Coworker Keeping Tabs on PTO of Others

[Anonymous]

I have a colleague who is obsessed about how much time Susie and Bob take. Like, literally checks the group calendar every few days and remarks if someone puts something on.

"Ohhhh, looks like Bob is taking next Friday off..... again!"

But Bob has the PTO and can use it however he wants.

This colleague, however, has an ill spouse and is gone at medical appointments literally every week.

I've chalked it up to a guilty conscience but I'm so sick of it.

Say anything?

[Anonymous]

I'd say once: why do you care?

And watch her sputter. Or else mention casually: he has the pto, so what's the big deal?

And change subject. Do not get into a long argument with her.

[Anonymous]

I had a coworker like this once. After she commented on my PTO one too many times I asked her whether she was my manager. Didn’t happen again.

[Anonymous]

Unless you're his manager I'd completely ignore the guy.

[Anonymous]

I'd just say "Huh?" with a confused look on my face and if they asked I'd reflect back to them that I don't understand what they are saying.

[Anonymous]

The only thing to ever bring up is if it is negatively affecting one’s work or the team’s work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're his manager I'd completely ignore the guy.

+1. Some people are so weird. I can't even imagine discussing this other than for planning purposes (sue is out next week so let's try to get her part done this week).

[Anonymous]

When she says this just say something non-sensical like "well there are some who think cucumbers are better pickled" then whenever she says what or huh just respond "huh?" "what?" until she changes the subject.

[Anonymous]

I would tread lightly because as OP noted, the colleague might just feel guilty about their own use of leave. They know they’re taking lots of leave for medical reasons and therefore want to point out that others take leave also. A bit strange because it only draws more attention to it but best just to ignore.

[Anonymous]

We had one of these too. He actually went so far as to keep a spreadsheet so he could keep a running total of the entire team's time off totals. We just ignored. In this case he was spending so much time on this nonsense, rather than our actual work, that he eventually got demoted.

[Anonymous]

I'd play dumb and say "what?" or change the subject. If he persists I'd probably say "I don't feel comfortable discussing something that belongs with HR or management" or "I don't really notice things like this."