How would you handle this (long)?

[Fishbone†]

One of the engineers I work for is kind of a goofball….. really nice, super helpful, but his “humor” is getting old. I know he doesn’t mean any harm, and he’s just being himself, but he switches things around on my desk (for those of you who don’t know, I like things in their place, and I keep my desk really neat….. it just makes the mornings that much less overwhelming), empties my stapler (every morning!!!), drops my chair to the floor, and turns my name plate upside down. EVERY MORNING!!!!

So, I wouldn’t really mind – afterall, I just fix it all and go on – but I hate trying to get my chair in a comfortable position again, and now the other day he broke the fishing pole off my little ceramic fishing Mickey Mouse. First, it’s MICKEY!!! Second, the pole was a thin wooden dowel and has splintered so it can’t be fixed. Third, since that was about a week ago, and he STILL hasn’t quit his “games” (even when I lamented the loss of my fishing pole), the broken piece of the pole is now missing. But most of all, this Mickey came from a friend who passed away from cancer a few years ago….. for those of you that were around, I got the Mickey from Stephanie (the one we sent to WDW with her three young kids the summer before she passed away). Anyway, I told him that story, and that I had gotten it from her hoping he would care…… I got one quick “sorry”, and that was it. AND HE STILL INSISTS ON MESSING WITH MY STUFF – INCLUDING MICKEY!!!

The thing is, I know he doesn’t mean any harm – he’s just a kid caught in an adult body, but it’s making me crazy. Like just now (while I was writing this), he came up to my desk. I asked if he knew where the pole was, and that I really wanted it back…. He just said “No, sorry”, and went on with his question for me. I’ve tried to tell him before that I didn’t like it when he dropped my seat (because it’s so frustrating trying to find “comfortable” again), but he just does this “Oh poor you” pouting lip, rubbing his eyes like he’s crying for me thing.

How do I tell him enough is enough without seeming like a whiney, moody, witchy, etc…. female (I am the only one in the office – all 37 engineers I work for are male)?

Or, am I just being a baby, and I should just roll my eyes and ignore him?? I think right now I’m mostly just sad about my fishing Mickey.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Once or twice is a child's pranks.

EVERY day, is almost harassment.

Also, this is your workspace. You are responsible for your work.
Also, he is messing with your personal property.

Even if he is a boy in an adults body, he is an 'adult' in the workplace.

Would it be possible to address this with the boss/supervisor???

 

[challada]

First off, "sorry" doesn't cut it my book for breaking something on someone's desk. If he doesn't offer to make it right, I would write a formal bill to him for it and get a copy to the boss.

While you are at it, you can also bill him for all the time it takes to restraighten your desk every day and get your chair in the right place. Give that one to the boss to w/the time added up for the whole year as I bet you will find it is hours and hours of time.

Finally, this guy sounds like the kind of "goofball" that just doesn't get it. You need to tell him in no uncertain terms "KNOCK IT OFF". I don't mean to say "please, I don't enjoy it", but actually tell him (in caps) "KNOCK IT OFF".

 

[Uncle Remus]

Just curious, does he do this to any of the male employees?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Yep, sounds like a possible crush. I have met many engineers who lack social skills.

You need to sit him down and tell him straight out that you do not like when he does this, and that it is now making you feel uncomfortable, and he needs to stop. Also tell him that if he does not stop you will have no choice but to go to a supervisor. Throw in some, you enjoy working with him, blah blah blah, but this you do not like and you don't want it to hurt your working relationship.

If he continues then do make the next step. Me, I would just yell at him, but that's me and I am mean.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I hope you watch "The Office" It sounds like you would appreciate it...!

I would mention it to the supervisor. It's not fair to you. And it does border on harrassment.

 

[ericamanda01]

I have to agree, once or twice is a joke, but everyday is out of control. He is not only wasting your time, but company time. I would speak to a supervisor, because he obvisously isn't going to take you serious. Is that how he treats you in regards to work related matters as well? I hope not. This guy doesn't sound like he is childish, he sounds like a jerk.

 

[Rajah]

Heck no, you're not just being a baby. I would tell him in no uncertain terms that you've had enough, and if he doesn't stop, then go to management. He's obviously not "getting it" with the polite approach.

 

[VSL]

Once or twice is a child's pranks.

EVERY day, is almost harassment.

Also, this is your workspace. You are responsible for your work.
Also, he is messing with your personal property.

Even if he is a boy in an adults body, he is an 'adult' in the workplace.

Would it be possible to address this with the boss/supervisor???

I have to agree.

This guy is really harassing you (IMO) and breaking your stuff is totally unacceptable.

And this is v.good advice too:

First off, "sorry" doesn't cut it my book for breaking something on someone's desk. If he doesn't offer to make it right, I would write a formal bill to him for it and get a copy to the boss.

While you are at it, you can also bill him for all the time it takes to restraighten your desk every day and get your chair in the right place. Give that one to the boss to w/the time added up for the whole year as I bet you will find it is hours and hours of time.

Finally, this guy sounds like the kind of "goofball" that just doesn't get it. You need to tell him in no uncertain terms "KNOCK IT OFF". I don't mean to say "please, I don't enjoy it", but actually tell him (in caps) "KNOCK IT OFF".

He sounds like a complete idiot to me (to be perfectly blunt).

 

[dawnsb]

I deal with someone like that daily except he is a newbie just out of college. I think he is trying to force people to talk with him by doing annoying things each day. He turns my nameplate upside down daily; for someone else he takes a pencil from the desk and plays hide and seek with it.

I don't know what to suggest as nothing here has ever been broken, but I believe a short chat with the boss wouldn't be out of line.

Dawn

 

[Daxx]

I agree ... this is beyond just being funny. The next time it happens, I'd tell him that it stopped being funny a long time ago and that you'll take it to HR if he doesn't stop. If it continues, follow through on your threat and go to HR! Good luck!

 

[SC Minnie]

I agree ... this is beyond just being funny. The next time it happens, I'd tell him that it stopped being funny a long time ago and that you'll take it to HR if he doesn't stop. If it continues, follow through on your threat and go to HR! Good luck!

ITA This is harrassment now. You have told him to stop and he continues.