The naughty things we do ....

[rose.winter1980]

I feel like laughing (very, very naughty of me!) but this is naughty.  A colleague asked me to help her out with something in Outlook.  She has in her inbox a number of folders and one is labelled "TBW".  I asked her what it meant and she, rather embarrassed and red-faced, said it stood for "That by woman".  All the emails from this person are diverted automatically to her special folder so she isn't too upset by them.  They are quite bullying emails, though, "you haven't done this" or "I haven't been invited to that" - really a way of getting at my colleague's manager not my colleague.   I suggested she might like to rename the folder in case she is ever "found out", but I guess this is just her way of dealing with a difficult colleague - not rebellious, just a way of keeping her end up, so to speak.  I know she's done her best to address the bullying without much success.

So, 'fess up girls ... are you ALWAYS hideously professional or do you allow yourself to be a bit naughty now and then?

Winter Rose

Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance

[gee4]

Oooh hurray...a posting!

Rose, nice of you to give your colleague some good advice.  I would definitely have labelled the folder something else!

Anyway as regards being "naughty" not sure exactly what you mean, but yes I always try to be professional.

You want to start us off and give us an example from your experiences, Rose?!

[Dusty *]

Always on my "best behaviour"

[matg]

Hi all

Maybe I'm missing something - is there a hidden meaning in "That by woman"?

Matt Griffin MIPA
Wales Regional Coordinator
Institute of Professional Administrators (IPA)

[rose.winter1980]

Yes, Matt, there was a little gap which I replaced with asterisks but it hasn't come out here.  

The worst I seem to have got up to was with a boss I had years ago.  She used to produce every single document in draft and then "marked" it in red ink.  She was very hot on punctuation, having been a teacher of English, and had probably eaten entire copies of Fowler's English grammar.  My way of dealing with this was to add a few extra commas of my own to her documents and, in three years of working together, I only had two of my commas altered.  Pretty good going, I think!

It may interest you to know that this boss and I are very good friends and I've shared quite a few meals with her and her family over the years.  

One has to be careful, though, how one labels documents and files.  In my first place, I replaced a temp.  We had to send out press releases on behalf of people and one person required us to add - as a courteous touch - a personal compliments slip from him and these had to be typed.  My predecessor had, mischievously, saved them as "Jo Bloggs's stupid comp slips".  Funny, but naughty.  That was her way of dealing with someone she considered to be tedious.  He was, actually, a very scary person and terrified me.  I was so tongue-tied when speaking to him that before I phoned him to leave a message on his answering machine, I used to write out what I wanted to say and read it back onto his voice mail.  Consequently, he thought I was the most coherent person in the office.  How mistaken he was!  LOL.

Winter Rose

Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance

[peaches2160]

I  think it alot, but do not put anything in writing, including file names.  But oooooh, my thoughts would fit into the category most definitely.  There are a few folks I have put into categories, but I do keep them to myself.  However, my boss and I have been working together long enough now that he can tell by the look on my face when I am "thinking".  My mother always tells me to watch my expressions because I can get a look on my face that says it all:)  I have learned to watch my thoughts, they become your words.  Watch your words because once they are out, they can not be taken back.  

[gee4]

Ok I 'fess up......I bought a packet of Maltesers at lunchtime.  So what, I hear you ask.

Well yes, but given we are not allowed to eat at our desks in this building, the packet is now opened, in my drawer and the melting chocolate tastes so much more devine when it's forbidden!

What's the worst they can do......fire me?!  Oh yes please!

[rose.winter1980]

May I ask the reason for not being allowed to eat at your desk?  Hygiene or Elf 'n' Safety? Or do The Authorities not consider it to be aesthetically pleasing?

Winter Rose

Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance

[gee4]

My building is the production/quality area, so whilst half of it is the factory floor, the other is desks/office staff etc.

Certain requirements have been set regards temperature (!) and the environment so that the products we manufacture leave our factory in perfect condition with no interference from food or drink.

Personally it's nuts.  I don't work anywhere near production nor am I in contact with anyone there.