Do you display attitude at work?

R

red_mct

Cathlete
Just curious. I have an acquaintance in the office who has no problem with displays of attitude when she is put out about something (often). To the point where she will actually respond with something like, "Fine!" in email to management.

I am just flabberghasted by this. I don't expect everyone to have the same work values as I do - I grew up in a blue collar family where we worked for what we had and therefore I have tremendous appreciation for my professional success - but I do expect people to recognize what's appropriate and what is just doing themselves a professional disservice. (I mean, people talk about these things & it doesn't help with impressions of you.)

Maybe I'm in the minority, though. Just curious, what do you guys think about people who show attitude at the office? Is it just professional self-destruction, do you think?

Marie
 
Oh, absolutely not. Especially to management! I may blow off steam to friends in IM or what, but I won't even show attitude in emails to my friends who are coworkers. Management usually appreciates team players. You can let them know how you would like something done - and outline why, how it will benefit the company... Oh yeah, and put in it a very positive way, but copping an attitude just shows you're immature and not willing to be part of the team.
 
Marie, I know exactly what you're talking about and it's appalling to me! I'm trying to figure out at what point this kind of behavior became acceptable but I've seen a lot of it--that's for sure.

I think you and I are from similar backgrounds. I was brought up to be respectful of those in authority over me. I never felt I had to agree with them, but I could not imagine treating a boss or a teacher--anyone in authority--with such blatant disregard.

I think people who show an "attitude" at work are unprofessional to say the least.

Michele
 
I to am a hard worker.I don't mind taking extra shifts and I certainly work my own.
The only problem I have at my job is people who call in sick when you know and your boss knows that they aren't. There is one girl who works here and she is always calling in sick.And the thing with my job is, there is only one girl on at a time so when she calls in sick, they have to track someone else down and its always me.So I got off yesterday morning and was back again today b/c she is sick again.I think since Jan she has been sick atleast 10 times.At its always convient, like when she was painting her childs room the day before.
Its up to here if she wants to do this, but I wouldn't want my boss "looking" at me the way he looks at her. Im sure he is well aware of what she is up to.I would rather be known as the hardworker then the girl who takes advantage.
Lori:)
 
I don't agree with laziness or rudeness, of course, but I am all for employees standing up for themselves. When I've held office jobs (or on-set jobs, which are the worst, IMHO) I've always let the powers that be know where my lines are drawn. I was a top-notch, hard-working employee and never felt like I had to put up with power-play BS from managers, bosses, etc. For instance, I had a manager type person be extremely rude to me for absolutely no reason, except that she thought she could. I went to her office and told her that I don't speak that way to people and I don't allow people to speak to me that way either. She apologized, I accepted it, and that was it. Frankly I think too many employees put with being treated like dirt. Power to the people! :p

Sparrow


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
> I don't agree with laziness or rudeness, of course, but I am
>all for employees standing up for themselves. When I've held
>office jobs (or on-set jobs, which are the worst, IMHO) I've
>always let the powers that be know where my lines are drawn.
>I was a top-notch, hard-working employee and never felt like
>I had to put up with power-play BS from managers, bosses, etc.
> For instance, I had a manager type person be extremely rude
>to me for absolutely no reason, except that she thought she
>could. I went to her office and told her that I don't speak
>that way to people and I don't allow people to speak to me
>that way either. She apologized, I accepted it, and that was
>it. Frankly I think too many employees put with being treated
>like dirt. Power to the people! :p
>
>Sparrow
>
>
>Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of
>arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but
>rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn
>out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage


Sparrow, I agree with you. I think what Marie was getting at, and I wholeheartedly concur, is a public display of attitude. It's one thing to confront your boss in private to lay your cards on the table and quite another to mouth off in public, or roll your eyes (geez! I hate that), or slam things on your desk, knock things over....I've seen it all!

Michele
 
Well I've never done that!! My gosh. That just makes you look a fool and nobody takes you seriously. I honestly don't think I've witnessed that kind of thing at work, maybe because in office jobs I made it a point to keep to myself and in TV/film jobs everyone is so odd anyway who can tell? :p

Sparrow


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
Michele, thanks for the clarification. Sparrow, that's exactly what I was getting at. I just don't get how people can act so ridiculously in the office and then carry on when they don't get promoted or feel like they were overlooked for raises, etc. Never mind that, I would be worried about staying employed! I don't think the job market is so fantastic right now that you would be quite so debonair about making yourself look ridiculous, you know?

And I think it must be interesting to work in places where everyone is an oddball. :p I am so assimilated in corporate America I forget there are other kinds of environments out there. :7

Marie
 
Well, I don't know exactly what this person is doing or her affect when doing it, but I agreee with Sparrow. I work with an attorney, in private practice, and he seems to think that because he pays me, I can be his bitch. I take exception to this and let him know. I draw boundaries. I am a very hardworking, dependable person, and quite frankly, since I started for him, he has "gotten rid of," two emplyees and I do their work. (so I am doing the work 3 people used to do.) Now, on occaision, I have become very irritated, and I don't think it is unprofessional or healthy to ignore those feelings. I don't slam things, stomp about, or send nasty emails, but I do let my boss know when he has crossed the line. I think this is ok. Maybe others would think it is unprofessional, but I disagree. I think there is room in the workplace, although not seen often, for honesty.
 
I did so ONCE but it went BEYOND attitude! LOL I cursed a guy out...told him to go F himself! Whoops!:eek: But if ya knew the guy and what I dealt with day in and day out for a looong time, you'd understand...I didn't even get into trouble for it. My boss told me to apologize cause it's the right thing to do but agreed that he deserved and we laughed about it!:7 }( :+

Sometimes I think I should have given attitude to many a coworker as they sooo deserved it!!! }( }( }(

I didn't mess with management although there are a few choice managers that I would have loved to give FULL 'TUDE to as well! ;)
 
Yay Sparrow, Ivory and Tigger!!! :D

It took me eons to finally learn how to stand up for myself at work. It's not easy. You have to be respectful and professional and still get the message across. And you need to do a lot of reality checking to be sure that you're right before you say anything. You have to pick your spots very carefully. It doesn't sound like this woman is doing any of those things, Marie. And yes, it does sound like professional self-destruction. I agree with you.
-Nancy
 
I display attitude at work because of where I work and who I work with. I work with mostly men at an Aerospace facility. I support the Operations side of the house where we actually build the product.

In my field, perceived weakness would be a negative. My attitude at work must be strong and assertive for survival. I have been called feisty and bold, which I take as a compliment. I am not nasty or mean...I just hold my boundaries and assert myself when necessary.

My behavior has only helped me because when I get my performance ratings...I am in the top rated group. Also, I understand through my management that I have been requested by other managers to support their programs.
 
I think it depends a lot on th eenvironment and the people. I tyr not to display attitude, but at times, circumstances bring a temperment to the table.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top