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Original poster

If you, as a manager, heard this at work...?

200 replies

Chaicoff · 10/02/2025 13:44

Would you tell the other manager.

The team who sit next to me in the office (small wall partition), their manager is off this week and one of their team came in this morning and joked with 2 of the other members about their manager being off.

She said "we can relax now ahhhh "name" is off all week"

This person has said something before which I did tell the manager about. I feel irritated that she openly complains about her manager.

WIBU to tell the manager when they return next Monday?

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 10/02/2025 14:06

What did the manager say last time you snitched

Ponderingwindow · 10/02/2025 14:11

Not my manager, but one of the seniors I work with is traveling overseas this week and I know I get to relax.

Relax in the sense that he won’t be interrupting me constantly because he thinks his projects are more important than anyone else’s and whatever he is thinking about at any given moment is a huge priority. I’m actually getting tons of work done and know I will have an incredibly productive week.

HelpMeGetThrough · 10/02/2025 14:13

You are one person I would keep well away from at work.

Saying that, if you complain about things like this to a manager, they'll just think you're a pain in the arse and ignore your pointless reports.

Wishboneswishes · 10/02/2025 14:14

Are you normally a busybody OP?

This is just harmless, jokey conversation - it’s often more relaxing to work when the boss isn’t around!

If you say anything you’ll look a bit silly and a bit of a troublemaker. Actually, there really isn’t anything to say!

UghFletcher · 10/02/2025 14:16

Are you usually this fun, OP?

I'm a manager and I'd not think twice if I heard a team say that. It's a joke. I would tell the manager if they were clearly dossing about and not doing their jobs but otherwise, as adults people tend to continue getting on with their job regardless.

bunnyfears · 10/02/2025 14:17

oh! I don't think anyone that considers reporting what you describe, should be managing other people. no one left kes a grass.if another manager reported this to me, I would tell them to wind their neck in

ButIToldYouSoooo · 10/02/2025 14:19

Why would you even consider saying anything?

Growlybear83 · 10/02/2025 14:22

Slobberchops1 · 10/02/2025 14:03

crikes, I bet you are really popular at work .

weren’t you ever told to not tell tales at school ?

I agree. Thank goodness I never knowingly worked with someone like you! I think you're being incredibly petty, particularly as this is nothing whatsoever to do with you.

CandyCane457 · 10/02/2025 14:22

Definitely not.
This is the most normal comment for them to make. Of COURSE people like it when their manager isn’t in. It doesn’t mean they’re going to be slacking, but it just feels a bit more…breathable. It’s just a joke. You’re being ridiculous.

Sunshineandrainbow · 10/02/2025 14:22

Yabu

I would take it as a joke thing to say if the manager is out of the picture, almost a natural reaction even!

Cyclebabble · 10/02/2025 14:22

Managed lots of people. Did not expect them to like me. Comment made would not worry me TBH.

ItGhoul · 10/02/2025 14:23

Why on earth would you 'report' this? You know it was just a harmless joke, surely?

A while ago someone at work asked if my team's manager was around and I said 'No, she's off for a fortnight starting today' and they said 'Oh, well in that case, let's all down tools'. Nobody took offence, because we aren't insane.

MrsTerryPratchett · 10/02/2025 14:24

HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 10/02/2025 13:49

If you reported that back to me as a manager I'd ignore you and mentally characterise you as a clipe who needs to keep her eyes on her own work.

Total nonsense, a jokey comment and none of your business.

This. Bonus for 'clipe' Grin

I often say this about my manager, who I love. It's just a joke.

And I once had a bloke who worked with me and would tell me if people were less than complimentary about my management style (shall we say). I know he was doing it for Brownie points and it got him a minus number of them. Because moaning about the boss is a free workplace benefit. It should be allowed in all cases.

Busyquaver1 · 10/02/2025 14:25

Ridiculous!!!

Cyclebabble · 10/02/2025 14:25

Just to add. If you came to me with this my first thought would be that you had a grudge against whoever said it alongside if you tell tales on her, if you get an opportunity you will do the same with me... not in your interests to do anything here.

NotVeryFunny · 10/02/2025 14:26

Were you a tattle tale at school a well?!?

Jesus it's a perfectly normal light jokey comment to make.

It's also very normal to need to "sound off" occasionally about work and management to colleagues. It's a way of releasing tension and making the stress of work more manageable. I don't think this is what this person was doing but even if they were leave them to it and stop trying to control them. People are entitled to their opinion and to have a bit of a moan occasionally.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 10/02/2025 14:27

Please report it.

Come back and let us know what the other manager says and posting a photo of their facial reaction would be perfect.

TIA.

P.S. How do you expect that conversation to go, exactly?

LBFseBrom · 10/02/2025 14:27

CryptoFascist · 10/02/2025 13:46

That sounds like a normal jokey comment, no I wouldn't tell the other manager.

Agreed.

It's quite normal for staff to say things like that, when the cat's away, etc. Don't take it so seriously and certainly don't be a grass! Nobody is advocating violence or spreading scandal (I hope).

Lavender14 · 10/02/2025 14:28

Saying you could slack off because the boss is off and actually slacking off are two different things op.

I wouldn't think twice about it. I would however be inclined to wonder if you micro manage your team.

Whoarethoseguys · 10/02/2025 14:29

No, definitely not

Moveoverdarlin · 10/02/2025 14:30

Have a day off. Don’t say anything. Everyone breathes a bit easier when their manager is off.

I don’t think what they said was at all unprofessional or inappropriate. Normal work chat.

WifeImprovementWorksInProgress · 10/02/2025 14:30

Yes actually, you maybe should call the other manager right now to tell them about this. I'm sure they won't mind being interrupted on the first day of their week off, this needs to be dealt with. Or as you say you could risk waiting until Monday, because by then there will probably be a whole list of things to report and the efficiency will be more pleasing and make you look better.

Lovemycat2023 · 10/02/2025 14:31

I always feel more relaxed when my manager isn’t around. She’s a fab manager but also I’m more likely to get a tricky question so it’s nice to have a quiet day (unless I’m covering for her!)

NeedToAskPlease · 10/02/2025 14:31

Good grief... it's such a "non" comment, l wouldn't have even raised an eyebrow.

Do you really snitch on your colleagues for something like that?

I'd definitely avoid being around you if l was a colleague or their manager.

NCfornow256 · 10/02/2025 14:32

Total overreaction. Everyone jokes about their boss when they are not around, and almost always it's not in a problematic way.

Are you concerned about what is said about you when you are not there, OP? Hoping for some quid pro quo from the other manager if you pass this on?

I would strongly advise doing nothing. The manager will almost certainly laugh off their team's comments and then you will be the butt of the joke.

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