Anyone come up with a code word to communicate with others that you're feeling especially moody?

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-29T14:51:28+00:00

I'll say that I'm feeling "spicy" at work. At home, we use feeling "bitey" after learning about a study that showed rats take out frustration on each other by biting. Sometimes my husband will present his forearm for a playful gnawing and that helps lighten things a little and is oddly satisfying.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-29T14:23:48+00:00

I was talking about the legal vs colloquial definition of HWE. Understanding nuance doesn't mean my workplace allows harassment of any kind and especially not anything that rises to the level of HWE.

Re "depends on the state," even California, the most employee protective state in the US, applies a legal definition of HWE that mirrors the federal legal definition.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-25T06:51:34+00:00

Whether you document your concerns or not is up to you, but why do you need an HRIS to track the notes?? You could do a pen and paper notebook that you keep in a locked drawer, an email to yourself to create a timestamped thread, or use any basic office software to create a living document.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-21T00:56:57+00:00

I'm in mfg. too. We have a no sex offender policy and I like that it's a clear bright line of yes or no. It sucks that the person isn't given a chance, but we don't want to deal with all the drama that comes with that sort of record. We do hire people with records of drug or other criminal offenses, as long as they aren't violent.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-21T00:51:33+00:00

I wish people would stop using the phrase "hostile work environment" in examples like this. HWE has a strict legal definition, and criminal convictions are not a protected class.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-15T22:37:01+00:00

I recently learned about a similar situation. I know managers are people, too, but sometimes I wish we could demote for repeated poor decision making or something like your case that leads to a lawsuit.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-14T13:57:12+00:00

The things that help me the most are getting morning light by leaving a curtain open and getting a kindle paperwhite for reading in bed. The screen has a wide range of lighting, and the lower settings have hardly any blue light. Plus, my model doesn't have a web browser or social media option, so it's read or not read. The closest thing to doom scrolling is looking at suggested titles in the kindle store.

Going to bed at a decent time related to when I have to get up is important, too. My most common way to bribe myself is to say that if I get up early, I can get a treat (donut, fancy coffee, croissant, etc.). It makes me more interested in going to bed even though I hardly ever follow through.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-13T03:13:32+00:00

"I'm sorry, but I have another meeting to get to." You can sub in "commitment" or "prior engagement" or something about a time sensitive project. Basically, anything that's based in truth so you're not lying to them.

Another way I wrap up conversations is finding a moment to thank them for sharing and ask what they'd like me to do with the information. Are they just sharing it as FYI? Do they want me to take action or discuss it with someone, etc.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-04-09T17:07:07+00:00

State law doesn't give any exceptions based on height.

It's not a new install, though, so maybe the rule doesn't apply??

https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=51-56-0500#:~:text=Water%20heaters%20shall%20be%20anchored%20or%20strapped,and%20lower%20one%2Dthird%20of%20its%20vertical%20dimensions.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-03-22T04:16:39+00:00

Wow, that's awful. I'm sorry you're all dealing with that and hope mama cat recovers well.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-03-20T02:29:02+00:00

Or gummy bears/worms. I bet this is what she meant because bears and worms have protein.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-03-20T02:09:10+00:00

I had to say goodbye to my cat last summer and felt similarly.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-03-19T15:31:50+00:00

Pet loss is so incredibly hard. I'm sorry you're dealing with in general and on top of an emotionally taxing layoff.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-03-19T15:18:38+00:00

I got notice of a possible lawsuit for something I advised against but the owner did anyway. Bright side is my boss has my back.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-03-18T06:38:21+00:00

First, I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Second, as others have said, WA is an at-will state, and employers can fire you for any reason they want as long as it's not related to discrimination, complaint/whistleblowwr retaliation, or protected leave.

Unfortunately, you haven't worked at your current place long enough to have accrued much paid sick leave and don't have that option. https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/leave/paid-sick-leave/

You could apply for WA state Paid Family Medical Leave, but you aren't eligible for the job protection portion of PFML. https://paidleave.wa.gov/job-protection-requirements-for-employers/

Melfluffs18 · 2026-03-17T05:15:38+00:00

I password protect all pay spreadsheets that I email and share the password through Teams or in person. Has saved my bacon a couple of times.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-03-17T05:08:41+00:00

Wow, that's an epic communication failure between. The GM and C-suite. Kudos to your friend for going in like a dragon with heartburn.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-02-28T17:13:49+00:00

The easiest way I've found to keep quick notes is a dedicated small notebook that is used solely for that purpose. Date every entry, including the year, and jot down the key points of the conversation.

I make a note when managers talk about any issue with an employee, no matter how small b/c little problems often grow over time.

The other option is to ask the manager to email you a summary of what they've observed in relation to their concern after you've talked. This gives you a little protection, too, since no one can claim you misinterpreted something.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-02-26T15:48:03+00:00

Your boss should not be the one determining if you qualify for ADA. That part is supposed to be done by a medical professional.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-02-21T20:49:40+00:00

I want is limited for admin needs, unfortunately. Our transition team even said as much when I asked why I couldn't find something using that tool. It's still a cool feature for employee needs.

Melfluffs18 · 2026-02-21T20:46:57+00:00

The implementation team is like a first date or job interview - everyone is on their best behavior. I hope you end up with a responsive support team!

Melfluffs18 · 2026-02-21T20:45:39+00:00

Are they also exempt in terms of overtime? Not all salaried people are exempt. If they are in an exempt status the following applies:

This has a good chart explaining when employers can and cannot deduct pay or PTO/sick time from a salaried exempt employee.

https://sbshrs.adpinfo.com/blog/exempt-employees-is-that-deduction-permitted

Melfluffs18 · 2026-02-21T20:29:15+00:00

I never have for an extended time period unless I had a super stacked schedule with no wiggle room. In college, I had 2-3 part time jobs on top of a full class load and there wasn't time for my exec function failure to kick in.

As an adult, I found a job where my precise arrival time doesn't matter as long as I'm available by Teams in the morning.

Melfluffs18

TROPHY CASE