Lesbian Conspiracy?

Disclaimer: Prepare for rant.

I actually had a complaint issued about me at work. I don't quite know when the actual complaint took place. I just know I went on vacation for a week around the winter holidays, my boss went on vacation the week I came back, and he informed me of the complaint his first day back from vacation. So the complaint could have happened during my one week back from vacation, or it could have took place sooner, and the superiors on high did not tell my boss about the complaint for at least couple of weeks. Therefore, I feel it took place during the one week I was at work and my boss was on vacation.

Here are the events as I know them.

At the end of my boss's first day back at work from vacation, he took me outside for a walk. On this walk he informed me that someone issued a complaint about me to my boss's boss's boss, and it worked its way down the chain to him, and he now needed to tell me.

The complaint issued was in regard to my "socializing". In particular, my socializing in a completely different department than mine with one particular employee on the other side of the building. Someone in her department decided to issue a concern to my department head regarding my spending time over there. The complainant was concerned about my productivity.

My boss assured me that he had no problem with me as an employee and told his boss that he had no complaints about me. He let me know that he noticed I get my work done efficiently and on time, and he was happy with me. He didn't know who has it out for me.

I let my boss know that I found it interesting that the complaint dealt with visiting that one particular person considering I rarely get to chat with her anymore. Not to mention, she and I had been on vacation recently, and she was out sick part of the week I returned to work.

Since I had been back at work, I only visited her office, longer than the average smoke break, one time to talk about our vacations. We made up the time at the end of the day by staying at work longer. My boss smiled. He realizes I am not one for trying to cheat the candy store out of work hour money.

I also let my boss know that I found the timing of the complaint interesting.

For a complaint to go to my department head, that would mean the complaint came from the department head of the "other" department.

Here is when we go into back story.

Back Story 1) I use to work for the other department at the candy store. While there, I accidentally upset the woman who is now the department head. Since I wanted to learn more about making lollipops, and was not getting that training there, I moved to a different department to see if I could learn more of what I wanted.

Back Story 2) When I travel, I like to go to unique shops or restaurants that are associated to the area. For instance, when I travel up north, I like the local breweries, where I can only get that beer when I travel in that local area. Over the summer, I was talking with a woman, who is not dating the "other" department head (they just live in the same apt. complex (now), go to each other's family homes, and take vacations together). She is also a wine and beer person. I told her about my excursions and how I bring back red wines from unique little wineries for another lady at work who is a wine connoisseur. After our talks, I let her know if I saw a bottle of her favorite wine or beer from one of those obscure places, I would pick up a bottle for her.

With that history set, while on my holiday break, I happened upon a unique little winery that actually sold the lady's favorite wine. So I bought a bottle.

I came back to work, gave her the bottle. When she received it she chuckled to herself, smiled, and said how she almost forgot about our conversation from the summer. Morale: the chick remembered our discussion, i.e. I wasn't trying to get in her pants by buying her a bottle of wine.

Within one week of giving this department head's non-girlfriend the bottle. I had a complaint issued regarding my visiting on that side of the floor.

So I laid low.

One work day shy of 4 weeks after my immediate supervisor told me of the first complaint, after going to the "other" department for minimal "hellos" and occasional work related things, I get another complaint to my department head for walking on that side of the floor.

At first, I thought it was funny. By the second notice, getting a little pissed off. I let my boss know if I get one more complaint without supporting documentation, I'm going to consider it harassment; and that I am being singled out as an employee and not allowed to walk in areas of the building. It would be one thing, if this was the FBI or something and it was a matter of security because I was walking in areas where I did not have a security clearance to be at... But come on! It's a CANDY STORE!

Needless to say, I let it get to me. I'm slightly sad about this. I feel better that my immediate supervisor has let me know he is supporting me and acknowledges me as a valued employee, but it still hurts that his bosses don't even bother to acknowledge that their employee really is a good employee. They just pass along the message that someone has a problem with me and the problem should be solved by limiting my right to walk through the building.

Not to mention, that yesterday, I noticed a woman from the other department (has the reputation of a narc) watch me go to the restroom! The restrooms are the halfway point between my work area and my former work area (the "other" department) where I know people. The woman walked passed me on my way to the restroom, I decided when I hit the door to look back to see if she's watching me, and SHE COMPLETED A U-TURN to watch me. I made eye contact and gave her a snotty smile. When I made eye contact, she averted her eyes, and turned back around to her original direction. The woman just walked in a "S" pattern, NOT watching to see if I continued past the restroom to the work area someone doesn't like seeing me walk through.

Needless to say, it's frustrating right now. I've felt better today because I talked with my immediate supervisor and let him know that if I hear about one more unsubstantiated claim, and asked to act differently than my fellow employees, I'm considering it harassment. He agreed and told me he had my back.

In the end, it could be someone else over there who has a problem with me, and the wine gift has nothing to do with the claims. I just happen to notice the coincidence that within 5 weeks of giving the non-girlfriend a bottle of wine, her department head (and non-girlfriend as well) has called my department head twice saying someone in her department is complaining about how much time I spend in that area. (Which, by the way, is not anywhere near inappropriate or an abuse of work time!)

So that is my venting. Not as cute as other times, but my venting.

Oh by the way, on a positive note, the lady in the cafeteria with the poor signage for milk now apparently likes me and attempts to hook me up with deals. I don't know how that happened, but I'm now in her good graces. She's still kind of slow at cashiering, but I randomly get the hook up on some food or soda.

So that's the positive note to end on. May everyone get the blessing of having the random girl who thought you gave her the smack down, eventually turn around to enjoy you as a person.