Adults and Tattling at Work

[Maleficent13]

I didn't want to derail the other thread with my rant, as they're discussing kids, but for the record:

I don't care if Amy has headphones on. I don't care if Hannah is wearing flip flops. I don't care if John came in at 8:02. I don't care if Mike said my skirt was ugly. I don't care if Jen answered her cell at her desk before walking to the hall.

And here's the other thing: even if I DO care, you'll never know it. I'm not discussing the discipline of other employees with you. It's none of your business. Period. I'm not going to give you a wink and a smile to indicate you've single handedly brought down the headphone listening, flip flop wearing, ugly skirt calling, cell phone using personification of evil.

That is all.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

LOL!! I love it!! Seriously, unless it is actually making for a miserable work environment or affects your ability to do your job, stop stirring up drama where there isn't any.

I think it's a diversion tactic so people won't notice the whiner's incompetence.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

Ahhhh, you just reminded me about everything I used to love about working in an office.

NOT!

 

[momrek06]

Very well said, M13!!!! ITA!!!!

 

[SCHBR'smom]

That's great!

You know, some people need drama to be happy, and if there isn't any, they create it.

 

[Stacerita]

When those to report to me come with those things, I just want to scream "get out of the sandbox or play nice!!" I hate the tattling. I know who does what and when. I don't need you to do it for me.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I remember reading a book that was about communications styles (can't remember the name, this was years ago now) and the author described some research done among preschool-aged children in different cultures. They found that even as young as 3 or 4, kids in some cultures were all about drama! In country A, if one child took another child's crayon, that child would go over, grab the crayon back, and that would be it. In country B, if one child took another child's crayon, the child who lost the crayon would complain to the other kids at his table, they'd all get together and hatch a plan to steal crayons from the child who took the first crayon, kids would take sides, someone would tell the teacher (with great emotion and drama), and the resulting carrying-on could last for hours, with plenty of yelling and emotion, etc.

I found it very entertaining to read about how these behaviours were so clear even in very young children. So yes, when we say that some people NEED drama and will stir it up when there isn't any - apparently that's quite true!

Teresa

 

[Cantw8]

I'll bet you'd care if someone started breathing Hostess orange cupcakes on you...I'm just sayin'

 

[raysnkaysmom]

sometimes, the work place is like a kindergarten class... so petty it drives me crazy!

 

[Shadow Dancer]

I'll bet you'd care if someone started breathing Hostess orange cupcakes on you...I'm just sayin'

Oh I those Hostess orange cupcakes.

I will send my good friend Mal a big box tomorrow!

 

[Cantw8]

Oh I those Hostess orange cupcakes.

I will send my good friend Mal a big box tomorrow!

I wish I worked with her, I would fill the vending machine with them

 

[Maleficent13]

Well, sure. Orange cupcakes are a *serious* offense.

Someone said to me the other day it was like babysitting 5 year olds. I disagree; more like babysitting 13 year olds. You can usually get a 5 year old to cooperate with persistance.

And threatening to make them eat orange cupcakes if they don't.

 

[DawnCt1]

I'll bet you'd care if someone started breathing Hostess orange cupcakes on you...I'm just sayin'

Or burnt popcorn in the microwave!

 

[flying_babyb]

we have this problem too. My boss gets so sick of the cellphone, shoe, shirt, bra tattling. We have so much tatling but then again I work with ALL women!

 

[Maleficent13]

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Once things get completely out of control in our office (in the past -- that supervisor is now gone) she would tell us that we should have told her what was going on so she could have done something about it. When you did go to her with a problem, she'd tell you she'd take care of it and never would. My issue is with people who just get up and leave 45 minutes -1 hour early and never say a word, but you get stuck doing their work, answering their phones, etc. Same thing for people who take 1-1/2 - 2 hour lunches. Do whatever you want, but DON'T expect me to do your job cause when the s**t hits the fan, I'm pointing that fan right back in your direction.

 

[NMAmy]

Dagnabit! Who told you I was wearing headphones? THAT is a baldfaced lie. And I want to know who is spreading rumors about me. SHEESH!

My staff does not do this. Thank heavens.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Do whatever you want, but DON'T expect me to do your job cause when the s**t hits the fan, I'm pointing that fan right back in your direction.

This isn't tattling. This is a work production issue and needs to be raised to the boss.

As long as the work gets done by the individual it's supposed to be done by, I personally don't care about anyone else.
Wear your headphones, flip flops, shorts, etc. It's an HR issue and NOT mine.

I used to work with a bunch of tattlers. We had a boss that encouraged it and gossiped about everyone. I was so grateful to get out of there.

 

[Evil Genius]

I work with a tattler and she knows I know it. I've called her on going to the boss with stupid stuff and she plays dumb. At least own up to your pettiness.

 

[lovetoscrap]

You really should protect the identity of the tattler and give them a way to air their issues in a completely confidential way. So you need a "Tattle Box". They can fill out a card with the name and issue and then deposit it in the box so you can review them in private and don't even need to know who made the complaint.


I recommend this model: