Ask the Workplace Doctors

Before You Submit Your Question…….

February 8, 2020February 9, 2020 Bill Gorden

Ask the Workplace Doctors is a FREE resource to help you find solutions to workplace communication problems.

1. You may find the answer to your question in our archive of over 3,000 questions and responses in the categories on the right.

2. You will receive an email response. When your question is posted, it will be shown as anonymous.

3. Our expertise is workplace communication, not legal or medical concerns. Under the “Useful Links” tab at the top, we list sites to which you might submit legal and medical questions.

Bullied by Coworker

May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 Bill Gorden

A question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about a coworker who throws another under the bus:

I have a co-worker that not only likes to throw me but other colleagues “under the bus” every chance she gets. She likes to point out my mistakes in front of my supervisor. She is abrasive and I feel she is a bully. How can I combat this situation?

Signed, Bullied

Dear Bullied:

Your follow up email indicates you work from home. I assume since you submitted your question at this time that working at home is a result of state regulations or your employer’s efforts to not enable COVID-19 to infect others. If that is the reason, please continue to stay sheltered in place and, as much as possible, avoid the push and/or urge to get out. I’m following that advice and wearing a mask and avoiding close contacts when out. These rules and guidelines probably will continue for sometime.

Walked Out

May 7, 2020May 7, 2020 Bill Gorden

A question submitted to Ask the Workplace Doctors about a jealous coworker:

I had a coworker who literally hated me based on pure jealousy. He constantly treated me badly and even cursed me a few times for no reason. I went to management multiple times, even requested a transfer. They did nothing even when I recorded a conversation in which he attacked me every way possible for being a piece of s$&? In his opinion. Then he somehow got my pay stub from the office on payday, took photos and sent them to other employees because I was one of the highest paid. I eventually couldn’t take it anymore and walked out. Is there any course of action I can take, I’ve never been in such a horrible situation and want to make someone pay for the hardship this has caused me and my family.

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Don’t Tell Me Calling Me A Bitch Is Joking

April 13, 2020April 13, 2020 Bill Gorden

A question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about a subordinate’s rude behavior:

One of my (24f) colleagues at work (25m) is being very unfriendly at work and it’s starting to get to me but I don’t know whether it counts as bullying or not. Some of the things he does:

1) Ignores me, pulls faces and moves away from me when I speak to him.

2) Calls me a b**ch and continues to even after multiple requests from me for him to stop. He tries to pass it off in a joking way.

They Meddle With My Staff

April 11, 2020April 11, 2020 Bill Gorden

Your Question: I am a supervisor and acting human resource in a firm

When I arrange duties they meddle( accounts/procurement on that I should have done this or that they meddle much with my staffs. What should I do to curb this?

Signed–They Meddle

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How Can I Be Successful in My Job Search?

March 24, 2020March 24, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Your Question: I did not leave my last company in a positive light. I have tried to get back in the field since and have not had any success. I believe my previous supervisor has encouraged other company executives to not hire me because of their sitting on same board.

What could I do to address this?

New Manager Assigned Me an Unfavorable Schedule

March 11, 2020March 24, 2020 Bill Gorden

A question to Ask the Workplace Doctor about a manager purposely assigning an unfavorable schedule:

My new manager saw how much I earn and is punishing me for it. He has changed my schedule and that is very unfavorable for me, what can I do?

Signed–Punished

Dear Punished:

Managers have a great latitude to determine employees’ schedules. Their reasons for changes might include performance, supplies, equipment, sales and personnel needs/desires. Do you have evidence that your new manager is changing you to an unfavorable because he thinks you are paid too much or too little? Might you think this is based on discrimination against your race, national origin, sex, religion, age, or another reason?

I Feel I am Being Pushed Out of My Subcontractor Job.

March 8, 2020March 8, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I joined my company 3 years ago as a subcontractor working 2 days a week. I stayed on after the project with other production tasks, as well to operate a new piece of equipment, and started working the full week.

Months later a part-time staff in a managerial position was leaving, and the boss asked if I wanted to take over their correspondence, bookkeeping, and database management tasks. I accepted the offer, and organized my roles accordingly. These tasks usually combine together into a full work week, while otherwise each task would only take half to one work day to do.

Not Lucky in Love

March 7, 2020March 7, 2020 Bill Gorden

A question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about dating a coworker:

I’m a young college student who isn’t very lucky when it comes to love. I got over my fears and ask out my co-worker. I have very strong feelings for her and decided to take the gamble of dating a co-worker. I sat down at the restaurant on my day off and she was my waitress. I gave her my contact information, a generous tip that I plan on never mentioning to her and asked her out to a local musical. She smiled and said ‘maybe’ since that’s the week of her mom’s birthday.

What Might Happen after a Complaint to HR that I Raised my Voice to a Coworker?

March 6, 2020March 6, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I had an argument with a coworker and he complained that I raised my voice. HR told me that numerous people said I raised it, but I know those people were actually friends of my coworker. Now HR is doing an investigation and has asked me to take a couple of days off and they will let me know what the next steps will be.

This is my first time ever meeting with HR. Do you think I could get fired? Any suggestions or ideas or experience would be appreciated to help me with this situation.

Response:
The decision about what will happen as a result of your loud argument will depend upon what it was about, what words you used, what was being said by your coworker, and how valuable you are to the company.

How Can I Show My Coworker Didn’t Have My Best Interest at Heart?

March 1, 2020March 8, 2020 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
One day I did not turn up to work at the expected time. My co-worker, who I do not get on with, was stomping around the office asking other co-workers why I had not turned up, intermittently going into a shared office and asking “has she not turned up?”

Later he asked where I live and my phone number to contact me. He distracted quite a few people who were tying to get on with work. Basically he made a show of it.