Need some advice re work conflict
Discussion
SHMBO works in a admin job, has been in the 'company' (local gov) 6 or 7 years, in this position for 4.
Previous no problems,gets on with people and does the job correctly. For the record, she is 34.
A new colleague has joined her ( a few months ago now) , who is 17, and things are going pear shaped. They are of equal grade.
From what I understand problems include.
Her colleague will question everything, but not in a nice way. For example, if SHMBO ccs her on an email (common working practice as far as I am concerned ) it will be "Why did you send me that", if she hasn't yet got the post it will be "Why haven't you got the post yet" and so on.
She had a week hols last week, and asked her colleague to follow up on an order, confirm/ chase etc ... This wasn't done, and despite this being a standard part of the job (s=in that she shouldn't have even needed to remind her colleague), it was 'turned around' and her colleage apparently made out that she hadn't even been asked to do it.
When I asked if she had ever missed an order in 4 years, she hasn't, so I think it unlikely that she failed to remind her colleague.
Others have noticed issues to, which comments being made to SHMBO such as "how do you put up with this every day". As far as I know, 2 other people have witnessed multiple 'incidents'.
She did mention this to her boss, who I understand to be fairly good, and he said she needed to sort it herself and make allowances for her colleagues age - I can understand this to a point, and is a fair enough suggestion.
However, things are not improving.
Her colleagues Aunt works there also, and on bumping into SHMBO the other day starting on about getting on in the workplace etc ... but then through in "I once had people start malicious rumors about me" - you can see instantly what this suggests.
In my opinion this takes things to a new level as there is no suggestion that she has done any such thing (she wouldn't, she's not like that).
The Aunt has got no right to come out with such statements, and I'd push for any repeat to be logged as workplace bullying.
I've suggested the following :
1. Keep a log of anything that is said.
2. Email any requests so that there is no question of what was asked
3. Produce a workplace manual, detailing the tasks the need to be done, and more importantly, exactly how to do them. That way, there are no excuses for things to be done incorrectly (which apparently they have been, again with the new colleague blaming my other half)
Request that the manager sends this manual out, so that it looks lie it has come from her (avoids conflict).
4. Split the tasks that need to be done half and half, rota style if necessary.
I've suggested another chat with her boss, more to make him aware than actually do anything, she only wants to go to work, do her job and come home without getting a load of back chat and hassle.
What I don't want to see is them both getting blamed equally for these issues, which is what i see potentially happening, that would be unfair.
I know that on a couple of occasions she has replied back in a 'short manner', and one of thee occasions was witnessed by others, which doesn't look good. I've asked that she avoids this, however difficult.
Given that her previous 4 years have been without incident, hopefully it is fairly clear where the problems are originating from.
For the record, her colleagues mother also works there and is known to behave in a similar manner. Although I have explained that she must not mention this at all, it is an interesting piece of information.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Martin
Previous no problems,gets on with people and does the job correctly. For the record, she is 34.
A new colleague has joined her ( a few months ago now) , who is 17, and things are going pear shaped. They are of equal grade.
From what I understand problems include.
Her colleague will question everything, but not in a nice way. For example, if SHMBO ccs her on an email (common working practice as far as I am concerned ) it will be "Why did you send me that", if she hasn't yet got the post it will be "Why haven't you got the post yet" and so on.
She had a week hols last week, and asked her colleague to follow up on an order, confirm/ chase etc ... This wasn't done, and despite this being a standard part of the job (s=in that she shouldn't have even needed to remind her colleague), it was 'turned around' and her colleage apparently made out that she hadn't even been asked to do it.
When I asked if she had ever missed an order in 4 years, she hasn't, so I think it unlikely that she failed to remind her colleague.
Others have noticed issues to, which comments being made to SHMBO such as "how do you put up with this every day". As far as I know, 2 other people have witnessed multiple 'incidents'.
She did mention this to her boss, who I understand to be fairly good, and he said she needed to sort it herself and make allowances for her colleagues age - I can understand this to a point, and is a fair enough suggestion.
However, things are not improving.
Her colleagues Aunt works there also, and on bumping into SHMBO the other day starting on about getting on in the workplace etc ... but then through in "I once had people start malicious rumors about me" - you can see instantly what this suggests.
In my opinion this takes things to a new level as there is no suggestion that she has done any such thing (she wouldn't, she's not like that).
The Aunt has got no right to come out with such statements, and I'd push for any repeat to be logged as workplace bullying.
I've suggested the following :
1. Keep a log of anything that is said.
2. Email any requests so that there is no question of what was asked
3. Produce a workplace manual, detailing the tasks the need to be done, and more importantly, exactly how to do them. That way, there are no excuses for things to be done incorrectly (which apparently they have been, again with the new colleague blaming my other half)
Request that the manager sends this manual out, so that it looks lie it has come from her (avoids conflict).
4. Split the tasks that need to be done half and half, rota style if necessary.
I've suggested another chat with her boss, more to make him aware than actually do anything, she only wants to go to work, do her job and come home without getting a load of back chat and hassle.
What I don't want to see is them both getting blamed equally for these issues, which is what i see potentially happening, that would be unfair.
I know that on a couple of occasions she has replied back in a 'short manner', and one of thee occasions was witnessed by others, which doesn't look good. I've asked that she avoids this, however difficult.
Given that her previous 4 years have been without incident, hopefully it is fairly clear where the problems are originating from.
For the record, her colleagues mother also works there and is known to behave in a similar manner. Although I have explained that she must not mention this at all, it is an interesting piece of information.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Martin
davepoth said:
Keep a log, do everything in writing (even confirming verbal conversations by email), and make sure she gives the new girl enough rope to hang herself. Perception is always an issue.
She is trying to avoid getting anyone in trouble, though perhaps this is the way things will go. mGassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff