Complaint About Co-Worker – Page 3 – Ask the Workplace Doctors

My Friend Became An Irritating Coworker. Now What?

November 25, 2015November 25, 2015 Tina Lewis Rowe

A question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about how to deal with a friend
who is also an irritating coworker.

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Question:
A couple of years back, my friend was not in a great place mentally so when a job came up at my workplace, I got her in. She worked as a caterer/ school kitchen assistant before, so I thought a change into office administrative work would help her.

Why does it irritate me so much that she soon became a different person–patronizing me, thinking she is more than she is, strutting around the place. I can’t bear her presence in my workplace and I’ve always loved my job. It’s making me crazy.

Coworker and Former Friend Accused My Husband of Verbal Abuse

October 9, 2015October 9, 2015 Tina Lewis Rowe

A Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about a situation between coworkers who were close friends but now are in conflict about a personal issue that resulted in a confrontation at work.

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Question:

I have been friends with my coworker for four years. She lived in my home for three months when she had nowhere else to go. We have spent holidays together that included her family and mine. Almost a month ago she decided to change everything.

It started off with my husband and I kicking out my daughters’ boyfriend (my daughter is now 18 and her boyfriend is now 19) He had been living with us for about a year and a half after he got my daughter pregnant. We took him in, even though it caused us a financial burden. My coworker “friend” was asked by my daughter if her boyfriend could stay with her during work days for two weeks until the house they wanted to rent was ready.

Overbearing Coworker

September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 Bill Gorden

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about a new older overbearing coworker:

I work in a school where I oversee a caseload of students. I am well liked by my students, parents, and I’m seen as a good worker. Last year we had a new counselor join the team and she is older. She frequently inserts herself into my projects when I haven’t asked her for help nor has my boss asked her to help me. If I don’t include her in my work she complains that she doesn’t feel included and that I’m being territorial. I’m doing my regular work duties that pertain to my caseload and extra projects that I volunteered to do. She has her own caseload of students to work with but always seems preoccupied with what I am doing.

Co-Workers Angry That My Complaint Led to a Termination

June 23, 2015February 6, 2017 Tina Lewis Rowe

A question to the Workplace Doctors about how to respond to anger over the termination of a coworker.

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I have worked with a toxic coworker for three years. Recently he brought a knife to work and threatened me with it. My company investigated and terminated him. Now a few of my teammates are angry at me and there have been insinuations that I went to HR because of the other employee’s race. Some say I was motivated by jealousy. How do I handle the aftermath like a professional?

Coworker Doesn’t Follow Up, Has Sick Wife

October 16, 2014February 6, 2017 Bill Gorden

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about a coworker who fails to follow up and leaves work for me to do.

I have been working as a market researcher for a small company for the past six years. The company’s sales had been drastically increasing since I was hired. Three months ago my boss decided to hire a second market researcher to help me with my heavy workload and ever since he was hired, the sales have been declining. I am the only employee that knows my work partner is taking on clients request but not following up to complete the work. He has been expressing his frustration with his job to me because he is constantly thinking of his wife who is ill in the hospital.

Complaint About A Co-Worker Was Unintentional!

July 20, 2014July 20, 2014 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question to Ask The Workplace Doctors:
Complaint about a coworker was unintentional!

“How can I tell my boss I didn’t mean to complain about my co-worker?”

I had a mandatory one on one meeting with my boss recently to go over how I was doing since being hired 4 short months ago. It was a rushed meeting because we spent most of it going over the company website, then had 2 minutes left to go over my numbers and open questions/concerns.

In the process of discussing my work I informed her that I noticed a co-worker who has really high numbers is because she does not take a lunch. After much protesting of not telling my boss who it was, she said since I brought it up, she needed to know.

Disturbing Behavior By Co-Worker

December 9, 2013December 9, 2013 Tina Lewis Rowe

A question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about a co-worker who shows disturbing behavior:

Question:

I have feverishly searched your extensive archive looking for answers to this dilemma. Nothing quite answers this situation. I have just started working in a new job, about 8 months now. About 3 or 4 months in, a male coworker (please note that this coworker is older than I am), who I knew very little about, started talking to me. Being relatively new to the office, I looked at his behavior (very initially) as friendly. A helping hand so to speak.

Dealing With A Colleague Who Edits My Work

August 8, 2010August 8, 2010 Bill Gorden

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about a coworker who changes her/his written work.

How do you deal with a colleague who edits your report so much it does not look like your writing anymore?

Signed, I Stand Corrected

Answer:

Dear I Stand Corrected:

From here, it is impossible for me to know why your coworker has access to and edits your reports. Your use of the term “colleague” implies that this person isn’t your superior, yet editing is that part of her/his job description. Are you working on projects together and “your report” is in fact a joint report? Or is the colleague assertive and coerces you to submit what you will report for her/his review before finally submitting it? From the little you’ve sent about the nature of your work and because I can’t see what has been corrected in a report, there is no way for me to ascertain if the editing is justified.

Tattletales Galore! Staff Meeting Shared Complaints

February 21, 2007February 21, 2007 Bill Gorden

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about what bugs them: How do I stop coworkers making me the butt of criticism?

I work in a Wellness Center with three secretaries and four personal trainers. Recently at our “Team” meeting, people have been “sharing” their feelings about what bugs them at work with everybody. Apparently everything that bugs them has to do with me. With everything that has been said during the meeting, my boss included, has slammed me three times. Others have not had anything negative said about them. Also one of the female secretaries and the two male personal trainers has been gossiping and talking about me and running to the boss and tattling about everything I do.

Coworker Teammate Lacking!

February 4, 2007February 4, 2007 Bill Gorden

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about disclosing a coworker’s lack of ability and commitment: Should I have kept my mouth shut? How should I handle this situation in a diplomatic manner?

My coworker and I work on the same team. She is extremely nice, friendly, but sensitive when under stress. She is new to our industry. Hence, her insight is limited. We have been working together for a year. I’ve trained her patiently and thoroughly in all the basics. Since my schedule is loaded with meetings and work, it is hard for me to cover everything. If I were in her position, during my downtime I would be reviewing materials, reading books on work-related topics, practicing, and offering my services to other team members to further advance myself. However, during her downtime, she is surfing online, gossiping, and talking on the phone. Besides the lack of initiative, she lacks attention to details and is always late to meetings.