Dealing with a coworker...

[Midniteoyl]

You need to take a deep breath man..

 

[weldermike]

And don't be shy about anything. Openly talk about in front of anyone, customers included. Let the whole joint know about her little hig she's got going on everyone elses back. Be calm about it, never curse while talking about it, never raise your voice when talking about it, talk about it right to her and watch her reaction when her emotions sink right in front of you. People like her have been in the game there whole lives. They are not one bit used to someone blatantly going face to face with them and telling them the truth and calling them out on there bsing games because they can't perform there duties 100%. There motto is and I see it all the time is, if I can't stay ahead, ill drag everyone else behind me. Not with me! I dont wanna hate anyone, but I will if I have too. Good luck bud!

 

[woodlandfarms]

I manage between 100 and 300 personalities on every project. If you think your person is a pain, come to my end of the world.

This all said, here is my advice from a managers standpoint.

It sounds like you are non union and no HR department. If you have an HR person, it has to be your first stop, as well, your shop boss if you are union.

Documenting your course of action is wise, recording conversations dicey. It sounds to me more like a personality issue than a competence issue (yeah, she doesn't pull her weight, but she isn't stoned or asleep).

So lets assume you have neither HR or Shop Steward. Next step is your immediate Supervisor. You need to have a "formal" meeting with him. You must request this, be it in a parking lot or in the conference room. You need to CALMLY (and this is the hardest part) express your concerns. Listen clearly to his response, and when done with the meeting make some notes. Remember the issue is not you and this girl, but how this girl is making the company look. If you say "I can't stand her" you will end up with a blank stare. You say "She is blowing sales" and you will get some traction.

If your supervisor does not respond then you need to ask him if he is willing to go upstairs with you. This will be your greatest judgement call. Going over your supervisors head is tantamount to treason. I do not like people going over my supervisors heads, 90% of them find themselves unemployed. The other 10% find the supervisor fired.

In all of these meetings, you need to be VERY calm. I hate whiney people. You cannot use an "I" statment. You must show that it is a company issue and not your issue. You must be the professional, and a team player.

Finally, you must be prepared that any action you take might end up with no results, meaning you should look for another job, or that you get fired. There is always another side to the story, and that side could not favor you.

 

[Midniteoyl]

In all of these meetings, you need to be VERY calm. I hate whiney people. You cannot use an "I" statment. You must show that it is a company issue and not your issue. You must be the professional, and a team player.

:thumbsup:

 

[Scooby074]

So, Who's she banging?:scratchchin:

 

[hawkeye08]

Just smile constantly and tell her, "Bless your heart". Give her a chocolate when she does what you want, nothing when she doesn't do what you want.

 

[dave1949]

Ya, a deep breath is in order. You may be taking this way more seriously than anyone around you.

From what you have described, are you sure that is the job you want? I know jobs don't grow on trees, but you owe yourself that assessment because you aren't in a healthy situation now.

Your supervisor sounds uncertain, sort of keeping his head down and letting things slide so nothing splashes on him if the SHTF. Nothing worse than working for a weak supervisor and you aren't going to change him. He doesn't like to answer the phone??? WTHeck.

In larger companies, a late review will get the person who was supposed to give it, dinged in their own review, so I am guessing this is not a large outfit and is family owned or operated. Those sorts of places can be heaven or he11 and it's out of your control which type it is. What you can control is which sort you are working in.

I don't recommend getting into tiffs or verbal back and forths with co-workers, that will never reflect well on you no matter how satisfying it may appear. From a supervisor's perspective, you just become part of one of their problems. Since you aren't the "golden girl" you don't stand a snowball's chance in he11 of improving your position that way.

My advice is move on when you can, or accept this as a people skills problem and learn to negotiate it. That's not for every personality, but you can develop some useful interpersonal skills in the learning process if you take up the challenge. If you get really good at it, you will end up in sales or marketing.

It isn't failure if you walk away, but you need to decide what you want to succeed at. Most jobs involve dealing with people to succeed and we know half of them are nuts. :laughing: If you begin with that realization, you are off to a good start.

 

[J F]

Just send her some flowers at home with an unsigned note that says "I'm still thinking about last weekend..."

 

[IslandTractor]

I manage between 100 and 300 personalities on every project. If you think your person is a pain, come to my end of the world.

This all said, here is my advice from a managers standpoint.

It sounds like you are non union and no HR department. If you have an HR person, it has to be your first stop, as well, your shop boss if you are union.

Documenting your course of action is wise, recording conversations dicey. It sounds to me more like a personality issue than a competence issue (yeah, she doesn't pull her weight, but she isn't stoned or asleep).

So lets assume you have neither HR or Shop Steward. Next step is your immediate Supervisor. You need to have a "formal" meeting with him. You must request this, be it in a parking lot or in the conference room. You need to CALMLY (and this is the hardest part) express your concerns. Listen clearly to his response, and when done with the meeting make some notes. Remember the issue is not you and this girl, but how this girl is making the company look. If you say "I can't stand her" you will end up with a blank stare. You say "She is blowing sales" and you will get some traction.

If your supervisor does not respond then you need to ask him if he is willing to go upstairs with you. This will be your greatest judgement call. Going over your supervisors head is tantamount to treason. I do not like people going over my supervisors heads, 90% of them find themselves unemployed. The other 10% find the supervisor fired.

In all of these meetings, you need to be VERY calm. I hate whiney people. You cannot use an "I" statment. You must show that it is a company issue and not your issue. You must be the professional, and a team player.

Finally, you must be prepared that any action you take might end up with no results, meaning you should look for another job, or that you get fired. There is always another side to the story, and that side could not favor you.

Excellent advice. No matter how upset you are, never get emotional and never exaggerate when making a complaint of this type.

Also, someone earlier suggested recording conversations....not a good idea unless you know the specifics of laws on that subject in your jurisdiction. Big time mess if you do it illegally.

 

[Big Barn]

It's easy to stand back and be objective, but I'm with Dave1949

Terry

 

[ericher69]

Switch her TP with 80 grit!

 

[Arc weld]

I think my supervisor is just hoping she smartens up. He has said she doesn't have good people skills. She'd really have to try and throw me under the bus for me to request a private meeting with my supervisor or someone higher up. She's just an arrogant it's all about me type of person. She literally took the cake today!

Three people all had birthdays within a couple days of each other so a couple people went out and bought a couple of cakes from Costco. They put the cakes and the birthday cards on the lunchroom table and were planning to sing happy birthday and then hand out cake at noon. We stagger our lunch breaks and this girl goes at 11 and I go at 11:30. She came back about 11:45 (hour lunch) see's the cakes and the cards sitting there and decides she's hungry so just helps herself to not 1 but a 2 pieces of cake. One from each. Another guy calls her out and she says she doesn't care, she was hungry. He says that's really selfish of her. She says it's no big deal but then he points out that if someone did that on her birthday, she'd have a fit. Just unbelievable. :shocked:

 

[Midniteoyl]

If you havent even had your 1st 3 month review I would be VERY careful around and about her... Sounds like while she lost senority, you are actually 'low man' or very close.. Be careful

 

[Rock knocker]

She's in your head. You've lost

 

[ericher69]

She likes baked goods... Ex-Lax cake lol

 

[Arc weld]

I haven't lost. Some people just make you shake your head. She may know the computer system better but I have the welding background. That's why I was hired. I'm sure my supervisor realizes I know my stuff as well as the sales manager. About the 3rd week I was there a guy came in to show something he made to the sales manager to see if he was interested in selling them. The sales manager thought he could stump me and asked if I knew what they were. He was quite surprised I knew what they were in an instant. 5 pieces of curved plate about 1" wide x 5/8" thick with a U shape welded on each end and a piece of pipe welded to the back. They ranged in size from about 6" long to 16" long and fit inside of each other to be easier to bundle. I wish I could draw a picture.

 

[NS Gearhead]

You might wanna look into "creating a hostile workplace" laws.
Just do your work, and do it well. Don't take hers unless your boss tells you to... in wich case I'd ask why she's not able to.
Sugar in her gas tank may provide some satisfaction, or a key held firmly as you walk by it. ; )

My best buddy just went through this very thing. He worked the desk at a garage with this girl. The boss seemed to be sweet on her, but knew she was useless. He ended up cutting her hours back until she found another job.

 

[3930dave]

Some good suggestions already listed, from seasoned managers and employees.

If I understand the structure, the OP and his supervisor both report to the Sales Manager.

There's structured authority on paper, and then there is unofficial authority. Unfortunately, sometimes unofficial matters more.

I just wanted to pick on Scooby's point - the SM may be sleeping with her. Unless you can line him up with a better girlfriend, don't discount this possibility.

On the formal structured side, I'm not sure about your province, but in Ontario you typically get a Scope of Work letter when hired, which includes a Reports To: designation. Esp. if you were supposed to get one of these documents, add this to your list for your review discussion.

Good advice today in general, but I'll second it - keep looking for another job - these type of destructive-talent-only space wasters will only drag down your own performance and mental health.

Unfortunately, this type of behaviour is common enough today that you will find plenty of material if you search for narcissistic sociopath.

Rgds, D.