Woman, 21, Says ‘Patronizing’ Coworker, 42, Acts Like He Is Her Boss — and She Thinks It Has to Do with Her Age

A 21-year-old woman recently shared her story on Reddit, expressing her frustrations with an older male coworker who exhibits patronizing behaviour towards her at work. According to the young woman, she feels targeted due to her age, as the 42-year-old colleague often acts as if he is her boss, despite not holding a supervisory position over her.

The woman, who works as a recess monitor at a school, described her coworker as bossy and patronizing, causing her significant irritation. She recounted an incident during recess supervision where the man instructed her to clean up lunch tables, even though he was not her superior. Despite having already completed the task multiple times while he had not contributed, she chose to ignore his directive.

After the children had returned to their classrooms, the coworker approached her in an agitated manner, questioning why she had not followed his instructions to clean the tables. The woman explained that she was preoccupied with other responsibilities and expressed her discomfort with his attitude. She reflected on the fact that he did not treat their other colleagues in a similar manner and speculated whether her age played a role in his behaviour towards her.

Members of the Reddit community offered their insights on the situation, advising the young woman to assert her boundaries with the coworker. Some suggested that she make it clear that he is not her superior and should not dictate her actions. It was proposed that she communicate with higher authorities if necessary to address the issue professionally.

In an update provided by the woman, she disclosed that she had followed the advice given and reported the coworker’s behaviour, leading to him being reprimanded by the school principal. She expressed relief that the coworker had since begun to ignore her, viewing this outcome as a positive resolution to their conflict.

The story serves as a reminder of the challenges individuals may face in navigating workplace dynamics, particularly when confronted with age-related biases and inappropriate behaviour from colleagues. It highlights the importance of setting boundaries and seeking support from appropriate channels to address issues of harassment and disrespect in a professional environment.

Overall, the woman’s experience sheds light on the significance of addressing workplace conflicts effectively to create a respectful and conducive atmosphere for all employees. It underscores the need for clear communication, respect for professional boundaries, and recourse to appropriate measures when faced with interpersonal challenges at work.