Would like opinion on a work situation - Update pg 2

[Maleficent13]

One of my good friends and I work at the same company. He turned in his resignation last week, with a 4 week notice as required per policy. There were many reasons for his doing this, the primary one being he is returning to school. Unfortunately, he has a big personality conflict with his supervisor (another reason he is leaving) and now that he has resigned she (and other higher-ups whom she reports to) have decided he is some kind of threat or something (I think they are afraid of sabotage or rallying the troops against the establishment - honestly, I'm not sure what they're afraid of). They have not asked him to leave, but they are monitoring his emails and telephone calls, as well as any verbal conversations they can hear.

My problem is this: because they are aware we are friends, they are monitoring me as well. They think I am in cahoots with him about something (again, not sure what their conspiracy theory is exactly). I have never been anything but loyal to the company I work for, and I produce the results they want. I am feeling angry at being mistrusted when I have done nothing to be mistrusted for (and would not).

I know they are monitoring me because the people who actually are doing the monitoring are also friends of mine and they wanted to warn me I'm being watched. Although I was doing a good job of remaining neutral throughout my friend's issues, I almost feel a loss of loyalty because of what the establishment is doing. I am angry and not sure if I'm overreacting or not. I knew the DISers would have lots of opinions on it though, so I thought I'd vent and ask!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I would be upset as well. They should not be doing all that when you have never given them a reason to feel that you are a threat.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Do you work for the government? The whole place sounds really paranoid. I would probably do nothing to make waves, and document everything that you do.

What a negative environment. Good luck!

 

[CindysGusGus]

Wow Mal, you are in a tough position. Because the people who are monitoring told you it would get them in trouble if you said anything. But if I were you I would be fuming. You have done nothing wrong and guilt by association is rediculous. Outside of work I would let your friend who is leaving know what is going on and go about your business as usual. They will most likely see there is nothing to worry about and move on. I hope it gets better for you.

 

[Missy1961]

I think I would go to one of the higher ups and ask if you are being monitored because of your relationship with your friend. If they say no, say "gee, I feel like I'm being watched." If they say yes, ask "why? are you not happy with my work? have I done anything to make you distrust me?" I wouldn't put up with that crap. I'd let them know you are upset with their attitude and that what they are doing isn't fair. Are you a member of a union? If not, what is your HR dept. like? Are they fair? If so, maybe you can go to them. I wonder if this treatment is allowed. It certainly doesn't seem fair.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I suppose you could look at the bright side...at least you are aware of behind the scenes now. They might do this thing often and you aren't aware of it.

Or if I think about I suppose what is happening is that the super wants to exact some type of justice so she is monitoring trying to "catch" something. Be impeccable so when he leaves everyone knows she is crazy.

Or they are bored as heck and need something to focus on so he is the "it" man for it.

 

[minniecarousel]

eek! Are you DISing from work? If you are, you might want to stop now. Regardless of what company policy is regarding surfing the WEB while working, I'd maintain a low profile until he's out of there. I'm not saying that you have anything to be guilty about, but just to be on the safe side.

 

[Maleficent13]

Missy1961: we are not unionized and I believe it is the HR department who is driving the monitoring situation.

I'm not worried because I know they will find nothing because there is nothing to find. However, I am just plain PO'd and wondering if I even want to stay at my job knowing what I know now.

 

[CEDmom]

I think I would just tough it out until your friend leaves. As hard as it must be just keep reminding yourself it's only for a few weeks.

Unfortunately, this isn't all that unusual. I've actually had coworkers escorted from the building after they've resigned. Of course they were paid for their 2 weeks but the company wasn't going to take any chances. What most companies fail to realize though is that if you were planning on doing something like taking copies of client files before leaving you most likely would have done so before resigning.

Good luck and hang tough.

 

[Doug123]

Don't you know that you are supposed to be loyal to the company, but they don't have to be loyal to you?

Don't you know that they can make decisions based on rumor and gossip, but if you're found participating in it you'll be punished? The exception comes when you spread rumor or gossip to your higher-ups; then it's praised and encouraged.

Don't you know that you have to give the company weeks of notice when you leave, but they can fire you on the spot and you'll be gone in five minutes, never to return?

Bottomline, there's a double standard. I would just keep my mouth shut and try to do my job. Unless you have hard evidence that they suspect you of something, you'll get no where by approaching them.

 

[orvilleair]

Maybe he has a "non compete" clause in his contract and the supervisors don't believe his reason for leaving. They are afraid that your friend will start up a competing business, and your employer is monitoring everyone's correspondence. The employer might be afraid that he will attempt to take away more of the talent.

I've seen staff give my employer a reason for leaving and totally do the opposite working for our competitor. I didn't tell my ex boss the real reason why I left his company either.

Keep a low profile and at least the other coworkers have told you whats going on.

 

[danacara]

I would be peeved, I would definitely keep a low profile, but I think that more than anything I would retaliate by being almost jokingly easy to "monitor." 9 AM, I'd send an email to myself, "I am here." 5:01 PM, "I am here." 12:01 PM, "I am going to lunch." I'd hang my coat perfectly and conspicuously. I would have cheesy water cooler conversations about nothing. It would help me feel better about the whole situation.

 

[LuvTigger]

What a tough situation. Personally, I would have a really hard time continuing to work for a company that did that to me. While it is nice that your friends gave you a heads up, I would be a little ticked that they didn't stick up for me and tell whoever is requesting the monitoring that it isn't necessary.

It all depends on your personality, as you can see we all have different ways of handling things, but if the monitoring continues even after your friend leaves, I would say something, starting with the immediate supervisor, then working my way up if necessary. I personally believe in openness in the workplace as much as possible, and would prefer to be confronted directly if they thought I was involved in something.

Good luck with the situation, and keep us posted.

 

[Maleficent13]

Originally posted by danacara
I would be peeved, I would definitely keep a low profile, but I think that more than anything I would retaliate by being almost jokingly easy to "monitor." 9 AM, I'd send an email to myself, "I am here." 5:01 PM, "I am here." 12:01 PM, "I am going to lunch." I'd hang my coat perfectly and conspicuously. I would have cheesy water cooler conversations about nothing. It would help me feel better about the whole situation.

I love this plan! I am going to implement it immediately!

Actually, I had thought about going about my business sending emails to people (email is our primary way of communicating at my office) and at the end of them writing "Hi, Mary!" (the person doing the monitoring).

 

[danacara]

Ha, so glad you like!

 

[Maleficent13]

Well, they informed my friend this morning that they would not be requiring him to work out any more of his notice and he was to leave immediately. So he did. Immediately afterwards, his supervisor came up to talk to my supervisor behind closed doors.

I called my supervisor on it, and she agreed there is no need to monitor me and she is not and would not sanction it. But there's still no way to know if HR is or not. So for awhile I'm operating under the assumption that they are. I am hoping it will calm down soon though.

The sad thing is, there is really no need for all this animosity. My supervisor told me things that my friend supposedly did that I know are ridiculous and made up. It is unfortunate that his department is so riddled with personal issues that they are all out to get one another. I am very glad my department is not like that. I am hoping this will all pass soon and my name will be removed from the gossip circles.

Thanks for all the advice!