I don't mean anything bad or damaging to their career, etc. I'm talking about just giving a little stress back. My current supervisor used to pitch little fits and ridicule an individual's job performance in front of them and everybody. One day about two years ago, during one of these little rants 4 of us pulled out little pocket notebooks and just started taking notes of his behavior. He stopped and asked what we were doing. My co-worker stated "just taking notes on your behavior for our files". Then we stopped writing and someone stated "please continue". For about a month he was a perfect angel and to this day doesn't do the public butt chewings. Our employee evaluations got a little better also. Anybody else got anything similar.......

I'm saving my idea about leaving union brochures in the breakrooms and common areas until I'm on my way to another job. They would be having meetings all month trying to figure out how to stop a union from coming in :)

You know sometimes I wish I had a camera in my button hole when something like you described goes on at work. Would not be suprised if it is actually happening right now somewhere.

I think that's classic. I think it's good that you guys showed a united front here. Hopefully, you tried talking to this person on a professional level first.

But no, I've never deliberately done anything to irritate a manager. Two wrongs don't make a right.

But standing up for yourselves against a bullying manager is a good idea. Kudos.

Why would I? That would make me very unprofessional and passive-aggressive. If I have a problem w/my manager (or anyone I work with for that matter), I take it up directly and privately with them. Or, if a whole group is of one mind, then maybe at a meeting, take up the problem at hand in a non-threatening manner.

. I would never do anything to make my manager's already crazy life and work more irritating or harder. But that may just be me

The one thing i LOVED about what you did: THE UNITED FRONT you presented. That was great work. Keep that up.That, to me was the effective part of what you all did.

if you are a victim of workplace bullying, playing a game like that can backfire on you. sometimes, when "cornered" their behavior gets more outrageous and cruel. There are better ways to cope:

http://www.bullyonline.org

for suggestions. Never play games or try to "outbully" the bully. They WANT you in their "game". That is not how you get what you need or want in life.

Oh my gosh what a great image . . . . I'd love to do that - although I'd have to think hard to find someone that obnoxious.

Personally, I've never done anything to irritate someone on purpose. I'm sure I've irritated my manager though - no one is perfect. :)

steph

HAve you ever done anything to irritate your manager on purpose ?

No. I'm neither clever enough nor have I had to work with anyone that exasperating.

I'm probably complain and if no results, I'd quit. My job's hard enough on the brain cells without having to worry about mind games.

We put an ad in the local newspaper selling my manager's brand new BMW. For the phone number we used his cell phone. He was getting calls non stop wanting to know where this 2005 BMW for $2,000 OBO was. In the ad we said he was in the middle of a divorce and needed to sell everything and fast.

It wasn't done in spite, we were just having fun with him. It was pretty amusing until he put a recorded message on his voice mail telling everyone to call XXX-XXXX for the sale of the BMW. That number was my number.

Heh... probably not the kind of stuff you are looking for. :chuckle

Playing jokes (such as the BMW joke above) and/or irritating someone on purpose can be a very hurtful thing to do. It is the adult equivalent of being a school-yard bully. It is an adult version of the school cliques that "pick on" the kids they don't like. It is a form of violence, and in some cases, illegal. When you behave in such a fashion, you are adding to the pain and stress of the world and you never know for sure what all the outcomes could be. It could backfire on you -- or even worse -- some innocent victim could be hurt.

Such behavior is irresponsible, unprofessional, and potentially dangerous for all involved and for innocent by-standers who may get caught in the crossfire.

If you have a problem with your manager, resolve it in a professional way. If you can't do that, you don't deserve to be treated with the respect worthy of a professional.

llg