The Office Shanker

My office instituted 360 evaluations, so I was recently rated by 10 coworkers, all of whom I know and like.  However one of them fucking shanked me on these evaluations. My boss, who does not mince words and can be very critical, told me to take the comments with a grain of salt because some of them were very harsh. The other 9 colleagues gave me great reviews and nice comments, so I'm focusing on the outlier.  The comments from the fucking shanker show an intimacy with my work habits, so I'm pretty sure I know who it is. It is unfortunate because I may have to reevaluate my relationship with her.

thomashawk / Shank

Here are some of the best:

Treats others with respect and dignity by appreciating and valuing an inclusive workplace- Rarely - UTP does not possess welcoming body language and often seems distant when engaging in face-to-face communication. Avoids talking about culturally-sensitive issues.  Does not make and effort to learn about the Commission's policies regarding cultural diversity.

Gives and receives feedback in ways that are useful for growth and development - Rarely - UTP is not an attentive listener and dismisses a person if she does not understand what they are saying - language barriers

(We have a man working here who is a prince in Ghana, but that is not really relevant.  He has a certain way of saying things because of the way he learned English. He is not trying to call anyone out or cast blame, but when he finds a mistake in something, he is like "This is wrong!"  "You did it wrong!" That is just how he says I found a mistake.  It could be off putting if you were not sensitive to the cultural differences. Once he left my cube, I talked to the shanker and basically said this to her and then said, "It's a language issue, right?"  Apparently it was a language wrong.)

Takes initiative by being innovative, by being creative, and by motivating others - Rarely - Very set in her ways.  Not open to suggestions.

(How would you know this unless you worked with me on a daily basis?  Shanker.)

Values a diverse workplace by being committed to excellence, innovation, and quality work - Rarely  - Does not look for opportunities to add value to the workplace. Not very proactive in including or integrating best practices to enhance the division.

Demonstrates integrity and honesty in job performance - Generally - Generally follows workplace policies but regularly does not want others to know what she is doing.

(huh?)

Encourages others to contribute their full potential.... - Sometimes- Complains regularly about what is not right with the division instead of encouraging others to make suggestions about how things can be better.

(Sorry for bitching.  Dearest shanker, you won't have to listen to it anymore.)

Works with team to achieve common goals - Rarely - seems to be more of a loner than a team player so her goals always seem set aside from those of the team.

I guess familiarity breeds contempt.

But here are some of the good ones:

• Respectful, yet with a healthy sense of humor.

• She says hello. I think she is very aware of cultural difference in people's backgrounds and treats others with respect.

• No aires, just wants to help.

• Provides explanations when things are not clear to avoid misunderstandings.

• I haven't witnessed her motivating others but she is receptive to suggestions and I haven't felt inhibited from expressing thoughts to her.

• I think she freely engages with others no matter their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.

• She's been fair and open.

• She is a good steward of the xxx's resources in an honest manner.

• Makes sure staff understand how and why certain decisions are made.

• She participates on team efforts and I think she likes it by listening, offering creative ideas, taking responsibility, interacting well with all team members, and working with the team to come up with decisions.

• Can be very sarcastic at times (This is a good thing!)

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Since I wrote this up, I talked with my co worker H.  He talked me down a little bit, and said that the comments don't sound like they could have come from the person I think is the shanker.  Oh well.  As my boss said, there is always one person who does something like this. That person is the SHANKER!

Vignettes from a Work Picnic, Part Two

While I was munching on my veggie burgers, a couple of colleagues were discussing old age and how long they would like to live. One, a mid-fifties white male, said that he has a goal, "a modest goal," to grow old enough that he can pinch "a woman's bottom" without getting in trouble.  He said he was joking, but in the years I've known him, I know he is the type of person who will do what he thinks he can get away with. He'd do it if he could, he just can't get by with it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All of this made me think of the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, a republican from South Carolina.  He also served as Governor of South Carolina and ran as a candidate for President under the Dixiecrat banner.

He's 100! United States Army, photo by Jermone Howard

  I interned at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence during the initial Violence Against Women Act passage.  I attend a few hearings and votes, including one with Sen. Thurmond. However, the candid moments in the halls of Congress give the best indication of a person's moral compass. He was quite a character.

I remember seeing him wheeled to the back of the elevator reserved for members and staff.  Two interns hopped on as the doors were closing.  Sen. Thurmond ogled their young asses, and I bet his shaky, liver-spotted hands were poised for pinching once the door shut.

Vingettes from a Work Picnic

Yesterday we had our annual summer picnic at my lovely workplace.  Some stories:

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Pam and Faye. They sit next to each other. Faye and Pam.  They do very similar jobs.   Pam and Faye. They both talk alot about their grand kids. Faye and Pam. I see them clearly in my mind's eye, but I get their names confused. ALL THE TIME.

I was in charge of a craft activity so I was talking to alot of people and kind of distracted.  I called Pam by the name of Faye twice.  The third person in their section, Joan, said:

"Do all Black people look alike to you?  Can't you tell the difference.  I can tell all you white people apart!"

Joan is my bud, and I always remember her name because I call her Joni Mitchell or Joan Crawford.  I have other coworkers I call by celebrity names. She was joking, but I believe there's always a little truth in jokes. 

My response was "That's so racist."

NPR "That's Racist" 

I'd heard this story on the radio the night before, so that explains my response to Joan. The story plays a clip of a 30 Rock episode in which Liz Lemon thinks Tracey Morgan can't read.  When she confronts him because he was faking illiteracy to get away from the office, he says that assuming he, a black man, was illiterate was racist.  Absolutely hilarious.

More lovely work stories to come.  Next up bottom pinching.