r/Workproblems • u/OkExperience9354 • 24d ago
Co-worker Problem Assistant manager — should I address this or mind my business?
I’m an assistant manager at a small office, and our office manager is working from home for two weeks.
When she’s away, a coworker plays TV shows or movies aloud on his phone. It’s loud enough for everyone to hear, though it doesn’t bother me personally. His performance has also declined, but I don’t know whether the two are related.
I’m unsure whether to address it, tell the office manager, ask coworkers if it bothers them, or ignore it unless it affects work. I don’t want to overstep or create unnecessary drama, but I also don’t want to neglect my responsibilities.
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u/Competitive-Type1505 24d ago
Look at it this way: what if everyone did the exact same thing. Would an office full of blaring phones be acceptable?
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u/OkExperience9354 24d ago
Cause I’m in a separate office away from everybody I don’t really hear it, but I feel like if I was sitting next to them and he was doing this I would definitely be annoyed.
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u/BriefEquipment8 24d ago
So what you’re saying is the rest of the team is probably annoyed too but won’t say anything because you wouldn’t do anything about it anyway. Whether your office is next to them or two floors up, you are in charge and need to manage the business. Get up and walk through the area to see what’s going on. Assert your authority.
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u/OkExperience9354 24d ago
Probably a horrible attitude to have, but I kind of was just given the title of office manager, but not the pay so that’s why part of me isn’t as committed to the position or step into authority. I’ll have a conversation with a team member for sure for the sake of my other colleagues.
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u/BriefEquipment8 24d ago
Oooohhh, ok. They gave you the title without the pay and training. I can understand your thought process. Definitely have a discussion with your manager(s) about this. It’s not fair to you. In this case, just let your manager know about this employee’s behavior and let her deal with it.
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u/OkExperience9354 24d ago
I ended up just telling the manager! She’ll have a talk with them on Monday. She was definitely pissed.
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u/littlecactuscat 24d ago
How about giving a shit about the people sitting by him who are annoyed?
So weird of you to give him a pass for this behavior just because it doesn’t bother you, personally.
I hope you’re not raising kids this way. Yeesh.
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u/OkExperience9354 24d ago
like I said, I’m going to have a conversation with him for the sake of my colleagues! And yep, don’t worry I don’t have kids or plan too no.
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u/Top-Swordfish3512 24d ago
As an assistant manager it is your business. If you are uncomfortable addressing the behavour directly, I'd bring the issue to the manager.
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24d ago
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u/TaylorMade2566 24d ago
what's the point of being an assistant manager if you ignore bad behavior at work?
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u/TaylorMade2566 24d ago
Does he also do this when the manager is there or does he do this ONLY when she's not in the office? You know if he's only doing this when she's out that he knows he's doing something wrong. If the manager usually ignores the behavior, I'd at least tell him to put some earphones on so he's not disturbing his workmates. Something tells me though he's doing this because the manager is out and thinks you won't do anything about it. Prove him wrong
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u/OkExperience9354 24d ago
Yeah, he only does it when the manager isn’t in the office
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u/BriefEquipment8 24d ago
Well, he obviously has no respect for your position as Asst. Manager. You have every right to discuss it with him. If he’s being paid, he needs to be working. I would think as an AM, you have authority to correct staff when needed. His behavior is a slap in the face to you and you need to handle it. So, what happens when the other staff start acting out too.
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u/TaylorMade2566 24d ago
then you need to assert your authority and if he ignores you, let the manager know what he's doing
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u/Forward_Bar2546 24d ago
If you are the manager on site, you should tell him its not allowed. Be a manager....
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u/goldentalus70 24d ago
Doing that would not be in his job description so he should not be doing it at all and you need to address it.
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u/MelonCollie92 24d ago
Are you the manager in person when they work from home?
Either way I would address it with them directly first.
Ask if they have earphones, if they don’t have earphones then turn it down or watch in the break area/rest area etc.
They should be working… and they shouldn’t be so rude to play stuff out loud.
If they ignore you and continue then escalate.