Toxic employer abuse?

[Superstickyone]

I complained to a supervisor about some noise around my desk the other day.  Asked for an aspirin for which I was given.

I wonder if the employer was playing games.  Suddenly two of my belongings (drawer keys and glasses) went missing.  Also someone placed two green and blue small Lego parts near my desk on the floor.  How did they get there?

Anyway, I searched my desk in and out, under desk in my purse - no where to be found.  At that point I figured I misplaced them outside work.

What's strange is that suddenly they both appeared on my desk, plain in sight.  I asked myself:  where did these suddenly appear from? 

No other co-workers sit near me right now as they are on holiday.

Why would a supervisor play this type of game?  It's extremely toxic.  Was it because I complained about noise near my desk the day before.  

Feedback needed please so I don't think I am going crazy!!

[Batya33]

Why don’t you have aspirin with you and what sort of noise?  In my office HR sends out emails if there will be loud construction or renovation going on nearby. How often do you complain of ask for someone to take the time to get you an aspirin or similar?  Do you think you were polite in how you complained? Did others ask for aspirin because if the noise?

More context is needed   It’s odd your items went missing and were replaced for sure but the backstory is really odd too 

 

[boltnrun]

You know for a fact it was your supervisor who took your things and then replaced them? You saw your supervisor do this? Or someone else did and told you they witnessed it?

[Superstickyone]

First time I ever complained about noise and asked supervisor for a pill. I don't keep aspirin at my desk but sometimes other staff members have some in their bag. It was a group in our lobby talking and laughing loudly. I asked for the aspirin very politely.  I don't know if anyone else complained that day.

[Superstickyone]

 I have no proof.  Two other employees who normally sit nearby are on vacation at the moment.  So cannot ask them if they saw anything.

So very strange though that my stuff went missing and them reappeared the next day!

I am a top employee and have never had issues with supervisors before.  Maybe this was a practical joke because I needed a pill for some noise in the hallway?

 

 

[Seraphim]

I carry my own Tylenol. Makes my life easier . 

[boltnrun]

46 minutes ago, Superstickyone said:

I have no proof.

 

46 minutes ago, Superstickyone said:

Maybe this was a practical joke because I needed a pill for some noise in the hallway?

This is quite a leap.

Has your supervisor demonstrated unprofessionalism or unfair targeting in the past?

Also, calling this "toxic employer abuse" when you have no proof isn't really conducive to a satisfactory work experience. 

[Cherylyn]

Contact HR and have them handle this.  Keep your keys and glasses more secure such as in a locked drawer or cabinet or in your purse in a locked storage compartment.  Buy your own aspirin and keep it in a secure place as well (purse). 

[boltnrun]

8 minutes ago, Cherylyn said:

Contact HR and have them handle this. 

I think this is a great idea. Of course, you have no proof and would just be accusing your supervisor of "toxic employer abuse" without knowing for a fact they did this, but you can see what HR is willing to do about it. 

[Superstickyone]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.  Talking to HR may be an idea.  However, I don't think anyone (supervisors or anyone else) would admit to wrongdoing.

Additionally, the items were returned to my desk.  They probably would not take it seriously and think I misplaced them. That's my opinion.

It's made me a bit scared and concerned though about the character and morals of the staff who work around me.

From now on, I'm going to put all belongings in my bag and take it with me on all breaks and when leaving for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

[catfeeder]

Probably not the best idea to expect a boss to manage the environment for you. I carry both earplugs and earbuds as emergency buffers against unexpected noise. These have proven invaluable during fire drills, construction, and of course, loud people who forget where they are.

[Jaunty]

Do you feel wary and targeted all the time at your job?  

[Superstickyone]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.  Talking to HR may be an idea.  However, I don't think anyone (supervisors or anyone else) would admit to wrongdoing.

Additionally, the items were returned to my desk.  They probably would not take it seriously and think I misplaced them. That's my opinion.

It's made me a bit scared and concerned though about the character and morals of the staff who work around me.

From now on, I'm going to put all belongings in my bag and take it with me on all breaks and when leaving for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

[Superstickyone]

I do not feel wary or targeted at all.  This is the first instance in 6 yrs.

Now that I think of it (and I feel really stupid now) I have gone a bit ballistic a couple of times at home when I can't find an item.  Sometimes the item shows up, other times not.

Douting myself now.  Gosh possibly I became mentally scattered and they got lodged in one of the 5 folders of papers on my desk?  I was retrieving and putting back quite a few information sheets through out the day.

Hope this is not an early sign of dementia at my age.  Ugh.

 

 

 

 

 

[Batya33]

8 hours ago, Superstickyone said:

I'm going to put all belongings in my bag and take it with me on all breaks and when leaving for the day.

 

I'd minimize valuables in the workplace -don't you have cleaning staff who comes and in many office buildings these are outsourced so it could be someone completely new. I'm the person who always has her crossbody purse with her at all times -phone/keys/bank cards etc.  If I brought lunch it was in the fridge and my desk drawers had office supplies, candy, tissues etc -no valuables. Sure people have artwork, their favorite coffee mug I guess, fresh flowers -but you can't assume those are safe from being knocked over or even taken by accident, etc.  It's an office.  It's not your home.  Likewise for sure there shouldn't be deafening noise but it's not your home. 

I had certain issues in certain workplaces (felt threatened by one coworker, was basically stalked and kissed by another) and I reported the former, not the latter and the only time in 15 years working full time in an office including on weekends that I reported an issue was when I was pregnant but not showing yet, exhausted, and I trudged up internal stairs (elevator perhaps not working) with my heavy briefcase. 

A maintenance worker I didn't know mocked me as he was trying to clean there -mocked me for how slowly I was moving up the stairs. 

I'd recently told the HR manager I was pregnant and when this happened -my hormonal self took over and I told HR - I felt uncomfortable being stared at from behind by this man and mocked because I wasn't walking fast enough up a flight of stairs. They took care of that ASAP. She took this very seriously.  Because all told it actually was -would she want him doing that to another woman using the stairs?

But when in another office an outsider was waiting for a meeting with one of my colleagues and decided to stand in the doorway to my office proselytizing about his religious beliefs and asking if he could leave me literature I said ..... nothing.  It was irritating for sure and a bit creepy but the thing is -it's a workplace.  Pick your battles.  I did self help just fine with this person.  Pick your battles. 

[Wiseman2]

8 hours ago, Superstickyone said:

 I have gone a bit ballistic a couple of times at home when I can't find an item.  Sometimes the item shows up, other times not.

That's ok. All you can do is get more organized so things are always in their place. Everyone has those moments of looking for glasses on your head or keys already in your pocket. 

If you are concerned that is more than just a senior moment or disorganization, you could always see a physician for an evaluation of your physical and mental health and get some tests done. 

However I would not report this to HR or superiors. It's doubtful they would hide your glasses or place Lego blocks on the floor as retaliation for complaining about noise.

[Superstickyone]

Batya33.  Wise advice about picking your battles.  In your cases advising HR solved an ongoing issue.  In my case it does seem incredulous that supervisors would take my stuff and then return later.  I will keep all my things in a bag take on breaks and when I go home.  Unfortunately more times than not, my lunch has been stolen from the kitchen fridge. I report it but really how can they police the refrigerator all day, every day.

I'm the type of employee who avoids making waves or complaining.  Twice for lunch missing, that's it.  

One time 2 yrs ago someone complained to HR that I spit on the sink which was not true.  I was coughing on a donut I was eating.  I told managers this and there was no further issue.

I keep my head low generally as I think people can be really mean in our office.  I've heard some horror stories about other employees having a hard time due to gossip.

The advice given here was super helpful.  My imagination obviously got the best of me.  I'm keeping my mouth tightly closed and won't even mention anything to coworkers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Batya33]

I had a one time issue related to my medical condition while pregnant. It was resolved. I had a one time issue being screamed at and threatened at by a coworker. It was resolved. Just to be clear. If I were you I wouldn’t ask anyone for medication related to workplace discomfort or noise you are experiencing.
If you’re out of Tylenol or tums and desperately need and can’t step out to buy then go to a trusted coworker. I’ve given coworkers meds like that and never mentioned it to them or anyone again. I didn’t want the coworker to feel self conscious.