# 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:** 277
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5522 "2013-05-03T21:05:28Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > _Snerk_. “Back end access.” Heh. Double snerk! Just had a group meeting with the guy from parent company. “Even though both of the principals of the firm are resigning and we don’t have a plan yet, blah, blah, blah, we want to continue business as usual, blah, blah, blah, and maybe add more diversity to the engineering projects we do here…” The two principals who are resigning (one today, one in the next two weeks or so) are the engineers who do the very specialized thing that we do here. :rolleyes: Good luck finding replacements. I will continue to come to work and keep my chair warm until the paychecks stop coming. I’m patient. After work we are doing happy hour with my now-former boss. Should be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5523 "2013-05-05T00:14:28Z")
> [@TheFaerie](#): > > Double snerk! > > Just had a group meeting with the guy from parent company. “Even though both of the principals of the firm are resigning and we don’t have a plan yet, blah, blah, blah, we want to continue business as usual, blah, blah, blah, and maybe add more diversity to the engineering projects we do here…” > > The two principals who are resigning (one today, one in the next two weeks or so) are the engineers who do the very specialized thing that we do here. :rolleyes: Good luck finding replacements. > > I will continue to come to work and keep my chair warm until the paychecks stop coming. I’m patient. > > After work we are doing happy hour with my now-former boss. Should be interesting. Maybe you won’t have to look very far for that next job? ---
**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:** [May 5, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5524 "2013-05-05T00:29:13Z")
My new boss is already dropping hints that he’d like to lose the temp label and bring me on full-time. I really don’t mind the job, it’s boring as hell sometimes but I don’t hate it. Being treated like an adult goes a long way towards making me happy. So what’s the problem you ask? Well, I’ve discovered there’s a Special Snowflake in my department who apparently got the idea that I was being brought in to be her own personal lackey because she’s _so far behind!!!_ (Imagine italics part spoken in whiney high-pitched little girl voice.) I haven’t been trained on any part of her job yet because she’s supposedly too busy to show me anything. I’ve been spending most of my time with others in the department and being cross-trained in another department. Sweetie, maybe if you didn’t take time off every week for something or another and when you’re in the office actually stay at your desk and work instead of flitting around and gossiping you wouldn’t be _so far behind!!!_ I digress… We had a department meeting the other day and Snowflake decided to air her disgust with my not helping her catch up. She stands up in the middle of the room and starts yelling about how I’m not doing my job, I’m not helping her, she’s _so far behind!!!_, and why am I working with the other department anyways. Mind you, I’m in the room, right across the table from her. I say “Excuse me, I’m right here, and I can only do what I’ve been trained to do. You said you were too busy to train me, remember?” That shut her up. Boss told me later that this sort of thing does not normally go on and he told Snowflake that her behavior was not acceptable. We’ll see if this continues. That’s all I need is a princess thinking she’s my boss. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5525 "2013-05-05T01:38:10Z")
On the bright side, if snowflake keeps screaming about being _so far behind_ while being visibly not doing her job, it is entirely possible that it might end up being your job and someone else will have to train you on the specifics. ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5526 "2013-05-06T13:18:16Z")
> [@Bookkeeper](#): > > Maybe you won’t have to look very far for that next job? It might turn out to be exactly this. We’ll see. Until then I’m going to soak up the free money keeping my chair warm. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5527 "2013-05-06T18:30:09Z")
Not the worst gig in the world, even if it is temporary … ---
**Author:** ![tenacious\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@tenacious\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tenacious_j)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5528 "2013-05-07T01:58:04Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > My new boss is already dropping hints that he’d like to lose the temp label and bring me on full-time. I really don’t mind the job, it’s boring as hell sometimes but I don’t hate it. Being treated like an adult goes a long way towards making me happy. > > So what’s the problem you ask? Well, I’ve discovered there’s a Special Snowflake in my department who apparently got the idea that I was being brought in to be her own personal lackey because she’s _so far behind!!!_ (Imagine italics part spoken in whiney high-pitched little girl voice.) I haven’t been trained on any part of her job yet because she’s supposedly too busy to show me anything. I’ve been spending most of my time with others in the department and being cross-trained in another department. > > Sweetie, maybe if you didn’t take time off every week for something or another and when you’re in the office actually stay at your desk and work instead of flitting around and gossiping you wouldn’t be _so far behind!!!_ > > I digress… We had a department meeting the other day and Snowflake decided to air her disgust with my not helping her catch up. She stands up in the middle of the room and starts yelling about how I’m not doing my job, I’m not helping her, she’s _so far behind!!!_, and why am I working with the other department anyways. Mind you, I’m in the room, right across the table from her. > > I say “Excuse me, I’m right here, and I can only do what I’ve been trained to do. You said you were too busy to train me, remember?” That shut her up. > > Boss told me later that this sort of thing does not normally go on and he told Snowflake that her behavior was not acceptable. We’ll see if this continues. That’s all I need is a princess thinking she’s my boss. Wow, if I were a “he” and had a temp, I’d think you worked with me. I’ve got a few snowflakes in my office. **Girlfriend** , good luck! You will surpass the snowflake quickly and leave her in your dust. **Faerie** , I hope it all works out for you! **Horseshoe** , I am just happy you’re back to work, and best of luck to you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![Tess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@Tess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tess)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5529 "2013-05-07T04:11:54Z")
Every year around this time, the newspaper I work for part-time gets at least one call that goes like this: Idiot Parent: Hi! Specialest Snowflake just graduated and I want to get copies of every time s/he was mentioned in the paper during high school. Us: OK. Which dates do you need? IP: Oh, I don’t know. Can’t you just look through all of them and pull the ones that mention Snowflake? The party’s this weekend, so I’ll need everything tomorrow for the scrapbook. In the four years your kid attended high school you couldn’t be bothered to clip a fucking article and hold onto it. Now that you’ve discovered some other parent has made the effort for their Snowflake, you want to pretend you did too. And you’re going to act appalled when we explain you’ll have to actually pay for this? I’m sorry you’re just now learning this is a business, not a charity to document every time your kid got a “Participant” medal. ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5530 "2013-05-07T13:49:18Z")
Found out this morning that one of the remaining 2 engineers posted her resignation. Not surprised, really. She usually takes the summers off to be with her kids. Payroll/HR guy is concerned that there isn’t any money for salaries unless Parent Company chips in. Guy from Parent Company will be here today at some point. Maybe there will be an update. I took home some of my personal belongings last night. 3 drawers full of yarn and knitting supplies. 😃 I sure will miss my cushy job when it’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5531 "2013-05-07T16:02:50Z")
Guy wasting my time and giving me bogus tracking numbers, needs to fill out a really easy form. I’m also completely swamped and missing other calls at the time. Me: “I’m sorry, but right now I’m the only person on my team on-line and working, I have a meeting in 5 minutes and we need to wrap this call up now.” Him: “Um, ok. So what do I put down for ‘department’?” Me: The department you work for. Him: “What do I put for ‘Tools’?” Me: The tools you are using. Just fill out the rest of the form an you’ll be good. I have to run now. Bye. Him: “What do I put for ‘comments’?” Me: :smack: (and just hung up since I’d already said bye) Afterthought, which I would never actually say: Me: For comments, put that you’re too stupid to live, let alone work here. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5532 "2013-05-07T17:02:04Z")
I finally figured out why I am the only member of the Support ‘Team’ that cares about answering the phone instead of letting calls go to voice mail. Because I’m the one who has to listen to the voice mails. Of course. I’m perfectly fine with a call going to voice mail if we are all on the phone, but if someone is just sitting there? Answer the goddamn phone, please. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5533 "2013-05-07T17:26:30Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > My new boss is already dropping hints that he’d like to lose the temp label and bring me on full-time. I really don’t mind the job, it’s boring as hell sometimes but I don’t hate it. Being treated like an adult goes a long way towards making me happy. > > So what’s the problem you ask? Well, I’ve discovered there’s a Special Snowflake in my department who apparently got the idea that I was being brought in to be her own personal lackey because she’s _so far behind!!!_ (Imagine italics part spoken in whiney high-pitched little girl voice.) I haven’t been trained on any part of her job yet because she’s supposedly too busy to show me anything. I’ve been spending most of my time with others in the department and being cross-trained in another department. > > Sweetie, maybe if you didn’t take time off every week for something or another and when you’re in the office actually stay at your desk and work instead of flitting around and gossiping you wouldn’t be _so far behind!!!_ > > I digress… We had a department meeting the other day and Snowflake decided to air her disgust with my not helping her catch up. She stands up in the middle of the room and starts yelling about how I’m not doing my job, I’m not helping her, she’s _so far behind!!!_, and why am I working with the other department anyways. Mind you, I’m in the room, right across the table from her. > > I say “Excuse me, I’m right here, and I can only do what I’ve been trained to do. You said you were too busy to train me, remember?” That shut her up. > > Boss told me later that this sort of thing does not normally go on and he told Snowflake that her behavior was not acceptable. We’ll see if this continues. That’s all I need is a princess thinking she’s my boss. Agh, I’m sorry to hear that. I had a Snowflake like that at one temp job (my nickname for her was Bossy Bitch, though) who thought she was my boss, too, and our real boss was too busy talking with his friends on the phone to tell her to not try to boss everyone around. I ended up leaving the job over her. My suggestion to you would be to nip this in the bud - go to your actual boss and request clarification on your duties and the chain of command, because you are not sure what’s going on, what your actual duties are, and who you are supposed to report to (because you want to be an effective, efficient worker, not because Snowflake’s being a jerk). ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5534 "2013-05-07T19:22:47Z")
Time to send our wonderful server team to the wall. Or maybe throw them in the quarry. I’ll let you know what we decide on later. We have a sharepoint set up to store all our important documentation and electronic crap. Server team decides to virtualize the server and upgrade all of us to some new version with even more features that we’ll never use. We’ll migrate all of your current data as soon as we can but we don’t know exactly when. But the assmunch dealing with permissions didn’t notice that the crap hadn’t been copied and went ahead and revoked everyone’s privileges to the old location. No one in this office wonders why I had my daughter-in-law embroider me a nice sign that says ‘W S A W W D’ to frame and hang on the wall. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5535 "2013-05-07T19:41:26Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > No one in this office wonders why I had my daughter-in-law embroider me a nice sign that says ‘W S A W W D’ to frame and hang on the wall. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5536 "2013-05-07T19:48:08Z")
> [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > 😕 Times 2. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5537 "2013-05-07T20:04:33Z")
Ooh! Ooooh! Me three! Google was as confused as we are. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5538 "2013-05-07T20:22:50Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Ooh! Ooooh! Me three! Google was as confused as we are. Four! I did find WAWWD and checked it out on the off chance there was a typo, but that means “We Are What We Do”. Not sure that applies. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5539 "2013-05-07T20:31:41Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > No one in this office wonders why I had my daughter-in-law embroider me a nice sign that says ‘W S A W W D’ to frame and hang on the wall. What Stupid Ass Wipes Would Do? Do I win a prize? ---
**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:** [May 7, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5540 "2013-05-07T20:43:35Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > No one in this office wonders why I had my daughter-in-law embroider me a nice sign that says ‘W S A W W D’ to frame and hang on the wall. And yet we’re all wondering… Now that I really try to decipher your post, looks like your whole schtick is to use cutesy in-crowd buzzwords. You do realize that there’s not much in this post that’s common English, don’t you? For instance, I’ve never heard anyone say “share point”. Or… > [@](#): > > “in the quarry”…“virtualize”…“migrate”…“assmunch dealing”…“crap…revoked”. So what’s ‘W S A W W D’? ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/5541 "2013-05-07T20:58:43Z")
> [@digs](#): > > And yet we’re all wondering… > > Now that I really try to decipher your post, looks like your whole schtick is to use cutesy in-crowd buzzwords. You do realize that there’s not much in this post that’s common English, don’t you? For instance, I’ve never heard anyone say “share point”. Or… You don’t work with IT people very much, do you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=276) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=278)