am i being overly sensitive?

[Beer Snob-50]

part of my job is repairing the computer programs that our company uses. yesterday, the purchasing department called up as i got to my desk and in a very demanding tone, made it clear that one of thier programs did not work. i told them (yes, also with an attitude considering the tone that was given to me) that i would look at it after doing payroll. i fixed it just after lunch, and sent them an email saying what i had done and to check it out and let me know.

this am, the person in charge of purchasing was up in the ivory towers of accounting bitching about something else and i asked how the program was running. with attitude she said it was fine. i said i would jsut appreciate letting me know that what i did worked. she said to stop being so sensitive about it.

am i?

[NJmaverick]

1. I work in IT (at least part of my job these days)

before that I managed facilities. In my opinion these are support roles. In other words our job is to ensure other people can do their jobs. With this in mind I try to be as helpful as possible. I don't make unreasonable demands and I don't get worked up by people's attitudes. I simple focus on fixing the problems and ensuring I am communicating with the people I support. In this case, if the fix was that critical to you, you might have phoned (rather than email). I can see why their attitude would piss you off, but it would be better for you to simply let that slide off you (like water off a duck). When you are in the support industry you really can't enjoy the luxury of being prickly in your dealings with your customers (how I like to view the people I support).

That's just my two cents for what it's worth.

[Beer Snob-50]

4. i see your point

the majority of my job is in accounting and i tend to follow through on my dealings with others. i guess i have to learn to just let it slide.

[taterguy]

2. Yes

[MissMillie]

3. When I don't follow up on stuff, I usually get in trouble

So, I don't think it's a matter of being "sensitive" but a matter of being thorough.

[Beer Snob-50]

6. that was my original beef

it is just a matter of being thorough.

[UndertheOcean]

5. no , you are not . She was being an asshole

[Beer Snob-50]

7. she can be one!!! nt

[Wapsie B]

8. No, she was being insensitive.

If all you hear with your job is when something's wrong or something you didn't do correctly that's simply not right.

edit: Now, this day and age with unemployment being what it is you have to ask yourself what's more important, setting this person straight or food in the fridge. In an ideal work environment we'd all be praised for what we've done correctly rather than not hearing anything until something is messed up. Few of us get into a job like that.

[velvet]

10. Oh for a job like that

I was heading into work recently and the thought came into my head: "Here we go, in for another ego-battering."

:eyes:

[Pharlo]

12. lol

"If all you hear with your job is when something's wrong or something you didn't do correctly that's simply not right."

I'm in QA. The ONLY time I hear from people is when something is wrong or it wasn't done correctly. It's the nature of the beast in that career choice.

But, when you do follow up and request feedback - as the OP here obviously did - you expect an acknowledgment of some type.

That's not being sensitive, that's doing ones job and being thorough. Had the issue NOT been properly addressed, the same individual who ignored his request for feedback could have told anyone at a later date "Well, he was told about the problem and I thought he was still working on it."

No, the OP is not being overly sensitive. If I were in his position I would discuss the issue with the individual, or my boss. (Actually, in QA, once a problem has been identified and the initial correction has taken place, feedback is not a courtesy, it's a required step in the corrective action process.) Then, because lack of communication is obviously an issue in this instance, I would initiate an internal corrective action to correct this 'critical communication gap' so there was a documented trail.

Yes, sounds pedantic, but the individual that the OP is posting about sounds like she's the type to try to pass the blame when something goes wrong. Personally, I would have a documented trail right back to that person.

This may seem a bit paranoid and over the top to you, but when your professional life is spent anticipating and dealing with things that can go wrong, this becomes second nature. Document, date, and sign EVERYTHING.

[velvet]

9. No, but let it go

Of course you were offended, the person who didn't let you know the program was working let you down. But you told her she should have, you made your point, and maybe it sank in, despite her dismissive response. So let it ride now, it's done. Go into work tomorrow or today or whatever it is in your demi-hemisphere with a smile on your lips and a song in your heart. New day, clean slate.

Petty bickering happens from time to time in most workplaces. Maybe the purchasing department are arseholes, maybe they were just stressed that day. You can't always know where a person's attitude is coming from.

[tigereye]

11. well, it really isn't that hard to treat co-workers with respect

that's what she should have done, and perhaps it will rub off on everyone else!