Current Events > Got a warning at work for failing to casually communicate with my coworkers!

(+) Yeah! (+)

This new temporary supervisor gave me a verbal warning of failing to communicate with my coworkers on a casual level. In my 4 years here have I never had that! Sure we small talk about work related issues here and there, but most of the time I just choose to not to have other friendly talks because I can't relate myself to these guys (I'm 33, most of them are 55+).

This is horse shit.
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What exactly are you expected to do to communicate
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FFVII_REMAKE posted...

This new temporary supervisor gave me a verbal warning of failing to communicate with my coworkers on a casual level. In my 4 years here have I never had that! Sure we small talk about work related issues here and there, but most of the time I just choose to not to have other friendly talks because I can't relate myself to these guys (I'm 33, most of them are 55+).

This is horse shit.

Yeah that is bullshit. You should never be punished at work for not not working.
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Why would a job want you to have side conversations? I thought they were heartless institutions that want you to become a robot and only do your work?
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whos monitoring your small talk?

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RdVEHfJqAvUPIbk posted...

What exactly are you expected to do to communicate

She said that "I'm not supposed to only focus on having small talks about work related topics, but that I should at least try and talk to other workers on a casual level even if it's just a few seconds."

But the way things work here is we're given an assignment from our supervisor of what needs to be done that day, load up our equipments onto our work vehicles, then head onto then field. This is an outdoor job where most of us are alone anyway. But she wants me to communicate a bit in the office anyway.
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So the usual work chat of: man I hate Mondays. Looking forward to the weekend. Hope the weather is nice.
Then repeat daily
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Ironically he's given you a decent subject to casually converse upon

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FFVII_REMAKE posted...

This is horse shit.

It certainly is.
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I always encourage soft skills but did he really give you a verbal warning? Like he's gonna give you a written warning if you don't casually communicate?

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QuantumTheory posted...

FFVII_REMAKE posted...

This is horse shit.

It certainly is.

Indeed. All that matters is the work.
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me and my coworker have engaging discussions about economics, political science, philosophy, and anarchist praxis and i really don't think your employer wants to encourage that in the workplace, but that is precisely the kind of bed they're making for themselves lmao

bs policy imo, speak to their higher-ups
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lmao imagine wanting to socialize with your coworkers
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BuckVanHammer posted...

whos monitoring your small talk?

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Request a meeting with him and HR and ask where it says in your work duties social conversation with coworkers.
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Wow the mods really are working overtime eh
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Unsugarized_Foo posted...

Ironically he's given you a decent subject to casually converse upon

Hey there's an idea
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Its good skill to have to create a more friendlier work enviroment, but it shouldnt be a policy.
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TheMikh posted...

me and my coworker have engaging discussions about economics, political science, philosophy, and anarchist praxis and i really don't think your employer wants to encourage that in the workplace, but that is precisely the kind of bed they're making for themselves lmao

bs policy imo, speak to their higher-ups

are they currently accepting applications?

"if you're too quiet, you might shoot the place up. So please, from an Insurance standpoint, talk a little to your coworkers so that when you shoot the place up, we can say we had no idea."
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Thats the most weird verbal warning Ive ever heard anyone get at any job anywhere lmao
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Just do what Marshawn Lynch did for interviews. Just repeat, "I'm just here so i won't get fined."

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omg, I got this 'warning' as well. Not really a warning, but something I should improve. Like, do you want me to get work done or do you want me to stand around and chat?

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powerman1426 posted...

Just do what Marshawn Lynch did for interviews. Just repeat, "I'm just here so i won't get fined."

lol

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Maybe they see management potential in you and they want you to build a little more rapport with your future subordinates?
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BuckVanHammer posted...

whos monitoring your small talk?

more likely someone complained to hr/sup
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I'm guessing the temporary supervisor has been evaluating how each worker corresponds to their colleagues. She's only been here a month because our regular supervisor has gone on vacation for a few months.

I remember the first day we were here, she wanted everyone to drop what they were doing and form a big circle. We then went around sharing our names, our favorite food, and what we liked to do during our days off. Ok it was funny. Then after a few days, we did the circle thing again and she wanted us to learn 3 new things about the person besides us. We then went around and shared what we learned. At this point, I'm wondering if this some kind of social activity or what because I just wanted to do my work and go home.

So every few days she had us doing these kinds of activity, but I really think they had nothing to do with work. She keeps making these small speeches about teamwork, but most of us are alone out there in the field. Someone mentioned that to her and said it didn't matter since we still communicate when we"re in the office and over the phone if we needed some kind of technical support.

Either way, I'm over it and don't plan on taking her advice of needing to communicate with my coworkers for small talk. I really want to see what happens next.
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Lolwtf
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FFVII_REMAKE posted...

I remember the first day we were here, she wanted everyone to drop what they were doing and form a big circle.

was she previously a kindergarden teacher, or maybe a cult leader?
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Just start talking about Trump, abortion or gun control, they'll have you shut up very quickly.

Ugh. At least she's temporary.
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bknight posted...

Just start talking about Trump, abortion or gun control, they'll have you shut up very quickly.

Or they might promote TC.

Sounds like a nightmare

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Sounds like she's in HR.

My secondary supervisor at my first IT job was our HR person. It was awful. She would pull me into her office every few months for a discussion. Tells me that people have been coming to her and making comments that every time they see me, I'm just in my office on the computer.

I work in fucking IT...

She wanted me to walk around the factory more often so I'd been seen. Keep in mind, I was already out in the factory doing actual work more than she was. Anyway, I made it a point once a week to walk around the factory floor with a hammer banging on random printers in front of people.
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Anyway, I made it a point once a week to walk around the factory floor with a hammer banging on random printers in front of people.

lol. thats good stuff.
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I hear old people like to talk about their medical conditions. Ask them what it's like to get snaked like a clogged toilet.
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Sounds like they want to make sure you dont have an episode.

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