Nightmare Co-Workers

[catlover79]

I am currently going through a sticky situation with a co-worker. It is a long, complicated story (which I will attempt to tell here eventually). This is the most incompetent person I've ever worked with, not to mention the MOODIEST!!

I'd love to hear some of your nightmare co-worker stories. Maybe hearing other people's experiences will cheer me up.

[OH Nuts!]

Not only did I have a co-worker from hell but also a boss from hell--at the same time! The co-worker was a very sneaky person who would always feed you wrong information and try to sabotage your work. And they were obnoxiously sarcastic on top of it. My manager was a clone of Leona Helmsley. When I saw A Devil Wore Prada, I swore Loretta, (made up name) my manager, would collect royalties. The two of them made me so sick I upped and quit one day without having another job. Gave proper notice so I didn't burn references--I had friends at the Co. who I could use for refs. Ultimately, I lucked out and got a job paying 15% more. A year after I left, the company got sold off and both lost their jobs.

As for your situation, usually incompetence catches up with people. When you share more of the specifics maybe I'll have some ideas. I'm in my early 50s & have been around the block (but thank God don't look it!). Bet Irene will too, as she's a smart cookie!

[Holly]

I work with some annoying people has well. This one girl i work with she's all about her, and about how much work she does compared to anyone. She's alway's dressed office work cloths, ( when you can wear Jeans all the way up to January)!! She's very noisey about other people, and there business.
I gotta deal with it to , some days i get along with her and some days i don't.
but hey life goes on.

[80s_Fan]

Where I work, there are a lot of co-workers that are annoying, lazy, etc....
In every company that I have worked for over the years, I have run into some. I know that it's frustrating, and it gets us mad. That's just the way it is unfortunately. We all have to deal with some people that we can't stand.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Keith L.

I think everyone at one time or another has a nightmare co-worker. I usually don't pay them any attention, I just do my job and ignore them.

Usually I ignore those types to, but I can't ignore this co-worker. We are the only two administrative assistants in our department and I have to work closely with her. We share an office. It's gotten to the point where I don't even talk to her unless I absolutely have to. It's just a mess.

[Max Whittaker]

Nightmare co-workers can't always be ignored. And they can easily make work a nightmare.

If you begin to dread going to work in the morning, something must be done.

[AB]

Sorry to hear about the trouble you're having. Is there any way you can talk it out with her? Or is that out of the question? You may have to get someone higher up in the company to help you with it, if it gets any worse. Sure hope you can work it out.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Keith L.

I think everyone at one time or another has a nightmare co-worker. I usually don't pay them any attention, I just do my job and ignore them.

It's easy to say that unless you are in a situation where you can't avoid the co-worker (supervisor or boss), you have no choice but to deal with them and many other reasons.

I know what you mean Monika, there are times where it is unavoidable. I think the worst time I had was when I worked for a male attorney for only TEN DAYS. I couldn't stand hearing him refer to his previous paralegal as a "bitch" and other names. He was furious at her for "hurting herself on the job" and whatever else. I had to hear abt it at everyday for those 10 days. He'd talk abt her any chance he got. I got fed up with it. So be it he called her a "bitch" but I didn't have to hear abt it all day long and hear all the other names he called her. I can only imagine what he said abt me the day I quit. I quit right then and there with NO NOTICE.

[catlover79]

Thanks everyone, for your support and suggestions. I have talked with our supervisor (in private) and she is sympathetic. Unfortunately, I believe her hands are tied at this point.

Let's go back to the beginning. In June, we were both promoted from the sales department to the administrative assistant positions of the brand new manifest room. Miss Y, as I will call her, and I worked under different supervisors, and she just started in our building in March, so we didn't know each other very well. We got through training, no problem - that is, until we were both on our own, so to speak. Y is going through some bad family situations - and I feel bad for her in that regard - but she comes into work in bad moods nearly every day. I wonder if she may be bi-polar. One moment she can be as happy and carefree as can be...and the next moment she'll be crying and swearing. Day in and day out...imagine all this happening when you're the only two people sharing an office the size of a shoebox. Whenever someone has the audacity to tell her she is making mistakes in her work, our letting our supervisor know...WATCH OUT!! Y will burst into tears, call in sick () and/or snap at you.

She is almost totally incompetent. We pull documents off the fax machines every day. They have to be sorted by location, carrier and date, then paper-clipped together and put away in the file cabinets. Y is always in such a rush to get it done that she always messes up. Instead of bundling papers from the same location, carrier and date on one clip, she'll have four, five, even SIX tiny bundles...which all could easily fit onto one clip. GRRRR...I knew I wasn't the one doing this. Our supervisor gave us a different color highlighter to mark each page we check...mine is blue and Y's is purple...so now they know.

I have tried to help Y and be a friend. In early July, our department had the 4th off. I invited her to my home for dinner and to walk to my old school to watch the fireworks. She happily accepted. On the third, I asked if she wanted me to check her papers before filing them. It was an innocent question, and she bit my head off. "I don't question what you do, so don't question me!!" She took it completely out of context and then refused to go to my house. I have never had a desire to associate with her out of work again, from that day forward.

It's gotten to the point where I won't say anything to her unless I absolutely have to. She'd the type of person who, when cornered, will twist your words around to try to get you in trouble, too. I won't fall for it. Besides, as my grandmother always said, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." THEN she's offended when you don't say anything to her. You're screwed if you do and screwed if you don't. I figure people get in much less trouble for keeping quiet, so I do.

The thing is, Y is nearly 36 years old - 8 years older than me. She can act like a gigantic baby...and thinks we're all out to get her. We've all told her time and again that this is not personal - it's constructive critiscm. Y always takes it as a personal attack, no matter what.

Personally, I am shocked that she is still on the job. She's frequently tardy, too and has gotten more warnings at this point than Darryl Strawberry and Steve Howe combined. I don't want to see anyone lose a job, but we're over 3 months into this job and if she hasn't gotten it together by now, when will she? I say we should cut our losses and hire K (the girl who has the thankless task of correcting all of Y's paperwork before it gets filed) to take her place. K is efficient, positive, and a perfectionist like me. She'd be a perfect fit. Y is the most insecure person I've ever met, with the lowest self-esteem. Still, this is an office building, not a daycare. I can't tell you how many times I wish I could grab her by the shoulders, shake her and tell her to grow up and start acting her age. It's embarrassing!

[dawsongirl]

I had a boss and a boss' wife from hell. Everything was my fault, and when you are as sensitive to criticism and errors (even though a lot were NOT my fault) as I am....I came home crying a lot.

Now I work with a lot of people who also seem to blame me for things. I have no self-esteem now, I swear. I haven't been yelled at like those ^^^^ people though. I just feel like a giant failure.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Thanks everyone, for your support and suggestions. I have talked with our supervisor (in private) and she is sympathetic. Unfortunately, I believe her hands are tied at this point.

Let's go back to the beginning. In June, we were both promoted from the sales department to the administrative assistant positions of the brand new manifest room. Miss Y, as I will call her, and I worked under different supervisors, and she just started in our building in March, so we didn't know each other very well. We got through training, no problem - that is, until we were both on our own, so to speak. Y is going through some bad family situations - and I feel bad for her in that regard - but she comes into work in bad moods nearly every day. I wonder if she may be bi-polar. One moment she can be as happy and carefree as can be...and the next moment she'll be crying and swearing. Day in and day out...imagine all this happening when you're the only two people sharing an office the size of a shoebox. Whenever someone has the audacity to tell her she is making mistakes in her work, our letting our supervisor know...WATCH OUT!! Y will burst into tears, call in sick () and/or snap at you.

She is almost totally incompetent. We pull documents off the fax machines every day. They have to be sorted by location, carrier and date, then paper-clipped together and put away in the file cabinets. Y is always in such a rush to get it done that she always messes up. Instead of bundling papers from the same location, carrier and date on one clip, she'll have four, five, even SIX tiny bundles...which all could easily fit onto one clip. GRRRR...I knew I wasn't the one doing this. Our supervisor gave us a different color highlighter to mark each page we check...mine is blue and Y's is purple...so now they know.

I have tried to help Y and be a friend. In early July, our department had the 4th off. I invited her to my home for dinner and to walk to my old school to watch the fireworks. She happily accepted. On the third, I asked if she wanted me to check her papers before filing them. It was an innocent question, and she bit my head off. "I don't question what you do, so don't question me!!" She took it completely out of context and then refused to go to my house. I have never had a desire to associate with her out of work again, from that day forward.

It's gotten to the point where I won't say anything to her unless I absolutely have to. She'd the type of person who, when cornered, will twist your words around to try to get you in trouble, too. I won't fall for it. Besides, as my grandmother always said, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." THEN she's offended when you don't say anything to her. You're screwed if you do and screwed if you don't. I figure people get in much less trouble for keeping quiet, so I do.

The thing is, Y is nearly 36 years old - 8 years older than me. She can act like a gigantic baby...and thinks we're all out to get her. We've all told her time and again that this is not personal - it's constructive critiscm. Y always takes it as a personal attack, no matter what.

Personally, I am shocked that she is still on the job. She's frequently tardy, too and has gotten more warnings at this point than Darryl Strawberry and Steve Howe combined. I don't want to see anyone lose a job, but we're over 3 months into this job and if she hasn't gotten it together by now, when will she? I say we should cut our losses and hire K (the girl who has the thankless task of correcting all of Y's paperwork before it gets filed) to take her place. K is efficient, positive, and a perfectionist like me. She'd be a perfect fit. Y is the most insecure person I've ever met, with the lowest self-esteem. Still, this is an office building, not a daycare. I can't tell you how many times I wish I could grab her by the shoulders, shake her and tell her to grow up and start acting her age. It's embarrassing!

It sounds like she's on her way to getting terminated. She's probably on the verge of a written warning (if she hasn't got one already). If she has emotional problems, you can't fix her or them. Just be patient-things will probably work themselves out. Also maybe they'll just transfer her.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by rich p

It sounds like she's on her way to getting terminated. She's probably on the verge of a written warning (if she hasn't got one already). If she has emotional problems, you can't fix her or them. Just be patient-things will probably work themselves out. Also maybe they'll just transfer her.

I sure hope so. I mean, I'm a pretty mild-mannered person, but I'm rapidly approaching the end of my rope. It's just like the movie Groundhog Day...it's the same thing day after day after day. She HAS gotten a couple of written warnings. I'm trying to stay patient, but it's hard. Thanks again for the advice and I will keep everyone posted.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by catlover79

I sure hope so. I mean, I'm a pretty mild-mannered person, but I'm rapidly approaching the end of my rope. It's just like the movie Groundhog Day...it's the same thing day after day after day. She HAS gotten a couple of written warnings. I'm trying to stay patient, but it's hard. Thanks again for the advice and I will keep everyone posted.

If she's gotten written warnings she's on her way out-one way or another. She's either going to get transfered, fired, or just quit on her own. Your co. sounds like they're trying to be nice as they haven't fired her yet. Also, there may be legal issues preventing them from firing her, maybe she has an emotional condition they know about but can't share because of H.R./privacy concerns. You sound like a good worker & it sounds unlikely they would want to lose you. Sit tight. Something that has always worked for me is to have an updated resume. You may want to test the waters and discretely see what else is out there. Doesn't mean you should quit but this may make you feel empowered and that you have options. Will make it easier to tolerate your incompetant co-worker too. Just some thoughts.

[catlover79]

Well, she called in sick today. That doesn't surprise me - usually after she has a really bad day at work, she'll call in sick. She's done this several times. But it sure was a peaceful and pleasant day without her!!!

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by rich p

It sounds like she's on her way to getting terminated. She's probably on the verge of a written warning (if she hasn't got one already). If she has emotional problems, you can't fix her or them. Just be patient-things will probably work themselves out. Also maybe they'll just transfer her.

I agree with Rich P.

She may suffer from depression. She may also have a drug and/or alcohol issue. People who use drugs such as meth tend to have the same symptoms as those who are bi-polar and seem to go from one extreme to the other. Mind you, you don't have to be a full-time meth user, one can use it "occasionally" and have those ill effects. Meth is the choice of many professional people nowadays.