How would you react to this?? (work-place situation)

[SeaSpray]

In a professional office setting, someone tells you to "..get back to your desk, sit on your 3-lettered word for behind, and do your work!"

A few specifics to put it into perspective:
Person being spoken to was away from their desk asking a legitimate work question.
Person who said the above had a few people around their desk discussing current events, Japan, Lybia, etc.
Person who said the above does not have any kind of authority over the person they said it to; in other words not a boss-employee situation.

How bad do you think the above comment was?? Would it warrant the person who said it's dismissal or any kind of repercussion? If you were the person who said it, would you worry that you might've just jeapardized your job? If you were the person to whom it was said, would you let someone in a senior position know about it??

Thanks... I'm interested to see what people think about this...

 

[ChattaAlley]

Wow. I would be livid if this was said to me even if it was a boss. Although our bosses could get fired for this. First, I would go to my manager then if there were a human resources office I would report to them. I would give them the list of other employees who heard this.

I would try not to say too much (it would be hard) just so it wouldn't come back on that person.

 

[Planogirl]

I would report it. I don't think that it's worthy of a dismissal but this other employee needs a talking to.

Why did this person say anything? I don't see what would bring on such a comment particularly such a nasty one.

 

[SeaSpray]

I would report it. I don't think that it's worthy of a dismissal but this other employee needs a talking to.

Why did this person say anything? I don't see what would bring on such a comment particularly such a nasty one.

The person who said it was enjoying their conversation with the other employees when the second employee walked over to their desk to discuss something work-related. The person who said it didn't want to interrupt their conversation with the other employees, to address the work-related issue. The person who said it thought they were being "witty" apparently, in an attempt to look like a big shot.

P.S. Second employee was actually walking away when first employee made the remark.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'd report it to my manager and/or HR.

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, that is pathetic. I don't see it as remotely witty.

 

[themilesfamily]

I can't think of any work setting or situation where that would be appropriate.

I'd report it and I'd want an apology if it were said to me.

 

[Brit17]

The person who said it was enjoying their conversation with the other employees when the second employee walked over to their desk to discuss something work-related. The person who said it didn't want to interrupt their conversation with the other employees, to address the work-related issue. The person who said it thought they were being "witty" apparently, in an attempt to look like a big shot.

P.S. Second employee was actually walking away when first employee made the remark.

That's what I was going to ask - did the person who said it just think he/she was being funny and joking around? or was he/she being serious? ... in other words, what was his/her tone? ...

 

[SeaSpray]

That's what I was going to ask - did the person who said it just think he/she was being funny and joking around? or was he/she being serious? ... in other words, what was his/her tone? ...

I was there. The tone was very rude and very demeaning to the second employee. Very dismissive, as if the second employee was truly bothering the first.

If it had been said with a laugh, I don't think there'd be a real issue, even though the choice of words was not good, especially in an office environment.

 

[Brit17]

I was there. The tone was very rude and very demeaning to the second employee. Very dismissive, as if the second employee was truly bothering the first.

If it had been said with a laugh, I don't think there'd be a real issue, even though the choice of words was not good, especially in an office environment.

I agree, if it were said with a laugh then I'd probably just dismiss it, even though it was still inappropriate ... but since it was not said jokingly, then I would definitely report it to my manager or HR person ...

 

[rn4val]

I would report it for sure. Maybe the employee who made the comment needs to find a different place to work. Not professional behavior at all.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Not enough information. It depends on the working relationship. Is someone in my office said it to me, it was probably tongue-in-cheek and I would take it in stride.

 

[momof1princess]

totally rude and inappropriate, especially since the employee who said it was goofing off on company time (WHO needs to do their work?), while the person who asked the question was TRYING to do his/her job and the employee who said it has no authority over the employee who asked the question. i'd definitely be reporting the person who made the remark-some sort of disciplinary action needs to be taken.

 

[DebbieB]

It's hard to say without knowing the entire job relationship. Sometimes the repercussions could make life even worse. If I was this person, I would discuss it with their boss to have it on record, not go to HR right away.

 

[happygirl]

I need more info, to vague for me

 

[cm8]

Not enough information. It depends on the working relationship. Is someone in my office said it to me, it was probably tongue-in-cheek and I would take it in stride.

No one ever has the right to disrespect another individual joking or not.

Cursing is a big no-no for me so playfully, I'd lay that person right out on the floor and see if he or she still found it witty

Yeah, not a chance but it would have me and to them that would not be witty but humiliating and embarrassing and

 

[RadioNate]

I'd need more info. At face value I wondered if it was supposed to be a joke. While it wasn't funny and pretty inappropriate, I know people who would say something like that while trying to be funny.

 

[Minnie]

In an office setting this is totally inappropriate and not at all funny....

Now I used to work for a construction company and something similar but back to your machine, etc would be pretty common so I'm not thin skinned...

 

[dislaney]

I wouldn't want it said to me or would I say it to anyone. Not appropriate.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I think no one should have to deal with that joking or not but anyways ................I'm curious.............the person the comment was said to...what was thier reaction? What was the reaction of the people that were around the desk listening to the Japan conversation?

Like I always say the workplace is a place to be serious and not joke around cuz ya never know