agonyaunt | (no subject)

I graduated in the middle of the pandemic and got my first real job working remotely, only recently getting to the office as people started getting vaccinated. It was the first time I had to interact with my co-workers face to face. Generally, it’s pretty good, but I have two particular co-workers, “Todd” and “Evan,” and I’m not sure how to deal with them.

Todd believes some weird conspiracy about soybeans. Yeah, the plant. Apparently, they’re part of some 3,000-year-old plan from China to take over the world through the power of phytoestrogens or some nonsense. It’s crazy, but at least Todd has enough self-awareness to not bring it up unless someone shows interest. Unfortunately, Evan has quickly realized he can bait Todd pretty easily and asks about this almost every day. It drives me nuts overhearing them in the cube farm, but I’m not really sure if it’s worth raising it with management and possibly getting one or both in trouble. Can you help me with some perspective?

—Not Into Soybean Conspiracies

This is what noise-cancelling headphones are for. I’m afraid there’s not much you can do here, other than lobby Evan to stop baiting Todd because it’s driving you nuts. This isn’t the kind of thing that’s technically inappropriate workplace behavior, so I’m not sure you have any grounds to bring it up with management. (What are you going to say? My co-worker is weird and annoying? You say this is your first real job, so I’ll just go ahead and warn you: A few weird and annoying co-workers come with every job.)

At any rate, you’re probably not going to talk Todd out of his conspiracy. If you have a decent relationship with Evan, maybe you can diplomatically ask him to knock it off. Otherwise, take your next paycheck and budget for earplugs.

https://slate.com/business/2021/11/determining-salary-ranges-how-to-pin-down-your-market-value.html

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Todd isn't simply weird and annoying, he's weird, annoying, and believes bizarre, racist conspiracy theories.

Yep, THIS IS RACIST, and not appropriate for the office.

it's also sexist MRA/incel shit, and worries me. Soy + phytoestrogens is full on alt right scary shit, and even if Todd is fine now, if he's consuming his media from Paul Joseph Watson youtubes, or whatever, he's going to be full-on redpilled eventually. LW should be very careful around that guy, and maybe avoid the office for a while if Todd ever gets demoted or punished.

There's a 2021 update to The Conspiracy Chart, too!

https://twitter.com/abbieasr/status/1462953203067240450

Both of these jackasses need to be in trouble.

Talking politics (and conspiracy theories count) is not workplace-appropriate behavior, unless it's in an office with a door by mutual consent of all participants.

Also, putting up a sign that says STOP ASIAN HATE might be in order here, or perhaps linking HR to same.

Edited 2021-11-22 16:51 (UTC)

What kind of useless 'advice' is this? LW, go ask Allison, who will advise you to talk to 1) Evan 2) your shared manager/supervisor/whipcracker 3) HR about Todd's racist delusions. Or, you know, listen to us, who are all saying the same thing.

Is LW working with 11-year-olds?

Others have already addressed the issue with Todd. But can I flag that Evan is veering so damn close to bullying behaviour that I can't tell the difference, and the only reason it doesn't appear to be identified as such is that they are focusing on someone who is already an outcast?

At the very least, this is making life miserable in a cubicle farm, and should be brought up to a manager as a case of anti social behaviour. I get pissy enough at people having conversations around me when they are work related (I have acoustic sensitivity. Once there are three conversations happening, one behind, one in front, and one off to the side? I want to scream. or cry.)