Advice Please - Gossiping?

[persevere71]

I have struggled with what to think of this … My coworker is not really working ( service technician) he parks service van because we have GPS then walks to cigar shop … goes to eat etc… then brags how he got promoted makes so much money on OT and how easy his job is meanwhile we are losing customers because he doesn’t show up ! Our raises are based as a whole for the company and since he got a huge raise as he left it out for everyone to see I am assuming that’s why we all got literally cents . Do I tell the boss or just keep it to myself ?mind my own business? am I gossiping or being jealous? so frustrating!

 

[Xantippe]

I have struggled with what to think of this … My coworker is not really working ( service technician) he parks service van because we have GPS then walks to cigar shop … goes to eat etc… then brags how he got promoted makes so much money on OT and how easy his job is meanwhile we are losing customers because he doesn’t show up ! Our raises are based as a whole for the company and since he got a huge raise as he left it out for everyone to see I am assuming that’s why we all got literally cents . Do I tell the boss or just keep it to myself ?mind my own business? am I gossiping or being jealous? so frustrating!

A personal finance radio guy I listen to says that “gossip” is when it’s horizontal. So, it’s gossip if you tell the receptionist. But if you tell the supervisor, it’s not gossip.

There’s a more technical Catholic treatment of the subject, but I think it actually jibes with the radio guy’s idea–it’s not culpable if you are sharing information on a need-to-know basis. It’s only a problem if you are blackening a person’s reputation just for personal entertainment.

 

[Mystrx]

A personal finance radio guy I listen to says that “gossip” is when it’s horizontal. So, it’s gossip if you tell the receptionist. But if you tell the supervisor, it’s not gossip.

There’s a more technical Catholic treatment of the subject, but I think it actually jibes with the radio guy’s idea–it’s not culpable if you are sharing information on a need-to-know basis. It’s only a problem if you are blackening a person’s reputation just for personal entertainment.

Yeah this seem right to me.

Gossiping is petty and small. Telling your boss, “hey this is happening and it might be a problem, thought you should know.” seems more like just being a responsible worker.

 

[persevere71]

Thank you , I do feel bad like I’m “tattling” but it does affect the people who take pride in their work! thanks everyone sometimes you just need a second opinion

 

[Jeannie52]

I have struggled with what to think of this … My coworker is not really working ( service technician) he parks service van because we have GPS then walks to cigar shop … goes to eat etc… then brags how he got promoted makes so much money on OT and how easy his job is meanwhile we are losing customers because he doesn’t show up ! Our raises are based as a whole for the company and since he got a huge raise as he left it out for everyone to see I am assuming that’s why we all got literally cents . Do I tell the boss or just keep it to myself ?mind my own business? am I gossiping or being jealous? so frustrating!

It sounds to me as though your co-worker does not have a very good work ethic the way he is bragging at work about how much of a raise he got with his promotion. It is not professional whatsoever. I would even go a step further in saying that if you keep this information to yourself and not tell your immediate Supervisor/Manager, I have a feeling word about this situation will get to your superior and something will be said to your co-worker.

You are right in mentioning bragging how much he makes and all is no ones business, just between him and his superior. Broadcasting private information like salary or wages, with everyone is just wrong like I stated.

I am praying for you that you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in handling this situation.

God bless you

 

[turtle18]

I don’t know whether it is gossiping or not. But you do not know for certain what he is doing on his lunch break. It is the duty and responsibility of your and his boss to make certain he is doing his job. It is not your responsibility.

 

[persevere71]

I don’t know whether it is gossiping or not. But you do not know for certain what he is doing on his lunch break. It is the duty and responsibility of your and his boss to make certain he is doing his job. It is not your responsibility.

I understand what you are saying and believe me I struggled with saying something because I felt that way but … when you come in showing pictures of a cigar shop you were at and how you took a 2 hour break while we are losing business and dealing with angry customers. it can be frustrating.

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

Yeah this seem right to me.

Gossiping is petty and small. Telling your boss, “hey this is happening and it might be a problem, thought you should know.” seems more like just being a responsible worker.

As long as it is framed in a neutral, purely practical and impersonal way and not as if you have anything against the man personally. Every success!

 

[persevere71]

As long as it is framed in a neutral, purely practical and impersonal way and not as if you have anything against the man personally. Every success!

I don’t want it to be personal, I even told him on a personal level that he probably shouldnt be showing anyone anything and "ust come to work do your job don’t talk too much and go home "

 

[SMH_2015]

Look at it this way. Your co-worker is stealing from your company (accepting a paycheck while not working). If you saw him taking money from a cash register would you report it?

 

[underacloud]

If he has recently been promoted, obviously some people higher up think he’s doing a good job. I would tread carefully here. Criticising him can quickly turn into the impression that you are criticising management who promoted him.

If you are losing customers because of his behaviour I’m sure management will begin to notice. If you feel you should/must raise this with management, focus on this element rather than on cigar shopping or your impression that he’s slacking.

 

[silver_moon]

If he has recently been promoted, obviously some people higher up think he’s doing a good job. I would tread carefully here. Criticising him can quickly turn into the impression that you are criticising management who promoted him.

If you are losing customers because of his behaviour I’m sure management will begin to notice. If you feel you should/must raise this with management, focus on this element rather than on cigar shopping or your impression that he’s slacking.

I agree about being careful. I used to work with someone like this. One co-worker wanted to say something and another co-worker thought it was none of our business. There was too much discussion of the whole issue. We eventually realized that management had decided it was not worth worrying about.

The worst possibility is that management will think you are not doing your job b/c you’re worried about him doing his. I’m not saying that would happen, and I also know you want to correct injustice. But in the situation I lived through, I was really surprised at the people who defended the co-worker who just didn’t do anything all day.

eta: Imo, you would not be gossiping or being jealous. However management may still not want to hear about it for their own reasons. Which may not be clear.

 

[St_Francis]

This is very strange–how can management not know that he is not showing ip at the customers’? How can they not know that as a result, thet are losing business?

Sounds like something else might be going on here. I mentioned to someone that Mr X seemed to spend little time in the office, and it turned out he was the owner’s nephew.

 

[persevere71]

I forgot to mention i was entrusted to do payroll first time because of person on vacation so i saw the 24 hrs ot and how the log doesn’t match the work orders so irritated that ot is more than my paycheck ! But i just did my job as i was told sadly we lost one tech to cancer another retired so im believing company is at his mercy because he’s the only one at the moment … I will just say what the facts are and not sound petty like hes at a cigar shop or how he makes more in ot than i do in a paycheck which is what i want to say but won’t. All of Your comments sure helped in what i should stick to adresssing will let you all know what happens …