NationStates Jolt Archive

OK, I just started a new job, it is with a big company and they give you this big spiel about training and the company ethos etc etc. Well, I have had very little training, and am basically left to get on with it, which is ok as its not rocket science really (which is a good thing) But I have noticed something, there is one woman, I worked with her today, who does very little and just talks ALL the time, I have worked with her twice and she spends a good deal of time letting other people work their butts off while she talks and doesn't do what she is supposed to do..the other day I was working really hard on a job that I am very new at while she stood and talked and ate biscuits. Now, I get the feeling that the others I work with are kinda pissed off with it, but I dont want to say anything in case I am reading it all wrong and I am the one with the problem..does anyone have any suggestions? I like the job, it will help us out financially in a big way and I dont want to be a trouble maker. Do I just bite my tongue on this?

Oh and by the way, I have been told that my line manager is a bitch and that 'I need to watch my back'.....

Two options:

A) If the bitch has any power, then either stay away or kiss or ass
B) Report her to the higher-ups and maybe, just maybe, the company will throw her in the gutter. But dreams rarely come true.

During the lunch break, approach the woman and tell her that you need her help, and that she needs to work, and if she doesn't you will report her. I mean comon, this is just bad work ethnics on her part, and if she isn't willing to do to work, then she should get fired.

Sounds like my workplace...

My suggestion is just to lay low for a bit, because you have no way of knowing why this woman is able to get away with her conduct. For all you know, she could be blowing the boss, or worse, be the boss's pain in the ass sister-in-law who he can't fire and who he hates hearing complaints about because there's not a thing he can do about it. Better to lay low and see what the situation is until you can figure out why she's able to get away with it. If she turns out to have no stroke, then go after her.

I am going to try to find out if others feel the same bout this, and see if things improve, as I only have a three month contract at the the moment, I need to tred carefully.

It seems to me that the womens behaviour is readily apparent, your co-workers must be aware of it if you are since they've had longer to notice.
Either they have made attempts to do something and it wasnt a goer, or (and I suspect this is more likely) they consider that of the two options putting up with her and doing something about her, putting up with her is the better course.

Keeping in mind they have been there longer than you and so probably have a better understanding of the entire situation than you could have, it seems likely that they are better equipped at this time to accurately predict the likely consequences of both options.

It would seem then that those best able to predict and measure the utility of the consequences of either course believe putting up with the women is for the better option. I strongly advise that capitalise on their greater body of knowledge in regards to this particular situation at least until you can realistically consider yourself to be as knowledgable about the ins and outs of the situations and the implications of the options available.

In short take some time to get familiar with the lay of the land before you strike out in a different direction to the people with the maps, compasses, and provisions....

For now, bite your tongue...if after you acquire more knowledge about the situation that leads you to conclude 'doing something' is a better course of action, you can take that course of action at that time, if you go the other way and learn biting your tongue was the best course of action after all, it'll be a lesson learned too late...

While all the 'wait a while and see how the grass lies' advice is very good, a word of warning. It becomes very easy to not do anything about an irritation of this nature because "that is the way things are here". So yes, take the time to establish what is what, whether this woman has special priveleges or whatever, but if she does not, then don't just 'let it drop'.

The vast majority of humanity are cowards in one sense or another, and will let things pass if it means that they don't have to enter into a conflict of any kind. This is very true in the working environment.

While all the 'wait a while and see how the grass lies' advice is very good, a word of warning. It becomes very easy to not do anything about an irritation of this nature because "that is the way things are here". So yes, take the time to establish what is what, whether this woman has special priveleges or whatever, but if she does not, then don't just 'let it drop'.

The vast majority of humanity are cowards in one sense or another, and will let things pass if it means that they don't have to enter into a conflict of any kind. This is very true in the working environment.I agree completely. It could be that she's getting away with it because no one has called her on it yet. It's just very important to make sure that that's the reason, as opposed to her having some unseen influence. It's also better that you don't go at her head on. as that may cause some resentment from people senior to you.

if there is a way to annonymously post a message to your boss or her boss (not sure if you have the same boss) i think that will be the best way. is she like that in front of the management or does she start to look like she is doing something when a manager is around?