Needing some small work advice

[HardtoHandle]

Just thought I would ask someone else's opinion on this matter. I think I know what my step is; but thought I'd put this out there.

I work in a production facility in which I'm management. On a day to day basis I'm responsible for over 50 employees. Most are men in which are of culture or plain out having a hard time accepting a woman as their superior.


So there is a male employee who has nothing good to say about anyone, is always negative and down right insulting to anyone that isn't white, a male or speaks english. Now; he makes a comment to another male employee that he's upset that a certain "supervisor" (that being me) doesn't wear any underwear. The other employee thought it was funny that he even made such a stupid comment and said point her out...lets spray some water on her and find out.

Now.....the employee who said the water comment told me the comment about my underwear. Understand that I get along very well with most of my male employees and they have respect for me and treat me well. So, of course he was going to down play it; and tell me afterwards. (my little snitch).
If any other employee had said it jokingly...I would have taken it as such....shit like that doesn't bother me.
But....because this other employee made it sound in a derogatory way; I'm not offended...but a bit pissed with his attitude and trying to start such a "rumor"

K....I don't wear underwear...but how would he know. I wear scrubs at work for fawk sakes and wear nothing remotely close enough to my body for anyone to even know this. So...besides the point..haha.

Of course this would be grounds for dismissal since this is sexual harrasment. And, everyone has tried to get him caught for stupid shit; on his own doing...but he's sneaky.
I'm not a vindictive type of person.....and I don't do things out of spite. I have more important things to worry about. But...I don't tolerate this type of behavior when it's taken in such a derogatory manner toward anyone.

Should I seek HR to see next steps...or should I just take it up in a way to put some fear into him?

Think about if I was your girlfriend...or wife...or sister...how would you feel about someone like this bi-polar moron?

[#8]

I think the real issue at hand here is that you DONT wear underwear at work......awesome......neither do I.... :)

[waderow]

not entirely sure how your company works for chain of command, etc., but it is obvious the rude one needs a talking to. Likely a discussion about his behavior and the consequences will put an end to it. If not, then probably begin the process to have him turfed.




..............that being said..... so no underwear eh?

;) kidding

[pinhead]

Why not confront him directly and see what's his beef with you. If you can't resolve it between you two and he persists, take it up with HR. Everyone is entitled to go to work without having to be harassed.

[Adonis13]

by the sounds of it...your already thinking it would be pretty petty to get someone fired because of a stupid comment like that. Just confront him and make him know you're his superior and to act accordingly. he doesnt have to like u, but he does have to do his work and not take away from yours.
What u gonna do?

[Houstonbc]

sounds like he needs a strong verbal reprimand

[ironwill]

So there is a male employee who has nothing good to say about anyone, is always negative and down right insulting to anyone that isn't white, a male or speaks english.

There you have it....dont take it personal, and if you say anything your "snitch" will be found out....rise above it....keep it in mind... and if you are his superior then you are in control if you remain that way, if you stoop to his level everyone else will see you arent really a leader and you will lose a lot of credibility...
Ive been a leader for a long time ...In trades,millwrights,welders etc....you need to have thick skin and know which battles to ensue to stay a leader....you cant win them all....but you can keep things balanced in your way.

[zippythewonder]

I'd say the guy with the "problem" is really insecure. If he has a history of causing problems, keeping a file on this person is a good way of keeping his actions in check (you being the manager). Definitely do not stoop to that level. It's just not worth it to your professional life. People like that often like to stir shit in order to be part of the crowd and by themselves, would back down from confrontation. Keeping a file on such a person may come in handy when they've finally "crossed the line" and you pull them aside and confront them with enough ammo to either keep them in line or have them move on to another gig. Just a thought...

[BDH]

Wear underwear..... problem solved...

Why do I get the feeling there is more to this story than we are getting here? The guy tells someone you dont wear undies and it just happens that you dont? No offense, but not many women I know go to work commando.

I dont know you at all, but I am just trying to dig a little deeper here.

[HardtoHandle]

Good comments from all........thanks

I don't wear undies at all...anytime....haven't for years...I just don't see the point to a piece of lycra in my ass...and thats it! Why even wear them at all then.

I do have to share a dressing room with some other ladies who are on the floor and in the union. One....who has been known to be very nosey...perhaps she took notice...I dunno!

I believe I am going to let this one go.

[C-money]

Well if you were my gf id be pissed..... BUT i think the best thing to do is confront him like adonis said, you know it would be petty to go down to his level, i say do the right professional thing!

[RagingRandy]

People like this will say whatever they wish. There does not need to be any truth to it. People tear others down to build themselves up. If you do confront him be sure there are plenty of people around for 2 reasons. First, you will be calling him out publicly and I am sure he will not be used to being called out in the light of day. A bit of public humiliation can go a long way to letting him know who the boss is. Second you will have lots of witnesses if he does start spouting off.

I would not address the accusation in particular but in general. You can say that you have been told that he is bad mouthing you and you do not appreciate it. Also state that there has been complaints from others regarding his attitude.

If he does wig out then you have clear grounds for dismissal, if that is what you want. If he remains passive you will have exerted your superiority publicly and the next time he tries to spread rumors they will fall on deaf ears. Either way you win.

[buildinthaskinnys]

So there is a male employee who has nothing good to say about anyone, is always negative and down right insulting to anyone that isn't white, a male or speaks english.

There you have it....dont take it personal, and if you say anything your "snitch" will be found out....rise above it....keep it in mind... and if you are his superior then you are in control if you remain that way, if you stoop to his level everyone else will see you arent really a leader and you will lose a lot of credibility...
Ive been a leader for a long time ...In trades,millwrights,welders etc....you need to have thick skin and know which battles to ensue to stay a leader....you cant win them all....but you can keep things balanced in your way.

I think this is an excellent reply

[buildinthaskinnys]

Just thought I would ask someone else's opinion on this matter. I think I know what my step is; but thought I'd put this out there.

I work in a production facility in which I'm management. On a day to day basis I'm responsible for over 50 employees. Most are men in which are of culture or plain out having a hard time accepting a woman as their superior.


So there is a male employee who has nothing good to say about anyone, is always negative and down right insulting to anyone that isn't white, a male or speaks english. Now; he makes a comment to another male employee that he's upset that a certain "supervisor" (that being me) doesn't wear any underwear. The other employee thought it was funny that he even made such a stupid comment and said point her out...lets spray some water on her and find out.

Now.....the employee who said the water comment told me the comment about my underwear. Understand that I get along very well with most of my male employees and they have respect for me and treat me well. So, of course he was going to down play it; and tell me afterwards. (my little snitch).
If any other employee had said it jokingly...I would have taken it as such....shit like that doesn't bother me.
But....because this other employee made it sound in a derogatory way; I'm not offended...but a bit pissed with his attitude and trying to start such a "rumor"

K....I don't wear underwear...but how would he know. I wear scrubs at work for fawk sakes and wear nothing remotely close enough to my body for anyone to even know this. So...besides the point..haha.

Of course this would be grounds for dismissal since this is sexual harrasment. And, everyone has tried to get him caught for stupid shit; on his own doing...but he's sneaky.
I'm not a vindictive type of person.....and I don't do things out of spite. I have more important things to worry about. But...I don't tolerate this type of behavior when it's taken in such a derogatory manner toward anyone.

Should I seek HR to see next steps...or should I just take it up in a way to put some fear into him?

Think about if I was your girlfriend...or wife...or sister...how would you feel about someone like this bi-polar moron?

These actions take three steps as you already know
first a written, then a verbal, than three strikes and he's gone, I would be careful that this dosent backfire on you because you are going off of what a potential "asskisser" has said, as far as snitches go I have no uses for them as they are only opportunists, and this person already played around with the guy about this, so that makes him useless to you if you take it up to HR.
Whatever decision you make Im sure it will be the right one.

[macka]

let him dig his own grave, this little incident is nothing, what you want is him to comment to you directly with more then one witness. If you confront him now you give him ammo to show how "superior" he is to his peers. If you want to put him in his place, give him the shit jobs til he bitches, then ask him what his problem is. When he complains, you can say well you needed a "man" to do the job, and walk away before he can reply. He'll either shut up, or make a scene which is grounds for writing him up.

[St]

You need to go to HR and let them know how much of a bad apply this guy is.

[L3]

document, document, document everything.. time /place /what was said /outcome etc...

that is the most important thing, from the mouth of my HR Staffing professor

[turboturist]

IW and Macka both have good ideas/points.