What to do about vindictive complaints.

misssarahleigh

totally see your point hertolearn .....but!!!!

I'm not that bad. The calls weren't just chatty calls to friends. One was to my car insurance, one to my bank, one making an appointment and something else. It wasn't personal in the sense I was having a good old gossip with friends.

And I see what you mean about the receptionist, although the poor love is more board than I am. There are two of them (one AM and one PM alternate) and they are front of house and have very little to do. They both constantly moan and everything in the entire building pops there head in and has a chat. If the phone is ringing, I'll wave goodbye and leave them to it. Having been a receptionist I know there can be hours when you don't get a call and then 101 people want to ring in the space of 10 minutes.

Hopefully that makes sense. I can totally understand your points.

Oh, and just to add. Since I swapped roles I don't actally need to talk to anyone anymore. I get about 1 phone call a week, so I can't be much of a nusence lol

j.e.j.

I think if these two people carry on this way they might find themselves on the receiving end of a complaint themselves..

The manager should really try and nip this situation in the bud. What they're doing sounds akin to workplace bullying to me, which could well be a disciplinary offence.

TrickyWicky

misssarahleigh wrote: »

I'm not that bad. The calls weren't just chatty calls to friends. One was to my car insurance, one to my bank, one making an appointment and something else. It wasn't personal in the sense

Arranging your hair appointment, nails, looking for a car... the list you've just opened yourself up to is endless. Read what you've written back you yourself in that quote and see how that could look if it was someone else in your office. It doesn't matter if they were to friends or not, they were still your personal calls. You can't say they weren't personal as they certainly weren't work related!

I do think you sound like you're being bullied but I also think you're giving them plenty of ammunition too if you ask me. You need to stop trying to live your life at work and just work. I know that sounds a bit judgemental but I've seen loads of people treat the workplace as a social club over the years and doing little work and they never actually realise that they're doing it.

Just reexamine what you're doing. Some people are ok with colleagues who are 'easy going' whilst others get really annoyed with it. If you're giving them any ammunition you need to stop it and point out some of their faults.

Uncertain

j.e.j. wrote: »

I think if these two people carry on this way they might find themselves on the receiving end of a complaint themselves..

The manager should really try and nip this situation in the bud. What they're doing sounds akin to workplace bullying to me, which could well be a disciplinary offence.

Yes, it could well be.

However there are two sides to every story and it is impossible for anybody on a forum such as this to form a judgement based on the account from one side.

Tricky Wicky makes some excellent points.

misssarahleigh

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Arranging your hair appointment, nails, looking for a car... the list you've just opened yourself up to is endless. Read what you've written back you yourself in that quote and see how that could look if it was someone else in your office. It doesn't matter if they were to friends or not, they were still your personal calls. You can't say they weren't personal as they certainly weren't work related!

I do think you sound like you're being bullied but I also think you're giving them plenty of ammunition too if you ask me. You need to stop trying to live your life at work and just work. I know that sounds a bit judgemental but I've seen loads of people treat the workplace as a social club over the years and doing little work and they never actually realise that they're doing it.

Just reexamine what you're doing. Some people are ok with colleagues who are 'easy going' whilst others get really annoyed with it. If you're giving them any ammunition you need to stop it and point out some of their faults.

I never said they were not personal calls. I just trying to explain they were everyday calls to businesses, rather than sat talking to friends about whatever reality soap thing is on.

I understand your point regarding doing my work. I do quite a bit of 'personal' stuff at work and my manager is fully aware. My role is either everything or nothing. There are weeks I do not have a minute to make a cuppa and weeks where I have nothing to do at all. Dependant on my tasks I could very well have sausage all to do at work all week. Many others are in the same boat.

The issue is (although not a defense) is that the 'amunition' I am giving them is nothing more than others do in the office (including themselves). My personal calls are no different to everyone elses, my chats with the receptionist shorter if anything. The items they are using against me are for myself and every other employee in the office just general things we do at work as it's accepted to do them.

If that makes sense.

I was sat today reading the paper thinking 'do they know I'm on my dinner hour' with an after thought of 'it's none of their business'. I feel like I'm now having to constantly look over my shoulder and don't see why I should behave 'impeccably well' not doing the things everyone else is allowed to do.

Another point to note. My work is in no way related to there's and we don't work in the same department (big open office) and my work (or lack of it) has no impact on them, unless as previously mentioned they don't like hearing me talk, but at the end of the day, I overhear their personal calls and don't feel compelled to make a list lol

cod3

Were you working this afternoon OP?

misssarahleigh

cod3 wrote: »

Were you working this afternoon OP?

I was at work lol

blossomhill_2

OP, does your company have a harassment and bullying policy?
Does your company have a dress code?
A phone use policy?

You need to read up on the harassment policy and see if what he is doing breaches it. If he is breaching it, complain to his LM quoting the code (assuming they have a different LM to you - if same one, then complain to them) and saying that he has made 2 spurious complaints to your LM, has logged your phone use etc (Obviously he is not doing his own work while concentrating so hard on monitoring you!)

The dress code, if it exists, will provide evidence that your choice of dress for work is your own

Complaint 3 is just hearsay at the moment, so at the moment there is one man complaining about one woman (you), which could be sexually motivated and give you extra protection from his targetting you (even if he is being supported by a female collegue who is providing call log evidence)

If you have any future discussions with LM I would ask for a quick email confirming that the complaint made by Mr X was found to be groundless. Print out and keep at home.

If you are entitled/permitted to make personal calls on work phone, please make sure you can prove this, for your own protection, either by keeping a copy of the phone use/comms policy which says this or by getting LM to confirm in writing.

If you are allowed to do personal stuff, talk to LM about getting this acknowledged either by asking for a quick casual email from LM, or in a written staff report ("employee is adaptable and uses her intitative during slack times by doing her personal study etc staying alert to the need to respond quickly in busy times")

It is unfortunate that this man is making you feel the need to explain yourself but it has also shown up areas where you may be vulnerable to harassment and gives you an opportunity to cover yourself

Best of luck

misssarahleigh

Thanks very much for the help. It's been nice to get a few opinions. Obviously everyone I tell is biased as they know me (I suppose here is as well as your only getting one side) but it has helped hearing the comments made.

My manager is in work today so I shall see if something is said. I'm going to point out it's getting a little silly now and she if she has any ideas.

Not sure about any policey's regarding phone use etc. They may exist but I've never been given them so shall have a nose around.

maninthestreet

If they are joking about your 'boobs', then you a victim of sexual harassment - make a note of any incidents of this nature (time, date, what was said), and start making formal complaints.