Was I wrong?

Question

The maintenance men had to remove 2 cabinets off the wall in the physician lounge in order to repair a leak...once the work was done, they came into my office to inform me that they could not put the cabinets back in it's original spot or the area we decided on yesterday...I explained to the workers what I thought they should do...When my boss came in I explained to him what was said and he informed me, that he didnt really care, but to leave the decision making up to the coordinator. I said that was fine and went on about my business...About a hour later I went back into the physician lounge to grab a soda and was talking to one of the painters about the work that was being done...Let me say this, there were 4 ppl in the lounge. I was having a conversation with one person and the other two was having a conversation, when the coordinator in my office walked in. The gentlemen who was talking about the work of the cabinets looked at me to confirm what they were saying. I told them, they

had to speak to her and I pointed to the coordinator and turned to walk out. The guy I was speaking with had said something to me and I asked him to walk me to the soda machine. thirty seconds into the hallway the coordinator stuck her head out the door to say, "I need to speak with you later"...When I came back into the office after lunch, she said that I was being disrespectful and insubornate (spell check) and that was instant grounds for termination...i let her say what she needed to say and I told her that when she walked in, she walked in on a conversation btw the other two men not mines...Was I wrong for defending myself? And if I was really being that rude and disrespectful, dont you think she would have had my termination papers ready for me to sign?

Answer 1

I believe you responded properly. There is absolutely nothing wrong with defending yourself as long as it is in a professional and tactful manner. If it appears that the coordinator will allow this situation to escalate, I would file a complaint against her. Who knows...she may have done this to someone else before you. You know?

Answer 2

Anytime a woman tells you that your "termination papers" were almost sent it's a bluff! Was the woman who said this your boss? In the future I think it's best if you don't mention anything about moving furniture etc. To be absolutely safe before you recommend anything talk about it with your boss.

I've been put in situations like this too. A conversation has been going on between two people and one person mentions something to me. A third person walks in and they only hear a small part and blow it up into something it isn't!!!

A good rule of thumb is when you're at work suck up, suck up, and suck up until you can't suck anymore. NEVER express your true or negative emotions. Good luck!

Answer 3

You continued to overstep the bounds your boss had previously pointed out. Even though you weren't doing anything wrong necessarily, in the business world--perception is reality. Obviously, she was having a bad day or struggles with her empowerment....all the more reason for you to just validate it occasionally. The best way to deal with your supervisor in the future (since you know this can be an issue now) is to just watch how you appear. It's like you telling her you never drink sodas and then slipping around the corner to get one. Maybe you said I never drink them on Tuesdays....but how it appears is what matters.

Answer 4

Sounds like a misunderstanding, BUT, once your boss said that the ultimate decision was the coodinator's, you should have just handed over the task and walked away entirely, and pushed any questions off to him/her, and not engaged in even the slightest discussion. Sounds like the person who is angry has serious issues...... perhaps once they calm down you can reason with them...... but sounds like you may want to pursue other job options if only for your own peace of mind.

Answer 5

From the way you put it, yes, I think you were in the wrong. You should not have said "you need to talk to her" and walked out. You should have called her over, explained the whole situation, perhaps even offered ideas of your own for the fix. But to simply say 'you need to talk to her' and walk out, yes, you were in the wrong.

Answer 6

Okay I read it twice.
The coordinator felt that you were being rude cuz you pointed to her and left.
Well thats what your boss told you to do. So if she has a problem then she should talk to the boss.

Answer 7

Sounds like it may have been a misunderstanding... But if I were you I might start looking for another job just to get out of there. If it is that easy to set her off, who knows what is to come.

Answer 8

i dont understand i did read it but u lost me if u didnt get fired whats the problem??? and i think u always have a right to defend urself no matter what

Answer 9

Of course, you were in the wrong! Whenever you are an employee and not an employer, you will always be in the wrong. Haven't you learned that by now?

Answer 10

it sounds like something is missing. you may have said something you did not think she heard or she may have misunderstood what she over heard you talking about. either way, you left something out of this story.