Coworker keeps threatening to tattle on me for “time theft”












9















One of my coworkers is especially nosy and keeps tabs on when I come to work and leave, and how long my lunch break is, how many times I go to the restroom and how long each break takes, and so on. Every time I check my phone he notices and writes it down, then later he'll come to my desk and say "You've wasted 14 minutes today. Why?" We're in the same position. He says he has a running log of how much time I waste and he's going to submit it to our manager. Should I just let him and hope my manager doesn't care, or should I say something to him or my manager now?










share|improve this question







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  • 27





    And I wonder how much time he's wasted keeping tabs on you...

    – David K
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    Is there some reason why he wants to get rid of you?

    – Ernest Friedman-Hill
    1 hour ago






  • 5





    1) Tell him to mind his own f*cking business. 2) Make sure you aren't actually wasting time, so that if the weasel does "tattle" on you, you'll have nothing to be ashamed of. 3) Don't worry about it.

    – Joe Strazzere
    59 mins ago








  • 5





    How about a preemptive strike - drop your manager a note mentioning that it concerns you how much time coworker X appears to be spending on keeping tabs on others...

    – brhans
    38 mins ago











  • Next time he says anything about your bathroom use, tell him if he wants proof of what you're doing in there, you'll bring it back on a plate for him.

    – Richard U
    19 mins ago
















9















One of my coworkers is especially nosy and keeps tabs on when I come to work and leave, and how long my lunch break is, how many times I go to the restroom and how long each break takes, and so on. Every time I check my phone he notices and writes it down, then later he'll come to my desk and say "You've wasted 14 minutes today. Why?" We're in the same position. He says he has a running log of how much time I waste and he's going to submit it to our manager. Should I just let him and hope my manager doesn't care, or should I say something to him or my manager now?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 27





    And I wonder how much time he's wasted keeping tabs on you...

    – David K
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    Is there some reason why he wants to get rid of you?

    – Ernest Friedman-Hill
    1 hour ago






  • 5





    1) Tell him to mind his own f*cking business. 2) Make sure you aren't actually wasting time, so that if the weasel does "tattle" on you, you'll have nothing to be ashamed of. 3) Don't worry about it.

    – Joe Strazzere
    59 mins ago








  • 5





    How about a preemptive strike - drop your manager a note mentioning that it concerns you how much time coworker X appears to be spending on keeping tabs on others...

    – brhans
    38 mins ago











  • Next time he says anything about your bathroom use, tell him if he wants proof of what you're doing in there, you'll bring it back on a plate for him.

    – Richard U
    19 mins ago














9












9








9








One of my coworkers is especially nosy and keeps tabs on when I come to work and leave, and how long my lunch break is, how many times I go to the restroom and how long each break takes, and so on. Every time I check my phone he notices and writes it down, then later he'll come to my desk and say "You've wasted 14 minutes today. Why?" We're in the same position. He says he has a running log of how much time I waste and he's going to submit it to our manager. Should I just let him and hope my manager doesn't care, or should I say something to him or my manager now?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












One of my coworkers is especially nosy and keeps tabs on when I come to work and leave, and how long my lunch break is, how many times I go to the restroom and how long each break takes, and so on. Every time I check my phone he notices and writes it down, then later he'll come to my desk and say "You've wasted 14 minutes today. Why?" We're in the same position. He says he has a running log of how much time I waste and he's going to submit it to our manager. Should I just let him and hope my manager doesn't care, or should I say something to him or my manager now?







colleagues time-management






share|improve this question







New contributor




Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor




Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 1 hour ago









Honda Clarity Plug-In HybridHonda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

462




462




New contributor




Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 27





    And I wonder how much time he's wasted keeping tabs on you...

    – David K
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    Is there some reason why he wants to get rid of you?

    – Ernest Friedman-Hill
    1 hour ago






  • 5





    1) Tell him to mind his own f*cking business. 2) Make sure you aren't actually wasting time, so that if the weasel does "tattle" on you, you'll have nothing to be ashamed of. 3) Don't worry about it.

    – Joe Strazzere
    59 mins ago








  • 5





    How about a preemptive strike - drop your manager a note mentioning that it concerns you how much time coworker X appears to be spending on keeping tabs on others...

    – brhans
    38 mins ago











  • Next time he says anything about your bathroom use, tell him if he wants proof of what you're doing in there, you'll bring it back on a plate for him.

    – Richard U
    19 mins ago














  • 27





    And I wonder how much time he's wasted keeping tabs on you...

    – David K
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    Is there some reason why he wants to get rid of you?

    – Ernest Friedman-Hill
    1 hour ago






  • 5





    1) Tell him to mind his own f*cking business. 2) Make sure you aren't actually wasting time, so that if the weasel does "tattle" on you, you'll have nothing to be ashamed of. 3) Don't worry about it.

    – Joe Strazzere
    59 mins ago








  • 5





    How about a preemptive strike - drop your manager a note mentioning that it concerns you how much time coworker X appears to be spending on keeping tabs on others...

    – brhans
    38 mins ago











  • Next time he says anything about your bathroom use, tell him if he wants proof of what you're doing in there, you'll bring it back on a plate for him.

    – Richard U
    19 mins ago








27




27





And I wonder how much time he's wasted keeping tabs on you...

– David K
1 hour ago





And I wonder how much time he's wasted keeping tabs on you...

– David K
1 hour ago




1




1





Is there some reason why he wants to get rid of you?

– Ernest Friedman-Hill
1 hour ago





Is there some reason why he wants to get rid of you?

– Ernest Friedman-Hill
1 hour ago




5




5





1) Tell him to mind his own f*cking business. 2) Make sure you aren't actually wasting time, so that if the weasel does "tattle" on you, you'll have nothing to be ashamed of. 3) Don't worry about it.

– Joe Strazzere
59 mins ago







1) Tell him to mind his own f*cking business. 2) Make sure you aren't actually wasting time, so that if the weasel does "tattle" on you, you'll have nothing to be ashamed of. 3) Don't worry about it.

– Joe Strazzere
59 mins ago






5




5





How about a preemptive strike - drop your manager a note mentioning that it concerns you how much time coworker X appears to be spending on keeping tabs on others...

– brhans
38 mins ago





How about a preemptive strike - drop your manager a note mentioning that it concerns you how much time coworker X appears to be spending on keeping tabs on others...

– brhans
38 mins ago













Next time he says anything about your bathroom use, tell him if he wants proof of what you're doing in there, you'll bring it back on a plate for him.

– Richard U
19 mins ago





Next time he says anything about your bathroom use, tell him if he wants proof of what you're doing in there, you'll bring it back on a plate for him.

– Richard U
19 mins ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















14














First, take a defensive position.



Arrive 5 mins early, leave 5 mins late. (if possible)



Don't go to HR, yet, although they may need to be called in.



Normally, I'd say go to your coworker first, but this person is up to something and you don't want to tip him off. Take this up with your manager ASAP, as this is not about time, this is harassment. Mention coworker's timing your use of the bathroom. This is not normal or professional behavior on his part.



Tell your manager that he's making you feel extremely uncomfortable in telling you how long you were in the bathroom. If your manager suggests you go to HR about this, do it.



This is the very definition of workplace harassment, and should be dealt with by management or HR (start with management).






share|improve this answer

































    4














    There is nothing for you to tell your manager if you have been doing your work. Let your colleague submit his notes to your manager. Hopefully your manager will then have the sense to ask your colleague why he is wasting time spying on you instead of doing his assigned tasks.






    share|improve this answer


























    • Fair enough. I'll delete my comments then.

      – Richard U
      9 mins ago



















    3














    I'm assuming you've already spoken to your coworker about why he's acting that way and tried to resolve the situation without escalating it up to your manager. Assuming that I would get ahead of this since you don't know how the employee is going to approach the manager, what kind of spin they're going to put on it or how much they will exaggerate things (eg: "15 minutes" may become "almost an hour"). How your manager takes it largely depends on these details plus their relationship with that employee (is that employee a friend or a nuisance to them).



    Talk to your manager privately either through email or face to face and put your own spin on it depending on what you think would go over better.




    Hey there are some rumors going around that I'm unproductive. Are you happy with my work so far?




    This will help make your coworkers tattling seem like he's just spreading rumors and if there are legitimate concerns about your productivity it gives your boss a chance to help you address them and shows that you're willing to improve.



    The other option is to say something like




    Hey , has been trying to micromanage me instead of doing his work. I've tried talking to him but he's persistent. This is starting to affect my productivity. What do you think I should do?




    This way paints your coworker as the problem. He is not doing his job and is actively harming your productivity with his antics.






    share|improve this answer

























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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      14














      First, take a defensive position.



      Arrive 5 mins early, leave 5 mins late. (if possible)



      Don't go to HR, yet, although they may need to be called in.



      Normally, I'd say go to your coworker first, but this person is up to something and you don't want to tip him off. Take this up with your manager ASAP, as this is not about time, this is harassment. Mention coworker's timing your use of the bathroom. This is not normal or professional behavior on his part.



      Tell your manager that he's making you feel extremely uncomfortable in telling you how long you were in the bathroom. If your manager suggests you go to HR about this, do it.



      This is the very definition of workplace harassment, and should be dealt with by management or HR (start with management).






      share|improve this answer






























        14














        First, take a defensive position.



        Arrive 5 mins early, leave 5 mins late. (if possible)



        Don't go to HR, yet, although they may need to be called in.



        Normally, I'd say go to your coworker first, but this person is up to something and you don't want to tip him off. Take this up with your manager ASAP, as this is not about time, this is harassment. Mention coworker's timing your use of the bathroom. This is not normal or professional behavior on his part.



        Tell your manager that he's making you feel extremely uncomfortable in telling you how long you were in the bathroom. If your manager suggests you go to HR about this, do it.



        This is the very definition of workplace harassment, and should be dealt with by management or HR (start with management).






        share|improve this answer




























          14












          14








          14







          First, take a defensive position.



          Arrive 5 mins early, leave 5 mins late. (if possible)



          Don't go to HR, yet, although they may need to be called in.



          Normally, I'd say go to your coworker first, but this person is up to something and you don't want to tip him off. Take this up with your manager ASAP, as this is not about time, this is harassment. Mention coworker's timing your use of the bathroom. This is not normal or professional behavior on his part.



          Tell your manager that he's making you feel extremely uncomfortable in telling you how long you were in the bathroom. If your manager suggests you go to HR about this, do it.



          This is the very definition of workplace harassment, and should be dealt with by management or HR (start with management).






          share|improve this answer















          First, take a defensive position.



          Arrive 5 mins early, leave 5 mins late. (if possible)



          Don't go to HR, yet, although they may need to be called in.



          Normally, I'd say go to your coworker first, but this person is up to something and you don't want to tip him off. Take this up with your manager ASAP, as this is not about time, this is harassment. Mention coworker's timing your use of the bathroom. This is not normal or professional behavior on his part.



          Tell your manager that he's making you feel extremely uncomfortable in telling you how long you were in the bathroom. If your manager suggests you go to HR about this, do it.



          This is the very definition of workplace harassment, and should be dealt with by management or HR (start with management).







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 13 mins ago

























          answered 22 mins ago









          Richard URichard U

          92k65236367




          92k65236367

























              4














              There is nothing for you to tell your manager if you have been doing your work. Let your colleague submit his notes to your manager. Hopefully your manager will then have the sense to ask your colleague why he is wasting time spying on you instead of doing his assigned tasks.






              share|improve this answer


























              • Fair enough. I'll delete my comments then.

                – Richard U
                9 mins ago
















              4














              There is nothing for you to tell your manager if you have been doing your work. Let your colleague submit his notes to your manager. Hopefully your manager will then have the sense to ask your colleague why he is wasting time spying on you instead of doing his assigned tasks.






              share|improve this answer


























              • Fair enough. I'll delete my comments then.

                – Richard U
                9 mins ago














              4












              4








              4







              There is nothing for you to tell your manager if you have been doing your work. Let your colleague submit his notes to your manager. Hopefully your manager will then have the sense to ask your colleague why he is wasting time spying on you instead of doing his assigned tasks.






              share|improve this answer















              There is nothing for you to tell your manager if you have been doing your work. Let your colleague submit his notes to your manager. Hopefully your manager will then have the sense to ask your colleague why he is wasting time spying on you instead of doing his assigned tasks.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 53 mins ago

























              answered 1 hour ago









              sf02sf02

              4,7102521




              4,7102521













              • Fair enough. I'll delete my comments then.

                – Richard U
                9 mins ago



















              • Fair enough. I'll delete my comments then.

                – Richard U
                9 mins ago

















              Fair enough. I'll delete my comments then.

              – Richard U
              9 mins ago





              Fair enough. I'll delete my comments then.

              – Richard U
              9 mins ago











              3














              I'm assuming you've already spoken to your coworker about why he's acting that way and tried to resolve the situation without escalating it up to your manager. Assuming that I would get ahead of this since you don't know how the employee is going to approach the manager, what kind of spin they're going to put on it or how much they will exaggerate things (eg: "15 minutes" may become "almost an hour"). How your manager takes it largely depends on these details plus their relationship with that employee (is that employee a friend or a nuisance to them).



              Talk to your manager privately either through email or face to face and put your own spin on it depending on what you think would go over better.




              Hey there are some rumors going around that I'm unproductive. Are you happy with my work so far?




              This will help make your coworkers tattling seem like he's just spreading rumors and if there are legitimate concerns about your productivity it gives your boss a chance to help you address them and shows that you're willing to improve.



              The other option is to say something like




              Hey , has been trying to micromanage me instead of doing his work. I've tried talking to him but he's persistent. This is starting to affect my productivity. What do you think I should do?




              This way paints your coworker as the problem. He is not doing his job and is actively harming your productivity with his antics.






              share|improve this answer






























                3














                I'm assuming you've already spoken to your coworker about why he's acting that way and tried to resolve the situation without escalating it up to your manager. Assuming that I would get ahead of this since you don't know how the employee is going to approach the manager, what kind of spin they're going to put on it or how much they will exaggerate things (eg: "15 minutes" may become "almost an hour"). How your manager takes it largely depends on these details plus their relationship with that employee (is that employee a friend or a nuisance to them).



                Talk to your manager privately either through email or face to face and put your own spin on it depending on what you think would go over better.




                Hey there are some rumors going around that I'm unproductive. Are you happy with my work so far?




                This will help make your coworkers tattling seem like he's just spreading rumors and if there are legitimate concerns about your productivity it gives your boss a chance to help you address them and shows that you're willing to improve.



                The other option is to say something like




                Hey , has been trying to micromanage me instead of doing his work. I've tried talking to him but he's persistent. This is starting to affect my productivity. What do you think I should do?




                This way paints your coworker as the problem. He is not doing his job and is actively harming your productivity with his antics.






                share|improve this answer




























                  3












                  3








                  3







                  I'm assuming you've already spoken to your coworker about why he's acting that way and tried to resolve the situation without escalating it up to your manager. Assuming that I would get ahead of this since you don't know how the employee is going to approach the manager, what kind of spin they're going to put on it or how much they will exaggerate things (eg: "15 minutes" may become "almost an hour"). How your manager takes it largely depends on these details plus their relationship with that employee (is that employee a friend or a nuisance to them).



                  Talk to your manager privately either through email or face to face and put your own spin on it depending on what you think would go over better.




                  Hey there are some rumors going around that I'm unproductive. Are you happy with my work so far?




                  This will help make your coworkers tattling seem like he's just spreading rumors and if there are legitimate concerns about your productivity it gives your boss a chance to help you address them and shows that you're willing to improve.



                  The other option is to say something like




                  Hey , has been trying to micromanage me instead of doing his work. I've tried talking to him but he's persistent. This is starting to affect my productivity. What do you think I should do?




                  This way paints your coworker as the problem. He is not doing his job and is actively harming your productivity with his antics.






                  share|improve this answer















                  I'm assuming you've already spoken to your coworker about why he's acting that way and tried to resolve the situation without escalating it up to your manager. Assuming that I would get ahead of this since you don't know how the employee is going to approach the manager, what kind of spin they're going to put on it or how much they will exaggerate things (eg: "15 minutes" may become "almost an hour"). How your manager takes it largely depends on these details plus their relationship with that employee (is that employee a friend or a nuisance to them).



                  Talk to your manager privately either through email or face to face and put your own spin on it depending on what you think would go over better.




                  Hey there are some rumors going around that I'm unproductive. Are you happy with my work so far?




                  This will help make your coworkers tattling seem like he's just spreading rumors and if there are legitimate concerns about your productivity it gives your boss a chance to help you address them and shows that you're willing to improve.



                  The other option is to say something like




                  Hey , has been trying to micromanage me instead of doing his work. I've tried talking to him but he's persistent. This is starting to affect my productivity. What do you think I should do?




                  This way paints your coworker as the problem. He is not doing his job and is actively harming your productivity with his antics.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 28 mins ago

























                  answered 37 mins ago









                  Lee AbrahamLee Abraham

                  1,89011322




                  1,89011322






















                      Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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                      Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












                      Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















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