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Original poster

Weirdest Accusation ever.....

27 replies

Kellyleroux77 · 19/07/2022 11:05

well... I moved here about six months ago from South Africa after leaving an abusive relationship of 20 plus years. That on its own has been a rude awakening and scary experience starting from two suitcases with a 12 year old.

Found a job and have been here 3 months. This morning I got hauled in by my Supervisor as there are rumors in the office. Bearing in mind, I am currently like a hermit stay at home, come to work etc., hardly speak to anyone at work. Haven't even met all staff yet. Anyway. I was apparently painting my nails at my desk. I nearly fell over and could not think what they were on about. LIGHTBULB... :) I have a bottle of cuticle oil on my desk that I pour into my hands when I have been to the loo in place of hand cream this is something I do at home too, not too sure how to handle this one.

OP posts:
ZoeQ90 · 19/07/2022 11:06

Just tell them what you're actually doing. Nail varnish has such as distinctive and pungent smell I think they'll realise they were clearly mistaken.

QuestionableMouse · 19/07/2022 11:07

Just show them the bottle and explain? Are your nails painted? Maybe leave then natural for a bit too? Might stop the busybody?

LoisPlane · 19/07/2022 11:08

What exactly needs handling?

You tell your boss you weren't painting your nails and have never done so. That's it, surely?

Original poster
Kellyleroux77 · 19/07/2022 11:08

I did and I got told to not do it again and be careful as this could result in disciplinary action. I all my years of working have I never heard anything like this and being from SA not sure what legislation here means

OP posts:
Hotenoughtoburnasausage · 19/07/2022 11:09

Just show them the bottle.

Original poster
Kellyleroux77 · 19/07/2022 11:10

no not even painted and i wear them short. so now i have to meet HR in the morning

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 19/07/2022 11:10

Take your cuticle oil to the bathroom if they're threatening disciplinary action for some batshit reason

ErrolTheDragon · 19/07/2022 11:10

Sounds like the supervisor should be more concerned about 'rumours in the office' tbh, though maybe best not point that out.

Original poster
Kellyleroux77 · 19/07/2022 11:10

tried that, however according to them it looks like nail varnish.. which four colleagues in office did not smell

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 19/07/2022 11:10

What sort of place do you work in?

Original poster
Kellyleroux77 · 19/07/2022 11:11

quite true but this happens when you are new

OP posts:
Original poster
Kellyleroux77 · 19/07/2022 11:12

four of us in an office , construction industry , finance dept

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 19/07/2022 11:13

girlmom21 · 19/07/2022 11:10

Take your cuticle oil to the bathroom if they're threatening disciplinary action for some batshit reason

Good idea.
Hopefully HR will roll their eyes at this idiocy, though they may have to appear supportive of the supervisor.

FreudayNight · 19/07/2022 11:14

Do you work in food prep or in another place with no nail polish rules?

ErrolTheDragon · 19/07/2022 11:15

Might be an idea to see if you can find a cream to use instead of this oil at work to avoid any possible further confusion. And do all personal care in the loo not at your desk.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 19/07/2022 11:15

Unless you have flammable construction stuff around I can't see why nail stuff would be a problem.

RatherBeRiding · 19/07/2022 11:18

Ask HR - where is the evidence? "Someone said they thought they saw...." Is this what they regard as evidence?

I get that you are new and don't want to rock the boat but this is hearsay - do they dole out disciplinarys on the basis of hearsay?

Ask them nicely with a smile on your face - and maybe start discretely looking for another job.

alittlestuck · 19/07/2022 11:18

I had to leave my job in the construction industry due to the receptionist (although she calls herself the admin manager, she isn’t) overhearing meetings and gossiping. Also all rumours came from her - she was so far up the Directors ass she got away with it all.

ErrolTheDragon · 19/07/2022 11:18

TheYearOfSmallThings · 19/07/2022 11:15

Unless you have flammable construction stuff around I can't see why nail stuff would be a problem.

Painting your nails at your desk is misuse of paid time - it would obviously be inappropriate in any workplace. Rubbing in a bit of cream after washing your hands is pretty normal if you've got dry skin,

Veetavix · 19/07/2022 11:19

Put in writing what has been said. Take a picture of the bottle. Ask for confirmation that this is acceptable / unacceptable behaviour (… I haven’t really understood? Is it hand sanitiser?). If they don’t think it is professional behaviour then why is ‘a quiet word’ not sufficient? Why has it been escalated to HR (or were you resistant to the ‘quiet word’).

express some concern about the phrase, ‘rumours in the office’. Ask for clarification. Is this acceptable practice? What is the normal process of raising concerns in your office?

Are HR content that the matter is resolved or can you expect further vexatious accusations? In which case, at what point do you raise a complaint about bullying etc.? Have they documented the source of the comment?

serenghetti2011 · 19/07/2022 11:19

Really? Did you not just show them your nails?
Seems a bit harsh and a quick word would suffice would it not? Drama

Mabelface · 19/07/2022 11:23

Have you been called in to meet with hr for a disciplinary meeting? If so, you need notice and you're entitled to take someone with you, such as a colleague or union rep.

It sounds like someone doesn't like you!

sunglassesonthetable · 19/07/2022 11:25

Well I'd be as shocked as you are OP.

What a storm in a tea cup. What's this "rumours" shit?

Beginning of the end for me. I'd start quietly looking for a more amenable work place.

Georgeskitchen · 19/07/2022 11:33

They should give you 24 hours notice in writing of an initial meeting assuming its an investigation. You are entitled to representation. Make a written list with bullet points of all the questions you wish to ask.
Has someone made an official complaint? Or is it just based on "rumours "
unfortunately rumours don't count. They need solid facts , proof, witnesses etc.
Tbh it sounds like a pretty unpleasant place to work if you are being investigated because someone "thought they saw something "
Above all keep calm and don't get upset.
Good luck and let us know how I goes

ApolloandDaphne · 19/07/2022 11:37

Ask what proof they have that you were painting your nails. If it was the smell then show them the bottle of cuticle oil and explain it is like hand cream. I know the cuticle oil at my nail salon comes in a little bottle with a brush like nail polish so it is possible someone saw that and mistakenly thought you were painting your nails?

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