Author Topic: Awkwardness with a coworker.  (Read 1657 times)

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nobby

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Awkwardness with a coworker.
« on: January 25, 2007, 02:45:42 PM »
Okay the situation is that I have 1 direct coworker that I interact with closely everyday.

We HAVE to get along.  If we don't we're screwed.


Mostly we get along great, she thinks I'm odd but I'm friendly and she and I can joke and laugh about a lot.


But ouch does she say some things that hurt.


For instance this conversation:


Coworker (talking to both me and other woman): My partners daughter is a big girl, like really big, Nobby's size! (hands were out much farther then I actually go mind and I know I'm fat but it's how she said it)

me: (laughing) Oh thanks.


Coworker: No she really is that big.


ahhhhh....


2nd incident seems like less but hurt more.


Coworker: (grouching about a nearby city that she was saying was a hole.)

Nobby: Actually I thought it wasn't that bad.

Coworker snarls: Yeah well you're not a local.




On top of that she's very racist.


We have a guy who comes in to clean at 3 everyday.  For weeks we've had problems because he hasn't been doing his timesheets for his temp agency. He's an immigrant from Africa and speaks good english.

I told him it was his responsiblity and I remarked to Coworker that I was frustrated that we kept having problems with his timesheet because I knew he could understand.

Her reply: "Oh but they don't, black people don't understand things like that.  Some people might call me racist but it's true."

Me: (mouth open staring.  Finally closing it.) Ooh.  Um.....are there any more adjustments that need doing?


I would complain but a) she's actually very nice to him.   b) it would just make her very very very angry with me, which I can't afford in the job.


As it is I'm just trying not to discuss people at all with her, she made a lot of rude remarks about foreigners and people "coming over here nad taking our jobs" until I said "Oh I can't comment much about that sort of thing seeing as I am one of those people" (said jokingly)


But jeez......


Sorry just had to get that off my chest.  I don't know how best to deal with it other then avoiding those discussions.


ccnumber4

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Re: Awkwardness with a coworker.
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2007, 03:17:20 PM »
Someone needs to put this woman in her place.  Comments about your size and especially racist comments are completely out of line.  Do you have an HR department? 

NOVA Lady

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Re: Awkwardness with a coworker.
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2007, 03:51:18 PM »
She just sounds like someone who lacks the social graces most people have inherently. How sad.

As to what to do.... I would just look at her in shock when she says something rude about you or makes a racist comment and say something like, "What makes you say that?"

nobby

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Re: Awkwardness with a coworker.
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2007, 04:47:06 PM »
I'm a little nervy about doing that.  She hasn't made any comments to the guy who's coming in.  And she's stopped complaining about foreigners once I pointed out I was foreign.

But I'm afraid that if I mention it to the Boss and they have a meeting she'll just get mad at me and I have to work very closely with this woman on a daily basis.  If she's upset with me it will affect my work enviroment.

The thing with the size comment was i could tell she really didn't see how that was hurtful.

Still was though.


Most of the time we get on great it's just this little blips that make me feel like my brain has just run out my ears.


DottyG

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Re: Awkwardness with a coworker.
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2007, 05:50:37 PM »
I'm a little nervy about doing that.  She hasn't made any comments to the guy who's coming in.  And she's stopped complaining about foreigners once I pointed out I was foreign.

But I'm afraid that if I mention it to the Boss and they have a meeting she'll just get mad at me and I have to work very closely with this woman on a daily basis.  If she's upset with me it will affect my work enviroment.

The thing with the size comment was i could tell she really didn't see how that was hurtful.

Still was though.


Most of the time we get on great it's just this little blips that make me feel like my brain has just run out my ears.

Then, what you do is calmly, yet assertively, say to her, "Martha Sue, when you make comments like you just about XYZ, it's hurtful to people.  Please don't do this, as it's not a kind thing to do."

You address it AT the time she says it (ie, better not to bring up something she's done in the past now) and you don't get emotional about it.  You just be assertive and convey that this is not acceptable.

If you've done this, and she continues, you can go to HR.  And, if she gets angry at you for that, she really has no one to blame but herself.  You've stated very clearly that this was a hurtful thing to say.  She disregarded it.  You've had to go a bit higher up on the chain.  (And, when you go higher up, you also don't act emotional.  You are matter-of-fact and calm then, too.)

Some people's brain filter needs a jolt at times.  If this is all it is, you've helped her see the error of her ways.  If it's truly malicious on her part, you've taken the proper steps to fix it.

You're already in an environment that's affecting your work negatively.  Otherwise, you wouldn't be posting here about it.  You need to take constructive steps to do something about it now.