How to deal with a rude and impolite receptionist [closed]

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I'm posting this on behalf of my colleague:

I recently joined a company in a remote small office in the US. One of our company receptionists (those checking in visitors at the door) is a rude and impolite woman. I'm not sure if that is because of my race/religion (it's a sales department originally dominated by white employees. We are a small science group working remotely). I'm a PhD scientist busy with our most important company-wide project and seeing the impoliteness and rudeness of an assistant is disturbing my focus. I'm new with many questions and administrative queries, but I'm hesitated to ask her and usually ask questions after hours when she is replaced. She even ignores my emails.

How to deal with her? Should I raise it with her manager via email not as a complaint, but as a constructive feedback? If yes, how? What would be the consequences?

manpreet 2 years ago

How to deal with her? Should I email and raise it with her manager as not a complaint, but as a constructive feedback? If yes, how and what would be consequences?

It's not at all clear what you mean by racist here. And it's not clear to whom this person is exhibiting rude and impolite behavior.

If an assistant is behaving rudely to you and it bothers you enough, it might make sense to call (not email) her manager and discuss this "sensitive situation".

Avoid using terms like "white department", "racist", etc, (as you did in the original version of your question) or you might get yourself into an accusation with no proof. Stick to the facts behind the behavior toward you that you would like to see changed. Avoid speculating on the motivation behind them.

The consequences (if any) would depend on the seriousness of the accusations.