What is the polite way to "tattle" as an adult?

Question

There are some things going on around my office that I feel should be shared with my boss. But how do I go about bringing them up without sounding like a kiddish tattle tale. Often times I would just mind my own business and let the others go about theirs, but now their actions are starting to affect me. Thanks!

Answer 1

It's not about being polite-it's about being professional. Meet with the boss and state your concerns objectively and unemotionally. Suggest a whole office meeting to discuss the issue.

Answer 2

It's simple Trish..."Umm, Mr.Bos, hey, um look...theres some things going on around here that are not good. You know the secretary, Tammy? Yeah, well she's been whoring around with the janitor after work and Marge-the office Manager? Right...well, she's been sneaking in your dental office late at night so that she can get high on the nitris oxide. Yeup, it's all true. And one more thing, your wife is having an affair with the waiter down at T.G.I.F.Fridays....ya see bos, this is not good work ethic and it's unprofessional. So, you either do something about these issues or I'm gonna quit which forces you to spend more money on unemployement, not to mention all the new interns you'll have to screen which hogs up allot of time doing all that red tape paper work that you don't have time to do! So, do yourself a favor, fire the office manager and have me replace her.Tell Tammy to go get knocked up on her own time and do her damn job. As for your wife? You're on your own." The point is Trish, take no prisoners. Everyone goes down. Be brutally honest. The bos loves the tattle tale. Everyone else hates you but who cares? The bos knows they can depend on you to inform. The informants always get the upper edge and it's called a raise.

Answer 3

In a Professional Manner, tell the Boss that you wish to Speak with them in Private (like in an Office).

Explain what the Facts of the Issue are, and How it Affects you. Tell more of What you Know, rather than What you Heard.
Be ready to Answer what you Expect to be Done about it.

Remember, Most Companies treat any Disciplinary Action as Confidential.....So you might not Know exactly What was Done, except by Observing the Effects.

Answer 4

I have a tattler in my office and he does more stuff he could get into trouble for than anyone else--starting with his chronic lateness. I don't feel right about stooping to the same level, so my feeling has been to pretty much stick to the "give someone enough rope, they'll hang themselves" philosophy.

I will admit, though, (SHHHHHHHHHH...............) there have been a few times that my impishness has gotten the better of me and I've phrased things in the form of a question or as a "concerned citizen" but still made my point. Like, if he's been considerably late, I have asked my boss if he knew what time he'd be coming in, or did he call in, because customers are asking for him and want to know when he'll be in. hehhehehehhe

Answer 5

If you don't want anyone to know you are the one complaining, just send a anonymous letter to the boss stating what is going on.
If you don't care then just take your boss aside and tell him or her that the things that are going on are affecting you. Plain,simple & to the piont as matter a factly & proffesional as you can. you will look like a adult addressing a situation that is affecting you at work, not a tattle tail.
you can also tell your boss you would like to keep it confidental.

Answer 6

Be sure that it is a legitimate problem that will affect either the morale at the office, productivity, reflect poorly on the company/boss or clients. If so, then list just the facts or specific actions and present them to your supervisor. Don't make it personal - comment on behavior/actions, not on people.

Answer 7

If these things at work are bad enough that you think your boss needs to know its not tattling . If they are petty things then your tattling .. In other words pick your battles

Answer 8

Adult and tattle don't go together.
Sharing with a boss, I do not think so.
Informing your boss in a serious matter where you can present facts, other thatn gossip, should not be a problem all you have to do is write it down for him/her and take responsibility for doing it. remember that every action we take has consequences and we should be able to deal with them.

Answer 9

Just start with "I hate to be a tattle, but I think you need to know......." And don't whine or keep bringing the same thing up over and over again. Just keep it simple and stick with the facts until you are asked.

Answer 10

You need to go straight to your BIGGEST office gossip and tell them everything . Make sure you end the conversation with " DON'T TELL ANYBODY" That should get it around the office and to the boss quickly.