This topic does not involve swimming AT all ... sorry ... I cannot stand my co-worker! She drives me crazy. First of all, I work in a very small law firm. There a total of eight employees. Four attorneys (one is part time), two secretaries, an errand boy (aka the head partner’s son), and myself. We have an open office sans cubicles. So there is NO escape. Moving on ... we are a very busy firm. Normally we have a couple of law clerks but right now we don’t. So most of the extra work falls on me. We don’t really have carved out jobs really we all kind of do everything. Though we do all have things that only we do. The annoying co-worker complains non-stop all day long. Seriously. Either she doesn’t have enough to do or the guys ask her to do stuff and she flips out “I don’t have time for this. I can’t handle this right now.” She complains about everything she is asked to do. She complains and/or comments on every phone call she answers. She gets all snippy with me and has basically told me that if I keep eating the way I do (I snack on healthy things all day) that I am going to get fat, so I should enjoy it while I can get away with it. She talks endlessly about how her son is in marching band and how that is the most important thing EVER, how hard it is and how much time it takes up ... I want to yell, do you know how many hours a week I spent in a gym in high school? Like, 30! AH! I can’t take it. I seriously want to yell SHUT UP! Everyone is busy and no one cares. She is a drama queen to the max. She is ALWAYS in pain, her knee, her back, she has a headache, a stomach ache, a cold ... she hasn’t been here everyday all day for two weeks since I started in September. It drives me crazy. I am really afraid that one day I’ll just blurt out shut up you whiney wench! Gr! Do any of you have annoying co-workers and how do you deal with it? Thanks!
Usually, I am not a complainer I swear, and I do see the irony of complaining about someone complaining.
Posted by Bud
"If you find it at all possible to confront this person, do so in the most non-threatening way possible, and see if you can get answers to questions like "Why is it inappropriate for me to have discussions with my co-workers?" etc. Of course you want witnesses around. Confronting them immediately at the occurrence of the inappropriate behavior is best, if you can think that fast on your feet while under such duress. Maybe you could enlist the help of others for this approach, but the person may then feel as if they are being ganged up on and cause them to dig in deeper and snarl louder. If you've already tried this and gotten nowhere, then you definitely need a mediator."
I totally agree with Bud, try to confront her immediately after she says something to you, try and have your reply ready for another snap from her, that way you won't be trying to think of exactly what to say, while you're nervous etc... Also having another co-worker present when this happens is very helpful as well.. and again, if this hasn't or doesn't work, get help from HR..
I am also surprised they haven't done anything, though perhaps since it IS a law firm, they may feel as though they need proof that this woman is hostile before they fire someone. Have other people complained about this woman as well? and if so, to what extent?...
Another issue.. the fact that they simply dismissed your first inquiry as... "oh she's just spoiled" and didn't give any reference as to how and deal with the situation, or any indication that they would talk with her about it makes me wonder what's up?.... Is this woman's family a chief founder of the firm or something? why would they keep an employee like that?
anyway.. good luck with this, our thoughts are with you!
Jeanette.
Posted by Bud
"If you find it at all possible to confront this person, do so in the most non-threatening way possible, and see if you can get answers to questions like "Why is it inappropriate for me to have discussions with my co-workers?" etc. Of course you want witnesses around. Confronting them immediately at the occurrence of the inappropriate behavior is best, if you can think that fast on your feet while under such duress. Maybe you could enlist the help of others for this approach, but the person may then feel as if they are being ganged up on and cause them to dig in deeper and snarl louder. If you've already tried this and gotten nowhere, then you definitely need a mediator."
I totally agree with Bud, try to confront her immediately after she says something to you, try and have your reply ready for another snap from her, that way you won't be trying to think of exactly what to say, while you're nervous etc... Also having another co-worker present when this happens is very helpful as well.. and again, if this hasn't or doesn't work, get help from HR..
I am also surprised they haven't done anything, though perhaps since it IS a law firm, they may feel as though they need proof that this woman is hostile before they fire someone. Have other people complained about this woman as well? and if so, to what extent?...
Another issue.. the fact that they simply dismissed your first inquiry as... "oh she's just spoiled" and didn't give any reference as to how and deal with the situation, or any indication that they would talk with her about it makes me wonder what's up?.... Is this woman's family a chief founder of the firm or something? why would they keep an employee like that?
anyway.. good luck with this, our thoughts are with you!
Jeanette.
