# OK, so my boss is reading my coworker's email . . .
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [June 13, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605 "2003-06-13T16:16:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 7
### Author:  [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/121 "2003-06-17T14:25:13Z")
Tell the truth now, are you worried that the Old Guy did something to your co-worker, or that your co-worker did something to the Old Guy?
With a history of co-worker _and_ client complaints, she indeed sounds mentally unstable. Maybe that’s one of the reasons she hasn’t been fired – the company is trying to meet accommodation obligations (or at least try).
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### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/122 "2003-06-17T14:27:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Goo \*
> \*\*
> She was fired.
> Apparently she spent the missing four months in jail.
> \*\*
A cow-orker of mine years ago had previously been in prison for murder (before I ever met him). When he was released he came back for his job but had been fired. The case went to arbitration (Unions and all). He won the case because the company didn’t fire him for being absent, they fired him for committing murder. Which is not against the rules. Had they fired him for missing work it probably would have held up.
Back to the main thread, has it not occurred to any of you that she may well be back in Port Charles where she is suffering from amnesia and married to Biff? She just doesn’t remember her old life and may not remember it all until next season when she is kidnapped by terrorists. You really have to consider every possibility.
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### Author:  [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/123 "2003-06-17T14:33:39Z")
Gawd auntie em, I’ve scanned my KC Star avidly today but nothing in it resembles this situation.
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### Author:  [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/124 "2003-06-17T14:44:14Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by ShibbOleth \*
> \*\*they fired him for committing murder. Which is not against the rules. \*\*
:rolleyes:
Reminds me of a Dilbert cartoon. At a meeting the boss was reading a memo to the engineers: "The new company policy is not to allow any dangerous weapons, attacks on personnel, etc.:
To which Dilbert quipped “Excuse me, what was the policy before this?”
Zev Steinhardt
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### Author:  [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/125 "2003-06-17T14:44:30Z")
I may be having that nagging “she’ll be back” feeling due to scads of history with my sister. I guess after a while you just get jaded. Like I mentioned, I really do hope I’m right; I wouldn’t want any harm to befall her, regardless of her past actions.
I just know that every time for years, when my sister would go on her tangents, my whole family would be beside themselves, myself included, and always for nothing. Great that it _was_ for nothing, but after awhile, you just came to figure out the ending. I honestly hope this is one of those cases.
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### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/126 "2003-06-17T14:47:50Z")
**auntie em,** What happens when you call Missing Coworker’s cell phone? Did anyone leave her voice mail so that if she checks her messages she’ll be aware that people are looking for her?
Since her car is still at home, it’s obvious that she went somewhere with somebody. Have you told the police about Missing Meter Man?
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### Author:  [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/127 "2003-06-17T14:47:50Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by auntie em \*
> \*\*I think we’ve _all_ been watching too much Law & Order! \*\*
Forget Law & Order–think of it in terms of Scooby Doo!
Find the monster that’s been ravaging your part of Oz, trick him into chasing after one of your wacky pups, spring a trap (maybe the trap will go awry, but dems da’ breaks when Scooby Dooing), capture the beast, take off its mask and discover that the kindly old Meter Guy is behind the terror after all!
Your co-worker will be found tied up in a warehouse. Or she’ll be in on it, too.
Either way, much more fun than Law & Order. Oh, and better theme song, too.
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### Author:  [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/128 "2003-06-17T14:50:40Z")
**Contrary** , if it’s shown up anywhere, it’d most likely be in the[Capital Journal](http://www.cjonline.com), but I don’t see it there, either (though frankly, I have a helluva time searching that thing).
And **Shibb** , how long was the guy put away for? Holy crap!
**Eats Crayons** , one of my former coworkers and Missing Coworker used to fight like two well-hung cats in a box. At one point, after one of their knock-down-drag-outs (and the involvement of my boss therein) regarding a collaborative project, Missing Coworker came into my office and said something to the effect that my boss knew when he hired her that she had a “disability” (the implication being that she could not be held responsible for whatever shortcoming on her part had resulted in Other Coworker’s ire). But as for any official diagnosis in terms of _mental_ illness, I’ve got nothin’.
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### Author:  [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/129 "2003-06-17T14:54:18Z")
Oo! Or a _Nancy Drew Mystery_! I know this chapter: “Missing chum!”
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### Author:  [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/130 "2003-06-17T14:59:04Z")
**lainaf** , MC’s cellphone appears to be turned off. I’m assuming that my boss did, in fact, leave a message. And he did tell the cops about Meter Man this morning.
I’ve emailed the aforementioned ex-coworker (ironically, they seem to have kept in touch on quite friendly terms since ex-coworker left), to see if she knows anything.
In the meantime, somebody start working on that theme song.
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### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/131 "2003-06-17T15:10:22Z")
Maybe she’s just taken off permanently. Granted, the fact that she didn’t pick up her check on Friday makes that a bit less likely, but she may feel that whatever prospects she has now will offset the loss of whatever amount she had coming to her.
Anecdote: In the spring of 1988, two students (married couple) from Wheaton Bible College disappeared. Their car was found, engine running and door open, on a street in Chicago, and a general panic went up.
Months later, they returned, glowing with the tans they’d acquired on the beach in California. They’d wanted a last chance at “freedom” before graduating. None of that silly spring break stuff for them, of course. So everybody was worried about them? Taxpayers’ money spent looking for them? “Well, we didn’t ask people to do all that!” pouted the wife. The Tribune’s Inc. columnists dubbed them “Mr. and Mrs. Selfish”.
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### Author:  [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/132 "2003-06-17T15:13:33Z")
In a novel you’d need a plot device about now so that the concerned hero could reveal more information about the mysterious woman who disappeared. A personnel file is perfect. Is someone writing this down?
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Sylkyn \*
> \*\*I may be having that nagging “she’ll be back” feeling \*\*
That’s my feeling too, **Sylkyn** though I admit I am a Pollyanna by nature. On the other hand, the Meter Guy is worrisome. Wonder if he know the Log Lady?
**Auntie Em** this is my first stop in the morning now. Even before my coffee and damn fine pie!
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### Author:  [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/133 "2003-06-17T15:17:04Z")
_Missing, Loony-toon_
_Where are you?_
_It’s time to come to work now_
_We can can’t on you, Loony-toon_
_The boss is freaking now_
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### Author:  [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/134 "2003-06-17T15:18:53Z")
Okay, so that was insensitive, but **Auntie** _did_ ask!
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### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/135 "2003-06-17T15:22:47Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by auntie em \*
> \*\*
>
> And **Shibb** , how long was the guy put away for? Holy crap!
> \*\*
Just a couple of years, apparently. He was a BAD guy when he went in, but it was a pretty bad guy that he killed, and apparently the state has some rule to the effect that if you off someone that is undesirable then they give you bonus points or something. He found Jesus in prison and was pretty much a model citizen when I met him. He was still a very big, scary dude, but gentle as a mouse. Granted I was quite careful not to get on his bad side.
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### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/136 "2003-06-17T15:30:55Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by ShibbOleth \*
> \*\*… He found Jesus in prison… \*\*
Jesus is in prison??? That’s just not right
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### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/137 "2003-06-17T15:39:05Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Eats\_Crayons \*
> _ **We can can’t on you** _
😕
Also, is there an established tune for that?
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### Author:  [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/138 "2003-06-17T15:42:16Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \*
> \*\*😕
>
> Also, is there an established tune for that? \*\*
It’s sung to Scobby do genius :wally
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### Author:  [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/139 "2003-06-17T15:43:10Z")
Lord, this _is_ like a damn movie! As I was walking toward the loo, I looked out the front door and saw Meter Guy! I yelled for my boss, who went outside and asked him to come in.
Meter Guy said he did pick her up from the airport a couple of weeks ago, but otherwise hadn’t seen her since last _Tuesday_, when he ran into her at her apt. building.
My boss prodded further: was he SURE it was Tuesday, since Tuesday was the first day of that out-of-town training she was supposed to have gone to (but never made it)? The guy admitted that he’s old and forgetful, and that it may have been Monday instead.
Anyway, Meter Man left his number, because he wants to be kept informed on what’s going on. Should I direct him here?
**Rilchiam** , you make an excellent point, and I’ve thought several times that with what I know of her family and her situation, I wouldn’t blame her for disappearing, especially if, as someone mentioned, her mysterious illness (which another coworker thinks is cancer–he says he can smell it on her) has anything to do with it. I mean, if I’d been given an unpromising prognosis, I might well do the same (although there are _some_ people I’d care enough about to at least let them know I haven’t been abducted or anything).
Last night my mom and I were talking about this whole thing over dinner, and she mentioned another situation, where a 16-year-old girl ran off with her (20-something) boyfriend and was gone for years before she came back. Now, my mom says, she’s actually been _arrested_, and will have to pay a fine or something for the taxpayer dollars/man-hours that went into the search efforts for her.
Which is another reason I wouldn’t run away without telling someone!
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### Author:  [@little\_bit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/little_bit)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-my-boss-is-reading-my-coworkers-email/181605/140 "2003-06-17T15:45:54Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by lainaf \*
> \*\*Jesus is in prison??? That’s just not right \*\*
As Paul Rodriguez would say…
“That’s not Jesus, that’s Jesus (Hay-sus). Your latino cellmate.”
Being puertorican I feel completely entitled to make that joke. 😃
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