huffing because my mere presence is an inconvenience etc, you get the picture.

A couple of weeks ago we had a slight altercation, she was scowling as usual as I arrived and I asked her if everything was ok as she seemed quite unhappy to see me. She immediately became defensive and gave me a right mouthful so I calmly told her she maybe should develop some social skills given she was on the front desk 😳

I spoke to the head teacher of ‘my school’ who said she’d deal with it. Miraculously, over the next couple of weeks the doors were unlocked and she was not in the office as I walked passed. Result

Today was my last day as the school are moving back to their original premises after half term and I did something a little immature. In the foyer at the entrance is a photograph of all the school staff and their names, there was no-one around. Without thinking I got out my sharpie and drew a moustache and angry eyebrows on the picture of this person. Under her name I wrote ‘Miss Funsucker’. I did chuckle about it for the rest of the day but now I feel a bit bad and anxious I will get into trouble- it wouldn’t take Sherlock Holmes to work out it was me 😬

should I do nothing or should I do something - if so what? I know it’s a long shot but has anyone else done this?

They can prove it was her. Someone will complain and they'll run the CCTV.

I have worked in the NHS for three decades. I have worked with incredibly toxic people, for much longer than nine months! But there is no way I would compromise my professional standards like this. I think the main thing the OP is exaggerating is about the nature of her role. It clearly does not involve any degree of responsibility or seniority, or she would not risk being caught. Though I’m not sure I would employ any freelancer who had been caught behaving so immaturely.

Is this actually for real?
I would be quite concerned if you are someone that works with children that you think this is funny and an ok thing to do.

I would say that it may not be obvious it is you. If she acted like such a biatch to you I have no doubt she acted similarly to others.
🥸

No wonder this woman was rude to you, you sound exhausting.

You have just proved her (and other staff members) point.

Respectfully, I disagree with this. As she has now left, I think she is broadly safe from repercussions. I have worked for a few schools and can't think of any where management or HR had time or energy to pursue any form of "justice" against staff members who are now gone.

This particular school probably won't hire her again, so that is a repurcussion I suppose. And they may tell her agency what she did (if she works for an agency) - but I doubt they will care if they can still make money from her, which, if she is an experienced teacher, they can.

Those of you horrified by OP's cruelty to this woman, what do you think of the woman "hiding" in the office and leaving OP outside? While I think OP may have been unwise, I think the reception woman lost her right to careful consideration of her feelings when she started hiding in her workplace to intentionally inconvenience others, like a 3 year old.

OP, just report it next time. Or, as I say to the kids in school, "You're the one who will end up getting into trouble ......"

For a professional, your judgement is really off. This employee had already been spoken to by her headteacher (at your request) and the situation resolved.

As well as the upset to and impact on the employee, the headteacher will likely be frustrated at your pettiness.

There is nothing free-spirited or amusing about this. It's mean-spirited and reflects badly on you.

It’s a school with many other suspects.
I doubt you will hear anything.

Oh she will.

What’s really annoying is that if one of the kids did this, then be in loads of trouble.

I guess you are just superior to everyone else though aren’t you…

I have read a couple of posts making reference to the fact that she’s on minimum wage.

Firstly I couldn’t care less how much someone earns. I treat everyone the same. I am the same with the caretaker as I am with the head teacher.

Secondly, the school support staff play an integral role in making my work life easier. They really do matter to me and to the general running of the school.

These comments are vacuous and again inaccurate. Mumsnet really is quite an interesting place. I sometimes wonder if people are like this in real life.

She didn't though. She reported Miss Funsucker for failing to let her in in a timely manner on numerous occasions.

Thanks for your contribution.

And I too am in my fifties. And yes, I have a different outlook and tolerance to poor behaviour than I did in my 20s. But it doesn’t mean I behave like an immature imbecile when I find myself in challenging environments. Out of respect to my patients and colleagues, I remain professional, despite my feelings. Shame the OP doesn’t have the same respect for the role within which she works.

I was never hired at this particular school. Another school had used their building which I will be returning to after half term in their original premises. I wouldn’t consider working there based on my experience. Mutual respect is important to me and I don’t work places where this is missing. Value and appreciation goes a long way but if it’s not reciprocated I leave anyway.

What a strange take! Upset to and impact on the other employee. She was the one acting like a twat not letting OP in and should have been reported. It seems like the Head did not find it petty as they sorted out the issue.

Yes, and she was right to do so, because people will have been waiting and that's probably put everyone's schedule out. I'm amazed that the staff kept waiting didn't create a fuss, support staff generally don't set out to inconvenience. Therefore the woman in question will have been dealt with.
Then the defacing of the image happened. So it's an after thought.

Sorry, but your replies are making me titter OP 🤣🤣🤣

You're welcome.

Thank you, I like a titter myself 🤣👍

The MN crowd are a tough bunch OP! After months of enduring the low level but wearing pettiness of a colleague you took your revenge. Sometimes we all just reach our tolerance limits (not that I condone your bad behaviour but I can also see the funny side of it!).

Oh I’m very respectful- but it needed to be done I’m afraid

Some schools might but in my experience most schools do not. I have schools I’ve been in and out of for over a year and only get a fob once signed in. I think in the last ten years only one school has issued me a fob and that’s because I was there two days a week for 5 years. I’m DBS checked, professional and suitably trusted and I don’t carry around sharpies!

Thank you, we’re all human. Even the best of us behave out of character sometimes.i am a great person about 95% of the time but unfortunately this individual did bring out this act of vengeance