Workplace dilemma...

[Puglover]

Here's the situation;
I work for one of the major airlines in the main operations control office. We take care of the day to day operations of the airline. We sit very close together. I just heard one of the people who makes the ultimate decision whether or not to cancel a flight say "If we cancel anything today let's hit DC. Yeah, there are protests there today, I'm sure the planes are full of left wing radicals and we should take care of them." Then went on to make some comments about the radical feminists out in DC. Now, of course he was expressing his fucked up politics and not seriously considering canceling flight but I HATE hearing this shit. He and I have argued politics many times and it's like talking to a brick wall. I am actually fond of the moron in some ways. We also have a very tight working group here....so here's the dilemma.
Swallow it and let it go, or take him aside and seriously tell him that I don't want to hear crap like that again and next time I'll head to HR and get formal with my complaint? Any thoughts to help me out. I always respect what my fellow DUers have to offer.

[BlueJazz]

1. If it was me, every time he said something...

...(as you described) I'd say something like:

God yes!..We wouldn't want those Liberals to fly in and bring back the days when we had lots of jobs, a surplus in the debt and that disgusting Peace and Prosperity thing....

[lapfog_1]

2. Kidding or not...

It is really a huge sign of immaturity and is inappropriate
in a workplace.

We are a zero tolerance nation these days.

I would report it to management and HR and demand some sort of action
to stop it. Its always possible that he may one day ACTUALLY
carry through on those thoughts and cause travelers undo inconvenience.
Your company would suffer the consequences.

Consider his comments now as a "Columbine style" early warning.

[Puglover]

3. He IS in fact a

hugely immature and angry human being. It's such a tough call. Our office (like the nation) is so polarized these days. I personally think politics have no place in the office however folks like this throw it in your face. I do however believe in a serious verbal warming before making it a company thing. Normally I just let it go, but this one is too much.

[Speed8098]

7. I agree

I think you should take that person aside and let them know if you hear comments like that again, you will file a formal complaint with HR.

Another poster said it may actually happen one day and that poster is 100% correct. If this guy floats that idea around and gets no objections, he may just abuse his authority and do it.

I work for a business that is owned and run by a rw family and I take no prisoners. When these people start in with their talking points, I immediately smack them down with FACTS. They don't like it, but hey, I bring in acouple of million a year for their company so they don't go too far.

It's fun to debunk whatever idiocy they are parrotting from Faux News.

Fight fire with fire. We are armed with a blow torch, all they have is a wet match.

[Puglover]

9. I like your advise a lot.

One of my problems is, (always has been) my damn temper. When arguing with Freepers I do okay until I get mad and then I lose ground. I want to stay smooth and even but I get completely frustrated when these morons can't stick with facts, stay on track and start babbling their bullshit.

[Jim__]

4. I wouldn't file a formal complaint

Chances are that you're not the only one he offends. Rather than scoring points for his opinion he is probably offending most of the people in the office. By filing a formal complaint, I think you would make yourself, and by extension, your political side, look silly and overly sensitive. If you can respond humorously, pointing out that he's acting like a jerk, I think that will win you some points.

[displacedtexan]

5. Dial the number for local weather report and say..."Hello, CNN."

Hello, CNN. This is __________. I'm returning your call asking for confirmation of a report on politically motivated plane groundings... I refuse to name names, but I can confirm or deny any names you have on your list. No. No. Yes, that one I can confirm. I have no further comment.

[Puglover]

6. LOL.....you have a wonderfully evil mind!

n/t

[Kahuna]

8. I would make a memorandum with a computerized timestamp..

of the conversation. If anything funky goes down you will have proof that your coworkers are involved. Other than that, I wouldn't blow the whistle on them unless they attempt to act.

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. If the fellow is willing to listen

I would keep trying to educate him about reality.

Right now, people like him are hanging on to their beliefs for dear life because everything they've been told is coming apart at the seams.

We need to understand, that for people who blindly support Bu$hCo, it is a very traumatic thing to realize that you've been royally duped. Often, people like this get very angry and defensive. That is the only way they've know how to react, when their whole reality is threatened.

I expect over the next few months, we are going to be seeing a lot of this sort of thing. However, it is important not to get angry in return, but rather respond with patience and understanding. Then watch this guy really go ballistic, because when you don't give them the response they expect, they can't handle it.

In the meantime, I would also let my supervisor know that I have concerns about this person and also about the polarizing situation in the office. It is up to management to get the situation under control.

[Puglover]

11. Wonderful words, thanks.

Now I'm laughing. A pal of mine in the office who I turned on to DU but doe's NOT know my handle JUST walked over to me and said...."Pjeffrey4444??????And cracked up. He was sitting across the office reading DU and read this post....and thought "Huh"? Looked around and cracked up.

[liberalnurse]

12. Why not just tell us who you work for......

Letting Liberals know what airlines are prejudice can be helpful.

[Puglover]

13. Please don't read in to what I wrote.

This was one person and as I said was spouting. I don't believe he would ever do such a thing. We are (I believe) professionals here before we are zealots. His comments were designed to irritate and not for action.

[Nobody]

14. We can't make jokes at airline terminals

And this is dangerously close to making jokes about explosive carry on luggage.

I'd tell him that this isn't funny and could be misinterpreted if the big boss comes in. Then make a note of it.

If he makes that statement again, report him.