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For his own sake, I wont say his name, but he is a retired corrections officer, now working as a security officer with me. No, I'm not his boss, I'm just someone who works with him, he and I are more or less at the same level in terms of "authority" on the job.
Any way, one day, I went on the computer in the office, while it was incredibly slow, and got some information I needed, and instead of printing it out, I wrote it down and set it off to the side. When I went to another portion of the building to relieve the other guard, I forgot about the papers, and left them in the office, however I figured it was fine, because at the end of the day I would be going back to the office anyway.
The end of my shift came, and this other guard I mentioned before (I'll call him Mr. Doe if I refer to his name again) came to the part of the building I was at so as to relieve me so I could go home. He was a little later in showing than usual, but I really didn't care. Anyhow, I got back to the office and went to get the papers I had set off to the side, but they were gone, so, naturally my first thought was, he saw them, figured it was garbage and tossed them out, so I checked the garbages, and they weren't in them. After that, I checked my mailbox, again, not there.
Know how Mr. Doe is, I looked in another mailbox and sure enough, they were there, in my bosses mailbox , with Mr. Doe's handwriting, my name written in the corner. So, naturally because it was information I needed I took MY papers back.
Basically my question is, what is his deal, is he really so bummed that he aint got any special authority anymore that he has to be the company's "rat"? Or, is he simply trying to get me fired, cause in my oppinion, no matter what was on that paper, it was none of his business, if he absolutely HAD to move the papers, the most he could have done, was put them in MY mailbox , and come to me about them like a man.
I'm not sure if Mr. Doe has the internet, or if he goes on this site, but if he does, and he is reading this message, he knows who he is, the message below is for him. Just incase there is another situation like this, his first initial is "T".
**A message for "Mr. Doe", if you are on this site and know who I am, You know who you are, could you at least come to me like a man, not a mouse**
Well, it does give you a snapshot of Mr. Doe's moral character when, instead of returning the papers to you and knowing that the boss might be interested in what you are up to, he stuffs them into the boss's mailbox. Yes, I'd certainly watch where I walk, if I were you, and be triple careful I don't give Mr. Doe any new occasions to trip me up.
As others have said, now you know how this guy is, and spending a lot of time with people such as he (brown nosers we called them) I can tell you being careful around him is neccesary, and Cover Your Own A$$, is essential. Life is full of people who have a need to show they are smart, by making you look dumb. Another thing to remember is he can only do what he does, if your boss allows it, and believe me there are many that do encourage this behavior, as a way to keep there finger on whats going on when he is not around. Whatever his problem, don't get caught in his web, by being more careful. No doubt he has done this to others as well, so you better be careful as this coward will never confront you, but is always looking to undermine you behind your back. Thats what snitches do.
I totally agree there, I hate snitches as much as cops. However, no matter how careful I am, I'm sure he'll find the smallest thing to pinpoint to my boss, like these papers for example. I was thinking of approaching him, and finding out what his deal was, but I think that just looks bad on my part, that would make me look like I was wanting to get away with something, if he is thinking I did something wrong.
I was just thinking of the golden rule.
"Do as to others as you would like others to do to you"
Does this mean he would like me to go behind his back and find something to give to the boss about him?
Don't demean yourself by getting down to his level. How about another Bible verse that says something like, "Heap coals of fire on your enemy's head"--meaning 'treat him civilly, even nicely, so he becomes embarrassed that he's being such a jerk."
Don't demean yourself by getting down to his level. How about another Bible verse that says something like, "Heap coals of fire on your enemy's head"--meaning 'treat him civilly, even nicely, so he becomes embarrassed that he's being such a jerk."
I like that, So ok, I'll go to home depot, and get some coals, heat them up and when he shows up at work, hurl them at him. Nice suggestion. LOL Just kidding, I know what you mean.
Be clear he has an agenda, and that is to step on you, and gain favor with his boss, for maybe favors as in a better job, or shift, or whatever. You said he was equal to you, in authority, and has to have something that puts him on top, and therefore be more valuable. Confronting him makes it personal, but keeping your eyes open, and watching your back will serve you better.
How could a company actually promote behavior like this? If you think about it, it would eventually turn everyone against everyone. I try to watch my back, but he will find something to b**** about. As I noticed earlier today, at least he isn't picking me out, he seems to be ratting on everyone. I noticed one note that he ratted out one guard that fell asleep in the office, and I felt bad for that guard because he had to work third shift that night, (goes from 2300-0700). Is this guy really looking for something? Could it be possible there is something he is doing that no one else sees?
You said he's a retired corrections officer? This is what correction officers do--watch and "maintain control" and make sure inmates get their just (or unjust) deserts. He seems to have a huge control issue. Somewhere along the way, he gets rewarded (emotionally? verbally? monetarily?) for ratting out offenders. Maybe it's a self-righteous thing; maybe it's part of his control thing that the company "appreciates".
Like I and others have told you, watch your back and keep your nose clean. (That's, like, prison talk but very appropriate in this case.) There's nothing you can do to get back at him or to replace him in the boss's favor. If he's already retired from one job, maybe you can outlast him in this one. Otherwise, start job hunting.