Title: On the Spot!
Post by: Katie G on October 29, 2003, 04:56:32 pm
So today a coworker (A), another admin, comes up to my desk to ask me about something. I answer A's question and A leaves. Presently, A's supervisor (B) comes out of MY supervisor's (C) office. I hadn't known B was in C's office, but didn't think anything of it because this is what you might call an "active" office and there's always people (including the support staff) running around, so you don't always know who's where. This is just part of this particular office's dynamic, and besides, where my desk is, I can't see C's door unless I crane my neck around.
Ten minutes later, I get a phone call from B asking how long A was standing at my desk. Puzzled, and perhaps not thinking straight, I say, "Oh about five minutes." B then asks me if it "looked like" A was trying to "listen in" on the conversation going on in C's office between B & C. Frankly, I didn't even know there WAS a conversation going on, which is what I tell B. What I said was, "I have no way of knowing that, but I can tell you that I wasn't even aware there was a conversation going on in there." B then proceeds to tell me that the conversation had something to do with A and B just wanted to make sure A didn't hear it.
Okay, WHOA! This is TOO MUCH INFORMATION for my taste. NONE of this is my business. I'm really annoyed that I was put on the spot like that and am concerned that I'm being dragged into something I don't want to be -- and have no reason to be -- involved in. And if it was confidential, why the heck didn't they shut the door to the office?
Should I have done anything differently? And how closely should I be watching my back?
Ten minutes later, I get a phone call from B asking how long A was standing at my desk. Puzzled, and perhaps not thinking straight, I say, "Oh about five minutes." B then asks me if it "looked like" A was trying to "listen in" on the conversation going on in C's office between B & C. Frankly, I didn't even know there WAS a conversation going on, which is what I tell B. What I said was, "I have no way of knowing that, but I can tell you that I wasn't even aware there was a conversation going on in there." B then proceeds to tell me that the conversation had something to do with A and B just wanted to make sure A didn't hear it.
Okay, WHOA! This is TOO MUCH INFORMATION for my taste. NONE of this is my business. I'm really annoyed that I was put on the spot like that and am concerned that I'm being dragged into something I don't want to be -- and have no reason to be -- involved in. And if it was confidential, why the heck didn't they shut the door to the office?
Should I have done anything differently? And how closely should I be watching my back?
Title: Re: On the Spot!
Post by: gee4 on October 29, 2003, 05:16:16 pm
I think you handled this pretty well. However in future I think the best way to handle that would be to plead all ignorance. After all if you are working and doing your job, you are not timing how long A was standing at so-n-so's desk. You just have to be more on the ball these days - peers, colleagues, supervisors drag you into petty things without you realising it.
If it happens again, you can just say, sorry I didn't notice/was too busy/was on the phone/was away from my desk. It's not your job after all to check up on other people and certainly not your job to be a spy for others.
G
If it happens again, you can just say, sorry I didn't notice/was too busy/was on the phone/was away from my desk. It's not your job after all to check up on other people and certainly not your job to be a spy for others.
G
Edited by gee4 on 29/10/03 04:16 PM.
Title: Re: On the Spot!
Post by: chris68 on October 29, 2003, 05:22:25 pm
I agree with Gee4, however, if there was a meeting going on and the volumes were high I would have gotten up to close the door.
Chris68
Peer Moderator
Chris68
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Title: Re: On the Spot!
Post by: countrigal on October 29, 2003, 08:40:33 pm
I would have responded with something like "Thank you, but I'm sure that was none of my business either. A asked me a question, I answered it, and A left my area. That's all that I can tell you, except to suggest that in the future you close the door if you're having a conversation that others shouldn't overhear." But hey, that's me. You didn't do anything wrong, even in the response you gave, and I wouldn't think you'd have to worry about much unless it's A coming back to you to ask what they were talking about. Then plead ignorance about the conversation and continue your professional work habits.
CountriGal
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CountriGal
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Title: Re: On the Spot!
Post by: Jackie G on October 29, 2003, 11:44:01 pm
I agree entirely - how unprofessional of them to be discussing A when it was possible that A or other colleagues could hear what was being said. If it was something unplanned but came up as a result of another conversation, then I would definitely have made sure the door was closed before continuing!
Your answer seems perfectly ok to me, and I agree with CG too that it was also none of your business if they pursue it further - which I doubt.
Jackie
www.iqps.org
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Your answer seems perfectly ok to me, and I agree with CG too that it was also none of your business if they pursue it further - which I doubt.
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator