i cursed somebody at work, somebody overheard and filed a complaint. what can i do?

poopprincess · Dec 1, 2011

First, tell the employee who told on you to **** off.

Just kidding!! Seriously, it's absurd that you have to have a meeting over one under your breath curse word. Good grief. People need to mind their own business.

Tell your manager that you are sorry, and it won't happen again. Just own the behavior and reassure her that you have learned from the experience. Then move on...

boushie87 · Dec 1, 2011

Who would she even be apologizing to? She did not say it to anyone specifically. She said it after she hung up. This other employee must be a real piece of work.. Good for you for owning up to it because you could have easily said "honestly, I don't even remember saying that. Perhaps she only thought I said that.." or something of the like because really? 2 months ago? Her word only? That can NOT mean very much.

MJB2010 · Dec 1, 2011

Sounds like your coworker is a huge B**$%!

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

See, next time you can just come and curse out your coworker on AN :idea:

I've also seen providers curse each other out just as much as nurses.

But I'm playing devils advocate because I truly value professionalism, and am not a fan of swearing in the workplace. But everyone loses it every now and then, nobody ever said it was an easy job.

allnurses Guide · Dec 1, 2011

Jeeze, I thought you meant you cursed someone to their face! I can't believe someone tattle-taled an editorial comment not directed at anyone in particular.

Did you mean the busybody waited 2 months to tell on you or your manager waited 2 months to talk to you about it? Either way, if someone came to me with such a ridiculous complaint I'd be concerned about them, not you!

Sounds like this person needs some polite and direct pushback from you if there is any type of pattern to her behavior, as there so often is with people like that.

netglow, ASN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

A sign taped to her back that says, "I'm a snitch"

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 1, 2011

Tell your manager that you are sorry and regret what you said. Tell her that you will never do it again.

Didnt your mother teach you not to lie?

Cessna172 · Dec 1, 2011

Snitches get stitches...lol.

silent_nq · Dec 1, 2011

I've dealt with these kinds of do-gooders before. If no one else heard you, then deny it and make them prove it. Usually the accuser looks pretty bad and it makes it look like they are stirring up trouble. Then I relentlessly try to catch them doing something and when I did, I'd file a complaint and do it hard and repeatedly - fight fire with fire! I have an "I always win" mentality. It's a shame to have to use it at work but when people are hostile, that's what you gotta do or YOU will be the one fired. If they treat me nice, we have zero problems. I'm always the reactor, never the instigator.

caliotter3 · Dec 1, 2011

Oh for heaven's sake, your manager is foolish to allow tattletaling like this. We will never be a real profession if some RNs "run to mommy" to tell, and the manager allows it.
Oldiebutgoodie

Your manager would have thrown that person unceremoniously out of the office with an admonition to bring only important matters to her attention if they were on the ball.

RLeeRN · Dec 1, 2011

This whole thread can be used as evidence that our education system is a failure. When someone has to utilize profanity to communicate, it is often the result of a rather low vocabulary. It is kind of hard to claim to be a professional when one has a habitual problem with using a potty mouth.......:)

Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

Oh for heaven's sake, your manager is foolish to allow tattletaling like this. We will never be a real profession if some RNs "run to mommy" to tell, and the manager allows it.
Oldiebutgoodie

Sadly, it happens ALL the time at my place.. :icon_roll

Gets old!