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Help with a slight situation in the office

Posted: 2002-12-14 08:31pm
by Master of Ossus
As some of you doubtless recognize, the Holidays are always hell for people in the newspaper industry. More than half of my reporters are on vacation, already, and so the place is empty. The real problem, for me though, is that Kate is gone and there's this other reporter who has something of a thing for me. I basically told her that I wasn't really interested (I said that I was engaged), and she seems really upset with me. She's been avoiding me for the past few days. I think I should try to apologize, but I don't want to give her the wrong idea. What do you guys recommend that I do?

Posted: 2002-12-14 08:36pm
by Dalton
I think you should tell her to try and keep personal and professional lives separate.

Posted: 2002-12-14 08:39pm
by Kelly Antilles
Why would you apologize for telling the truth?

Posted: 2002-12-14 08:41pm
by neoolong
Kelly Antilles wrote:Why would you apologize for telling the truth?
Don't want a lawsuit because of some need for vengeance.

Posted: 2002-12-14 08:44pm
by Colonel Olrik
neoolong wrote:
Kelly Antilles wrote:Why would you apologize for telling the truth?
Don't want a lawsuit because of some need for vengeance.
You americans are crazy :shock:

I would (and already had to do it) mention my engagement during a conventional talk, in a way she understands there's no chance in hell of something happening.

I wouldn't apologize, unless I thought I had been rude. If that's not the case, then let her handle it. Also, think about your fiancee feelings. She wouldn't like you to feel guilty of simply telling another woman you're not interested (I certainly wouldn't, if the situation was reversed).

Posted: 2002-12-14 08:47pm
by neoolong
Colonel Olrik wrote:
neoolong wrote:
Kelly Antilles wrote:Why would you apologize for telling the truth?
Don't want a lawsuit because of some need for vengeance.
You americans are crazy :shock:

I would (and already had to do it) mention my engagement during a conventional talk, in a way she understands there's no chance in hell of something happening.
Hey, it is still a valid concern. Especially in an employer/employee situation.

Posted: 2002-12-14 08:48pm
by Master of Ossus
Kelly Antilles wrote:Why would you apologize for telling the truth?
I'm apologizing for hurting her feelings, more than for telling the truth. She seems pretty upset by the whole thing.

Posted: 2002-12-14 08:53pm
by Kelly Antilles
Master of Ossus wrote:
Kelly Antilles wrote:Why would you apologize for telling the truth?
I'm apologizing for hurting her feelings, more than for telling the truth. She seems pretty upset by the whole thing.
But you told her you were engaged, correct? She has no reason to have hurt feelings.

Posted: 2002-12-14 09:49pm
by Gandalf
Wouldn't it make sense just to let her go about her work, you go about yours, and if either has a problem just see the other one, no other contact necessary

Posted: 2002-12-14 11:12pm
by Master of Ossus
Gandalf wrote:Wouldn't it make sense just to let her go about her work, you go about yours, and if either has a problem just see the other one, no other contact necessary
It's kind of tough because, as an editor, I constantly have to go back and ask her, "When you wrote this, what were you trying to say?" I've been asking the other editors to do it, but that's a pretty stop-gap measure.

She's not my employee, in that I don't employ her. I'm kind of like her boss, but not really, since any of the editors can ask almost any of the reporters to cover something.
Colonel Olrik wrote:I would (and already had to do it) mention my engagement during a conventional talk, in a way she understands there's no chance in hell of something happening.

I wouldn't apologize, unless I thought I had been rude. If that's not the case, then let her handle it. Also, think about your fiancee feelings. She wouldn't like you to feel guilty of simply telling another woman you're not interested (I certainly wouldn't, if the situation was reversed).
Colonel, I think that's the best advice I've gotten on the matter. I'll talk to her tomorrow. Thank you.