Workplace Kick-Off Confessions

[Keefy]

Have you ever been involved in or witnessed a workplace kick-off/incident which brought your trade/profession into 'disrepute' - doesn't have to involve plumbing, any trade or job will do. Not proud of them but I have been involved in several so here's one of mine...

Was working at B&Q Warehouse in St. Helens as the 'Expert Plumber' which had me running the plumbing and hardware departments when one day a customer demanded I check for extra stock 'in the back' as there wasn't any of what he needed on the shelf. After calmly explaining a thousand times that he was in a 'warehouse' where all stock is visible and 'there is no back' he threw his arms up at me and called me a ******** which prompted me to reply with a good right hook to his jaw. Long story short I was promptly escorted from the premises and told I was barred from all B&Q's. I joked to the store manager that the customer wanted decking and I must have caught him as I pointed in the direction of the flooring department.

Got a decent pay-off though and I still have a trade account with them. Banned from their stores my arse!

 

[Knappers]

I've been upset by customers before but I'm calm enough to walk away, one fella got so upset he came at me (expecting me to flinch or run) but I think when he realised my step back was just to take a good stance he crumpled like a wet rag.
I wouldn't ever swing first at work! (I don't think).
Perhaps you should work on your volatility?

 

[Stanios]

Probably the most adrenaline fueled event and the closest I came to getting assaulted was when I went to correct some of my own work in middle of Covid pandemic for an old Jamaican lady in her 80s who I have done a fair few jobs for actually. She is quite stocky and during one of my visits she had a full size crowbar and was digging out an old fence post.
This time after her being away for a month (during covid pandemic no less, but apparent it was "allowed") she complained tap I repaired kept dripping and boiler was dripping outside (I fitted a thermostat on the boiler). So against my better judgement I went to help, she was telling me off from the second I stepped into the house that I didnt do the job properly, left her with drips. Did my best to keep calm kept repeating I will sort the tap no charge, boiler needs checking properly may need parts for which I will charge. She kept saying I made boiler worse, I was taking advantage of an old black lady, couldnt stick a word in edgeways at this point. She suddenly stormed off returned with £80 in notes and said that all she has and she wants it all sorted. I tried my best to explain that if parts need changing it will cost more. At this point she was right in my face in this tiny kitchen with my back against the counter. Thats when I said "I do treat you different because you are old and a woman if you were a man I would f*cking move you out of my way". She went absolutely ballistic! Saying f*ck really triggered her..I was thinking up of how I will explain to other customers why I have a black eye..She ushered me out threw my bag (which is about 20kg) out front then started yelling down whole road in Jamaican speak "white boy thief white boy something else" There was a black man walking down the road told her to calm down lol.

 

[SimonG]

Tenant with a faulty oil combi. Bloke phoned me and I said I would have a look Saturday morning, be there about 10.00. Bit hard to find, was a little drive in middle of houses to 3 houses behind.
Grabs my gear, knocks on door, by this time 10.15.
Door opens, I'm here to look at the faulty combi.
Oh you must be the dodgy boiler man that's 15 minutes late.
Really, well this dodgy boiler man is going to take his arse home and you can feck right off.
Well I never, what did you just say to my wife from behind her.
I said the pair of you can feck off.

I dont bite often, but boy does it feel good when they deserve it.

 

[Keefy]

Fellas, particularly those of you who are employed as opposed to self-employed, this thread is in The Plumbers Arms hidden from the prying eyes of your bosses so go on; tell us about the times you've flipped your lid on the job. Everyone's got a story surely?

Anyway, today I was reminded by my brother of an incident about 20 years ago in which, to cut a long story short, we went to his then boss' house to confront him about unpaid wages. When said boss failed to answer the banging on his front door my brother turned around to head back to our vehicle but noticed a kitchen knife in the gravel next to the fancy sports car which had no doubt been bought with the wages owed to him. Psshhhhh! One flat tyre later and we were off home.

Next day my brother gets a call from his 'boss' rambling on with apologies and excuses about why he'd been hiding away from his responsibilities to his very loyal worker. Apologies accepted, wages owed on their way in cash... Sorted.

Turns out he'd got himself mixed up with local gangsters who'd invested in his business plans and thought it was 'them' who'd done his tyre as a warning. We only get asked to install bullet-proof (very tough glass anyway) and security gates etc. for him plus a good bonus. We kept quiet and have been on good terms ever since.

 

[WaterTight]

I don't do confrontations. I'm convinced I might as well punch myself for all the good it'll do me.

 

[SimonG]

I don't do confrontations. I'm convinced I might as well punch myself for all the good it'll do me.

Nothing wrong with that as long as it's not too your detriment.

But sometimes you have to just "Let It Go!!". 🤣