Would you tell on a co worker?

@TriciaW (2441)
United States
March 14, 2013 5:02am CST
For little things I don't think I would tell on a co worker but yesterday I had no choice and I am dreading talking to her today. Yesterday my co worker did something that caused me to shout her name when it happened in a very stern tone. She grabbed a child by the arm pulling him off the bench and pretty much threw him down. I was so upset. She quickly stated he fell. I told her I saw her throw him. I was fuming and believe me my protective instincts for a child came out very clearly to her. She told the other gal that works with us I better not start anything and that I am so bossy. I waited till I had calmed down a bit and then decided it was not something I could let go. My boss is going to talk to her. Now we are together all day everyday so I know this is going to get very tense. She is a moody person anyway and not sure why she is even working there except she has bills to pay. This isn't the first time I have felt she should not be around children but it is the worst I would say she has done. I have decided when she asks me if I told that I am going to tell her I did because I won't lie about it since she will be talked to. I am worried that if she gets nasty with me that I will bring up what she said to our other gal that works with us and the other times I felt she was not handling the children well just because I know my temper when it comes to this. I really hate tension in the work place but I know there will be a lot of it today. The children is my main focus I just hope she doesn't cause too many issues because children seem to know when those things are happening. So would you tell on a co worker?
2 people like this
9 responses
• Philippines
14 Mar 13
Why not have some education of Office decorum reminding everyone the moral values that need to be emphasize. What you did is also not good you insulted her in front of the child. You should talk to her on private not on the open for the audience to observe.
3 people like this
@TriciaW (2441)
• United States
14 Mar 13
I agree my reaction was not what it should have been. I even told my boss that I was wrong for the way I reacted and that it was not professional of me to do that. So yes I did address that with my boss. She did keep trying to talk about it but I did not respond knowing it was not the time or place.
2 people like this
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
14 Mar 13
Oh yeah, after I read your posting, and know that she had done something brutal to little children like that, I definitely would tell on her, and without mercy with everything I saw. What kind of job you guys are working on, day care center? If her main job assignment is to take care of children or educate children, she should "love" children, instead of forcefully abuse children. Tell your superior what you saw, and do even lie about it.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
14 Mar 13
Sometimes we react to situations without thoroughly thinking about what happened or why. You were wise to tell your boss even though it might make for an uncomfortable day today. Nobody should mistreat a child when they are responsible for them. Do you work at a daycare center? I worked at a company that involved handling money and waiting on customers. Two different times I knew about co-workers taking money by either re-ringing the register at the end of a shift or simply not ringing an order and pocketing the money by stashing it in a tip jar. The first situation the employee was caught and fired. The second situation is still ongoing. I quit the company and this person is still employed. I didn't report it since it wasn't worth listening to she said, she said and all that garbage plus I didn't need the job or all the frustration. One day she will be caught and fired.
3 people like this
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
14 Mar 13
You did the right thing by telling your boss. more people need to speak up when they see things happening to little children.. Most kids will not say anything because they are afraid too. You or others may not think your reaction was a good one...but think of it this way..You may not see what happens the next time...and your reaction may be just what one of those children needs to help them think that they can trust you with what is happening to them. and they may come to you for help, because you stood up for that other child....
3 people like this
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
14 Mar 13
i would just talk to the co worker in a polite and friendly way,definitely not rude and if it does not work out go and talk to the manager as only option available to us infront always
3 people like this
@jdawg011 (498)
• Canada
14 Mar 13
Of course I would tell on a co-worker if she was doing that. Who does she think she is throwing other children around?? You did the right thing, she should not be working with children. Ever. I'm assuming this is daycare or child workers of some sort, and I really don't know how she would be in that job. You would think the parents would have complained about her by now. Good for you, and keep protecting those children.
3 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
15 Mar 13
hi tricia W yes if my boss asked a question about a coworker I would not lie for her and I did tell the truth which resulted in the coworker being fired.My boss had asked me why I was not going to lunch at my usual time and I told her that Doris had left a half cart of books so I had shelved half of them although they were not my work My boss told me to go on to lunch and leave the rest of the books. Then she asked Doris into her office and fired her.Doris of course blamed me for getting her fired. I told her" NO you did it to yourself when you left your work for others to do."
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
14 Mar 13
That is definitely something I would mention to her supervisor because next time the child could get seriously injured.
2 people like this
• Canada
14 Mar 13
You did the right thing my friend. I would have had this co-worker fired for assaulting a child like that. Don't pay heed to her when she tries talking to you. What she had done was very wrong, and she should be dismissed in my opinion. If things do get tense, speak to your employer, tell them how you feel. Good luck!
2 people like this