Do you have people like this at your workplace ?
By 4mymak
@4mymak (1793)
Malaysia
September 20, 2007 11:00pm CST
There is this new girl in my office.. well, not exactly new - she's been here a few months already, but 'new' in my book!
anyway, eversince she started working - i havent been hearing good comments about her... it seems like she's always being rude and somewhat thinks she's better and smarter than everyone else (who have been working here many, many years before she even graduated + got her degree - and she seems to forget, many of us here are also degree holders + executives like her).
this morning, she came to my office to look for a colleague.
"Hi, where's Sue?" - SHE asked.
"She's on Medical Leave" - another friend answered.
"Oh... WHY??" - SHE asked....
.... (you should have heard the giggles that followed that 'smart' question')
"...Well,.. she felt like going shopping this morning - so, she took medical leave".... I ANSWERED!
and I continued...
"...of course she's sick - that's why the doctor gave her a medical leave!!"
Everyone around had started to laugh... even my boss...
SHE - her face changed... she didnt say anythin and just left.
She must've felt bad... but I felt good...
... was i being cruel?
4 people like this
7 responses
@raychill (6525)
• United States
21 Sep 07
More than cruel I would say you were inappropriate. Maybe she was asking why someone was on medical leave as in, what was wrong with her. Is she just sick with a cold? Does she have Kidney stones? Cancer? did she have surgery? Maybe the girl was asking why this person was on medical leave as to what was wrong with her, not implying that she didn't know that someone would be on medical leave because they were sick.
Just because you haven't heard good comments about her doesn't mean you have to be rude to her, have you gathered your own feelings about this or are you just basing it on what others say?
I don't like a few of my co-workers, but even I wouldn't say something like that to someone...and I can be pretty mean.
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
21 Sep 07
Yes, I do think it was bit cruel.
If she's young and she was being rude and thought too much of herself, the older people there could have talked to her.
I'm assuming that you thought she wasn't a nice person based on other people's opinion of her (that's how I understood it..maybe I'm wrong).
I feel if it was only an attitude problem....someone could have tried to talk to her and correct her. We all make mistakes when we are younger and are being guided by people older and more experienced than we are.
She's probably trying hard to fit in and people's reactions may not be favourable.
If there still isn't any change in her after someone points out the problem, then I think you may be justified in thinking she is a rude person.
1 person likes this
@DJ9020 (1596)
• United States
21 Sep 07
There's always one in every crowd. But be careful - that one is usually the one who gets everyone else in trouble! Although I know that sometimes you can't just resist - someone hands you a line like that, you're almost obligated to jump on it.
1 person likes this
@cefaz_21 (2596)
• Philippines
21 Sep 07
LOL, she must have eaten her heart out..I don't think you're being cruel in fact you just said what is right..she asked you answered..hehe!
There was this girl too in our office when she came in,everyone seems to have bad comments about her not beacuse she's pretending to know everything but just because she's pretty,she dress smart and she's young.
Now everybody loves her and she become one of my closest friend here in the office.
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
21 Sep 07
Hello 4mymak,OHHH, yes, I think that was a little harsh. She may have had it coming, but maybe it could have been handled a little more delicately. First, have you had any dealings with her directly? Second, has the boss had direct dealings with her? Third, the other friend have direct dealings with her? Someone having direct dealings with her should have pointed out her approach to people.
Do you not have a confidentiality policy about medical leave in your office? That would have been a subject to bring up, if you did.
Someone needs to take her aside and talk to her about the things that she brings up and where. Her approach was improper, but the reply was just as improper. In private, maybe, but in front of all other employees, this could be extremely embarrassing for everyone.
Trying to be nice to someone is just as easy and being rude to them. Being rude doesn't make anything easier. The older, more experienced employees should step forward to help new employees. That way you can get along with them a little better.
Happy posting..
@LearningDavid (22)
• China
22 Sep 07
I do agree with you. What 4mymak did is improper.At least in this case,she was not rude. She was just a little bit of "slow". Elder or experienced should help her. If this girl was really doing something rude,4mymak should have bravery and skills to stop her.
crazy_ol_lady,I hope more and more people and learn something from your comment.
1 person likes this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
24 Sep 07
Thanks David,
Just because someone is new and think they know it all is no reason not to try to help them in embarrasing situations. We can all use a helping hand.
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
14 Jul 08
Oh yes, I most definitely have people like that in my workplace. One of my coworkers is just like her and she really gets on my nerves, though she does pretty good work and knows the job well. My coworker has a serious attitude problem and is very negative to people and around people. I am glad that you put her in her place as it was none of her business why a person took a medical leave. The only people that need to know about her medical leave is the boss or human resources. Be careful about giving out too much information.
