Am I being overly sensitive about being reprimanded by a colleague?

LegacyUser

A few days ago while I was in work, an accident occurred with a colleague. This colleague does not work in my department but due to the nature of the job, often the department I work in will have to assign tasks to them. I took in a call and did not get enough information so my colleague reprimanded me on this, which was completely fair but the way she went about it did not sit right with me and upset me for a bit.

5 minutes after I assigned the task to my colleague, she came over to my desk and stood by it. At first I was confused so she asked me: "Why do you think I am standing here looking down at you?". This caused me to become nervous as I instantly knew she was frustrated me but initially, I honestly wasn't sure what I had done. I hazarded a guess and she immediately rolled her eyes and responded "I don't care about that." Then I suggested that I had not put enough information in the task. She said this was correct and proceeded to say did I know how big such a location was and what I had written was not on and not acceptable. I then said I understood what she meant and she proceeded to walk out the door.

While this was going on, my other colleague (who works in my department) was sitting just a few feet away could hear everything. There was only 3 of us in the office at time, myself, my colleague from my department and the colleague who reprimanded me and our supervisor (her boss). After this happened and she walked out the door, I felt incredibly stupid and humiliated as I wished she had not been so condescending and not reprimanded me so publicly.

A few moments later, she came back in again (after I had called the client back and got all the relevant information). She did not say a single word to me, just walked by my desk and into her office space. She then emailed me information to pass onto the client. 10 minutes she walked out again and was chatting to my other colleague (they are quite good friends and knew each about 6 months before I joined as it's a tiny office). She turned to me and asked had I sent everything out. I responded that I had and she asked me "Do you understand now why it's so important to get all the information?". I told her I realised this and that was that.

Later in the day, my colleague who had heard everything, told my other colleagues who came in later in the day. They all told me that they did not agree with how everything was handled and that given that she is essentially just a fellow colleague to us and not our supervisor/boss that she should not have been so condescending in her attitude towards me.

I've been thinking about it all day and I am wondering am I just being over sensitive? As I said, I completely get the message she was trying to get to me, I just feel things could have been handled better i.e. not make me try and guess what I had done wrong.

Does anyone have any advice moving further as it is not the first time she has come to me when I've made a mistake (this is the second time it has happened with both incidents being a few months apart) and basically asked me to guess what I've done wrong.


Thanks!

dudara

Moved to Work Problems.

whampiri

No, you're not. She has no business speaking to you in the manner described. Send her an email advising her that if she has an issue with your work in future, to go through the appropriate channels. I.e. her manager to your manager to you. Also advise her that if she speaks to you in such a manner again, you'll consider it bullying and will be reporting it to HR.

Alternatively, maybe she was just having a bad day and you could leave it go this one time but if she ever goes to speak to you like that again, stop her mid sentence and tell her where to take a long walk.

shesty

Quite rude.I have been asked "do you know why I am here?" at work, always in jest, someone having a laugh.If a colleague on my level spoke to me like that I would be very annoyed.

You messed up my neglecting to get important information from a client and you took a bit of a scolding for it, your account doesn’t include her shouting nor abusing you, take the hit and move on.

As for the advice to go through proper channels/manager, who would want their manager to be informed that they cocked up simple yet important part of their job?

whampiri

A scolding from a colleague! Who does the colleague think they are? The OPs mother? There's a formal method for addressing issues in the workplace. Using them protects both parties and certainly getting a dressing down from a colleague in full view of others is unacceptable. I'm sure the colleague wouldn't appreciate being treated in the same manner.

whampiri

whampiri wrote: »

A scolding from a colleague! Who does the colleague think they are? The OPs mother? There's a formal method for addressing issues in the workplace. Using them protects both parties and certainly getting a dressing down from a colleague in full view of others is unacceptable. I'm sure the colleague wouldn't appreciate being treated in the same manner.

Workplaces can be harsh at times when you mess up, a couple of mistakes like this reported the management and the manager could form the opinion the op isn’t up to the job.

Mousewar

Oh that would piss me off no end. I don't think I'd be sending emails to her but I would resolve to not let her talk to you like that again. Next time she stands at your desk and asks you to guess why she's there I'd be thinking of responding along the lines: "I don't want to play any guessing games. Why don't you just tell me what the issue is." Nothing aggressive or confrontational, just a refusal to be spoken down to.

osarusan

Sounds like you have a legitimate issue, but you have to ask yourself, if you take this forward, will your boss/HR just get the impression that you don't like having it pointed out that you made a mistake.

I think I'd move on, but prepare something professional to say to her if she does the same thing in the future.

Mrs OBumble

Imagine what question your colleague could post here:

Eg how should I deal with a co-worker who knows perfectly well how to do their work, but can't be ar$ed actually doing it. Time after time, I have to tell them to get basic information- and I cannot do my job until they get it. I've tried asking politely but they just laugh at me. What next -dob them into management or turn up the heat myself?

Shefwedfan

Just out of interest? What was the other mistake you made that you guessed first?

Mousewar

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Imagine what question your colleague could post here:

Eg how should I deal with a co-worker who knows perfectly well how to do their work, but can't be ar$ed actually doing it. Time after time, I have to tell them to get basic information- and I cannot do my job until they get it. I've tried asking politely but they just laugh at me. What next -dob them into management or turn up the heat myself?

Maybe have a private sit down conversation with them where you discuss the issue professionally?

I'm not sure calling him publically in front of his colleagues while playing demeaning guessing games is gonna be one of the suggestions.

is_that_so

Just move on past it. None of us likes to mess up or be picked up on it. There's learning in that anyway. However, if a similar incident occurs be prepared to politely rebuff any other attempts to put you in your place. OP should also think happy thoughts because it's Friday!

Triceratops Ballet

I'd address it with her something like "x I appreciate you were frustrated yesterday, but in future if there's an issue with my work I'd prefer if you approached me in a more professional manner and we can resolve together."

JustJoe7240

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Imagine what question your colleague could post here:

Eg how should I deal with a co-worker who knows perfectly well how to do their work, but can't be ar$ed actually doing it. Time after time, I have to tell them to get basic information- and I cannot do my job until they get it. I've tried asking politely but they just laugh at me. What next -dob them into management or turn up the heat myself?

Absolutely nonsensical, nothing to suggest this wasn't a once off..

Lollipop95

Delete wrong thread

osarusan

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I've tried asking politely but they just laugh at me.

Can you point out some part in the OP that would give the other party a good reason to make this a part of their problem?

tusk

Private conversation is always the best first Port of call in these situations. Ask them to chat and bring up your issues. Then if they do it again it's time to escalate.

Jim2007

Why do you think I am standing here looking down at you?

"Well actually I was thinking it takes you a long time to formulate what you were going to say, perhaps you'd like to come back later when you have figured it out?"

Something like that usually takes the wind out of the sails, because it is no how they expected it to go down. OP, don't play their mind games.

DeanAustin

Jim2007 wrote: »

"Well actually I was thinking it takes you a long time to formulate what you were going to say, perhaps you'd like to come back later when you have figured it out?"

Something like that usually takes the wind out of the sails, because it is no how they expected it to go down. OP, don't play their mind games.

“Why do you think I’m coming over to you?”

“Misplaced your broom again and have no way home?”

Wouldn’t get too worried about it OP. If you ****ed up, take the slap and move on. If it happens again, I’d suggest the response above (ie “I don’t know why you’re here and don’t have time for guessing games, why don’t you tell me.”).

Diziet

You are not over-sensitive. If a colleague makes a mistake it is of course ok - go over and say 'in future could you please...'. Then the outcome is better for everyone.

If she does it again, then have a word with your manager.

bullpost

Don't take criticism from someone you would never go to for advice.

LegacyUser

Hi all, thanks for your replies.

I would just like to reiterate the fact that I have ZERO issue with what my colleague said to me, it's how she went about it that did not sit right with me i.e. essentially asking me to guess what I had done wrong followed by the public dressing down in front of my fellow colleague and her boss.

To explain my previous mistake, it wasn't really a mistake per se as I did not talk to the client before discussing it with her. She had assigned me to contact a client about a matter and emailed me notes. I then went over to speak to her about it to clarify some details as to me, it wasn't clear in her notes who exactly she wanted me to contact. I said "So, just to clarify I contact (name of client, etc..)" She then looked at me and started almost whispering in a condescending tone. "Why would you do that? Why do you think you would do that?". She then started shaking her head and when her clarified what she meant, she slowly started nodding her head and said "Mmhm, yes." Or wtte.

She's incredibly close to her boss who in turn, is close to mine (mine works remotely so we only communicate via phone). I'm worried that as her boss heard her giving me a dressing down yesterday that he will start to think I am incompetent and this will then get back to my boss. In fact, yesterday, a similar case came in. This time, I got all the information correct. My colleague's boss immediately emailed me asking some questions about the client - I confirmed everything he asked and that all the information was in the email. He then said he would get another person in their department to follow up with the client.

Perhaps I'm being paranoid but does anyone have any advice moving forward from this and not letting it turn into an issue. I'm afraid that now whenever a similar case comes in that I will be on high alert whenever my colleague is in the office, for fear of being reprimanded again by her - which I don't want to feel

whampiri

You're leaving one incident affect your entire work life. Do that and you'll go mad. My advice is to go back to doing what you do and don't allow her to pull you up on anything again. Job done.

Strumms

The person in question, is a bully. If she had issue with something you had done or hadn’t done she needed to be of the ability to express this to you in a professional and constructive manner. Also with open ears to your response before she formulated her own.

The likelihood is this wasn't a ‘bad day’. You can be buckled under or hold your ground. If I was you I’d go over her head. Contact her supervisor, relate the conversation as verbatim as possible, have a hard copy of the employee manual, the section relating to expected behavior of employees and remind her boss that applies to employees across the pay scale.

CalamariFritti

Is it just me or are we are being a bit oversensitive here? I made a mistake and was called on it, but I didn't like the tone. Poor me. Who does she think she is? Someone may have heard it. My pride was hurt. I demand...erm what actually? Are you expecting an apology or something?

miamee

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Is it just me or are we are being a bit oversensitive here? I made a mistake and was called on it, but I didn't like the tone. Poor me. Who does she think she is? Someone may have heard it. My pride was hurt. I demand...erm what actually? Are you expecting an apology or something?

Expecting your colleagues to speak to you with respect is not much to ask. We all make mistakes occasionally, a reasonable person would just point it out, explain what they need and leave it at that. Going out of their way to do so in front of other people in a condescending manner is petty and unnecessary.

CalamariFritti

miamee wrote: »

Expecting your colleagues to speak to you with respect is not much to ask. We all make mistakes occasionally, a reasonable person would just point it out, explain what they need and leave it at that. Going out of their way to do so in front of other people in a condescending manner is petty and unnecessary.

It is, I agree. But nonetheless some people are a little more abrasive or sometimes they have genuine reason to be peeved or they are having a bad day. Not fantastic, but it happens.

Hardly the worst thing ever, chin up, move on. Don't make that mistake again if it bothers so much. I see people calling for action and manager involvement and whatnot. Any normal manager being approached with this will rightfully wonder whether they're back in pre-school or something. "Sister, Mary has been mean to me, do something."

Strumms

miamee wrote: »

Expecting your colleagues to speak to you with respect is not much to ask. We all make mistakes occasionally, a reasonable person would just point it out, explain what they need and leave it at that. Going out of their way to do so in front of other people in a condescending manner is petty and unnecessary.

This to a tee. Employee fûcks up, conversation should happen on a one to one basis, it’s professional and respectful. For otherwise to happen it says a tonne more and in a negative light about the boss, their judgement, leadership, decision making and communication skills.

Boss : so Jim, yesterday, how did your day go ? Any challenges of note, things that you’d do differently given the chance again ?

^ rather then a bollocking you are giving the employee a chance to honestly self appraise and communicate back. Though if he says ‘no, there isnt’ its Indicating he is unaware or unwilling to recognize his weaknesses ( issues ). That needs a different tactic.

Jim : well I got dragged into too many work conversations and try to help others who had issues and was distracted from my own goals and fell behind,I was rushing to catch up and quality might have suffered.

Boss : thanks for your honesty, I agree. Now together we speak about and agree on strategies to ensure it never happens again.


Simply you are working the issue WITH the employee, they are super aware of how they need to improve, discussed in a civil, respectful and proactive manner. Nobody loosing face or made feel two feet tall.

JeffKenna

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Is it just me or are we are being a bit oversensitive here? I made a mistake and was called on it, but I didn't like the tone. Poor me. Who does she think she is? Someone may have heard it. My pride was hurt. I demand...erm what actually? Are you expecting an apology or something?

I'm not sure, it would seem to me based on the follow up from the OP that this person is a bit of a bully. Her communication wasn't up to the required standard and when the OP went to clarify (correct thing to do) she became very aggressive and degrading towards the OP. This was heard by the OP's manager and now it looks like she is being perceived to be incompetent.

It's a tricky situation OP, In that situation my instinct would have been to whisper back in the same tone something along the lines of "well maybe if you could be a bit more clear in your instructions in future it would be a lot easier for everybody". However I'm aware that this is me and I will defend myself if I believe I am right.

Former Observer

CalamariFritti wrote: »

sometimes they have genuine reason to be peeved or they are having a bad day. Not fantastic, but it happens.

Sounds like you are making excuses for a bully.

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Hardly the worst thing ever

Nobody said it was the worst thing ever.

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Don't make that mistake again if it bothers so much.

People make mistakes all of the time for a variety of reasons. That is no reason to act unprofessionally or to try and publicly humiliate people.

Once again you sound very much like you are making excuses for a bully.

Blazer

I’d leave it off this but if it happens again pull her aside and explain that you will not tolerate her talking to you like this again.
Might be best to do it in public though if she attempts it again so as to have witnesses to what’s actually being said etc.

kurtainsider

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Imagine what question your colleague could post here:

Eg how should I deal with a co-worker who knows perfectly well how to do their work, but can't be ar$ed actually doing it. Time after time, I have to tell them to get basic information- and I cannot do my job until they get it. I've tried asking politely but they just laugh at me. What next -dob them into management or turn up the heat myself?

After reading your post I thought that I had missed part of the story so I scrolled up to read the missing posts. Turns out I hadn't missed anything and you had just made up a whole load of things regarding the OP.

What way is that to conduct a discussion? It's most unhelpful if people just make things up and present them as fact. Boards would be pretty pointless if all posters behaved like that.

stateofflux

WorkerWoes wrote: »

A few days ago while I was in work, an accident occurred with a colleague. This colleague does not work in my department but due to the nature of the job, often the department I work in will have to assign tasks to them. I took in a call and did not get enough information so my colleague reprimanded me on this, which was completely fair but the way she went about it did not sit right with me and upset me for a bit.

5 minutes after I assigned the task to my colleague, she came over to my desk and stood by it. At first I was confused so she asked me: "Why do you think I am standing here looking down at you?". This caused me to become nervous as I instantly knew she was frustrated me but initially, I honestly wasn't sure what I had done. I hazarded a guess and she immediately rolled her eyes and responded "I don't care about that." Then I suggested that I had not put enough information in the task. She said this was correct and proceeded to say did I know how big such a location was and what I had written was not on and not acceptable. I then said I understood what she meant and she proceeded to walk out the door.

While this was going on, my other colleague (who works in my department) was sitting just a few feet away could hear everything. There was only 3 of us in the office at time, myself, my colleague from my department and the colleague who reprimanded me and our supervisor (her boss). After this happened and she walked out the door, I felt incredibly stupid and humiliated as I wished she had not been so condescending and not reprimanded me so publicly.

A few moments later, she came back in again (after I had called the client back and got all the relevant information). She did not say a single word to me, just walked by my desk and into her office space. She then emailed me information to pass onto the client. 10 minutes she walked out again and was chatting to my other colleague (they are quite good friends and knew each about 6 months before I joined as it's a tiny office). She turned to me and asked had I sent everything out. I responded that I had and she asked me "Do you understand now why it's so important to get all the information?". I told her I realised this and that was that.

Later in the day, my colleague who had heard everything, told my other colleagues who came in later in the day. They all told me that they did not agree with how everything was handled and that given that she is essentially just a fellow colleague to us and not our supervisor/boss that she should not have been so condescending in her attitude towards me.

I've been thinking about it all day and I am wondering am I just being over sensitive? As I said, I completely get the message she was trying to get to me, I just feel things could have been handled better i.e. not make me try and guess what I had done wrong.

Does anyone have any advice moving further as it is not the first time she has come to me when I've made a mistake (this is the second time it has happened with both incidents being a few months apart) and basically asked me to guess what I've done wrong.


Thanks!

OP you are right to be irked.. A public reprimand is unacceptable..end of story.

It is a form of bullying. I have in the past had this ****e pulled on me. When it did i went to the person in private and told them i will not tolerate it and will take things further if it happens again.

Forget about what people are saying here about 'thats office culture'' blah blah...respect is universal to any job...without it you have nothing.

Mrs OBumble

kurtainsider wrote: »

After reading your post I thought that I had missed part of the story so I scrolled up to read the missing posts. Turns out I hadn't missed anything and you had just made up a whole load of things regarding the OP.

What way is that to conduct a discussion? It's most unhelpful if people just make things up and present them as fact. Boards would be pretty pointless if all posters behaved like that.

Did you even notice that my post started with the word "imagine"?

None of us know the full story.

But the OP knew that s/he had screwed up even before the colleague approached. My guess is that it wasn't a one off - but that's just a guess.


And as for thd people claiming it's bullying: bollox. The basic definition of bullying includes that it's repeated behaviour. Nothing in the OP's post suggests this

kurtainsider

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Did you even notice that my post started with the word "imagine"?

None of us know the full story.

But the OP knew that s/he had screwed up even before the colleague approached. My guess is that it wasn't a one off - but that's just a guess.


And as for thd people claiming it's bullying: bollox. The basic definition of bullying includes that it's repeated behaviour. Nothing in the OP's post suggests this

Mrs OBumble
I think that it's a bit rich describing an opinion that doesn't chime with yours as "Bollox"
I think that making up stories without any basis in what we know - as you have done - and are therefore 100% speculative is "Bollox"

JeffKenna

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

kurtainsider wrote: »

After reading your post I thought that I had missed part of the story so I scrolled up to read the missing posts. Turns out I hadn't missed anything and you had just made up a whole load of things regarding the OP.

What way is that to conduct a discussion? It's most unhelpful if people just make things up and present them as fact. Boards would be pretty pointless if all posters behaved like that.

Did you even notice that my post started with the word "imagine"?

None of us know the full story.

But the OP knew that s/he had screwed up even before the colleague approached. My guess is that it wasn't a one off - but that's just a guess.


And as for thd people claiming it's bullying: bollox. The basic definition of bullying includes that it's repeated behaviour. Nothing in the OP's post suggests this

This is ridiculous. Your post doesn't appear to have any grounding in reality and is pure speculation based on your own projections. And then you have the audacity to call other posts bollox.

The White Wolf

whampiri wrote: »

No, you're not. She has no business speaking to you in the manner described. Send her an email advising her that if she has an issue with your work in future, to go through the appropriate channels. I.e. her manager to your manager to you. Also advise her that if she speaks to you in such a manner again, you'll consider it bullying and will be reporting it to HR.

Alternatively, maybe she was just having a bad day and you could leave it go this one time but if she ever goes to speak to you like that again, stop her mid sentence and tell her where to take a long walk.

The bad day excuse is not acceptable for me; we all have those, but it's only the select few who think it's OK to bring that into the office. That type of person is liable to take the hump with colleagues on a semi regular basis.

I agree with what Mouse said earlier. It would probably look a bit tame to pull her up on it now. Just resolve to not allow her to speak to you like that again.

JustAThought

OP I doybt if anyone else in your office who saw or heard her/him was overwhelmed by their management skills. As you say you are concerned there will be kickback on you - you clarified with your boss -move on or bring it up with your boss in a consise email the way yku did here. Regardless you should be on your gaurd in csse s/he decides to speak to you like this in future as a habbit in person. I would caution that, as you mentioned, s/he is great friends with your boss and it is a very small office. Will a friend stand by their friend and senior colleague or by a sunordinate who had made an understandable omission - I'd leave it but keep a note in case it escallates or becomes habitual behaviour or is brought up later by any of them. Your work isnodoubt normally of a good standard - as is her behaviour - and they can make life difficult and messy for you. Keep a private ,dated, document but let it go & move on. Address it only if it escallates. Its not bullying - its fear on both parts and office dynamics.

nthclare

We have one of those in our workplace, if it's not you it's someone else.

We all just laugh at the situation because it's nothing personal and we're all in on the banter except the Jezabelle who's running the company in her own head.

It was John last week, Sarah today, Seamus tomorrow....

People like her are great teachers of tollerence, sounds like she's a bit nuts.

And if other people notice her behaviour you've nothing to worry about its obvious she's not very well respected....

Laugh it off

Always Tired

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Imagine what question your colleague could post here:

Eg how should I deal with a co-worker who knows perfectly well how to do their work, but can't be ar$ed actually doing it. Time after time, I have to tell them to get basic information- and I cannot do my job until they get it. I've tried asking politely but they just laugh at me. What next -dob them into management or turn up the heat myself?

How is 'Do you know why I'm standing here looking down at you?'asking politely? And when does it say the OP laughed at them?

Making mistakes at work doesn't mean a colleague can speak to you in a condescending manner like that. She literally said she was looking down at the OP, while literally looking down on them.

I don't think I've ever seen you reply to a post where you don't admonish the OP, no matter how far you have to reach to do it.

evolving_doors

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Did you even notice that my post started with the word "imagine"?

None of us know the full story.

But the OP knew that s/he had screwed up even before the colleague approached. My guess is that it wasn't a one off - but that's just a guess.


And as for thd people claiming it's bullying: bollox. The basic definition of bullying includes that it's repeated behaviour. Nothing in the OP's post suggests this

The OP did so maybe just take the issue on face value as most op posters would hope we do.
Public dressing down like that is unprofessional and creates a stink.

nthclare

evolving_doors wrote: »

The OP did so maybe just take the issue on face value as most op posters would hope we do.
Public dressing down like that is unprofessional and creates a stink.

Only if you let it stink, it's not hard to turn it around in one's favour.

Treat it like an 80's sitcom....

The aul bag in the office....

granturismo

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Did you even notice that my post started with the word "imagine"?

None of us know the full story.

But the OP knew that s/he had screwed up even before the colleague approached. My guess is that it wasn't a one off - but that's just a guess.
...

We dont know the full story but you can speculate that this wasnt an isolated incident and cover yourself by adding 'but that's just a guess'.

Wanderer2010

The White Wolf wrote: »

The bad day excuse is not acceptable for me; we all have those, but it's only the select few who think it's OK to bring that into the office. That type of person is liable to take the hump with colleagues on a semi regular basis.

I agree with what Mouse said earlier. It would probably look a bit tame to pull her up on it now. Just resolve to not allow her to speak to you like that again.

I see a lot of that though in the workplace, when someone brings their bad mood/personal issues into the office and spills their frustration to the nearest person sometimes even when someone is clearly busy with something else. This continues because either/or the co workers don't want to upset them or the managers are too spineless and allows the bully to rule the roost. Goes on a lot.

The White Wolf

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

I see a lot of that though in the workplace, when someone brings their bad mood/personal issues into the office and spills their frustration to the nearest person sometimes even when someone is clearly busy with something else. This continues because either/or the co workers don't want to upset them or the managers are too spineless and allows the bully to rule the roost. Goes on a lot.

I do admittedly think it's a case of managers not wanting the bother. Good to know it's not just my place that feels like an anomaly in regards to that.

Voltex

I'd be putting a marker down here! It's fine to be told you made a mistake and you messed up - but at all times you should be treated with respect.

I wouldn't let anyone speak to me in that manner - don't care who they are! You don't have to be aggressive in doing so...just assertive. And the weird thing is, people will ultimately have more respect for you. If you allow yourself to be demeaned once, it'll happen again and become a habit.

Strumms

Because someone is having a ‘bad day’ doesn’t give them so much as a millimeter of leeway to speak to someone in the manner described.



As Voltex says though you need to be assertive and ‘calm’ too in the way you deal with it...

Take it on the chin, wait 30 minutes to an hour so they have deescalated their aggressiveness and approach them and advise something like...

“I’ve been having a think about what you told me earlier. As an aside I want to let you know that I find it unacceptable though the way you spoke to me in the office earlier. I’m speaking to you now, again about a topic important to the company, my voice isn’t raised, I’m being calm, I’m not letting emotion detract from what I’m trying to convey to you and most importantly I’m talking to you professionally and treating you with respect. That is a legitimate expectation on behalf of EVERY employee here. So going forward I’ll ask that you keep this in mind for any and every interaction we have so we can continue to work effectively and efficiently for our customers and colleagues and indeed ourselves without needing time invested in escalating situations to my superiors.”

Thinking about it it’s probably more prudent to send this in email so it’s documented.

ellejay

OP just take it on the chin and get some replies ready to dole out for future encounters.

Absolutely don't send anything by email, it's there forever and you don't know how it could be used in the future.

Reading between the lines in the opening post - I get from it that a colleague is fed up of mistakes being made by the OP > Does him a favour by trying to speak to him personally rather than escalating through a manager > Goes over to the OP to speak to him > OP ignores the colleague > Colleague gives a sarcastic opener because she's ignored before she even gets to the actual issue > OP is offended before anything about the issue is even said.

I think the OP is trying to look like a victim to take the sting out of making a mistake.

A more experienced office worker would have given as good as they got from her but I suspect the OP is new to the job and probably new to the workplace.

Office politics are dreadful but I think it's a bit of a stretch to call the colleague a bully.

OMM 0000

I would not let this slide.

I would talk to my boss, explain how the person was unprofessional, and humiliated me in front of a number of colleagues, and that I don't want that to happen again.

If you have a good boss, he'll deal with it.

If it happens again, I would e-mail the bitch, CCing my boss and her boss, asking she refrains from acting this ay towards me.

If it happens again, I'd get HR involved.