Getting ‘Told Off’ at work?
Discussion
Who still gets a ‘word in the ear’ at work. The ‘words’ seem to be less now I’m getting older, 45, but today it happened.
Manager pulls me to one side and suggests I watch my time as I played football at lunch and this afternoon went to the car park. I went to the car park with a chap I’m doing work for to see his new 2016 XF, lovely car, anyway I was away for 10 minutes. He thought I’d be interested as, I love cars and I have the day off to pick up my new car tomorrow.
My manager went on to say ‘this isn’t a verbal warning’. This got me riled. I suggested of course it isn’t a verbal warning as there is nothing to warn me about, I always make my time and I don’t appreciate him questioning my professional integrity, I’m usually at work when most people have gone home. He said he could check on my time, I’m not sure how, and I suggested he does so.
This really peed me off, I asked who’s asking about time and he said he was, it’s his job. Around 10 mins later he asked about some work I was doing and gave the thumbs up.
Sorry for the job rant but writing it feels good.
Manager pulls me to one side and suggests I watch my time as I played football at lunch and this afternoon went to the car park. I went to the car park with a chap I’m doing work for to see his new 2016 XF, lovely car, anyway I was away for 10 minutes. He thought I’d be interested as, I love cars and I have the day off to pick up my new car tomorrow.
My manager went on to say ‘this isn’t a verbal warning’. This got me riled. I suggested of course it isn’t a verbal warning as there is nothing to warn me about, I always make my time and I don’t appreciate him questioning my professional integrity, I’m usually at work when most people have gone home. He said he could check on my time, I’m not sure how, and I suggested he does so.
This really peed me off, I asked who’s asking about time and he said he was, it’s his job. Around 10 mins later he asked about some work I was doing and gave the thumbs up.
Sorry for the job rant but writing it feels good.
I work as a chef, but in a central EU country. I find the locals like to pretend they are know it alls, and have to appear to be above everyone/me. I can literally have three different people all telling me the best way on how to do something (read:how they think it should be done) I find it best to smile nod and walk away. Not the same situation as you, but some people are just jobsworths
Long long time ago a manager of mine had a right go at me. A machine had gone wrong overnight, I was called in at 4am, and by the time he came in at 8am, I still hadn't fixed it.
He gave me a right earful, and it upset me.
A little later in the day, I came to the sudden and surprising conclusion that he wasn't pissed at me, just the situation.
Ever since I have tried to be non emotional in these situations, and later try to be honest with myself to see if there is a little bit of truth in the chaff that inevitably comes your way. If there is, take it and learn from it, and mentally discard the rest of the stuff.
It's sometimes difficult to get enough emotional perspective, but if you can, it helps.
He gave me a right earful, and it upset me.
A little later in the day, I came to the sudden and surprising conclusion that he wasn't pissed at me, just the situation.
Ever since I have tried to be non emotional in these situations, and later try to be honest with myself to see if there is a little bit of truth in the chaff that inevitably comes your way. If there is, take it and learn from it, and mentally discard the rest of the stuff.
It's sometimes difficult to get enough emotional perspective, but if you can, it helps.
knitware said:
Who still gets a ‘word in the ear’ at work. The ‘words’ seem to be less now I’m getting older, 45, but today it happened.
Manager pulls me to one side and suggests I watch my time as I played football at lunch and this afternoon went to the car park. I went to the car park with a chap I’m doing work for to see his new 2016 XF, lovely car, anyway I was away for 10 minutes. He thought I’d be interested as, I love cars and I have the day off to pick up my new car tomorrow.
My manager went on to say ‘this isn’t a verbal warning’. This got me riled. I suggested of course it isn’t a verbal warning as there is nothing to warn me about, I always make my time and I don’t appreciate him questioning my professional integrity, I’m usually at work when most people have gone home. He said he could check on my time, I’m not sure how, and I suggested he does so.
This really peed me off, I asked who’s asking about time and he said he was, it’s his job. Around 10 mins later he asked about some work I was doing and gave the thumbs up.
Sorry for the job rant but writing it feels good.
Do you normally work to the clock or do you give that bit extra? Last time a line manager had a word with me like that my response was to say something along the lines of "no problem...from now on I'll make sure I stick to working hours" Manager pulls me to one side and suggests I watch my time as I played football at lunch and this afternoon went to the car park. I went to the car park with a chap I’m doing work for to see his new 2016 XF, lovely car, anyway I was away for 10 minutes. He thought I’d be interested as, I love cars and I have the day off to pick up my new car tomorrow.
My manager went on to say ‘this isn’t a verbal warning’. This got me riled. I suggested of course it isn’t a verbal warning as there is nothing to warn me about, I always make my time and I don’t appreciate him questioning my professional integrity, I’m usually at work when most people have gone home. He said he could check on my time, I’m not sure how, and I suggested he does so.
This really peed me off, I asked who’s asking about time and he said he was, it’s his job. Around 10 mins later he asked about some work I was doing and gave the thumbs up.
Sorry for the job rant but writing it feels good.
It was about a week before he realised what that meant
extraT said:
I work as a chef, but in a central EU country. I find the locals like to pretend they are know it alls, and have to appear to be above everyone/me. I can literally have three different people all telling me the best way on how to do something (read:how they think it should be done) I find it best to smile nod and walk away. Not the same situation as you, but some people are just jobsworths
Aren't most Özzies like that though?I can relate as my last job as a chef involved taking on a new restaurarnt with 2 owners who could not keep their noses out of the kitchen, even though they had no idea how to run one.
I'm ashamed to admit that when I had a real job and in a senior position (regional manager) I was a right fecker.
When it came to people working when they should be and not dicking around going for walks, standing chatting about the weekend or arriving in at the last minute and then spending 30 mins eating their breakfast and having a brew at their desk. I found myself believing that most employees are lazy b
ds 
In the case of our OP; well I can see the managers POV. If all staff went off for a stroll to look at cars in the car park or similar then work would suffer. I expect people who expect to get paid to get stuck in and work hard
I know my dictatorial approach is out of touch with modern office life and successful management - just being honest.
I set up a small Ltd company 9 years ago and I work on my own - I love it. I'm no manager or people person - that's one thing I've learned about myself
When it came to people working when they should be and not dicking around going for walks, standing chatting about the weekend or arriving in at the last minute and then spending 30 mins eating their breakfast and having a brew at their desk. I found myself believing that most employees are lazy b
ds In the case of our OP; well I can see the managers POV. If all staff went off for a stroll to look at cars in the car park or similar then work would suffer. I expect people who expect to get paid to get stuck in and work hard
I know my dictatorial approach is out of touch with modern office life and successful management - just being honest.
I set up a small Ltd company 9 years ago and I work on my own - I love it. I'm no manager or people person - that's one thing I've learned about myself
lord trumpton said:
I'm ashamed to admit that when I had a real job and in a senior position (regional manager) I was a right fecker.
When it came to people working when they should be and not dicking around going for walks, standing chatting about the weekend or arriving in at the last minute and then spending 30 mins eating their breakfast and having a brew at their desk. I found myself believing that most employees are lazy bds
In the case of our OP; well I can see the managers POV. If all staff went off for a stroll to look at cars in the car park or similar then work would suffer. I expect people who expect to get paid to get stuck in and work hard
I know my dictatorial approach is out of touch with modern office life and successful management - just being honest.
I set up a small Ltd company 9 years ago and I work on my own - I love it. I'm no manager or people person - that's one thing I've learned about myself
There are a few in the office who take the P. A chap who sits across from me is constantly on his mobile, buying stuff on the internet or wandering off, but that's his work ethic, crp. When it came to people working when they should be and not dicking around going for walks, standing chatting about the weekend or arriving in at the last minute and then spending 30 mins eating their breakfast and having a brew at their desk. I found myself believing that most employees are lazy b
ds In the case of our OP; well I can see the managers POV. If all staff went off for a stroll to look at cars in the car park or similar then work would suffer. I expect people who expect to get paid to get stuck in and work hard
I know my dictatorial approach is out of touch with modern office life and successful management - just being honest.
I set up a small Ltd company 9 years ago and I work on my own - I love it. I'm no manager or people person - that's one thing I've learned about myself
I think I was taken aback today because as I toddled off to play football I got change with the company manager who went for a run!
I only play twice a week, I'm a believer that any afternoon sport creates well being, increases mood and clears the mind, it's a huge perk to be able to get out the office. So bla bla,
I will try to work around what he said but it's difficult as he leaves work before I do. Ironically he didn't come in until 1230 today, I know this as that's when I left to play footy : )
Sod it, life it too short, he's just a bloke probably having a hard day.
Thankfully doesn't happen to me any more as I'm treated like an adult. I can come and go from the office, eat breakfast, go to the post office etc and no one minds as long as the work gets done. If it's busy I stay and get it done, if it's quiet I leave at 5pm. No grief from little men with unresolved daddy issues, just professional managers who understand how to get the best out of people. It does depend on the environment you work in though.
red_slr said:
Pfft, not really major is it. In one ear out the other... just take their money, smile and do a bit less work tomorrow!
He is now retired, but one of my dad's favourite stories about the management losing the plot at his work is about the time he was just coming back into the building from lunch and was immediately called into his manager's office. In a deadly serious tone, he informed my dad that he had just taken a call from his boss who was moaning that he had seen my dad in B&Q at lunchtime.My dad told his manager to ring his boss back and tell him that he had spoken with my dad, who had assured him that he wouldn't say anything if he didn't...
swerni said:
Stinkotanko said:
I like to give the minions a flea in their ear from time to time, reminds them who is boss.
You might be earning 6 figures but I'm your daddy.
A fYou might be earning 6 figures but I'm your daddy.
king moron more like Stinkotanko said:
It isn't all hard work, some of it is natural talent. Although maybe that can't be taught or developed.
You stick to old pickups and pretend you have a better life than me. I'll just have to console myself with my several holidays a year, my fleet of proper cars, my three houses and more beautiful women than I can handle.
You stick to old pickups and pretend you have a better life than me. I'll just have to console myself with my several holidays a year, my fleet of proper cars, my three houses and more beautiful women than I can handle.
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