Friday Afternoon in the Universe

[vacpress]

"OK GUYS. I need to see all of you in the big conference room..' (nevermind the 3 female engineers, they are guys also)

Thus spoke Brian, manager, MegaCorp. Industries.

Expectations were high; as well they should have been.

'Ok guys', pensive. 'Last night between 4pm when he left and this morning, a note on Jim's desk was altered. This is TOTALLY inapropriate and will not be tolerated.

After the meeting I asked around, 'so, uh, what is he talking about?'

The answer: Well, someone took Jim's note reminding him to 'CLOCK OUT!!' in something like 72-pioint helvetica, and changed it to 'COCK OUT!!'

Jim was offended.

The rest of us cant wait to 'COCK OUT!!' at 5pm

[Geof]

You laugh, or it seems that may be your response, but this type of thing is very serious. If something like this happens and the employer does not make it quite clear this type of conduct is completely unacceptable they can be held liable if the affected employee files a suit for harassment or something.

[KEYTEEM]

Yeah your right , it's a shame practical jokes don't mean
what they used to mean, especially when you think that someone making 30$ bucks an hour as a manager or foreman has to go out of his way ,document the situation
and have a talk with a group of people over something as ridiculous as this. And after he has spent an hour,if not more because of paperwork in some co's, of his time doing all this it's still " nothing more than a joke ". it's a shame that the supervisor has to bring it too anyones attention.

[vacpress]

Heh.

I agree. It all depends, though, on the person who is being 'pranked'. Some people are slightly charmed by being pranked(attention), others are taken aback!

I didn't pull the prank, i am to distracted to prank anyone. I just though it was amusing. The person who's sign was altered did not. My opinion is 'this is the sort of stuff that happens in this world, it contains humor'.

Hopefully someone chuckled when they read the account.

[massajamesb]

Humor is a funny(odd) thing. It can get you in a spot of trouble, as mentioned. These days being P.C. is a tough and tall order.
My suggestion?
Next time, simply remove a co-worker or boss's office door, drywall and spackle over the area, then either paint or wallpaper to suit.
The whole office must be in on it for it to work, as every one must be nonchalant when the person comes back from vacation, sabbatical, etc.
Coming back and finding that your office was "never there" is a bit of a eyebrow raiser for some people.

If you read this, and think it is funny, and actually go do it and get fired, then by reading this far down the message, you automatically release me from any liability/s involved.

[Geof]

I do not think the workplace is a place for any jokes no matter how innoccuous the perpetrator may think they are. I once had a guy who thought it great fun to mix up bolts; putting 3/4" in the tray for 1". I pointed out that using the wrong bolt in an assembly could result in a product liability suit that could put us out of business...nuff said it never happened again.

[epineh]

What I find scary is that he needed a note to remind himself to "Clock Out"

Its kinda like getting dressed in the morning, you don't really need a note to get that right, even if he has to log out of a network or system it isn't usually rocket science (though it would be ironic if you guys did build spaceships...lol)

In the spirit of recycling you could always use the altered note on the toilet doors, just in case any of the guys needed reminding. (I am talking hypothetically here, I do realize practical jokes can get out of hand in the workplace and are best avoided...end disclaimer)

Russell.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by epineh What I find scary is that he needed a note to remind himself to "Clock Out" Its kinda like getting dressed in the morning, you don't really need a note to get that right, even if he has to log out of a network or system it isn't usually rocket science (though it would be ironic if you guys did build spaceships...lol)....

Just you wait for a few years to see whether you still think reminder notes are scary. Useless maybe because I always forget where I put the note but not scary...essential might be a better word.

[vacpress]

geof,

i love you. please lighten up.. with my coworkers, there is constant fun 'prank' type stuff. you are right, it can be inappropriate, but a certain amount makes things better for mmost everyone. at times, even the super-conservative owner guy likes to hear of the under-30, contract-worker schenanigans..


the problem with this is that they picked on someone who wasnt used to it, and possibly is sensitive about such references to male anatomy.. fair enough. not appropriate. everyone involved agreed.

'pedantic to a fault'.. is it an oxymoron?

[vacpress]

not rocket science. nuclear industry. be afraid.

we have had a new time mgmt system put in 2 weeks ago.. in addition to the engineering task tracking software we use, and the time sheets most of us fill out for our respective contract agencies... so.. 3 things to do each morning and afternoon...

i have a smaller and similar note on my monitor 'JOBSCOPE!!!' it says..


i sincerely hope they change it to something inappropriate so i can complain, and get some additional attention.

Originally Posted by epineh What I find scary is that he needed a note to remind himself to "Clock Out" Its kinda like getting dressed in the morning, you don't really need a note to get that right, even if he has to log out of a network or system it isn't usually rocket science (though it would be ironic if you guys did build spaceships...lol) In the spirit of recycling you could always use the altered note on the toilet doors, just in case any of the guys needed reminding. (I am talking hypothetically here, I do realize practical jokes can get out of hand in the workplace and are best avoided...end disclaimer) Russell.

[vacpress]

damnit!

make it stop saying master machinist!

i donated $10, that should be enough!

[massajamesb]

[QUOTE=epineh;269890]What I find scary is that he needed a note to remind himself to "Clock Out"

I had a supervisor who had to leave himself notes on everything, especially who was on shift that day, he had a personal ledger, a spiral, and a dry-erase board. He had to remind himself also to schedule in all of our vacations, as well as who was on shift.
Now, you have a large dry erase board in the hallway with everyone's name that was off on vacation, sick leave, etc.
On this board, was my co-workers first name (Jack), and after it, the term "off all week".
I saw this and stopped by his office, and asked him if he was feeling a bit ambitious, then stepped out after his puzzled look.
It took him a day to realize his error. By then, all 300 employees had seen it.
My co-worker never lived that down.