# 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:** 357
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7122 "2014-01-24T00:40:00Z")
Well, I’m no longer employed, and I call myself retired, since I got fired from my last full-time job. Why did I get fired? Because I was a software tester, with 30 years plus of experience. I was a black box tester. I was never required to have to know the code and dig through it to figure out what was wrong, it was the responsibility of the programmers who had actually written the code to figure out why the feature I was complaining about wasn’t working the way it was supposed to. And so I get a new boss who put it in his mind that I should have to be able to read the code. I was never trained in Visual Basic, I had not programmed in more than thirty years. But because I couldn’t read the code, somehow it was my fault that I couldn’t do the job the way new boss wanted me to do it. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2014, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7123 "2014-01-24T09:35:02Z")
That’s not a “firing”; that’s a lay-off due to your job being eliminated, and replaced with a new job with different responsibilities. Don’t know if the distinction makes any difference to any benefits to which you may be entitled, but it couldn’t hurt to insist on that distinction in any records of your employment, in case it turns out to matter. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7124 "2014-01-24T15:12:10Z")
Coworker: What do I need to know about the computer set up class? Me: Nothing. Just be quiet, listen to them, and DON’T jump ahead, thinking you know what you’re doing. Coworker: Okay, I can do that. BWAH HA HA HA HA HA Coworker: Why isn’t (program A) working? Me: Did you follow the instructions yesterday? Coworker: …yes? Me: Call IT Coworker: Can’t you help me? Me: I could, yes, but I know it’s not working right because you weren’t listening yesterday and I have other stuff to do. Coworker: _pout_ I end up walking her through to find the program and she goes off - all because the name is changed. _head desk_ ---
**Author:** ![Cognoscant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Cognoscant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cognoscant)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7125 "2014-01-24T19:06:27Z")
I just got an interview request from a place where I applied on the same day as the place that is currently doing my background checks (which, BTW, the consultants turned over to the company today). They want to “fill the position fast.” Uh, next time try not to sit on an applicant for the period of time it takes your competition to interview them three times and be halfway to finishing the reference checks if you want to get the job filled “fast.” ---
**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:** [January 24, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7126 "2014-01-24T19:32:54Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > \ > Isn’t it astounding that sometimes the biggest obstacle for workers is their own manager! I think the Peter Principle (unfortunately) explains a lot of that. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7127 "2014-01-24T20:24:22Z")
_Client_: “Please let me know if you this is possible.” _Me_: “Yes it you is.” (Ok, only half of that conversation happened IRL.) ---
**Author:** ![spotthegerbil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@spotthegerbil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spotthegerbil)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7128 "2014-01-27T00:12:10Z")
I am a bad man. I worked for 9 years doing job A. I was very good at job A, and I enjoyed it. Then one day those on high decided they wanted four volunteers to do job B. Nobody but their hand up, because job B sucked, so I was picked. As it later turned out, five people had actually volunteered to do job B, two of the volunteers were sent to do job B, along with two people who didn’t want to go. The four of us got sent for training for job B. Two weeks to learn the first part of job b, to be followed some time later by another four or five weeks learning the hard part. The very day that I finished my initial training for job B, I accepted a voluntary redundancy package. I was now in the position that there was no point being given work in job B because all my work was going to have to be checked, as I was still a trainee. Meanwhile, back in job A, they were very short staffed, so the obvious thing to do would be to take me back to do job A until I got to my redundancy date some five months later. what do you think happened? I finished my time working in another department altogether doing Job C, which entailed the administrative equivalent of moving poo from one pile to another. Back in department A, they decided they could get a few temporary agency staff to cover the arrears. They needed four staff for approximately five months. Department B was generally over-staffed by at least four people. I have been doing my own thing for about a year now, and when I was browsing some job vacancies the other day, I found an advert. A recruitment agency was needing people to do job A. Same company. Well of course I had to apply. I will keep you posted… ---
**Author:** ![Cognoscant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Cognoscant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cognoscant)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7129 "2014-01-27T18:18:54Z")
I wouldn’t say you’re a bad man, **spotthegerbil** , but I do have doubts about the mental capacities of the people running your company. “Five volunteers for four transfer positions? Great, we’ll take two of them and force transfers on two who didn’t want to go!” “Uh, sir, that will understaff us in job A and overstaff us in job B.” “Well then we’ll fix it by moving someone in job B to job C!” “Uh, job C was already overstaffed, sir…” ---
**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:** [January 27, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7130 "2014-01-27T21:04:48Z")
Oh, he’s a bad man, all right. Job A was CEO of the company. 😃 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7131 "2014-01-28T15:23:53Z")
One bad side effect of the extreme cold. The building is so freaking dry that when I walked into my cube this morning, I could feel the static in the air. :eek: I don’t like sitting at my desk with the hairs on my arms standing up and waving about. Two cups of hot water poured on the floor around my cube later, at least I don’t get zapped the second I stand up anymore, but the air is still miserable freaking dry. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7132 "2014-01-28T18:56:25Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > One bad side effect of the extreme cold. The building is so freaking dry that when I walked into my cube this morning, I could feel the static in the air. :eek: > > I don’t like sitting at my desk with the hairs on my arms standing up and waving about. > > Two cups of hot water poured on the floor around my cube later, at least I don’t get zapped the second I stand up anymore, but the air is still miserable freaking dry. Does this really work? I’m building up massive static every time I move, too. There was a stray thread sticking straight out from my jacket when I hung it on the bathroom stall door. Very entertaining! ---
**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:** [January 28, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7133 "2014-01-28T20:01:31Z")
What the hell kind of office do you work in where you can pour not one but two cups of water directly on the floor by your workstation/cube? Maybe we’re just extra-fancy over here, but we have this shit called “carpeting.” ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7134 "2014-01-28T20:10:35Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > What the hell kind of office do you work in where you can pour not one but two cups of water directly on the floor by your workstation/cube? Maybe we’re just extra-fancy over here, but we have this shit called “carpeting.” So do we. And it soaks into the carpet and then evaporates, temporarily and locally raising the humidity in my cube. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7135 "2014-01-28T20:15:35Z")
I was wondering the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7136 "2014-01-28T20:31:16Z")
With forced air heat drying the air out so much, the water won’t be there for very long. At the end of the day, I’d doubt you would even know the carpet was wet. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7137 "2014-01-28T23:06:20Z")
You don’t have… padding or glue under there? I’m pretty sure that is highly discouraged where I work. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7138 "2014-01-28T23:27:12Z")
[Static Guard,](http://www.mystaticguard.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/can22.jpg) baby. I’m never without a can of the stuff (it gets very dry here in winter). ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7139 "2014-01-29T16:33:49Z")
If the dry air doesn’t sap his precious bodily fluids, the mold will. :eek: > [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > You don’t have… padding or glue under there? I’m pretty sure that is highly discouraged where I work. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7140 "2014-01-29T22:34:15Z")
Bah, Insane Staring Woman was back today. Also, the files in the cabinet are supposed to be in alphabetical order, but some of them aren’t. Learn the damn alphabet, people. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/7141 "2014-01-30T16:00:08Z")
A giant FUCK YOU to the shit-for-brains folks in charge of my company’s payroll. For the first paycheck of the month, they forgot to include the raises. No big deal, they said… we’ll just include the difference with the next paycheck. I just looked at my latest paystub… my pay has been adjusted to reflect my raise, and the correct difference is showing too. The actual amount that is being deposited into my checking account: just the difference from the last paycheck. That’s less than $20. With a handful of exceptions, this has happened to everyone in the company. How in the fuck did accounting not notice this?! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=356) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=358)