He frequently asks questions that disrupt my focus, especially when I am handling multiple tasks. I have always tried to be respectful toward him because he is new, and I remember how often I asked my seniors questions when I first joined. I do not mind the interruptions, even though our HR, our founder, and other developers have started noticing his behavior and are trying to mentor him on workplace conduct.
Recently, I was under a lot of pressure, completing an urgent data entry task for our CTO while also helping our mobile app developer fix some backend APIs. I was trying to explain a concept to the QA tester, but I struggled to communicate it effectively. He began insulting me, claiming I wasn't listening to him, and he questioned my skills. I got emotional and agreed to do it his way just to move on. Immediately after, he complained that a tool wasn't working (a tool that was developed by another team member, not me). He laughed and said, "What the hell? This directory is not working. What have you developed? Ha ha."
I could not think twice; I raised my voice and said angrily, "I don’t have time for this; I am busy now." An hour later, the CTO, the app developer, and I met to discuss the project. We discovered that I was correct, and the app developer apologized to me. I then went to the QA tester to apologize for raising my voice. I asked, "Hey, are you working on something?" He replied, "I am working, and I am not useless like you."
He remained angry, so I chose not to engage and returned to my desk. He then began repeating, "Don’t use a high voice with me; I am not like you," three times. I was quite shaken because no one has ever spoken to me like that. What do you think? Was I in the wrong, and should I message him to apologize, or should I speak to HR or the CEO? His probation period has one month left.
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