I had a group of coworkers who are known for laziness standing around talking, blocking a walkway where I and another worker who was pulling a large pallet jack trying to get by. Also in that group of people was a manager. All 4 of them saw us trying to get by and no one moved but just stood there talking. I had a bad cold and barely a voice to talk and that manager new that. I whistled to get their attention and i would have thought common sense would have told them to move but they didn't. They just kept on talking and that manager said nothing to move them. So I had told them to move out of the way. The manager yelled at me in front of them and said I could have said excuse me and that their conversation could have been important for all I know. It couldn't have been too important if one of them wasn't even on the clock, which is a violation of company policy. Was I wrong? Or was that manager and the coworkers wrong?
2006-11-13 16:32:15 · 18 answers · asked by Leah B 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Out of common decency, if these people knew they were in your way, they should have moved for you. Your manager had no business reprimanding you in front of your colleagues, either. This can be a very touchy subject, however, it sounds as if out of respect the manager should have requested the group move, knowing you had no voice in which the say excuse me. Why didn't the person with you say excuse me? It's just a thought, but why should the blame fall squarely on you? As it is, you did what you could to gain the attention of the group that was blocking your way, and they chose not to heed it. Therefore, they are the ones who displayed bad manners, not you.
2006-11-13 16:39:17 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey that work place sounds mixed up. You sure you want to work there?The manager is on the wrong side if he yelled at you when you were on the clock doing what you were hired to do.I bet he would be shocked if you faced off with him and asked for an apology.I always wondered why some come to work and some come to get a check and watch the work..It's called LIFE..
2006-11-14 05:29:07 · answer #2 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's not a matter of etiquette, it's a matter of common sense. When they saw you coming, they should have moved, the manager, had he been any good as a manager, would have taken you aside to correct you, and you would have found some way to let them know they were holding you up, without sounding rude. No offense intended. But, your manager was definitely out of line.
2006-11-13 16:42:28 · answer #3 · answered by pupcake 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the manager and coworkers are wrong. They should set an example. Sounds like they just want to feel big and almighty but in fact they are just peons who have no common sense to get out of the way. You need a forklift so you can bang the horn.
2006-11-13 16:35:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not wait for others to do something. Speak up and say "excuse me, please move." If you wait, hard feelings are sure to ensue in all parties. And remember, even when the manager is wrong, he's right. Even if thinking isn't his strong suit. A proper supervisor never yells at an employee, and never in front of others.
2006-11-13 16:45:10 · answer #5 · answered by Sweet Gran 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you just can't win! If it wasn't a "hey taxi" type of whistle, and a gentle one, then it would be OK, I think! Your boss had no right yelling at you in front of everyone! Don't let this bother you. It's just one of those things you are going to have to let go! I hope you were able to clear things up afterward.
Gregory
2006-11-13 16:38:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your manager violated your rights by insulting you in front of the other workers. You will win in this case so its up to you if you wish to take steps towards disciplinary action against your manager.
2006-11-13 16:35:52 · answer #7 · answered by Claude 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but I think whistling to get people to move is rude.
You basically should always say excuse me, if you wish to pass through people, even if you think that you shouldn't, cause it avoids situations like the one you found yourself in.
Saying excuse me shouldn't be based on whether the people are doing something important, it is just being courteous.
2006-11-13 16:36:15 · answer #8 · answered by quest 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they didn't realize that you were trying to get past them. They could have thought that you were part of their conversation or at least just listening in.
When people are in my way, I say excuse me politely. If they don't move, I saw it in a loud/obnoxiously/bіtchy way. If nothing happens, I say "or just stand there" loudly, and forcefully push my way through.
2006-11-13 16:34:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would've said excuse me, but other than that, no, you were completely in the right, and the manager and other workers were just screwing around
2006-11-13 16:34:18 · answer #10 · answered by High On Life 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋