# Workplace griping, anyone? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 12, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401 "2010-11-12T06:39:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 236
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4702 "2012-12-21T04:12:49Z")
Something I learned was to not email my boss and ask for Thursday off and tell her that it was because I was renting a goat. What? Goats are the very best way to clean the weeds from culvert ditches. Yeah, that was her reaction as well. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4703 "2012-12-21T13:51:18Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > A supervisor from my department (note the usage “a supervisor,” and not “MY supervisor”) called me _today_ to tell me that they totally, 100% need me to work… Do keep us posted. Did your supervisor ream the guy a new orifice? Do you get the guy’s job as a consolation prize? And what did he say when you told him that you were renting a goat? > [@](#): > > I’m really bad at this kind of confrontation, and I’m afraid I’ll call, five minute later hang up, and yet still have to work those days. ☹ Let the goat do the heavy lifting, psychologically speaking, in any confrontation. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4704 "2012-12-21T19:08:09Z")
Well, I did it. I’m officially unemployed. Sorry to disappoint you guys, but there was no screaming. I decided in the end he just wasn’t worth the effort. I just slipped a note to the office manager, said Merry Christmas and gave her a hug, then walked out the door at lunch time. And “forgot” to come back. 🙂 Right now I don’t know what I’m feeling. It probably won’t really hit me until Wednesday when I was supposed to be going back after Christmas. I’m going back to school and finally get a degree, that’s the first thing in this strange new world I’m in. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4705 "2012-12-21T19:09:10Z")
Merry Christmas **Dr Girlfriend** - getting a good degree is the best revenge 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4706 "2012-12-21T19:21:15Z")
Congratulations on your freedom **Dr.G** , it may not have been dramatic but it was effective. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4707 "2012-12-21T19:35:15Z")
I have a nagging feeling that we should all be rocking Freebird right now, or something… ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4708 "2012-12-21T19:44:09Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I have a nagging feeling that we should all be rocking Freebird right now, or something… or … https://www.youtube.com/embed/jWn5AJPm2kk?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4709 "2012-12-21T20:22:46Z")
Or you could go with the [original](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwJodaJjRMc). Much easier to understand too! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4710 "2012-12-21T21:21:57Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I have a nagging feeling that we should all be rocking Freebird right now, or something… YEAH! Best news of the day! Well, I finished up my assignment today. This was a good one; I’m going to miss those people. It didn’t end on a great note though; everyone was told that they would only have to work until noon today since they aren’t open on Dec. 24th, so this would be the traditional half day on the last day before Christmas (well, it’s a fairly common tradition here, anyway). Then today at 9:45, we all found out that head office HR had changed their minds, and it would be a full, regular day of work. As you can imagine, that was NOT a happy bunch after that! People had made arrangements to pick their kids up earlier, to have utility people come to their home, to run errands, to do stuff, no one had brought a lunch, etc., and I already had my timesheet for my agency signed and faxed off for my hours for the week. Plus, I was stuck doing payroll today, so everything had to be changed, so an easy hour’s work turned into five hours work, with me actually staying late (unpaid) to finish it up. There’s a reason everyone hates HR. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4711 "2012-12-22T00:16:32Z")
> [@adhemar](#): > > I long ago got tired of being the one expected to work on a Saturday because I don’t have spouse and children. My free time is just as important to me as ferrying Junior to another scout jamboree is to you. I get the feeling that’s the exact reason I am ALWAYS the one being asked at the last minute to “go here,” and “do this thing for us.” In the 3 years I’ve been there, this is the first time I’ve ever told them “no” to something they’ve asked me to do, no matter how last minute it was, or how much I had to change my plans around. And I think that supervisor complained to HIS boss, which is also one of my bosses, because that boss gave me a dirty look today. I had to leave the office real quick today to do some BS\*, so at least I didn’t have to have an awkward talk with him. \*Seriously, almost 8 hours of travel for less than 2 hours of work, and it was a non-issue. I knew it was a non-issue, so did the tech at that site, but they forced me to go because if the doctor complains about XYZ, I gotta go look at it, :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4712 "2012-12-22T01:59:51Z")
Bouv – don’t tell this non-supervisor any lies – that just lowers your credibility to his level. And there is no requirement for you to explain. Just do as fedup7 said, say “Sorry, I can’t.” And keep repeating that until it sinks in. ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4713 "2012-12-22T02:19:34Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Bouv – don’t tell this non-supervisor any lies – that just lowers your credibility to his level. And there is no requirement for you to explain. Just do as fedup7 said, say “Sorry, I can’t.” And keep repeating that until it sinks in. saying you have plans is not a lie or it isn’t for me. And I think it sounds more credible that repeating “Sorry, I can’t”. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4714 "2012-12-22T03:25:24Z")
**Dr G** , I’m so glad you are out of there. Going back to school sounds awesome, you will probably have to work more soul sucking jobs to pay for it, but it might help you find your dream job. Or at least make more money at soul sucking jobs. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4715 "2012-12-22T06:54:52Z")
Yeah, Dr. G, you just gave us all a Christmas present. Oh, yeah, we be livin’ _VI_-cari-ous-ly! ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4716 "2012-12-22T18:43:36Z")
Thanks again everyone! I think I slept better last night than I have in a long long time. I saw in the paper today there’s already a “help wanted” ad to replace me. That was fast. And it’s the same misleading job description I fell for. 😃 And then they wonder why they can’t keep people. _snickers_ ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4717 "2012-12-22T19:41:19Z")
A good nights sleep is well worth it. Sounds like you have a good plan Dr G. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4718 "2012-12-24T00:54:24Z")
I met my new boss yesterday. He was so patronizing that I wanted to throw my water at him. I can already tell that this will NOT work out, unless he stops thinking that Bill wants me there for romps on Bill’s desk. I am highly skilled, I get Records Management and I know how to talk to lawyers. I’m good at what I do. I’d get the records sorted out right away and put in systems to destroy stuff that shouldn’t be kept while properly storing the stuff that is needed. I’m now applying for jobs at the local libraries. I’m an archivist at heart, but I can switch to librarian mode when needed. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4719 "2012-12-24T05:34:05Z")
Can you rise above him and his dirty mind, **flatlined** , and just be awesome at your job? And, I’m sorry to hear that he’s being like that - he could see from your credentials that you’re a good fit for the job, and not just hired because you’re Bill’s fiancé. Jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4720 "2012-12-24T18:27:00Z")
That sucks, **flatlined**. Here I just got rid of my asshole boss and now you’re getting one. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4721 "2012-12-24T19:59:24Z")
Is your soon-to-be-boss the replacement for Shredder Guy, **flatlined**? You always know how to turn awful work stuff into stories for our entertainment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=235) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=237)