Coworkers getting divorced, forcing us to pick sides
A couple who works at my office is going through a divorce right now (we saw it coming, trust me). So far it has been fine, except the other day things got very rough between them and now they have basically trying to get everyone in the office to side with them to "prove" the other is in the wrong. It's pissing all of us off but our manager said he refuses to get involved with personal issues. Has anyone here ever resolved this kind of thing without management cooperation? Thanks.
Each basically needs to vent out against each other. Divorce is bad enough where each one needs verbal support. But you should all agree that conversing about it at work is a distraction and as grownups it will be a negative on job performance to the whole working community. The manager should speak to both of them also where it won't seem as none of of you are siding with either. Maybe someone would bring it up to human relations and explain to both of them how un acceptable this is......Good luck to all of you.
No. Management should call them both in and put them on notice. Their"personal" issue is affecting the workplace and creating an intolerable environment.
If it's bleeding over to the work place, it's no longer personal. The manager needs to get involved. I would lay down the law and tell them if they continue to display this behavior at work they will be written up and one or both could possibly face termination. When they become a cancer in the work place, it's time to cut that cancer out before it spreads.
People need to realize that they are hired to keep a buisness running , which means personal problems need to stay outside of work . The manager needs to let them know he is there to run his business not pick sides at a couple having there issues , couples shouldn't work together for this reason !!!!!
Follow your managers lead. You cannot be forced to take a side. If one of them is bold enough to directly confront you simply reply that you are sorry they are going through a difficult time.
...Whether your group likes it or Not---you have All happened upon a Car Wreck---and are involved with securing the scene before help arrives...Both of these people used to be One Flesh---now there's a massive, bloody Rip to separate them....call in the Big Guns---de God Family by praying for them, AND Yourselves...this is Their Specialty, dealing with broken hopes & dreams & minds ....but as a Group, the Holy Bible highly implores us in ROMANS 12 : 15, " Rejoice with those who rejoice ; MOURN with those who MOURN. " ( NIV, emphasis added ). These two people just need some Love....do not Side with either one---But definitely listen & hug each one...and " Identify with them in their joys AND in their Sorrows because it is a Christian's privilege & Responsibility " ( footnote )....In other words, you have to Stop the Bleeding... secure the ' scene ' by becoming like minded to immediate emotions....and LEAVE de Rest in God's Hands by prayer ( as a group would be Even More Powerful & Awesome ).....divorce is a Horrible calamity---and dealing with it at work, even more so...Harsh words to the effect that they have to Stay professional & keep personal matters out of de workplace Will only make a bad situation Worse---WHY?---Because they both HAVE to be there, they have NO alternative--- prisoners in a sense....and Never Tire of the praying, even if you can't see any positive Results....The God Family's majestic powers ARE loosed, and begin de healing process instantly...and pray for strength, Patience, empathy, Longsuffering----because One Day, it may be YOUR turn when calamity strikes---and then YOU will have Help comin' your way just like you sent it for someone else....we're all in this together, one day it'll be our turn for help from Sorrow...
I believe if this drama begins to affect the everyday business related activities, management will have to step in. I, personally, would not pick sides; and would calmly explain this to either of the two at odds.
Everybody should bring their dogs and cats to the office, and parade them around the desks of the feuding workers. Just say, well, since everybody is bringing issues from home, here's mine.
The way you solve that is by NOT having marital discussions at work!!
The yin and yang of it all!. , I don't know how many people are in your business going through this with you but the best everyone can do is always give the pros and con's of each argument that comes up and for everyone to start posting resumes for both of them at other hiring businesses, also everyone will have to give them both glowing recommendations. This will allow one or both of them a way out and boost there moral at the same time. Not to mention that it will give everyone else peace of mind. Marriage is reflective, its that foundation that propels them forward. Keep praying blessings over both of them.