Do people fight where you work?

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Do the people you work with ever get in fights with each other, or do they just seethe with resentment? Do heated arguments in the workplace upset you, or do you think they're a valuable way to diffuse tension?

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Answers

I'm currently unemployed, but when I worked at Denny's before I came to college there were the "typical" resturaunt (I hate trying to spell that freaking word) fights - dishwashers never doing their job, not taking away dirty dishtubs, cooks who do a shitty job and then get mad when the servers don't want to serve it, servers who complain about the speed and quality of the food to the cooks, etc.etc. I only ever had one blow-out with a fellow employee because I asked her to cool it on being mad at the one cook and just be calm and whatever. She told me it was none of my business, but if I'm working with someone, and they're all pissed and being stupid to the cook, it is my business because it affects me. Anyway, she left shortly after, and to this day doesn't speak to me. I can't say I completely understand, but I'm not going to stress about it.

As far as relieving tension.. well.. perhaps in the long run, but initially any type of fight or argument is stressful for me, even if I'm not involved. I hate it when people don't get along. Perhaps it relieves tension for other people, though.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000


Yes, they fight. It's one of the things I hate the most about my job. We have a few people who scream and slam doors when they're angry, and it makes it very tense for everyone else. The screamers have been known to hijack entire staff meetings for hours at a time, holding the rest of us hostage until someone finally steps in to stop the barrage.

These people aren't supervisors; I don't know why the powers that be put up with it. After one of the screaming episodes, I almost always leave for the day if I can. I can't stand all that tension.

On the other hand, my office is a very tense place in general. Most people are unhappy, but we have this "big happy family" image that almost everyone tries to keep up. So I can understand the screaming impulse; I just think it's inappropriate. I wish people could discuss their concerns in a professional manner, I really do. But the response that gets you is, "Well, just try to live with it."

I guess I might turn into one of the screamers eventually if I stick around.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000


Oh, God, the fighting!

I work in a smallish company, with many cubicles jammed in a massive room. Two managers in my department will SCREAM with the most obscene language imaginable at various employees when something isn't right. Of course, those cubicle walls do nothing to prevent sound from carrying, so everyone's mistakes are on display for the rest of the office.

I think when you get to be a manager, you don't think concepts like "acting professional" apply to you.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000


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