My boss called me a pig.

[Anonymous]

I was eating in the break room one day, and I guess my boss thought I was eating too much. I had leftover slices of turkey from lunch (I'm a preschool teacher. If there is extra food at lunch, we are welcome to it on our lunch) some trail mix, and a smoothie. She tells me "wow. You're a pig. Pig, pig, pig".

I was taken a back, so all I really said was "because I'm eating TURKEY!?"

Af first I was enraged, then I thought maybe she was kidding. But she says stuff like this to me all the time. I believe it's inappropriate, and so do my co workers, but friends tell me I'm over reacting.

What do you think?

[Anonymous]

I think it's rude to ever comment negatively on someone's food.

[Anonymous]

very inappropriate. you should approach your boss and tell her how you are feeling regarding that comment.

[Anonymous]

Are you overweight? Skinny people can get away with eating a lot, but overweight people get judged when they are eating.

[Anonymous]

I'm speechless. Yes, it's totally rude. I agree with PP, it's rude to comment negatively on someone else's food. Calling someone a pig, even in jest, is so wrong, and in a school environment, no less. Wow.

[Anonymous]

That is so unbelievably rude. Harassment really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you overweight? Skinny people can get away with eating a lot, but overweight people get judged when they are eating.

I'm not terribly overweight. I'm sure I could stand to lose a few pounds, though.

Thanks everyone else for your responses. One of the friends I told actually chuckled and was actually amused by it. I love my job so much and would never, ever want to leave, but I dread coming into work and having to deal with her sometimes.

[Anonymous]

You need to deal with that. I would confront her in an inquisitive way as though you are trying to understand her comment - giving her the benefit of the doubt that it can't be as rude and disrespectful as it sounds.

[Anonymous]

Does she think she's being funny? What if you said to her, "uh, is that supposed to be funny?"

[Anonymous]

It's not just rude, it could qualify as a hostile work environment. It is not appropriate for a person in a management position to speak this way, particularly not to a subordinate. How are you supposed to feel fairly judged by this person when it comes time for performance review? You may need to raise this with HR or with your boss' boss. Or it may be that the best thing to do is confront her - politely, but firmly - just to nip it in the bud. She may have just had an awkward moment. I would contact an employment lawyer in your area for advice on the best way to handle this.

[Anonymous]

file a grievance with your union

[Anonymous]

Horrifying from a human standpoint and totally unacceptable in a work environment.

[Anonymous]

document, document, document.

[Anonymous]

What a juvenile comment. Too bad you can't say, "Wow. Bitch, bitch, bitch."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to deal with that. I would confront her in an inquisitive way as though you are trying to understand her comment - giving her the benefit of the doubt that it can't be as rude and disrespectful as it sounds.

PP, I agree with this approach. OP, it would help you feel more empowered if you proactively use your voice to deal with this versus ignoring it. Boss or not kindly condition people to treat you with respect. You are at your most powerful when addressing these communication "hiccups" as they happen.