BS: Office annoyances

Subject: BS: Office annoyances
From: Becca72
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:09 PM

Having a rough day here at the office and wanted to vent. I have a co-worker who is apparently coming down with a cold and has a bad case of "the sniffles". I have tried offering her my box of tissues, but she won't take the hint and just keeps sniffing away...constantly. It's really starting to drive me batty (I am my father's daughter). Any suggestions short of cutting off her air supply on how to deal with this?

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:12 PM

Get a quarter... Go to the pay-phone.... call someone to come and build you a bridge so maybe you can get over it.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:22 PM

I would be more concerned about getting her cold. And look at the upside. If this is the worst thing that happens to you this week.........not a bad 5 days, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:24 PM

Someone in my office uses WAY to much perfume. It's enough to gag a maggot.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Bert
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:29 PM

Can't you turn on a radio or something to drown the noise?

Wesley, you need to go along to your local magic/novelty store and buy a supply of stink bombs.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:41 PM

Ear plugs. You can get them at any pharmacy. They work wonders.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Bert
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:06 PM

Them ear plugs are not going to help Wesley much. But I can just picture him sitting there with them stuffed up his nose!

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:33 PM

No but my air purifier and fan are blowing in her direction. And she complains about it being to cold in here.

Becca - Would the ear plugs help in your situation ?

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:37 PM

"Someone in my office uses WAY to much perfume."
Take the issue up with your supervisor

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Kaleea
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:40 PM

Instead of just offering tissues, get a box of the 3-ply that says on the box it helps keep germs from the hands, and some decongestant. When you come in for the day, plop it on the co-worker's desk, saying that you care about her sniffles, and don't want her to suffer so much anymore.

(Kaleea's evil mind kicks in)

OR:

Bring in a mini boom box & listen to Hank Williams or Bill Monroe louder than the sniffles. (I just love to educate others about non rock Music!) Be sure to sing or hum along.

Do some sound effects of your own-sniff loudly, hack & chhkkkkkeee up some alleged phlem into a tissue tossing it toward her wastebasket but missing as you chat or walk by her. Tell her you think you caught it from her, cause you're sniffing all the time just like she's been doing lately.

Try wearing a surgical mask & surgical gloves (get some of those groovey purple ones they have now) with earmuffs over your ears.
You could even write on the mask with a purple sharpie, "germy people stay home!"

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:40 PM

DAMN CLINTON - I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT - YOU'RE BLOODY BRILLIANT.

Clinton saves the day again. Yahoo.

The air purifier belongs to my supervisor.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:01 PM

Someone in my office uses WAY to much perfume. It's enough to gag a maggot.

Imagine what she smells like without it! LOL


Clinton,

From your "advice", I take it you haven't actually worked in an office.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:10 PM

No I haven't... (Thank FK!) but my WIFE is an HR Specialist, and that's HER advice!

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:18 PM

LOL

Is it really? You wife said "Get a quarter...."

LOL

Contact the "supervisor is a bit tricky" for the perfume issue. But "ask to have your desk moved" worked for me. I wouldn't recommend it for the sniffles lady though.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:26 PM

" Contact the "supervisor is a bit tricky" for the perfume issue"

There's nothing tricky about it at all... As a matter of fact my wife has told me about occasions where she has had to fire people who stink too much... be it BO or perfume or whatever...

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:30 PM

And ya... her advice for dealing with "Sniffle Lady" is to "get the fuck over it"

A direct quote

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Becca72
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:47 PM

Unfortunately the ear plugs won't work for me, as I have to spend a good deal of my time on the phone. I like Kaleea's suggestions, though.

And Clinton, if your wife, the HR supervisor, actually said "get the fuck over it" she's not very good at her job. When it's loud and constant enough to disrupt the entire area something needs to be done.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:55 PM

She may not have said it professionally, but to me, when I brought up your complaint, that's exactly what she said....

Try asking YOUR supervisor, or your HR person, you'll get told the exact same thing, only less directly

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:56 PM

In fairness to her, she probably didn't say that. You posted at 12:09 nad he posted at 12:12. That didn't give him much time to call her at work, explain the situation and get her reaction before he posted. I think ole Clint was exercising his poetical licence.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:07 PM

For either, contact your supervisor. I had to deal with the perfume issue once -- I told the lady that while some of us enjoyed her perfume, others had found themselves to be allergic to it (and all of it was true). She stopped wearing it to work.

The supervisor should deal with the sniffles, too -- it can be a health hazard (albeit a minor one) to others. Kleenex or whatever....

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: GUEST,The lowly immigrant
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:10 PM

For all those who work in the comfort of an office, with reasonable pay and health benefits and are annoyed by such petty nuisances, I say spend a day with me on my job in the abattoir.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:14 PM

MMMmmm hands up all those who believe clinton.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:15 PM

Don't care if you do or don't...

No hair off my ass

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:29 PM

Nice system ya got there. Do you get all your petty insults from her or just the work related ones?

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: GUEST,Ned the miner
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:32 PM

Try my job for a day.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:37 PM

Stymied, so you have to resort to ad hominem eh JtS? Again?!?! Already??

Wow...

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: GUEST,receptionist at Mudcat Central
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:45 PM

Annoyances! Being the front person for all this crap going on here at the cat is just too much some days. I get terrible migraines. It looks like we have another one coming on. Dear, if you going back to the lunch room can you get a couple of Tylenol Xtra Strenghts and bring them back here for me. I just hope Joe hasn't taken them all.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:53 PM

"Stymied, so you have to resort to ad hominem"

Maybe if you were to IM your little "Karl Rove" there at the HR office she will explain to you that these are "ad hominem" and you've been making such attacks all along.

Grow up Clinton. and be careful to check with the educated one BEFORE you type the next time.

"So blow it out yer ass "Jack", provided you can get it around your head

She's currently laughing at what an obtuse moron you are "

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:56 PM

That's just a shining example of you, caught flapping your 'lips' without your brain....

again....

still.....

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:58 PM

You really should be getting some more help with your posts. They are pathetic. Does you mommy have IM too? Maybe she can help.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:05 PM

Yeah,

That's what we like about you Clinton, no "ad hominem".

You know you really ought to get her to explain the phrases she gives you before you use them. It make you look foolish when you use terms like "ad hominem" when you clearly have no idea what they mean.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:08 PM

Oh, I know I'm attacking you.... But that's just because you have no argument worth addressing... this is just abuse at this point....

I'd kick you in the balls, but you'd have to get them back from your wife first.....

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:13 PM

Clinton,

Do YOU really want to go there? You're making me feel sorry for you. I apologize for goading you into such a silly, self destructive, state. Take care of yourself Clinton. Bye.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: GUEST,G
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:15 PM

A couple points;

1. HR people advise, they don't usually discharge anyone.

2. The "Supervisor" would have been the first to go. Unless he had no sense of smell. And I as a Manager would have known about those things.

3. Clinton, you really are very boorish.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:36 PM

Not half as sorry as I feel for you, JtS

GUEST,G
1... They do around here...
3... ya well.... I'm skilled at matching like with like

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:46 PM

Clinton,

Seriously, you should quit while you are behind. You keep making a fool of yourself. When G called you boorish he obviously wasn't talking about what you said to me. He was talking about what you said to Becca which was boorish and in no way called for. Being rude to people simply because you think they have asked a stupid question is being boorish.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:01 PM

LOL! That's why Clinton belongs to the Mudcat. He lives to feel "sorry" for other people and be rude to them, and THIS is the place to do it!

Clinton, I am beginning to get a picture of your wife in my mind's eye. A bit like Hillary Clinton at a younger age, but a whole lot bitchier and meaner. Am I anywhere close? Anyway, she would have to be damned tough to put up with you, so I'm thinking it would be a good thing if she is.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: GUEST,receptionists at the Mudcat Central
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:06 PM

Joe!! Where did you put the goddamned Tylenols.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: kendall
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:07 PM

Becca72 is new here. She's also my daughter, so let's cut her some slack Clinton.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:11 PM

Have you an asthma sufferer in the office? A cold could kill them. So they might be able to file a discrimination or health and safety lawsuit - depends on local US law about which I know little in general.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:15 PM

BTW Becca,

I hope you understand that I was not in any way saying that your question was stupid. I was only talking about what Clinton apparently thinks. He's just wrong about that.

Welcome to the Mudcat Becca72. Your dad is a real man and a good man.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:21 PM

Back to the original question:

A sniffle may be a sign of a chronic condition, or it may be a sign of something contagious that you don't want to catch. After having spent weeks (almost all of March and much of early April) on antibiotics after catching a bug from someone at work I would be very leery of getting near that coworker unless I knew the nature of the problem.

I stayed at home and worked from there while I was contagious but able to work. I missed spring break (I work at a university) because that's when I was too ill to work. At least I didn't have to take as many sick days. I didn't spread my germs around, and my coworkers appreciated that.

If you can ascertain, without infringing on her civil rights (amazing what you can and can't ask these days), what the reason is for the sniffles maybe something can be done in the office to help her. Maybe she's allergic to something in the environment. We learned that our office receptionist is allergic to roses, so any fancy bouquets left over from luncheons or meetings held in the nearby meeting area go down to the reference or circulation desk for people to admire, we don't leave them in the administration office any more. Some other flowers are okay, but not roses. We wouldn't enjoy the flowers if we knew someone else was suffering to have them around.

Sometimes just knowing what the problem is helps you ignore the annoying symptoms. And get a radio to play at a low-enough volume that it doesn't disturb others but can let you ignore the sniff.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From:
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:24 PM

Thank you, Jack.

I in no way intended for this to be an HR dispute, merely looking for creative ways of dealing with an annoying co-worker who doesn't get the hint.

Quite frankly, what Clinton has to say in no way affects my life...on or off Mudcat, since I have found him to be a regular pain in the ass and rarely put any value in his posts.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: John O'L
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:25 PM

Once upon a time they had personnel officers who actually addressed such problems. Now they have HR people who say 'get the fuck over it.'

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:31 PM

"Once upon a time they had personnel officers who actually addressed such problems. Now they have HR people who say 'get the fuck over it.' "

In fairness to Clinton's wife who is not here to defend herself and to HR people everywhere, I think its worth pointing out that there is a very good chance that Clinton made that whole thing up.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:44 PM

Unlike his online life, which nobody could make up except maybe Steven King.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:46 PM

lol

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: John O'L
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:47 PM

I wasn't trying to criticise Clinton's wife, although I can see that it might look that way.
I was deploring the corporatisation mentality which first conceived Human Resources to dehumanise industrial relations, and then HR, to dehumanise even that.

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:51 PM

The problem is, I don't think Clinton makes things up. He can do JUST fine with his ummmmm...'personal' take on reality...*grin*

Subject: RE: BS: Office annoyances
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:51 PM

Indeed. Anybody read Dilbert lately?