Co-workers making offensive comments...

[clh2]

I was at work today, and found this conversation to be somewhat offensive. FWIW, we are in the purchasing department of a very large employer, which is an office area that many employees go in and out of every day, as well as vendors.

Person 1: My stomach is upset, I feel like I need a laxative.

Person 2: A laxative won't fix an upset stomach.

Person 3: You don't want to take a laxative, you'll end up with mud butt.

While person 1's comment was TMI, person 3's just was offensive to me.

Luckily, I have an office, so I just closed my door. Later in the day, when it was just me and person 1,2 &3's supervisor, I mentioned the conversation to the supervisor. The supervisor also mentioned that that type of conversation should not be occurring, since no one can see who is in the office. Then their supervisor asked me if I said anything to them, and I said no. The reason - I don't supervise anyone - and, quite honestly - it should be the supervisor that should be the one to say something. This supervisor and I both report to a different individual who is out of the office until next Tuesday, or I would have mentioned it to my boss.

I guess more than anything, I wish my coworkers would just "grow-up," the conversations in general are very unprofessional.

Thanks- I knew I could vent here.

 

[dmslush]

What do you do for a living?

 

[clh2]

What do you do for a living?

I am a pricing and analyze various contracts. I meet with many different vendors, analyze pricing proposals, negotiate T&C's, upload pricing into the purchasing system.

Person 1,2 and 3 are buyers.

 

[Annie68]

I wouldn't venture to the nursing stations on the floors if I were you, we get into some interesting conversations! Occupational hazard.

Funny story....my 2 sisters are nurses, DH is a Firefighter/Medic, and brother is an Optometrist. We took my parents out to dinner for their anniversary one year & the conversation turned to interesting things that we had seen at work. We can be oblivious to those around us at times, and were really getting into the conversation. A man gets up, walks over to our table & loudly says "DO YOU MIND?!" We felt terrible! Now my BIL (who is a Mechanic) will stop us before things get out of hand.

 

[lulugirl]

You actually reported them for this? Seriously?

 

[Cindyluwho]

OH, wow! You were eavesdropping and you got offended by what you heard? Oh my!
You were inside your office, they were having a private conversation. I understand that you could overhear them but.....it was THEIR conversation.

 

[RobinMarie]

I think you should add the word VENT to your title.

 

[sweet angel]

It's a damn good thing you don't work in my office! We've had conversations about farts, snot, poop, periods, etc.

Oh, and it's a law firm.

 

[dmslush]

It's a damn good thing you don't work in my office! We've had conversations about farts, snot, poop, periods, etc.

Oh, and it's a law firm.

LOL, add intimate relations to that list and you have my job!

 

[chager]

I work in a credit union...this sounds like a conversation that could very easily have taken place there! maybe stuff like that doesn't bother me becuase of my friends DH and friends are very into gore, haunted attractions, and how it all works. We have had some very interesting conversations in public. Including where the best places are to bury someone if you kill them.....the graveyard, in a fresh grave The best way to make yourself up like a dead person. All the way to some bodily functions. We are a group aged anywhere from 25 -40!
At work we know who gets offended by what so we are careful about what is said when. Maybe you could just let them know that stuff like that bothers you. I have certain subjects that are hotpoints for me. If someone hits on one I just let them know nicely that it bugs me when they talk about in front of me. It's worth a try anywhos!

 

[MrsNick]

I work in a credit union...this sounds like a conversation that could very easily have taken place there! maybe stuff like that doesn't bother me becuase of my friends DH and friends are very into gore, haunted attractions, and how it all works. We have had some very interesting conversations in public. Including where the best places are to bury someone if you kill them.....the graveyard, in a fresh grave The best way to make yourself up like a dead person. All the way to some bodily functions. We are a group aged anywhere from 25 -40!
At work we know who gets offended by what so we are careful about what is said when. Maybe you could just let them know that stuff like that bothers you. I have certain subjects that are hotpoints for me. If someone hits on one I just let them know nicely that it bugs me when they talk about in front of me. It's worth a try anywhos!

I agree. I would speak to them about it first before bringing it up to their supervisor. Sometimes people don't know that they're offending you, but if you just let them know, they'll be more conscious of it. I would go that route first, and then if they were jerks about it after that, I would bring it up to someone up the chain of command.

 

[Beth76]

You actually reported them for this? Seriously?

This is EXACTLY what I was going to say.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I wouldn't think that "tattling" would be very conducive to work relations. Just my 2 cents.

 

[preb]

I work with 25 women and agree...this would be a tame conversation in our office!

 

[Sparx]

"mud butt" is offensive? wow. Thats a nice, and colourful way of saying it. Honestly you were evesdropping, and you don't really need to be offeneded, they weren't talking to you. why did you report them? seems like a waste of time.

 

[Marseeya]

"mud butt" is offensive? wow. Thats a nice, and colourful way of saying it. Honestly you were evesdropping, and you don't really need to be offeneded, they weren't talking to you. why did you report them? seems like a waste of time.

ITA.

I hate living in a world where we have to worry about every little thing that pops out of our mouths for fear of offending somebody's delicate sensibilities. My belief is that we don't have an absolute right to go through life not being offended.

 

[bettyann29]

While this isnt something that I would report to a supervisor, I would say something to that person. but I still think its inappropriate.. I wouldnt say OP was eavesdropping either.. To me eavesdropping is purposely listening to someones conversation without them knowing it.. OP was just able to hear it from their office- not like they were sitting there trying to hear it.. In past I have heard all kinds of things by others at work, that doesnt mean I want to hear that crap, nor does it make it appropriate..

 

[disney4us2002]

I don't really think the conversation was particularly offensive but if you did, then just let them know that their words can be overheard and could offend passersby.

Several people have commented on the eavesdropping aspect and I have to disagree. Several years ago we had sexual harassment training at work and we were told that if we tell a "dirty" joke and it's overheard and offends someone, the eavesdropper could file a SH suit against us. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

So someone finds a phrase offensive then proceeds to post that phrase on a family message board? You can't make this stuff up!

 

[Marseeya]

So someone finds a phrase offensive then proceeds to post that phrase on a family message board? You can't make this stuff up!

I didn't even think of that!