Another Ask the .Org...

Well, a little background is needed first I think...

Yesterday, I was having the day from hell in the office. Those that know me, won't be supprised to hear that in one discussion with management, I almost walked out on the spot (loosing a months wages in the process). That was a request for holiday that I was putting in, and initially it was declined, for pretty much no reason other than I'm (apparently) good at what I do.

So anyway, yesterday, a job came in that ever since my employment started, was outside of my remit. However, I've always said that if everyone else is busy, I'd help the team out by doing it anyway. No-one else was busy, so I logged the job & informed the team. I informed the duty manager, as it was a high priority job, and sat back down.

One of the others in the office commented "you have to do it, you can't pass it on to us." To which my opinion was that everyone else is having an easy time, I'm up to my eyeballs in stress, so they can take a running jump, it's not getting touched. I may of been a little bit verbal about that (in an open plan office), but it was kept reasonably professional.

That person then put in a formal complaint about me, because I refused to do the work, not because of my attitude. The result was a written instruction that I now have to do the work if I take the phone call, which whilst being a bummer, is acceptable. However, management disputed the fact that there was a complaint, stating that this change had been on the cards for a long time. I know for a fact that's a lie, the managers words were "no-one has complained directly to me" - which is true, they complained to a different manager.

Right, fast forward to today... the same person is being very off. To the point that the manager just asked them to cover one of the days when I'm on holiday.

When they found out that it was to cover me, they made it very obvious that under no circumstances would they cover the shift. I find this hillarious personally, and struggled to contain my laughter.

So now I'm faced with a conundrum. Do I inform the manager that I know they lied when I said I knew about the complaint, and effectively complain about this person's attitude, or do I let the issue just blow in the wind? If I was annoied by any of it, then I'd of let rip at the time, possibly following through on my threat to walk (well, I've done it before), but it's just funny that they'd act like that.

What do you think? Poll to follow...

Yes, but leave the other person out of it (for the time being).

Stop answering the phone....

Originally Posted by Sosha

Stop answering the phone....

That has crossed my mind, but I don't think it'd go down too well.

I am not sure what do you hope to get out of any of it though? What are you trying to achieve here...?

Originally Posted by TuonoGrant

I am not sure what do you hope to get out of any of it though? What are you trying to achieve here...?

Good question.

I suppose that's why it's a conundrum. If I knew what I wanted to achieve, chances are, I'd know how to go about it.

At first, I was slightly annoyed that my manager had blatantly lied about it all. The person who recieved the complaint, then talked to my manager about it on the quiet (but it was obvious the message had been passed on), which resulted in the email I received.

But then, when I received that email, I was geared up ready for the argument, and had already planned it all out about 5 steps ahead. I was expecting disciplinary action because of my refusal to take on work. The only thing I hadn't planned on, was what they did.

It's not even a case of wanting "1up" on anyone/the company. I started today with the thought of "it's a new day, lets not let the stresses of yesterday affect things today." Just found it very funny when a collegue acted so out of character, for them.

Maybe I'll just let things play out, and come back to the issue of the manager blatantly lieing later if needed. Not sure really.

OK we were posting at the same time So I deleted my post and this is the new one

In this case I wouldn't do anything then. Just be play it like a pro in the job and next time the ask you to cover someone just say you are busy and cannot take on more work

Originally Posted by 600+

In this case I wouldn't do anything then. Just be play it like a pro in the job and next time the ask you to cover someone just say you are busy and cannot take on more work

It's already a running joke that they never ask me to do overtime, or change my shifts, as I always decline politely.

I don't work for the money, I work to pay the bills, any extra time is spent with the family.

file it away and move on. upsetting management by calling them out over a lie will do nothing except make it harder to get holiday etc.

make a record of the situation somewhere, get copies (printed) of emails etc and make a record of the conversations now while they are still fresh.

if you have any further incidents do likewise and the draw all information together when needed and royal f*** them.

the long game is my favourite!

Originally Posted by custard

make a record of the situation somewhere, get copies (printed) of emails etc and make a record of the conversations now while they are still fresh.

if you have any further incidents do likewise and the draw all information together when needed and royal f*** them.

the long game is my favourite!

+1. I've been doing that for approx the last year. Anything & everything.

Not that long ago, someone went to appeal over a "release of contract" from this company. They got 3 times more than my yearly salary, in one lump payment.

Better odds than playing the lottery!

But then, I'm not scared of upsetting management, as the .Org has probably noticed from some of my previous threads.