How should I treat my co-worker?.....HELP I have an hour left!?

Question

Here's the story:

I work alone in an office (I close) from 5pm to 6pm. I work from 4pm to 5pm with an older lady who's a bit of a prude.

My fiance' came in yesterday around 5:20 to drop me off some money before he went to work. We ended up getting into a brief argument (over money) and I admit I got pretty loud with him but it simmered down after like, a minute or 2 and we quickly made up and he left.

Today my boss called me in his office. Apparently my co-worker was still in the back part of the office (who knows WHY...I try to RUN from this place at the end of my day) and she told him that I was throwing a fit and I was unprofessional (meanwhile I'm thinking everyone is gone) and of course I agreed with my boss that it was inappropriate to carry on (out of emotion) about personal issues at work.

So, I went to my co-worker and apologized stating that this was out of character for me and I was sorry that she heard me get so upset. She responded really nasty saying that what I did was unprofessional and that if she has to put up with this she will change her schedule....nonetheless she didn't accept my apology and that's cool.

I feel she took it alittle too personal and NOW she is giving me dirty looks and treating everyone else in the office EXTRA nice...probably thinking I'm going to run my mouth about her....which I haven't... Keep in mind that we NEVER had a problem before.

My question is: I feel inclined to be rude to her now....how can I let her know that she is over reacting while NOT causing office problems?...I DO have to work alone with her for an hour. Should I say something at 5:00 when everyone is gone or should I let it go? I have about an hour and 1/2 to decide how to approach this.

Answer 1

You have apologized I would just ignore her dirty looks like they are not there. I would be polite say good morning or etc but not carry it any further , don't put logs on a fire it will burn longer. Be nice and you might on pay day buy flower and write I am sorry for the other day and sign it. and leave it alone from that point on.

Answer 2

If I were you, I'd ignore her behavior from now on, and treat her as though I didn't notice the nastiness.  You've already apologized and in an office, you took care of the issue as your boss suggested.  The matter is over and done.  If she continues her behavior, perhaps you should have a talk with your boss?  

By the way, had she ever seen your fiancee before? Does she have a problem with him for some reason (now that she's seen him)?  

Answer 3

Don't play into her game.  I know her type.  She finally has one up on you and she'll carry on trying to rub your nose in it.

Advice:  Be super nice to her and it'll drive her nuts!

Answer 4

Do NOT be rude back. That compounds the offense, and will only make everything worse.

You were in the wrong. One IS supposed to act professionally at work.

If anything, give a more genuine apology, where you explain that you rally do realize how inappropriate your behavior was.

Or let it go. Eventually she'll get over it and move on.

Answer 5

I wouldn't do or say anything out of the ordinary to this woman.  She will only use whatever you say or do against you.  As for going to your boss, that was a dirty, underhanded thing to do on her part.   It probably made her feel important to take this issue to your boss.  I've worked with people like that myself.  So long as your boss accepted your apology, let it go.   As for this co-worker, try to ignore the woman if you can, interacting with her only when work requires you to deal with her directly.

Answer 6

I wouldn't be rude, but you have no reason to put up with her snotty behavior either. Tell her that you are sorry again, and that you didn't realise she was still there. If she responds rudely, then just be like "I know your upset, but it's in the past and I would appriciate if you could just let it go."

If her behavior doesn't get any better, maybe it's your turn to tattle on HER... tell your boss she is letting personal problems against you interfere with her attitude at work. See how she likes having a taste of her own medicine.

I think its always best to react calmly and give someone a chance, but beyond you shouldn't have to put up with her behavior.

Answer 7

Let it go, and learn a lesson that you can never mix business with personal issues even if you believe you are in the office by yourself.  

Answer 8

Let it go. By plotting revenge by being rude, you are putting yourself in a position of peril. You will stir the pot and when it boils over, you will probably be the one without a job.

Just be extra nice, even though you don't feel it. You get your revenge that way, because you have now taken your power back and she becomes powerless to get to you.

Answer 9

She is right. You were unprofessional. Your fiance shouldn't even be coming to your workplace while you are working if he is going to talk to you long enough for you to get into an argument with him. You need to let it go and find a way not to have it happen again.  

Answer 10

Be sooo soo nice while being passively aggressive....at the same time.  

SMILE and be polite...but give her the eyes like you are not happy!!

Answer 11

If some one has to be uncomfortable, it doesn't have to be you. I would just let it go and put no more energy into it. You made a mistake, for which you have apologized, so you're done.

Answer 12

Tell her to grow up and get a life. She obviously needs a life if she is hanging out at work when she is suppose to be gone and then listening to your personal business. Wether you were unprofessional or not, it's still your business and she really needs to find something or someone to do or maybe she does need a different schedule but beat her to the punch and go tell your boss that you are really having a hard time working with such a negative individual and her negative attitude is creating problems. Turn it around on her.

ALSO: Anyone on here acting like you were so unprofessional for having personal business at work really needs to pull their heads out of their As**** cause you know darn well when their at work their texting, on myspace, or calling the kids or the husband about dinner. Reality is people do have to handle personal stuff at work at some point or another. Quit acting like your so perfect or you all need lives too!

Answer 13

sweetie, you don't get paid to be liked in the office; you get paid to do your work.  Let her shoot all the dirty looks she wants, you are still getting paid to do your work.  Ignore her, continue doing your work and don't stoop down to her level of ignorance.  

let it go.  she wants to be a prune, thats on her.  as long as her behavior doesn't interrupt your work, then why bother.  

Answer 14

You were unprofessional but it was good that you did apologize.  Take the high road, and just pretend it did not happen.  Say nothing more about it.

Answer 15

Office catfights rock !  rowwwww, ffffft ffffft

ok, seriously.  In my opinion, you should address the situation head on with her.  Practice extreme diplomacy in the mirror the night before, yet be very firm.  Apologize once more, let her know you want to get along with her without any tension in the air.  Then ask her, "what do I need to do to COMPLETELY and ABSOUTELY put this incident behind us?"

Answer 16

Let it go.  Pretend it did not happen.  I would say she is the one with the problem, not you.  Just carry on as you normally would and do not mention it