I just typed a memo for my Mom

Stifko

Diamond Member
Dec 8, 1999
4,799
2
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Let me know what you think of this memo pls. She works for a city agency here in NYC. It sucks for her, almost 40 years in the system and she get treated like $hit. If that guy ever threatens her again, I will break a 2x4 over his head (he is big). I changed some of her wording, and added some stuff (the sent to hell part, but its true). thanks


Dear Mrs. X,

I?d like to preface this letter with a few remarks please.

This is the first time in my years at the xxx that I have written anything ?downtown.? The purpose of this letter is not to punish to embarrass anyone, but to expose an ongoing situation here at x, which appears to have no remedy. The situation is not just a personality conflict between coworkers, but a larger underlying problem that involves inept, inattentive and uncaring management by supervisory personnel. This is coupled with an established pattern of preferential treatment for some individuals as opposed to others. Playing favorites is not a good thing. The individuals not included in the favored group may not say anything and just observe, but resentment can and does build up making for a silent, unhappy and divisible atmosphere.

On Thursday, February 7th, 2002 at around 3:45 PM, I was packing some gift zzz for x in our back workroom. The tape gun was giving me difficulties so I reached for a pair of scissors in a container. All of a sudden purple liquid spilled from an open bottle which was set in front of the container. The grape soda bottle was partially hidden by pile of papers along with a scarf and a pair of gloves. The grape soda spilled all over the papers, and I tried to mop it up with a tissue, but the damage was already done. I had to go to the front desk to inform the owner of the papers and clothing that there was an accident on some of his belongings. I dreaded doing this, because the person that I had to tell was rr. I share a horrendous coworker relationship with him. He immediately left the desk, rushed into the back room and made a commotion about the mishap. ?Did the bottle fall over by itself?? he asked me sarcastically. ?No,? I answered, ?I was reaching for the scissors.? His reply was loud, threatening and obnoxious, ? Well, in the future, make sure that you look before you reach.? No concession was made for the fact that an empty soda bottle was left on a busy desk. I remained calm and said in a conversational but firm voice ? Please do not use that tone of voice in addressing me, or I will write another letter.? Unused to anyone standing up to him, this reply further agitated him and he continued, ? And I am telling you to watch yourself? or something along those lines. At this point our senior clerk rv, who was at her desk using the computer quietly said ?rr, rr ?in a soft admonishment, but rr still added ? Don?t you ever threaten me again with one of your letters, I have hands too!? I took the latter part of his remark to mean that he could write me up as well, or (in the worse sense) possibly strike me physically. Please see the attached letter that Mr. R was referring to, which was hand written and delivered yadda yadda after another incident. I know that I had a short interview with yadda either the same day or a day after I wrote that memo. I do not know what had transpired during rr?s interview or even if he had one.

Mr. RR?s antics and obnoxious outbursts are not something new but have been a reoccurring staple at xxx since I arrived at here three years ago. I am just one of his latest victims and he has done this type of thing to me more than once. I have even been ?sent to Hell? by Mr. R in front of the public. These theatrics are overlooked and in some cases received with a certain amount of humor by some. I sometimes think Mr. R provides for some a modicum of entertainment and comic relief in a sometimes dry and dreary atmosphere.

Whatever the reasons are this behavior I believe is not appropriate in the workplace and should be modified.

Please advise.

Respectfully submitted,


 

Transition

Banned
Sep 8, 2001
2,615
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very professional.. Kinda makes it harder to follow with the removal of the names and such but i believe the letter was wrote tastefully and the issue should be addressed accordingly.
good job
 

bootymac

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2001
9,597
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76
The memo is good, but the situation your mom is in...no :Q:(

Good luck, and buy lots of 2x4's!! :D
 

Mephistopheles

Senior member
May 16, 2001
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I think it conveys the situation very well. I would try and make it as formal as possible though. In your first paragraph, state only facts surrounding the incident. Follow that with a paragraph about background info. Finally, the last paragraph should list your mother's demands followed by a simple thank you sentence. And don't use quotes unless she's absolutely certain that was what he said.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
You might want to add a buzz word like, verbal harrassment in there. Being told to go to hell at work certinaly qualifies. Also you might that your mom feels imtimidated and threatened by this guys antics. Also hostile work environment should be put in there.

You might want to consider taking out the parts about preferential treatment, it makes it sound like your mom is jealous and whining.

Just state the cold hard facts. keep personal beliefs/accusations out of it.
 

Stifko

Diamond Member
Dec 8, 1999
4,799
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Thanks a lot., she wrote 95% of that note BTW. A harassment complaint is a whole big process and I dunno if she wants to go down that road. All those quotes are accurate with the exception of the last one. I don't want her to sound whiney, but she doesn't even have a desk in that back room. That guy does and he is a part timer and like 30 years her junior. It is very good advice to just stick to the facts though. thanks again.
 

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
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I once did this because I was too scared to ask my mom if I could transfer schools. She gladly excepted, plus I wasn't around to be yelled at. Good idea.