Why do co-workers feel the need to tell managers about their personal life? This co-worker was talking to a?

Question

manager and she was telling him things that were not appropriate and using vulgar language. Why do some co-workers think they can get on the managers good side by telling them their life stories. Do you think it is appropriate?

Answer 1

I know my coworkers disclose their personal lives to our manager so the manager will know why that employee may be coming in late or needing to leave abrubtly or not fully concentrating on working--it sort of gives the manager a head-up in advance.  I find talking about what's going on in my personal life difficult to do but when my mom was diagnosed with cancer and I knew I'd be there for her whenever she needed me (and the job be damned, I only have one mom and she won't life forever), I felt I had to let my manager know that my mom was sick, that if she needed me I wouldn't hesitate to be there, which might mean there would be days when I could not come to work and couldn't arrange for it in advance (no warning), there might be times when I would suddenly need to be with my mom for weeks at a time, there might be time when I would be coming in late or leaving early so mom could get to appointments or whatever--and although I normally put my job in a pretty high priority in my life, this time my job was being bumped for something more important.  I didn't want any of those dreadful "well, you were late today and you know that cannot continue to happen" talking-tos by the manager.

But lots of other people just love to talk about themselves and their little petty lives to their managers.  However, if your manager is allowing this woman to say inappropriate things and use inappropriate language, your manager had best look out because he/she could run into a lot of legal trouble should anyone overhearing become offended, or if the employee someday feels the manager has wronged her in some way.  It's not up to you to tell your manager how to manage, nor the legal implications your manager could be digging him/herself into by allowing this type of thing to go on though so just carry on.  This is life in the office.

Answer 2

Believe me, the suck-ups never make it to the top of the list when it comes time for promotions.  They are good to keep around to do the grunt work, but they never make it up the corporate ladder.

Answer 3

It's called sucking up. Brown nosing, whatever you want to call it.

Your manager is probably no idiot and knows what the coworker's up to. He may just be ignoring it to be polite, kind of like blowing it off.

Also, your coworker seems to be sinking herself further with the use of profanity. Your manager probably keeps mental notes of this and as I said before, that coworker isn't likely to be up for promotions or other offers.  

Answer 4

Its not  only inappropriate she probably doesn't think that she makes her self look very foolish  and leaving your self wide open for gossip & twisted stories. You get no brownie points  with  managers unless they are a personal friend that cares.

Answer 5

It's not only inappropriate, it is very unprofessional, and the mgr needs to let the person know that too much personal info is unnecessary.