Help with a slight situation in the office

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-12-14 08:31pm

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?

Post by **Dalton** » 2002-12-14 08:36pm

I think you should tell her to try and keep personal and professional lives separate.

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2002-12-14 08:39pm

Why would you apologize for telling the truth?

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2002-12-14 08:41pm

Kelly Antilles wrote:Why would you apologize for telling the truth?

Don't want a lawsuit because of some need for vengeance.

Post by **Colonel Olrik** » 2002-12-14 08:44pm

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

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).

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2002-12-14 08:47pm

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

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.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-12-14 08:48pm

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.

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2002-12-14 08:53pm

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.

Post by **Gandalf** » 2002-12-14 09:49pm

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

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-12-14 11:12pm

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.