someone at work charged at me today, almost yelling but not quite. his tone was condescending?

Question

he said that whenever an employee calls don't ask 4 where they r what they're doing just give the phone call 2 the person he's asking 4. I wanted to know where he's at in case someone asks. i just wanted 2 be on top of things. i don't like to say "i don't know". & the other day there was a new employee and the boss failed 2 inform us that there he hired a new guy. he was supposed 2 start @9. he came in at 9:30. So, i said so u'r late, in a playful tone. I said that while i was punching him in and wrote his name on his time card. i thought i was being friendly. so the person that was charging at me said all you have to do is "SIT THERE ANSWER THE PHONE AND LOOK PRETTY" that was the part where i was offended. i didn't say anything, just let him talk. was trying 2 get 2 the bottom of it but he wouldn't let me. I went to accounting school, although answering the phone is part of my job description, that's not all i do and i feel like i was stereotyped. what do you think?

how would you have approached me if you had a problem with me? do you think how he approached me was the right way? how should i have reacted.

HE IS NOT THE BOSS. BUT HE'S BEEN WORKING THERE FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW. HE'S PULLED A STUNT LIKE THIS BEFORE (NOT A SEXUAL HARASSMENT THOUGH), ON ANOTHER CO WORKER AND HE ALSO YELLED AT OUR BOSS. BUT I THINK BECAUSE HE'S BEEN WORKING THERE FOR A HWILE THAT HE'S GOT IMMUNITY OF GETTING FIRED.

I WANT TO RESOLVE THIS IN THE MOST AMICABLE WAY

Answer 1

Everyone is entitled to have an off day. Don't take it personally unless it becomes habitual or there is a threat made. At that point inform your supervisor/manager of the activity. There may be an Aggressive/Anger Behavior that needs attention by people that have been trained on how to deal with the problem. Your supervisor/manager should have a crisis number to call if he deems necessary. If it’s your boss that has the issue call your HR Dept. (HR will handle the call or direct you to the proper party). He may have had previous issues with others and this is information the company needs to take action one way or the other.

Everyone is expendable. But at the same token everyone is valuable. It all depends on weather the individual has a valid case of harming or damaging people or property.

Does this issue involve a Union? This would simply require filing a grievance.

Taking action or replying in a negative fashion is often acted on prematurely, wait a day and then reply. Sometime what you think happened was actually what your mind made of it without thinking things through.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I hate to tell you this, but it is NOT sexual harassment. It is however, condescending and rude to say a thing like that. If you are having a constant problem with this person, make an appointment to speak with him privately and explain yourself and your intentions politely and quietly. If he still has this attitude; you may wish to speak to HIS boss. If he does repeat his words of sitting there looking pretty, and you have asked him to stop it, THEN you have a case of discrimination, but not necessarily sexual. Sexual harassment is different from that. People have the idea that because someone on the job asks them out, or says something about their appearance, that it is harassment. It isn't. Repeated preformances of this however, when they have been asked to stop it, could be. It could be that this person is not very smooth and could have been trying to be humourous with you. Make it clear politely that you did not find it so, and then take it from there.

Sometimes it is safer to say that the person being called for is just not available at the moment and to take a message and phone number.

Answer 3

It seems quite obvious, this person is telling you to just answer the phone and direct the call as indicated.

Your friendliness and step ahead is not needed or wanted by this person. That was very direct. Given in poor taste, but direct.

Whatever the reason this person did this, I would just let it go, (but remember it) for future reference.

Don't make more out of it than it was basically rude and tactless.

You sound like you are much better than to buy into that stuff.

good luck.

Answer 4

It is not your job to keep track of where everyone is in a company. If you get asked where someone is, just say "somewhere in the building" and take a message.

On the flip side, this guy pulled a SEXUAL HARASSMENT on you, being a bully and intimidating you. File a written complaint with Human Resources. He cannot fire you if he wants to. If they do, threaten to go to the state labor board. Keep copies of all written complaints. DO NOT let him be a bully, even if it's your boss.

The second thing you can do is find another job.

Answer 5

I would have asked him if this is what my job description entails. Every company has to have a written example of what a persons job description is. Also, I am assuming that this person is a boss of some sort. Go over his head, and file a grievance against him. Telling you that looking pretty is part of what you are supposed to do could probably fall under some type of sexual harrasmment law.

Answer 6

I agree with paris about asking for a job description.
We all deserve to be treated with respect in a work environment. I too would file a grievance with whoever is above him. It doesn't matter if you are receptionist or maid, you still deserve respect.

Answer 7

You seem to be overreaching your authority. Just stick to your job, eh? If you like causing problems do it out of office hours.