Dunno what to do...???

[D-Zine]

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I have an issue here at work. I need to know what you guys think its the best way to go about solving the issue, or the smartest way.

I work for a small place that has 2 newspaper publications. We have a sales dept, art dept, and classifieds dept. I have been here about 5 years. about 6 months ago my sister started working in the classifieds dept part time (On Mon & Tues) to bring in a lil extra cashflow. I know all about how its bad to work with family blah blah blah so I need no advice there. Things are working out fine as far as that goes. I don’t get involved in anything that has to do with her - and her being in anther “department” is helpful. If she has issues, she knows who to go to and knows not to put me in it.

I have noticed lately that the girl that does the bulk of the classifieds stuff has had somewhat of an attitude toward my sister. I thought maybe I was sensative to it because she is my sister, but others have noticed it as well (the accountant, and my sis has mentioned it to me). I haven’t said anything about it...its none of my business. My sister does her work, and she gets done early alot and gets to leave early sometimes - she does her job effeciently but I get the feeling that the other girl is worried that my sis is gonna show her up or something...its so childish but that’s the vibe I get. Office biatches can be so catty!!

Now on to the real issue...
Yesterday morning I was working in my office and I saw that other girl grab a time card and write on it. I didn’t really think anything about it. Figured she forgot to clock in or maybe forgot when she went to lunch the other day or something. No big deal. Last night when I went to clock out, I accidentally grabbed my sisters time card and then I realized it, so I went to put it back, but I noticed that there were times marked out for when my sister came in and when she left work on Tuesday, and she wrote new times beside it. Not that it would affect the pay that much bc it was only like a 30 min difference or whatever but that’s not the point. My problem with this is why is she marking on someone elses time card???? Whether its my sister or someone else...you just don’t do that.

I want to talk to the accountant about it...the time clock is in military time. She had told me that one day this week that said girl came to her and asked her how to read the military time and such...and she thought she was asking because of my sister (I need to talk to her to see why she thought that or whatever). But anyways...wouldn’t this bother anyone if someone was marking up their time card??? To me, the only person that needs to be writing on it is the accountant or my boss. HE’S THE BOSS!

It’s really bothering me and I am undecided what to do I guess. That one girl and I have been friends with for a long time and I hate to stir up office crap - you KNOW how it is in a small office! But what she did or is doing is wrong. I’m frustrated and irritated! Oh - my sisters has no idea about this since she hasn't been in the office since tuesday...I saw no point in telling her, atleast for now.

Anyways...suggestions?

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Power to the Oldschoolers

[Magnus]

Leanne, you obviously have a situation that requires the attention of your superiors. It seems to me that some disciplinary action needs to be taken against this chick.

And don't leave it till tommorow! If you do, the incident will lose it's validity. You need to speak to someone ASAP.




"Sometimes I do what I want...most of the time, I do what I have to." (Cicero, from "Gladiator")

"There is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path." (Morpheus, from"The Matrix")


"It's not cheating if you win...do what you have to do, but don't sacrifice your own honour in the process." (Taken from my iaido instructor, and modified by me)

"I am serving my time in hell on earth...at the job I am currently employed at." (Magnus, about his job)

Post Edited (Magnus) : 3/10/2005 4:04:08 PM GMT

[1984]

You could also expresss to your boss that you are friends with said girl and don't want to make office enemys, usually (hopefully) bosses know how to handle situations as to not stir things up within the place. He/She should be able to stop it from happening any longer and let all parties stay peacful. but Magnus is right, tell someone before to much time goes on.

J

Blah Blah. Pitter Patter.

[GTMUK]

You have an art department right?

Just get someone to........y'know rub her out?

I'll get my coat...(poor attempt at humour)

Seriously though it's a very tricky situation for you being the big sister - try to distance yourself from taking any action yourself - like the advice above let managment deal with it. That depends on your mgmt though and how tactful they are, good luck and don't let it fester you will only continue to feel bad....

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/undefinedBill Hicks - RIP - Legend

[uncle carbunkle]

slap her.

::Don't call me Foreman, for I am your Boss::

[D-Zine]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

GTMUK - Actually I am the LITTLE sister allthough no one believes that.. /DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/lol.gif

My boss is great, I am sure he will know how to handle the situation and he is pretty easy to talk to..I needed to get others thoughts on how to handle things and I think that has helped me put things into perspective some so thanks for those who have helped thus far with input!

Power to the Oldschoolers

[Kink]

D, this is what I would do...

If you've been confiding this to the accountant, then maybe the accountant, who deals with the cards should be saying something to the boss... as a concern... about who had changed it. Then you wouldn't even be involved in the mess of things.




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[Vikia]

D -
Very important! This is a matter for superiors. As an eyewitness, simply report that you observed the behavior to your superior. Report the behavior NOT the person as it is not a personal conflict. Do not jump to ANY conclusions. Do not indicate ANYTHING that suggests nepotism is your reason for reporting.

In many companies, persons caught changing/doctoring time cards without the knowledge of the boss is subject to reprimand and sometimes dismissal. That very thing happened in a past office I was in.

Also in a former office, we had a brother and sister who worked 2 cubicles apart, both designers. They made a rule that their family relationship was off limits at work and vice versa. In fact they held to this rule so well that many never even knew they were related.

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Post Edited (Vikia) : 3/10/2005 5:21:22 PM GMT

[1984]

D-Zine, are you sure one of us isn't the 'said person' Kink looks kinda suspicios in her avatar picture....

Blah Blah. Pitter Patter.

[D-Zine]

Thanks Vikia - me and my sister use that rule too...she doens't get involved when there's trouble on my end and neither do I on hers...you can't if you want the situation to work.

I don't want the girl fired, and I know my boss - she probobly wouldn't be..I just wanna know why she did it. He looks at all the timecards every monday so he will be looking at this one too. I know the accountant and how she is..she will notice the writing as not being my sisters and will say something. She doesn't like any sort of unfairness. In one way I would rather her take it to him (Like Kink said) because then it puts me outta the loop. Reguardless of whether or not I tell the accountant - she WILL notice it and speak up about it.

1984 - I'm not really sure now that you mention it...Kink is smilin quite a bit up there! What you up to Kink ;) She just wants that girls job so she can work with me, dontcha!! ;oP

Power to the Oldschoolers

[Vikia]

D-Zine said...
I don't want the girl fired, and I know my boss - she probobly wouldn't be..
She probably won't if it is the first time. However it needs to be addressed by the boss so he can explain company policy regarding timecards. Then the behavior can be documented and the actions by management as well. If handled correctly, this person will learn from the lesson and your boss will guide her to act within company policy.

D-Zine said...
I just wanna know why she did it.
Unfortunately, not your business. She may have 'issues' that she is acting on, but the boss needs to address the 'why' not you and not the accountant and not your sister. Sorry if this sounds too 'management-like' but it needs to be handled carefully as reprocussions could lead to dismissal, affect other employees, land in court (in extreme cases - but it happens all the time.)

D-Zine said...
He looks at all the timecards every monday so he will be looking at this one too. I know the accountant and how she is..she will notice the writing as not being my sisters and will say something. She doesn't like any sort of unfairness. In one way I would rather her take it to him (Like Kink said) because then it puts me outta the loop. Reguardless of whether or not I tell the accountant - she WILL notice it and speak up about it.

Hopefully it will be handled with tact and discretion. In small offices, this can be tough but doable. If not, the fact that it is a small office can make for a very uncomfortable workplace or basically HELL ON EARTH. I wish you well D-zine!

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Post Edited (Vikia) : 3/10/2005 6:34:14 PM GMT

[D-Zine]

I can't imagine my office being hell on earth /DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/lol.gif
I guess every office has thier moments but the crew I work with is pretty easy to talk to for the most part. It's one of the reasons I left where I was 4 years ago to come BACK to this current office. It's a little more difficult as to how to handle it with my sister being in the mix which is why I came to the board, to get others opinions. I'll letcha know what happens over the next day or two, thanks everyone!

Power to the Oldschoolers

[Vikia]

LOL - I know it is hard to believe an idyllic work place can change.

But like you said 'Office biatches can be so catty!!' and when cat fights brew out of control, all of the sudden your wonderful workplace can be an awful place to have to come in to and have to deal with 'biatchey' personsonalities.

Even this person is apparently 'not happy' currently about something and feels the need to act on her own. Her unhappiness could spill over to others and then Aaaaccckkk!

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[D-Zine]

Haa true Vikia!! I'll just put a door on my office..umm...door frame (why isn't there a door there now??) and shut myself away from all of em!!

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Power to the Oldschoolers

[BOSCOW]

give her some chicken with posion interlaced with the meat

[idaho]

Writing on someone else's timecard has alway been grounds for dismissal. Point it out to the accountant and let him/her take it from there.

-Idaho
'You want it when? Ok, no problem. Excuse me while I pull the magic wand out of my ass!'

[D-Zine]

thanks again everyone for your input!

Issue is going to be resolved soon so I locked the thread.

Power to the Oldschoolers

Post Edited (D-Zine) : 3/11/2005 2:23:33 PM GMT