Since July, I've been doing a job I really dislike for a boss who is a rude, over-bearing bully.
Last Friday I handed in my notice (1 week, as per my contract). I made sure that my body language was clearly stating that I wasn't to be intimidated (I'm not - he has always backed down when I've challenged his behaviour) and he accepted it meekly and with none of the expected rage.
This morning I arrived at the office first (as usual) and realised after a few minutes that my reading glasses were not on my desk, where I had left them on Friday. I asked my boss if he had seen them and he said "Don't you usually leave them on your desk?"
I hunted all around the office, but they were nowhere to be found. Normally, I'd have put it down to a lapse in my own memory, but this time I clearly remembered deliberately leaving my glasses on the desk, in the open case, as I was heading out to the pub.
The only person, other than my boss, who had been in the office was the cleaner, so I rang her and she said that she hadn't seen my glasses either on my desk or anywhere else.
Puzzled, I got on with the (slightly out-of-focus) day.
At lunch time, I went downstairs to the kitchen and noticed the bin liners full of the rubbish that the cleaner had collected, waiting for the bin men. On a hunch, I opened the bin bag and after a few close encounters with mouldy tea bags and banana skins, I found my glasses case.
Curiouser and curiouser...

I kept looking, but couldn't find my specs. I went back up to the office with my prize and observed my boss's reaction - not much. However, when I said I hadn't located my glasses, he said "Well, there's no need to search the other bag, as that is downstairs rubbish". Well, obviously, I searched it, but alas, no glasses.

So, what do I believe?

Was it the cleaner, by accident binning the case, yet somehow managing to lose my specs?

Was it me, suffering a massive lapse of memory and taking my glasses with me, possibly losing them in the pub?

Or was it my volatile boss, furious that I was leaving at short notice and unable to bully me, taking or smashing my glasses then throwing away the case?

Motive, means and opportunity...

I won't be leaving anything else lying around - roll on Friday!

Unfortunately Jim you will never know the truth but your boss sounds like he has a temper issue given his previous! Sometimes "the cap fits" as my dear old mum tells me.

I suspect your boss was being an arse

The fact that he responded with "Don't you usually leave them on your desk?" seems fishy to me.

Can you steal something of his? Like his prized desk ornament, cat, or anal virginity.

Alas some people are attracted to glasses who are unable (or unwilling) to afford them. It sounds like someone has taken a shine to them and tried to get rid of the incriminating case

No way someone would accidentally throw away the latter.

I think you are reading in to it to much Jim.
Try to focus on this Friday and all will seem clear.(hopefully)

Thanks people!

My tongue is somewhat in my cheek (not that cheek, Pinin_Prestatyn) and I genuinely won't give it a second thought after Friday, but I'm intrigued by what appears to be the childish actions of a man (and a leading local Rotarian, Parish Councillor and practitioner of amateur dramatics, cricket and golf) in his late sixties!

Hopefully, after tomorrow I will be able to give more details of the next new Clennell Big Adventure...

it was the cleaner in the office with her own hands !

He plays golf. Guilty!!

Jim's opening a used car dealership - EEK!

ETA - no, actually it's an electronics repair shop

Pettiness is usually best responded to with pettiness*

Take a massive dump in a box and mail it to him.




*This is not true, but it will be funny.

Better make sure it arrives after Friday - I open the post at work!

He is guilty beyond any doubt.

Yes agree, +1 for guilty.

Look forward to reading about your new venture Jim

All will be revealed, Joe. Hopefully after tomorrow, when we will be visiting Kidderminster...!

amateur dramatics, cricket and golf - throw the book at him!

I had heard the Harriers were on the hunt for a new mascot!

As a lifelong Owl, that would ruffle too many feathers!

Nobody visits Kidderminster unless they absolutely have to!

I've lost track of where Kidderminster actually starts and stops as it's grown so much over the past few years, makes travelling through it so much longer

It was the boss. With the glasses. In the office.

Shit on his desk.

Problem solved.

TGIF! (Thank God It's Friday)

All the best for your new adventure.

Best wishes, from a leading local Rotarian.

How was your last day, Jim?
Did he give you a Good luck in your new job card, and a Specsavers voucher?
Sorry to hear the job was a bad 'un.
Good luck with your new venture

Good luck with the new venture. I hope you left with dignity and grace. No point in causing a spectacle.

I bought my coupe from Tanc Barratt in Kidderminster. Can't be all bad.

Tanc is DY14 which is near Kidderminster on his address, so yes close but more Worcester

All passed off smoothly last Friday, with no repeat of disappearing eye-wear or strategically-placed faecal matter.

Very pleased to be free and looking forward to the new business; training starts on Monday and I'm up to my neck in sorting out business bank accounts, phones, registering for VAT, etc.

Thanks for all your suggestions, but I guess it will remain one of life's mysteries!