# 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:** 416
**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:** [August 30, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8302 "2014-08-30T20:17:59Z")
> [@Hung\_Mung](#): > > This is a great idea. Kill them (metaphorically) with brownies, then apologize. If that doesn’t win you some points, I don’t know what will. Would those be brownie points? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8303 "2014-08-30T20:55:41Z")
> [@Hung\_Mung](#): > > This is a great idea. Kill them (metaphorically) with brownies, then apologize. If that doesn’t win you some points, I don’t know what will. Brownies?? Too easy and common. If he’s the master cook i think he is he can come up with something better. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8304 "2014-08-30T21:20:59Z")
I’d suggest putting something in those brownies, but it might be illegal where he lives and probably would get him fired. And I’m not talking about Ex-Lax. 😃 Seriously, **Mister Rik** , I’m just jokin’. I know you would never do anything like that in real life. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8305 "2014-08-30T21:37:07Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Brownies?? Too easy and common. If he’s the master cook i think he is he can come up with something better. Indeed. My chocolate chip cookies are awesome! > [@cochrane](#): > > I’d suggest putting something in those brownies, but it might be illegal where he lives and probably would get him fired. And I’m not talking about Ex-Lax. 😃 > > Seriously, **Mister Rik** , I’m just jokin’. I know you would never do anything like that in real life. Well, on the one hand, I do live and work in Washington state. On the other hand, everybody at this job is subject to random drug testing (required by law for retirement homes, I think). ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8306 "2014-08-30T22:02:54Z")
Well, according to my co-worker Lil’ Red, the newest member of our crew is offended by the fact that we were having a personal conversation about religion yesterday. (We were debating whether Episcopalians or Lutherans were Catholic Lite.) There was nobody around except for us and her. Apparently she can’t handle the fact that we’re non-Baptists. :rolleyes: So Lil’ Red and I have decided we will have our debates when Offenderati isn’t around. Besides, if she (Offenderati) found out that I’m not only non-Baptist, but non-Christian her head might explode. ---
**Author:** ![Dunkelheit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkelheit/32/248_2.png) [@Dunkelheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunkelheit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8307 "2014-08-30T22:13:44Z")
> [@Eureka](#): > > I sooo get this. I’m not sure I’d use the word traumatized in my case but I absolutely relate to feeling less capable than you know you are. Let’s just say the trauma is not caused by my feeling less capable than I want to be. My PTSD is actually being triggered by this behaviour, and the perpetrator never seems to understand why his behaviour is not appropriate for the workplace. Apparently this is not a new thing, and there’s nobody he’s accountable to who is bothered enough to take him to task for it, so he never suffers any consequences. The people who can’t or aren’t willing to tolerate his bullshit simply end up leaving, and he carries on as usual. Looks like I’ll be the next one, as soon as I either find a viable alternative, or collapse under the strain and end up in hospital. ---
**Author:** ![Dunkelheit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkelheit/32/248_2.png) [@Dunkelheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunkelheit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8308 "2014-08-30T22:19:12Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > Ugh, I know that feeling all too well. Bitch away, that’s what we’re here for! This thread helped me when I was in a bad situation, I’m here with a digital shoulder if you need one. 🙂 Thanks so much. I don’t know if I said anything supportive at the time, but I was reading and rooting for you. Just so you know. And commiserating with your struggles in the new job as well. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8309 "2014-08-30T22:34:03Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Indeed. My chocolate chip cookies are awesome! Does that mean you’ll take my advice? Thing is a head cook or chef cannot be Mr. Laid back cool guy. You’ve got food to prepare and get out at a certain time which means barking out instructions to cook and wait staff alike. All in a noisy, busy kitchen area. You MUST be a leader. OTOH it wouldnt hurt to give people compliments or maybe a free piece of cake now and then. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8310 "2014-08-30T23:15:14Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Brownies?? Too easy and common. If he’s the master cook i think he is he can come up with something better. How about eggs benedict? (d&r) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8311 "2014-08-31T02:00:37Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > Well, according to my co-worker Lil’ Red, the newest member of our crew is offended by the fact that we were having a personal conversation about religion yesterday. (We were debating whether Episcopalians or Lutherans were Catholic Lite.) There was nobody around except for us and her. Apparently she can’t handle the fact that we’re non-Baptists. :rolleyes: So Lil’ Red and I have decided we will have our debates when Offenderati isn’t around. Besides, if she (Offenderati) found out that I’m not only non-Baptist, but non-Christian her head might explode. Be sure to wish her a happy Winter Solstice. While wearing the kind of outfit they give the first ten rows at a Gallagher show… ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8312 "2014-09-02T13:53:23Z")
Oh, three people in this tiny department called in sick after the three-day weekend? I guess I won’t be doing my own job today. Fuckers. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8313 "2014-09-02T14:33:36Z")
I got some data I’m supposed to be loading as a favor for someone else. Half the data is in the wrong format. Other parts are… let me put it this way, I have a list of recipes and lists of ingredients, but I don’t know which ingredients go with which recipes (and the guy who sent it is as “expert” in this field? An expert in selling himself, I guess). Oh, and I don’t have all the permissions needed. Other than that, it’s quit o’clock and not really my monkeys. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2014, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8314 "2014-09-02T15:29:03Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Oh, three people in this tiny department called in sick after the three-day weekend? I guess I won’t be doing my own job today. Fuckers. Suggest to your bosses to implement a policy that if you are absent on the day before or the day after a holiday, you don’t get the holiday pay. That’s in place at a lot of companies; even written into the union contract at one where I worked. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8315 "2014-09-02T15:30:59Z")
What about when everyone else ‘works from home’?, he asked looking around at all the empty desks. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8316 "2014-09-02T16:10:34Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Suggest to your bosses to implement a policy that if you are absent on the day before or the day after a holiday, you don’t get the holiday pay. > > That’s in place at a lot of companies; even written into the union contract at one where I worked. Thus penalizing the genuinely sick and encouraging them to come to work and spread their malady when they should be home and in bed, or at least keeping their germs to themselves. The proper way to deal with this is to have enough managers, enough competent managers, who are able to take note of such things and keep track of such patterns, and discipline the ones who are actually taking advantage of the situation. But that takes time and effort, and a blanket rule is so much easier and cheaper to implement (except for the hidden costs of having sick workers spreading their sickness around to other employees). ---
**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:** [September 2, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8317 "2014-09-02T16:35:55Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Thus penalizing the genuinely sick and encouraging them to come to work and spread their malady when they should be home and in bed, or at least keeping their germs to themselves. Oh, don’t be foolish. Of course this doesn’t apply to people who are actually sick, with a doctor’s note, or those who have scheduled vacation time, or those not scheduled to work those days, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8318 "2014-09-02T16:44:55Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Of course this doesn’t apply to people who are actually sick, with a doctor’s note So you expect someone who has a bad cold/slight flu, which a doctor can’t do a damn thing about, to drag themselves to a doctor and pay for an office visit to get a note that says the person has a bad cold/slight flu and should stay home and why the fuck are they in my office anyway? I don’t think **Roderick Femm** is the one being foolish here. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8319 "2014-09-02T17:39:35Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Thus penalizing the genuinely sick and encouraging them to come to work and spread their malady when they should be home and in bed, or at least keeping their germs to themselves. I seriously doubt these folks are sick. These _particular_ folks, on this particular day. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8320 "2014-09-02T18:59:06Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I seriously doubt these folks are sick. These _particular_ folks, on this particular day. Maybe one of them is. That’s the problem with a blanket rule, it can’t distinguish the innocent from the guilty. And it will have unintended side effects. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/8321 "2014-09-02T20:42:08Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Maybe one of them is. That’s the problem with a blanket rule, it can’t distinguish the innocent from the guilty. And it will have unintended side effects. Yeah. God help us all if a [3.2 flu](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=3.2%20flu) epidemic gets started. It’ll be 1918 all over again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=415) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=417)