The following post was received from a member who wishes to remain anonymous.
Dear Abby,
Where does an SM's job end and someone else's begin? I have rarely reported any issues perceived with box office, ushers, etc. If I'm not their supervisor and I do not professionally interact with them, they are not my responsibility.
I'm now concerned with the way one of our FOH people is interacting with patrons and I don't know if I should speak up. I find this person disrespectful, racist, and generally quick to judge and make these judgments known. She has even dragged me into it by commenting on people to me, while they were around and definitely within eyesight and earshot. I do not want to create a hostile work environment, definitely do not want to make enemies, and simply don't want people in an entirely different department from mine to either look at me as a supervisor or think I'm overstepping.
I work for a small theatre company. If I were to talk to somebody above me about this it would be either my PM (who acts as the hiring manager) or the owners. That's also what's holding me back - I would perhaps speak to a manager, but don't want to get a coworker metaphorically sent to the principal's office. Should I let the FOH staff sort themselves out, or is it my job to speak to someone? To whom?
- Aghast in Akron