# 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:** 342
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6822 "2013-12-24T21:58:58Z")
Assorted grumblings: Dear co-worker who handed me a Christmas card after “not having seen me all day” (note: I work retail, my shift on that day started at 3:30 pm): The card is cute, but it’s more fun to get a card with my name on it. Also, I’m confused-- did you sign your boyfriend’s name to the card? Or do you have 3 kids, and I just didn’t know it? (To the best of my knowledge, two kids, no present husband. But I’m not clear who the fourth name on the card belongs to, so maybe there is a husband or a third kid). Other co-workers: it was sweet of you to give me a card with a gift card in it, and entirely unneccessary. Next Gripe: I don’t like driving to work at almost midnight in horrid rain and windy conditions-- I had to on Sunday. Also don’t like hanging tags for some of the stuff I had to hang tags for, but that’s kinda not something fixable. Dear Boss: Gee, thanks for making me feel like the most disposable member of the team on Monday. Doesn’t encourage me to want to stick around, you know? (note: in fairness, I probably was the most disposable person at that time-- certainly I was the only part-timer. But it would have been nice to suggest that we rotate doing the crappy job, rather than make clear I had to do it most of the time. There are crappier jobs, but well . . .) Finally: PMS sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6823 "2013-12-24T22:10:11Z")
Goddamnitsomuch. I am now THE ONLY PERSON HERE on this entire side of the floor, covering something like 300 desks. They closed off the mens room for cleaning and are taking their sweet time. The coffee machine has been broken down for cleaning, so no hot water for tea either. Yeah, I fucking need to be here, in case something happens. Jerk. Edit: Even more awesome, here come the vacuum cleaners. ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6824 "2013-12-24T22:20:56Z")
Chimera, if its any consolation to you, I really dont like the hols either. I bet youre really not looking forward much to even getting off work, except that you wont have to be stuck at work anymore. If I could put myself into a completely reversible coma for the entire month of December that would help. Im trying to stay positive and tell myself others have it a lot worse, and I know thats true, but … ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6825 "2013-12-24T22:39:28Z")
Nah, I get off work, go home for an hour or so, then over to my sister’s house for Christmas dinner and gifts. After many years of poverty and shame, I have money, I have presents for everyone and it will be good for me. ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6826 "2013-12-24T22:44:28Z")
Well there ya go then! Enjoy! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6827 "2013-12-24T23:12:21Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > My old manager did the opposite with my former officemate - said officemate requested to be able to work today, as she needs time to get stuff done as I’ve transferred out, and there will be a few other people working in the department so it’s open anyway. But no. She was forced to stay home and use up a paid day off out of her pool (as does everyone else taking the day off, that part is normal), and was told if she really wanted to, she could work New Year’s Eve day instead. (Uh, no. She’s young and wants to start partying early.) > > Same said manager also said the department has a policy against going-away parties, and when one of the doctors I worked for instead hosted one for me in his private clinic on the same floor and my officemate invited everyone in the main department, the manager shot that extended invitation down! Not. Allowed. > > I’m beginning to think the supposed policy against going-away parties is to keep anyone from having hope for something better. Since it’s a different department, the new department should have made it a “Welcome to the Department” party, and invited the same guest list. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6828 "2013-12-25T00:23:00Z")
Someone stole our pizza!!! Yesterday, minion and I thought we would like to have our own little pizza party at lunch. I ordered online, used a coupon and my card to pay for it and was given a delivery time. About 5 minutes before the delivery time, minion went downstairs to the reception area to get the pizza and tip the driver. The driver didn’t show up. We waited until 10 minutes after the delivery time and then I called the store to be told that the pizza had gotten there early and had been delivered. On further questioning, I learned that an average looking guy in business causal clothes had gone up to the driver when he was getting out of his car and asked if that was his pizza, the driver said it was for minion. The lying, stealing failure of a human said that he was minion and then walked off without tipping the driver. I really don’t know what outraged me more, the pizza theft, or the stiffing of the driver. We looked at the security cam vids and saw the theft happening, and it looked so normal, except for the part where the lunch stealing creep went to the building across the parking lot. ---
**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 25, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6829 "2013-12-25T00:31:22Z")
**Chimera** , that really does suck. It’s one of those situations where you’re like, “Yeah, I know my shift technically runs until 5:00 pm, but everyone else in North America goes home early on Christmas Eve if they’re not essential services, so do you have to be such a dick, manager?” **flatlined** , that’s outrageous! Hopefully you can identify the thief and create a few consequences for them. I’m sure their response will be, “Well, I thought it was MY pizza!” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6830 "2013-12-25T00:48:55Z")
Yeah, and “Well, I thought [_minion’s name_] was MY name!” ---
**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 25, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6831 "2013-12-25T01:45:41Z")
“I was just holding it! He gave it to me!” ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6832 "2013-12-25T02:01:25Z")
These aren’t my pants, I have NO idea how all those drugs got in the pockets. I just put them on when I woke up. Sometimes I do miss working in the legal system and hearing that shit all the time. We will never be able to identify the evil, rotten lunch stealing failure of a human who will be eaten last when the stars are right. Its a large business area, I’ll bet he gets free lunch and leftovers to take home for dinner every day. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6833 "2013-12-25T08:59:03Z")
Shouldn’t be TOO hard to track him down. Poll the office drones in the other building and find out who’s most po’. And operates a shredder. 😃 ---
**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 25, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6834 "2013-12-25T15:24:56Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Shouldn’t be TOO hard to track him down. Poll the office drones in the other building and find out who’s most po’. > > And operates a shredder. 😃 Should be able to track him down by asking those drones “Are you missing a lot of plastic forks?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6835 "2013-12-26T02:28:20Z")
Oh man, I was able to put SG out of my mind until now. He came from Texas, he has family here. When we asked to watch the security vids because of our stolen pizza, the security guy told us that this isn’t that rare. While we were emoting over that, someone else told me that she had coffee stolen at Starbucks. Stealing a pizza at the curb is bold, but just walking up to the counter at Starbucks and taking the coffee…OMG!!! I can’t understand her standing there all gobsmacked while watching someone steal her first dose of caffeine. Me, I would have gotten violent, nobody stands between me and my coffee. First thing in the morning is a killing offense. ---
**Author:** ![Tread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6836 "2013-12-26T02:57:20Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Wait… she shows up for her birthday/holiday lunch, no one’s there, so… she doesn’t call anyone, doesn’t check the reservations or the other restaurant. Doesn’t even call work and get the location of the party? She just orders food, waits for it, presumably noticing nobody’s there, takes the time to eat her “full meal”, and never checks on why she’s sitting there all alone? > > Or maybe she didn’t care, and just thought “Bet they all went to other location. Screw 'em, I’m eating.” Since she was hourly, and could not get out early, I would assume, that she also had to be back at work by a certain time, and therefore could not spare the extra time to drive across town, order, eat, and drive the extra distance back to work, without being late. ---
**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:** [December 26, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6837 "2013-12-26T16:02:55Z")
Client passes along a file from \*\*\*her \*\*\*client with a list of requests for our team. We can do exactly none of them. Me: "Good morning, {name}, and I’m sorry, but none of those requests are supported by the template our websites use. Her: “I just want to make sure I understand correct, so what they are asking to change is not able to be done?” Is that not what I said? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6838 "2013-12-26T16:36:36Z")
Please tell me your client’s native language isn’t English, cos that’s some convoluted grammar. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6839 "2013-12-26T16:40:13Z")
Please do the needful. ---
**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:** [December 26, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6840 "2013-12-26T17:21:06Z")
So, we had a release last weekend. We made major changes, which were NOT announced first. This past Monday was a nightmare of pissed off people. Then we were closed Tuesday and Wednesday. I got 2 calls on Tuesday (I carry the on-call phone). One was an access issue, which I tried to fix, but they have security protocols which needed to be handled by their IT department. The other was from someone at an office where they had made an appointment for an outside contractor to be in the office that day. We announced we were closed on Tuesday over a week ago. What part of Severity 1 issues don’t you understand? Now, we’re back at work. More than half the office is out today and tomorrow. We are still having residual issues from the release, but most of the people who can answer questions are out. So, the two of us who are NOT on vacation and are answering the phone have to wing several things, and tell people we can’t do anything about it until next week. Whoever came up with the idea of doing a major release right before the holidays, then letting vital personnel be gone that same week, should be shot. ---
**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 26, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/6841 "2013-12-26T21:08:15Z")
> [@Indyellen](#): > > \ > Whoever came up with the idea of doing a major release right before the holidays, then letting vital personnel be gone that same week, should be shot. That is a little bit insane (or maybe insanely optimistic - there are never, ever any problems, right?). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=341) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=343)