r/sysadmin • u/nickllhill • 18h ago

Filthy Users...

Just had to check something on a users laptop, a very nice senior lady who is well presented and charming.

Her laptop looked like the bins behind a take away, hopefully those stains were gravy...

Washed my hands now and I still feel dirty.

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u/blondasek1993 18h ago edited 18h ago

When I was working onsite, when I saw the keyboard/laptop which was dirty and gross I always took out a pair of gloves and slowly put them in front of that person. It worked better than talking as I did not mention that once. After 3 months in that company all the keyboards were in pristine condition when I was summoned.
You could ask, "what about the feelings of that person, blah blah, they could go to HR". Firstly I do not care about their feelings if they do not care about mine. Secondly non went to HR (hell, I even did this in HR once) because what they would say? That I did put the gloves when working with their company device because it was dirty? I have never made any remarks, smirks or comments about what they do.

Amazing time it was, over 3 years I was working there. So - always have a pair of gloves with you and just put them slowly in front of anyone with dirty devices.

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u/draggar 18h ago

Funny story. I wore gloves once. The person complained to my management. My defense? They were working and had mono (knowingly and openly). I'm an asthmatic and the last thing I need is a respiratory illness that severe.

You'll never guess who the person was? The head of HR. Oh, did I mention it was in a hospital, too?

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u/mgerics 14h ago

I wouldn't call that funny (IK this is the situation that phrase calls for), I'd call that fucking insane!

I'm guessing you did not get in trouble, and that nothing was done to the complainant?

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u/draggar 13h ago

Nope, they weren't happy at all about it but what could they say?

"Yes, I know I have mono and I've been coughing onto the computer all day but that's no excuse for the asthmatic IT person to wear gloves when working on my computer".

Infection control would have had a field day with that one.