Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3.9
Distraction; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Human Factors
While working The Data position; Controller 1 was being vocal that there was no one on a break. Over and over repeating himself to anyone who would listen/hear him; no one was on a break. I asked if it were required that someone be on a break and he replied no. I thought this was the end of it. A few moments later; I answered an incoming call. During this call; Controller 1 told Controller 2 on TAPPA to combine it with FLTRK. The Specialist Controller 2 did this as he thought Controller 1 was relaying this from me. When my phone call concluded; I noticed and heard via headset; that TAPPA was being combined. I immediately said that I did not want these sectors combined and had it reopened.  Controller 1 stood laughing next to his DEV with a book next to him appearing as though he was giving some instruction while pretending he did not know anything about it while Controller 2 asked him why he said to combine it up. Controller 2 was quite mad about this and called Controller 1 out. It is important to note that while combining and de-combining these sectors; Aircraft X did not receive the service he should have and was vectored through the final at RIC. Controller 1 may have been kidding around with what he said to Controller 2 about combining the sectors up; but I do not find this to be funny at all. Controller 2 seemed quite upset over this. CPC's that were in the room were telling Controller 2 to 'Never believe anything Controller 1 says;' and 'Lesson learned.' The action Controller 1 took in making this kind of decision compromises the integrity and safety of the NAS and is undermining to the authority of the FLM. CIC refresher training.
PCT FLM describes a situation where a CPC tells another Controller to combine a sector to get someone out on a break.  This was against the FLM's wishes.