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Angela10 · Jul 5, 2010, 11:03 PM

Do I have to share my conversations with a colleague in the office who I do not like? Do I have to say good morning to her? Do I have to speak to her about non work issues? She had a radio playing in the office and I couldn't concentrate with it on. This went on for a year and nine months until a director asked her to turn it off. She refused to do so up until then even though she knew it affected me and unfortunately only me. I am still very unset about the whole experience and cannot face pretending to be nice to her at this stage something I would do to others I may not like. Thanks.

JudyKayTee · Jul 6, 2010, 04:37 AM

You are posting this on the legal forum so you are asking for legal advice, not personal advice.

You don't legally have to speak to anyone you don't want to speak with. I would keep in mind that unless you are a member of a union or some other protected class of employees your refusal to speak to this person, your "feud" (or whatever is going on) can be seen as disruptive to the workplace and either you or both of you can be terminated for that reason. In that circumstance you would be unable to collect unemployment benefits for a period.

Angela10 · Jul 6, 2010, 10:56 AM

I am a member of a union and in public sector employement. I was afraid that it may be considered some form of bullying. Many thanks for your advice. I do speak to her now and again but that is as much as I am able without getting upset. I expect the experience will make me stronger in the long term.

JudyKayTee · Jul 6, 2010, 10:58 AM

Do the Union rules address personality conflicts in any manner?

Angela10 · Jul 6, 2010, 12:29 PM

The reply may not contain all the text I wrote so I am writing my piece here again.

I did ask the union regarding the radio. They said that it was dignity at work issue but afterwards HR said it was employee grievance. I don't want to cause trouble as it was only me and also my supervisor would be inclined to blame me if I complained so it went on for too long. I hoped that I could live with the radio turned down but I wasn't able as there was another radio playing in another section beside me (which does not get in on me) so I still would hear the radio in stereo. I was friendly with her up until near the end so it hurts more on that account. My supervisor asked her to turn the radio off but she won't. She know how much it affected me and everyone else in the section would have turned it off. Only when my director saw the situation did he stop the radio immediately. I still do not know if I had the right to ask for the radio to be turned off.

My question arises because my manager says I have to be as friendly with her as everyone else and I am not able (to pretend to that level yet). I am not political and do not want to be. My usual union reprenentive has been off on sick leave for a while but I do not know if they would know the rules on this. I really don't like getting into these situations either. I suppose it is an emotional problem rather that a personality conflict as if I could pretend I would. She will appear as friendly to me as though nothing happened.

JudyKayTee · Jul 7, 2010, 06:00 AM

I think as long as you are not disruptive you can talk to/associate with anyone you choose (or don't choose). I would be concerned that you "have" to be friendly with her - ?

Angela10 · Jul 7, 2010, 10:42 AM

Yes! I was asked to make conversation with her like I do other staff that I like. But as I said he isn't always right. Thanks so much for your help. I am much more at ease now and know what I need to do and I can do it.