Co-workers and errands at lunchtime - Update pg 2

[Hillbeans]

Ugh...does anyone else have lazy co-workers? It's bad enough when you have to do work for them on the job, however I work with someone who constantly is trying to get me to do all of their errands on my lunch break. If i'm going out, i'm asked to go to the bank, cleaners, supermarkets, buy cards,etc.

I started firmly saying no, however then I feel like i'm being mean. The kicker was when one asked me to get a Mother's day card the friday before Mothers Day...I bought my cards a week before and WAS NOT going anywhere near Hallmark on the busiest day of the year.

 

[tkyes]

Are you kidding me???? wow!!

I would never dream of asking someone to run errands for me. My friends at work and I will offer to pick something up if we are going to Target or grab lunch for the other if they can't get out, but that's it. I would never go out of my way for someone else at lunch, that's rediculous!

You are NOT being mean!! You're right, they are lazy. There are rare circumstances where people can't run errands at lunch, but that's their problem.

You can start charging them mileage and a service fee, you could make some money off of them

 

[ibouncetoo]

....I like that idea! Make up a flyer that you are starting a side business as 'personal assistant' and show a hefty charge for errands and shopping, then put it on their desks!

 

[cinmell]

Originally posted by Hillbeans
If i'm going out, i'm asked to go to the bank, cleaners, supermarkets, buy cards,etc.

I can't believe people ask you to do this! I would never ask anyone to do my errands. You're not being mean at all!

 

[monkeyboy]

Well as long as you are running out...I need stamps

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I know. At my job, I usually take my lunch break first and everyone wants me to pick them up something to eat too, at places different from where I'm going. So, I usually run around my whole hour and have like 10 mins to eat while they have their whole hour! I have got to start saying No!

 

[Hillbeans]

Originally posted by monkeyboy
Well as long as you are running out...I need stamps

LOL - you hit the nail on the head. Sometimes i'm just going there to mail a letter, and a co-worker asks me to wait on line, use their credit card and buy them stamps. So much for my 2 second trip to the P.O.

I'm sort of a doormat if you haven't noticed. Not anymore though...

 

[tkyes]

I wouldn't tell anyone where I was going! Bring a book with you and say you are going to go read out in your car. Then take off! And don't look back! lol

 

[Hillbeans]

Please, and believe me i'm not against going to Subway and getting someone at my work a sandwich from there, however it's all of these side things "on the way" that get me. People think if it's within 5 miles, it's right on your way.

Imagine asking someone to go buy you a Mothers Day card....

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by tkyes
I wouldn't tell anyone where I was going!....

How about just a nap in the car??

 

[Rajah]

Um, no. You're not being mean at all. They're being rude.

Only thing I *might* pick up for others in that situation is extra meals at the same place I'm going (like Subway). Otherwise, they can go out on their *own* lunch hours.

 

[shatzjsl]

I'll gladly pick up lunch for someone if they want it from the same place I'm going, but run errands for them. Nope. I have a hard time saying no but that would probably be easy for me!

 

[Hillbeans]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
How about just a nap in the car??

LOL - Dan, you're fresh! Didn't think i'd get let off the hook for that one from a few months ago. I think about that post all the time and how MAD everyone got at me!

 

[DVC-Don]

We have a rather "large" lady here who is like this. Never goes out for anything for herself. It's always "Where you going?" as you head for the door. Then no mater where you are going she always has a request. Even to the rest room "Bring me back some tissue" We even have an ant problem with her work area as her desk drawers are half full of various foods. She is supposed to retire at the end of this year, we hope. If we are going out of the building she always asks to pick her up something up to eat "And I'll give you enough to get something for yourself". I can't stand her.

 

[CheshireVal]

I pride myself that I'm very good at saying 'no' to those kinds of requests. Actually, I don't usually just say no, I lie and come up with some excuse why I can't.....

 

[tkyes]

lol Dan! I was going to suggest that, I love my car naps, but I didn't want to start anything!

 

[Hillbeans]

Well, i'm off to the bank...anyone need any checks cashed or dry cleaning picked up?? LOL.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Hillbeans
Well, i'm off to the bank...anyone need any checks cashed or dry cleaning picked up?? LOL.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I will pick up food for someone if it is from the same place I am going, but that's about it. Even that gets to be a pain in the backside because nobody ever has anything less than a 10 dollar bill and it's usually the person who gets the food who is out the change. Not a big deal, but during the course of the year it adds up.

 

[Hillbeans]

Unreal...today I realized it was 1:55 so I ran next store to the Deli near my building to get a sandwich and my co-worker actually "yelled" at me for not getting her anything nor asking. She actually told me in front of my other co-workers how could I go and not ask her if she wanted anything.....I was speechless.

I decided next week to do the same to her, that's the only way I can see dealing with this....

I really must be bringing this on myself, because she doesn't say it to anyone else and i'm a nice guy. Please help!!!!! I'm going to have to say something to her