Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: If you ever left work and immediately had to text somebody like, yo, you're not going to believe this. This podcast is for you. Welcome to Work Drama, the podcast where we unpack workplace stories people whisper about trauma, bond over and still think about years later. I'm Lizbeth. I come from the medical world, so I'm here to add context, logic, and the questions that should have been asked before someone hit reply all.
[00:00:23] Speaker B: And I'm Sharon, today's resident instigator, group chat voice, and depending on the situation, HR's worst nightma.
[00:00:32] Speaker A: I left my in person job for remote work. And I realized you don't miss the commutes, but you definitely miss the drama.
[00:00:38] Speaker B: Meanwhile, I'm still in the trenches.
[00:00:40] Speaker A: Exactly.
[00:00:41] Speaker B: So we fixed that.
[00:00:42] Speaker A: Until your submissions start rolling in, and they will. We're sourcing stories from the Internet. We'll be breaking down anonymized stories from offices, hospitals, and everywhere in between, reacting in real time, calling out the nonsense, and figuring out if something is actually toxic or just wildly mishandled.
Names change jobs protected opinions very much included. And for legality purposes. This is not legal advice, girl.
[00:01:07] Speaker B: Let's get into it.
[00:01:16] Speaker A: You know what, Sharon? I was thinking the last episode, we didn't fully introduce ourselves, like, letting everybody know who we are. And if this is going to be our new work group chat, we gotta get to know each other a little bit. And obviously me and you go way back, right?
[00:01:29] Speaker B: Long time.
[00:01:30] Speaker A: Long time.
[00:01:30] Speaker B: Over 20 years. What? 23.
[00:01:32] Speaker A: Damn.
[00:01:33] Speaker B: Something.
[00:01:33] Speaker A: Oh, my God.
[00:01:34] Speaker B: Yeah, long time, girl. Time.
[00:01:37] Speaker A: And I'm still not sick and tired of you. That's crazy.
Maybe. And. And our kids are friends. Like best friends. That's the cutest part.
[00:01:47] Speaker B: Yeah. My daughter had mentioned the other day how she feels like she'll never have a fallout with your daughter, so.
Yeah, it was a little cute.
[00:01:56] Speaker A: I know. I don't think we've ever had a fallout either. Like, it's just like we.
[00:02:00] Speaker B: And it's funny because, like, I feel annoying sometimes though.
[00:02:03] Speaker A: But we don't be like that because it's like sisters.
[00:02:04] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:02:05] Speaker A: The sisters that we don't have.
[00:02:06] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:02:07] Speaker A: But for. For me, I feel like my daughter is a lot like me. Your daughter's a lot like you. So it's just like the pattern is repeating itself. It's so weird. But they've been friends since, like, babies, which is insane. Anyway. That's super cute.
[00:02:19] Speaker B: It is.
[00:02:19] Speaker A: Well, it's a little bit about us, but, you know, we go back to the good Old days when drama was about school and about friends and about not getting caught by our parents doing these crazy shenanigans that we were doing. Nobody needs to know about that.
But that was then, this is now.
And we're gonna get to know our group chat buddies a lot better throughout the season once they start sending in their stories and their work drama. And it's only right that they know a little bit about us. So, Sharon, since you're in the workplace game, tell us a little bit about your background and your jobs and what experience you bring to the table.
[00:02:52] Speaker B: So I currently work with adults in the spectrum.
A lot of my days there consist of their parents just being negative on views to a certain particular thing, to coworkers spazzing out because another staff touched her coat.
[00:03:11] Speaker A: Yeah, it's crazy. As simple as that.
[00:03:13] Speaker B: That was a moment or management manag.
But I've also worked in various stores, and there was always something going on from staff stealing to staff just having sex in the basement of our work site.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: Having sex in the workplace. Like in the. Did you say in the basement?
[00:03:34] Speaker B: Yes. It's like a storage area, I guess. Not like a creepy basement, but it was kind of creepy, actually.
Yeah. Yeah.
[00:03:42] Speaker A: That's crazy. I've never worked at a job where I've had that. That much fun.
[00:03:46] Speaker B: It was something. I don't know about fun, but it was something.
[00:03:49] Speaker A: It was something that's crazy. And imagine just coming up from the basement acting like nothing happened. Oh, my God. I can't even imagine. That's insane. Did they get caught?
[00:03:59] Speaker B: I don't think so. I think the rumors just went around, but I don't think they ever got told anything about it.
[00:04:05] Speaker A: Oh, my God. Yeah. I have never dealt with that. See, my background, I just come from the medical field. Pretty much worked medical field since I was 15 through a job I got at school. And so it was always like office politics, right? Like, people are just not getting along with each other.
You know, there was one situation where there was, like, a provider sleeping with one of the staff, but it wasn't too. Too crazy because they were single and whatever. So it wasn't like. It's just. They didn't want it to be known, but we could kind of tell. And then they finally came out years later that they were together and got married or whatever.
[00:04:40] Speaker B: Nice.
[00:04:41] Speaker A: But, like, it was always before that. It was like, are they. Are they not? You know? But, like, mostly it was just work stuff and then patience. Right? Like, there's always something with patience and how they Treat us or whatever. So that's. It hasn't been too crazy where I've been, but. But it was always fun.
[00:04:57] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:04:58] Speaker A: So. And now that I'm transitioned to, like, remote work, it's a little different because, like, everybody's online, and I don't really know who they are. And we connect through just, like, voice notes. And it's a little. I'm still getting my feelers out for that because I don't know. I don't know them that well. Right. So it's just not the same. So I have to, like, vent to myself sometimes. But it's different when you're working, like, just from your computer and you don't get to see these faces all the time. We have weekly meetings, but I don't know. It's. It's different. It's not the same.
[00:05:26] Speaker B: Nothing spicy, juicy.
[00:05:28] Speaker A: Nothing spicy, juicy, exciting. No. One person got fired, and I heard through one of, like, a meeting that was set up after the fact that it was messy. It didn't look messy on my end because it was all remote. And I just found out, oh, this person got fired. Like, it just wasn't working out or whatever. And then I found out that it was way more than that. It was like, the person was not doing a good job behind the scenes, wasn't organized, like, was running these group sessions with, like, clients that we had in our group in our, like, the program that we run. And it was a hot mess, apparently. And. And they were gonna. This new person was coming in, and they were gonna take over and be, like, the manager of that position. And that person got pissed off because she felt like she should be the manager because she's been here the longest. But she was up left and right, and it turned messy. She quit on the spot and left us hanging, apparently. And I had no idea none of that happened because I'm working, you know, from home, not knowing anything. All I heard was, nope, that was it. She just quit. But it was messy. But, yeah, that's about it for. For what I deal with now.
Which is why we need to get into this next story. Because, yes, girl, gonna get a little juicy. So let's get into it.
[00:06:31] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:06:34] Speaker A: Imagine Your husband of 25 years leaves you a note, and in that note, he says something bold. He says, the office already knows. So you show up to the office during a retirement party, and you ask, did you know?
All right, Sharon. So this story comes from a regional bank, so, you know, professional, structured, very we are family here type of vibe. And according to Stacy, who worked there at the time, and she's going to be our work bestie today. There was a senior manager, we'll call him Leo.
Leo's in his mid-40s. He's married to a beautiful wife that occasionally drops off brownies at the office. He has three kids under 10 and he has over 20 years of experience in the banking industry.
And then there's his assistant, Veronica.
She's a bit younger, very ambitious, always in meetings with him and always staying late.
Now nothing was ever confirmed publicly, but the office wasn't stupid, if you know what I mean.
So, Sharon, in the workplace, in a workplace like this, do people know when something fish is going on?
[00:07:41] Speaker B: Definitely, yeah.
[00:07:42] Speaker A: I mean, it sounds like you've had some fishy stuff at your job.
[00:07:46] Speaker B: People know you can tell by the vibe.
[00:07:48] Speaker A: The movement for sure. And like I was saying at that office that I worked at, when the doctor and the, the staff member were together, we could tell, like it just. There's vibes, right?
[00:07:58] Speaker B: Yes, there is.
[00:07:59] Speaker A: So according to Stacy, it wasn't subtle. They were taking long lunches together, having closed door meetings and quote unquote work trips. Like how many business or bank meetings and trainings could there really be in a quarter?
And that energy shift people get when they're a little too comfortable. Nobody had proof, but nobody was shocked either.
This goes on for a little more than a year, which takes us to the event.
The branch is hosting an after hours retirement party for one of the longtime employees. Decorations are up, wine is being poured, speeches are happening, Leo is there, Veronica is there, and even senior staff is there.
This is one of those professional but loose environments. Jackets off, still corporate, but relaxed. It's that fine line between professionalism and are my co workers about to learn something new about me tonight type of vibe. All of a sudden there's a frantic knocking at the door. The branch manager goes and opens it and it's Chantel, that's Leo's wife of 25 years and she looks like shit. She looks like she hasn't slept in days.
Apparently earlier that day, Leo left a note for her on the kitchen table ending the marriage and explaining why.
And in that note he says something crazy. He told her that the office already knew about the affair.
He said something like, well, since the office already knows, you might as well know too.
[00:09:29] Speaker B: That's awful.
[00:09:30] Speaker A: Crazy. So first off, my thought is, why are you dragging the office into your breakup? Like that's crazy.
What do you think? That's messy.
[00:09:40] Speaker B: Very. It's like very messy.
[00:09:42] Speaker A: Yeah. I don't even know. Like, as a co worker, I'd be like, what the fuck? I don't know.
Anyway, well, when it comes to the confrontation, Chantel, the wife, she walks into the party slowly, which was a drastic change from the energy she had at the door when she was knocking frantically. And she looks around the room. Stacy doesn't know if she was looking for Leo. But she asked very directly, did any of you know?
And one by one, people say no. But also looking at each other like, what the fuck?
Meanwhile, Leo sneaks into a loan officer's office and locks the door behind him, unnoticed.
Then she says, that's interesting, because he told me everyone here knew. Now, mind you, she was the one bringing us brownies. Like we're lying to her face.
[00:10:25] Speaker B: That's hilarious.
[00:10:26] Speaker A: When she brought us tasty brownies.
[00:10:27] Speaker B: That's grimy.
[00:10:28] Speaker A: Horrible. Just horrible. Jeez. And then suddenly, the air changes. According to Stacy, someone in the back lets out a nervous laugh. And it's cut short because Chantel looks at her like locks eyes.
So what are you doing in the room, Sharon? If you're in this room, this wife comes in busting through this retirement party to be like, y' all better snitch.
[00:10:53] Speaker B: Tell me what's up.
I don't know.
[00:10:56] Speaker A: What if she looks at you and was like, sharon, did you know?
[00:11:03] Speaker B: I'm not sure.
[00:11:04] Speaker A: Honestly, I think I'd be like, look, this is between you and your husband. And Veronica's right over here.
[00:11:11] Speaker B: I feel like my eyebrows are very talkative. So I feel like the second she looks at me and sees my reaction, she's gonna.
[00:11:19] Speaker A: That is true. One thing about Sharon is you're gonna know what she's thinking. And it's funny cause I've gotten to that point too. Because I've been told. I can tell by your face.
So, yeah, something about a Puerto Rican faces, maybe.
[00:11:30] Speaker B: Which is strong.
[00:11:32] Speaker A: Yeah, strong facial features.
Anyway, well, Stacy leaves shortly after.
And she says it got a little too awkward. But she describes it as being as bad as a car crash. You can't look away. But you also probably shouldn't be there. Eventually, Chantel leaves the party effectively over.
Leo and Veronica, they're still together.
He's working at another bank, though. And from what Stacy hears, things may not be as solid as they once seemed. Because you know what they say. Sometimes you get them how you found them, ladies.
So there's a lot to unpack there.
First off, I'm thinking.
I always hate when it's a situation, when it's like, somebody, especially the man, is in a higher position. Right. Like, he's a senior manager, and then she's just like, his assistants. And, like, I mean, I don't know. Yeah, they may take advantage. Like, maybe she felt like, oh, if this was her first, like, corporate job, and she's like, I want to keep it. And he was making these advances, like, how much of it. Right. Like, how much of it is that? Like, I want to keep this job and I. You know, whatever.
[00:12:36] Speaker B: Or she could just be a shady bitch.
[00:12:38] Speaker A: Or she could just be a shady bitch. It's very true. Because then they stayed together after he left that job. Right. So she could have just been a shady bitch.
That. That's probably the biggest clue there.
But kind of touched on this already. But what do you think about, like, this poor wife was bringing brownies, you know, and these co workers, like, do you feel like there was any responsibility on the co workers to, like, let her know?
[00:12:59] Speaker B: I don't know. Maybe I wouldn't have maybe said anything verbally, but I would have snipped a little note.
[00:13:04] Speaker A: I was just thinking that a girl on the cookie tray, right. Like, when she takes this home, I'm
[00:13:09] Speaker B: not saying nothing, but maybe you better look up at V to the Toria.
[00:13:13] Speaker A: Yeah.
Like, this little assistant, little girly is doing more than eating your freaking baked goods.
[00:13:20] Speaker B: Awful girl. Awful.
[00:13:24] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah, that's. But then also, I mean, I can't blame her. Like, you're bringing baked goods, and you feel like you have this connection with the office. Like, but dragging the office into your personal mess, what do you feel about that?
[00:13:36] Speaker B: I mean, I think that's messy as well.
[00:13:38] Speaker A: Yeah. I think, personally, I'd be too embarrassed to even show up there and be
[00:13:41] Speaker B: like, you guys know, I would not be showing up.
[00:13:43] Speaker A: No.
[00:13:44] Speaker B: 100%.
[00:13:45] Speaker A: Because I'm like, what are they gonna say? No?
Who's really gonna be like, yeah, I knew the whole time, and I love your brownies, maybe.
[00:13:54] Speaker B: So was that one person true?
[00:13:56] Speaker A: That girl was, like, in the background laughing, like, I can't even hold it in. She probably knew way more than anybody else knew because, like, who knows? There are probably people there that really didn't know, maybe just minding their own business.
[00:14:04] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:14:05] Speaker A: You know, could have been. Could have been.
But I don't know. I feel like it also feels like, like, a cowardly move from Leo to be like, since the office knows.
[00:14:14] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, for sure.
[00:14:15] Speaker A: Like, why are you dragging the office into this? Like, that's. I don't know. That's crazy. And I feel like the fact that she also showed up not to like scream about everybody, but to find out, like, who knew? Like, what is that gonna do for you?
[00:14:28] Speaker B: Like, nothing.
[00:14:29] Speaker A: Leo's a shady ass slop. Like, yes, look sloppy. Like, what does it matter?
I don't know. But I think personally I. I would just act like I didn't know.
I mean, if it got to that point. But I, I thought about that too. Leaving a little note on the cookie tray. Like, girl, look into your husband's assistant and their relationship. I don't know, something. Cause like, she sounds like she was really nice. And he had three kids. What an asshole.
[00:14:53] Speaker B: He doesn't deserve her. Yes. No, he doesn't, Chantel.
[00:14:56] Speaker A: He don't deserve you. Move on, girl. As long as you have probably at this point, but. And Veronica.
[00:15:01] Speaker B: Fuck off.
[00:15:03] Speaker A: Fuck off, Veronica.
Anyway, well, that was our second episode. That was. That was a little juicy.
[00:15:12] Speaker B: I like that.
[00:15:12] Speaker A: I like that one. All right, well, we still need more stories, so we need you guys to send them in.
I don't know what kind of stories you trying to hear?
[00:15:19] Speaker B: Anything exciting.
[00:15:20] Speaker A: Anything exciting? Yeah, anything that's just like crazy that you're like, oh, man, I gotta tell somebody this. Remember, we're gonna anonymize it, so don't worry about that. We need your stories.
[00:15:29] Speaker B: Yeah, that's right.
[00:15:30] Speaker A: I feel like it's gonna keep getting juicy, so send those in. Alright, guys, well, thanks for jumping into the group chat. We'll chat later.
[00:15:37] Speaker B: Bye.
[00:15:43] Speaker A: That's it for today's episode of Work Drama. Today's Work Drama was read by Elizabeth Marcus with opinions, reactions and group chat energy provided by our resident skater, Sharon Rodriguez.
Music for the show is by Danielle, Sam, Bow and Fairy Tales. And a special thanks to Project Emo for letting us record this podcast in their studio.
If you've got your own workplace story you can't believe actually happened, send it our way. Workdramail.com names changed, jobs protected.
This has been Work Drama, where the meetings end, but the stories don't.
