Got into an argument with the janitor, now he’s trying to get me fired. Pff.?
Question by AnonymousChris: Got into an argument with the janitor, now he’s trying to get me fired. Pff.?
Well, since I started working here, there is this Mexican janitor that calls me strange names in spanish. I don’t know what they mean, or even care for that matter. But in-front of customers he calls me “easy money”. Sometimes he walks in and says having fun drawing? I’m a graphic designer, and I have a lot of deadlines and its stressful. I know he works hard, and it probably jealous that a 22 year old makes more in an hour than he does in a week. But one day he really pissed me off with one of his -oh your life is so easy comments, and I said. “You know what? ANYONE can do your job, ANYONE can scrub a toilet or mop a floor. You come here and try to do what I do. You CAN’T, CAN YOU? I know several 8 year old kids who can do your job, and not only that, but they can actually speak english.” Then I walked away, the next day I got a call from my boss saying that he needs to speak with me Monday about an incident that happened with a co-worker. Seriously, he caught me at a bad time, I have nothing against him. Just tired of his comments.
Best answer:
Answer by PaoloPH
He sounds like an ignorant passive-aggressive jackass with a chip on his shoulder. However, you should have left the “speak english” part out of your response, because he will probably use that as fodder when he plays the race card.
Can you remember any of the names he has called you, like “puto”, “pendejo”, “cabron”? If so, be sure to bring that up and show that he has created a “hostile work environment” for you.
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Tell your boss exactly what you wrote in here!
Temper, temper. Well, I would just explain to the boss what he’s been saying and doing. I would even go as far as to say he was harrassing you. You may have been a little harsh, but he could have been causing you business. Also, prepare what you’re going to say to your boss before-hand.
You’re screwed. You’ve been taking those comments from the janitor and not reporting them, so as far as your boss knows, this is the first incident between you. That makes you look bad because you tore into him. If you start bringing up the past events, that you never mentioned before, that sounds like you’re trying to cover your butt. Again, that makes you look bad. The fact that you belittled the man for his profession, as though he is beneath you (you might not have intended this, but saying ‘anyone can do what you do, but I’m skilled’ is belittling to him) also makes you look bad. Play the sympathy card (caught you at a bad time) but don’t be surprised if you get in serious trouble for this.
Your super screwed…
Has anyone else heard the names he calls you and especially in front of customers – if so, bring them as a witness. Let your boss know that he has been degrading you and berating your work in front of customers, which definitely makes the business look bad.
He has also been purposely distracting you from your work, which also costs the company money. Is there anyone else you have heard or seen him harrassing in any way?????/ There is strength in numbers.
Yes you flew off the handle when he pushed the card too far, but obviously he was trying to provoke you and play the “Oh poor me, I am just trying to do my job but I am being DISCRIMINATED against, poor me!”
Just think about this well over the weekend and prepare what you are going to say. When you come down to it, you had been provoked over time and everything you said was true.
There is no shame in being a janitor, it is a necessary job and can at times be hard work, but this guy is just a jerk looking for a free ride on the race card train because he is too lazy to better himself.