Search:

Custom Search

Readers' Comments

Total Comments: 18
Page 1 of 2

« Previous | Next »

Joking With a Knife Leads to Removal

Joking With a Knife Leads to Removal

Project Manager
HUD
Fri May 29, 2009 8:59 AM

Post Reply

The jerk got what is justly deserved!!! A knife is not a play-toy!

Re: Joking With a Knife Leads to Removal

Aviation Safety Inspector
FAA
Mon Jun 1, 2009 8:53 AM
He was only “joking” because he got caught. If this woman was intimidated into silence I have no doubt that it would have escalated into something far worse.

Joking with a knife

CE Tech
USDA Forest Circus
Fri May 29, 2009 9:39 AM

Post Reply

Way back when I was in the Navy we all carried folding sheath knives on our belts. Some of the guys would think it fun to whip theirs out and threaten the newer crew members. Even done in jest, it feels VERY intimidating, as I can personally attest to (45 years later)!

This guy got what he had coming to him.

What an imbecile!

Program Analyst
OPM
Fri May 29, 2009 10:10 AM

Post Reply

"This case should serve to remind that it is pretty dumb to flash a knife at a co-worker, even if in jest. Rightly so, government agencies pretty much do not find such behavior funny and will tend to react quickly and seriously."

That says it all!

Why

Senior Power Plant Operator
Corps of Engineers
Fri May 29, 2009 11:16 AM

Post Reply

Why did he even waste time with an appeal, he was very lucky he did not face criminal charges. I know the union would make sure due process was followed in his termination, but no one could possibly defend his actions.

Inappropriate Behavior

PM
DON
Fri May 29, 2009 11:35 AM

Post Reply

Obviously this government employee was not in a union otherwise he would still be on the job.

Re: Inappropriate Behavior

HR Manager (retired)
DOD
Fri May 29, 2009 1:18 PM
No he would not. There are many decisions on similar cases and union membership has not saved any of the offenders. Management would have been derelict if they had not fired this employee.

Article

Program Analyst
Treasury
Fri May 29, 2009 12:34 PM

Post Reply

The author writes that it was "unfortunate" for McGuire that there were 3 witnesses. I'd say quite the reverse, that it was fortunate for the coworker who was threatened by this guy that there were witnesses, and that those witnesses were willing to risk their employment to testify. I'm sick of the "I was only joking" defense. I'll be he had used that before, and no one, including management, had told him it was inappropriate.

joking at work

Admin Assistant
USDA FS
Fri May 29, 2009 1:21 PM

Post Reply

Noted and understood. I will no longer joke with anyone at work about anything and I will caution others not to joke. It's not worth encountering someone without a sense of humor and losing your job over it.

Re: joking at work

Retired
DoD
Fri May 29, 2009 4:28 PM
It's okay to joke Admin Asst, just don't flash anything that can be interpreted to be a weapon. But if you're not sure, don't joke around.

Re: joking at work

software engineer
NAVAIR
Mon Jun 1, 2009 9:56 AM
There is appropriate humor and there is inappropriate humor, and many times humor appropriate in a particular context is not appropriate in another (duh). Humor correctly used can actually improve the products we supply to our customers.

I believe that it is obvious the the attempt an "humor" in question was inappropriate in just about any context and highly inappropriate in a work environment.

I suspect that Mr. McGuire blames the co-worker for complaining and takes no ownership for his actions. An immediate apology was required, even if he was seriously trying to make a joke and would not attempt to harm anyone at any time, however I see no hint in the article that he has ever apologized.

Re: joking at work

Task Manager
USN
Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:10 AM
No Admin Assistant you are correct if you value a long career you best just keep to yourself for numerous reasons that I have seen in 35 years. Humor is an excuse that will come back to haunt you!
Total Comments: 18
Page 1 of 2

« Previous | Next »

Add a Comment about this Article

** All fields are required.
Note: Your comments will not show up right away. FedSmith.com selects the most insightful comments from our readers for posting. If selected, your comments will show up in the comments section after they have been reviewed and approved. See our terms of use for more information.