Work realted woes

[kippurbird]

First because cats make everything better: A cat

Now for a mulchy mix of moo'foory. I'm not sure who is to blame for it. Could be me.

Comments

[anonymous]

I'm here from library_mofo because I couldn't post anonymously there. Posting anonymously because one of my library co-workers has Asperger's, so I know a bit of what you're dealing with, but the rest of us aren't supposed to know she has Asperger's so I don't want to be identifiable when I talk about it.

So...the Internet thing. I suspect that what was actually happening was that your co-workers were doing non-work stuff online when you or other people close to them in rank were around, but not when any supervisors could see them. That's kind of how it works in a lot of workplaces, not just libraries. But as you said, you (quite logically) assumed that since you saw other people doing it, it was actually not forbidden at all, so you apparently didn't try to hide it from your supervisors. Basically, your co-workers can mess around online because they hide it, but you got in trouble because you got caught. I know this is totally unfair and will make no sense to you, but that's the way it is.

As for someone else's suggestion of recording instances of co-workers doing personal stuff online and then presenting those to your boss...I think that could end up causing more friction with the co-workers than it's worth. Of course I don't think there should be a double standard for you versus them, but if you're tracking what they're doing online they are going to feel like their privacy is being invaded and/or like you have it in for them personally. I would suggest instead that you talk to the boss again and explain (if you didn't already) that since you had seen people--don't name names--doing non-work stuff online, you assumed it was OK. Hopefully he will issue a blanket reminder of the rules and you won't be singled out anymore.

And finally: I know why you had your mom in the meeting with you, but other people are probably going to find that odd. I wouldn't be surprised if someone mentions it in library_mofo, or if you get no responses there because no one really knows how to address that. Do you have any sort of staff mentor program where you work? It would be good if you could have someone who's familiar with your general work environment to talk through things like this with you.

[palmer_kun]

Good point to clarify.

Ratting out specific co-workers is not an inherently good thing... I should have been more clear that the noting of incidents should be in the aggregate, and then presented as an anonymous "lump".

Like "You are enforcing the no personal internet rule when it comes to me, but not with any other employees. In the last week, I have observed various other co-workers using the internet for personal reasons at least 20 times. This uneven enforcement of the rules is discriminatory."

[kippurbird]

It has become accepted by the university for my mom to act as my advocate. We've even got it in my file.

l, so you apparently didn't try to hide it from your supervisors.

Or didn't hide it very well, at least.