Back in the office today after xmas, and being ridiculed. I’ve been keeping my head down trying to avoid the conversations, but when pushed to reply to what I ‘got’ for xmas my answer of a £20 Mountain Warehouse voucher from my inlaws being my only gift was laughed at, and the Bubble and Squeak I made Boxing day morning including the left over sprouts and parsnips being the highlight of my break received the same reaction. Is thumping a work colleague a Criminal or Civil offence?
I think causing actual bodily harm comes under criminal law. Verbal abuse in the workplace however, comes under employment law, so your response should be to sue your employer for not doing enough to prevent your victimisation Andy
It’s particularly galling as the answer I wanted to give to both questions and didn’t was – Not being here with you lot for nearly 2 weeks.
You might joke Andy, but being a big US based corporation we all actually have a button on our desktops called Speak_up. It's there to give you instant access to report anything, from any concerns you have about procedures etc being ignored to being abused by another employee etc.
I'm sure its a criminal offense. Your colleagues are allowed to take the piss, but they aren't supposed to hit you aswell!
I'd be happy with just bubble @Nasher You can't control other people (bellends) all you can control are your reactions.
Been there, got the t-shirt. An awful situation to be in, you have my sympathy. Stand up to be counted and you are the one accused of being the square peg in a round hole. Andy
Even this is potentially complicated (as you well know already). Two of us so far have added a "funny" reaction to your above post, but speaking for myself, it's a case of hopefully laughing with you, rather than at you, and i'm guessing that you will know which of these applies to your colleagues, and it's this that makes all the difference and a clue to their intentions, be it passive blah blah etc or lighthearted and unintentional (you have to be there in order to try and decide for starters).
While no one is looking tip their lockers over at 45 degree, carefully put back. Then watch next morning when they open their locker and everything falls on the floor.
Office politics...humans can be utterly disgusting people at times...especially in groups were poor behaviour is normalised. Step back and take the high road is a long and lonely path, but is the only way I believe.
I hope no one asks me what I got then, I work alone and I’m a miserable sod though so i doubt it will be an issue.
Thanks all. If I wanted to I could make something of this but don't want to join in or be as bad as the rest of them. But will keep it up my sleeve as it's upset me far more than it would normally or should have. Last year was possibly the worst year in my working life, as early on in the summer one of the same colleagues hit the Speak_up button as they were offended when I said "oh FFS(in full)" to a visitor at my desk who was letting me know somebody else had ruined something I'd been working on for a couple of weeks. I had 3 Gross misconduct hearings with Group HR, over 4 weeks, and was nearly out on my ear with no severance pay. But finding another job at 58yrs old on good pay for a 4 day 30hr week with a great Pension and Bupa etc isn't easy. I'll do my Porridge for another couple of years!
a good way of putting it (do your porridge) As others have said, when "grounded" "we" can roll with the punches, take the jokes and insults, and more, but because we are human we "show our bellies" just now and then, sometimes by accident - and that's when the worst ****s often strike, with an incredibly intuitively accurate sense of timing.
I agree with this Nasher, (doing your porridge), everyone is different, so it's your own ability to cope and to know that you are coping. The moment you can tell that you are not coping though...imo you must walk asap... mental health and all that.
Hurty words are much more serious these days. He should dial 999 and they’ll have a helicopter and SO19 there in no time
Exactly - (c) Marcus Aurelius So @Nasher enjoy & be proud of your character because I bet there are few there who secretly wish they could be the same. As @Ducbird has said Christmas is all about happiness & love and not 'stuff' and there's nothing offensive about mentioning that to colleagues.
PC gone mad imo. "FFS" as a response is imo to be expected if someone destroys a couple of weeks work. I know for for sure thats what the owner, directors & senior management said when they were told! But as the saying goes, don't let the bastards drag you down Nasher, you are at least as good as any of them and probably *far better than most. *way the fuck
again, due to the average age on here, I'm certain that many of us have stories similar Andy. I remember asking for a transfer once in a fairly big company such was the misery. Taking all my effort not to swear here, glad it's all behind me. Power-hungry, look-at-me, egotistical little Hitlers.
