There are two support staff in our office to answer phones. We divide the time in half. One answers the phone in the morning and the other answers the phone in the afternoon.

The other day, the person who usually answers the phone in the afternoon answered the phone in the a.m. because I was away from my desk. A call came in she answered it and then another call came in and I went to answer it but she had already answered it. As I walked by her desk she raised her finger and pointed it at me. I said "are you pointing your finger at me?" She said no and reiterated that loudly to me. She said "I was NOT POINTING MY FINGER AT YOU" I said don't. She became upset and defensive.

Can she sue me over something like this?

No, sounds like you need to change to decalf coffee.

No, she can't sue you. Why would you think she could? She was just doing her job while you were away from your desk. Sounds like there needs to be some sort of compromise going on here and less finger pointing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twinkiedooter

No, she can't sue you. Why would you think she could? She was just doing her job while you were away from your desk. Sounds like there needs to be some sort of compromise going on here and less finger pointing.

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My co-worker answered the second line before I could pick up the phone. As I walked by her desk she lifted her hand and pointed it at me moving it as I walked by her desk. I said are you pointing your finger at me? She said defensively No, I was indicating to you that you had a call. I replied don't ever point your finger at me. Ever. She said loudly, I was not pointing my finger at you.

She is always in contact with human resources over things including other people in the office. I am sure she reported my comment to Human Resources. I really dislike the way she handles things. I just wonder if this type of event would cause a person to be terminated or sued by another co-worker for some type of harassment. I feel I handle my dislike of being pointed at in a direct fashion - to the person you find their actions to be offensive.

Hello p:

Well, I been around this earth a mighty long time... And, I didn't know that pointing a finger at somebody was bad. You learn all sorts of things here on AHMF.

excon

Yes, in fact she would not be out of line telling you to get back to your desk to answer the phone.

You need to tell this person you are sorry for YOUR comments

I agree with Chuck and excon. I think you owe your co-worker an apology.