Dealing with a coworker...

[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.