Work situation (co-worker trashing me) (1 Viewer)

[TLEF316]

Yes. I realize this is probably too long....... Short version: Co-worker went behind my back to my boss' boss twice in 6 months to complain about my hours. I'm a salaried employee and my hours do not affect her workload at all. I've advised our bosses I can handle additional work several times and have covered for her (the complainer) during multiple vacations and busy times.

So I've been in my current position for a little over a year. Was with this company for a little over 5 years, left for about 2 (a mistake) chasing a big raise and then came back. My new role is more of a service role while my old role was a production role (in addition to servicing the accounts that were part of my book) . So I've basically gone from doing the entire job that I was trained for (been doing it in various capacities for  about 11 years, usually pretty well) to doing about 1/2 the job with the added aggravation of some tighter timelines and having to deal with 3rd parties that dont really understand what they're doing.  Fortunately, because I have experience doing the entire gig (and happen to be pretty good at explaining things to "noobs") I can do this very easily.

Over the past 3 years (through 2 moves) I've increased my salary by about 45% (into the low 6 figures) while effectivly taking a demotion and ending up in a job I'm very overqualified for. (from an experience and skill-set perspective) Obviously not ideal, but i needed to get my foot back in the door here and for the most part, its been a nice mental break. I can get the job done with little stress, spend plenty of time helping less experienced teammates and walk out the door at 5 PM. I also have good long term relationships with all the people that I'd want to work for once I've done my mandatory time in this particular gig (another 5 months before I'm supposed to post for an internal move)

Back in December (which is our busiest time of year by far) my boss called me into his office one afternoon. Basically, he told me that his boss had asked him to talk to me about my hours. Evidently my 9-5 with a 1 hour lunch schedule had not gone unnoticed. He stressed that I was his go-to guy and was doing an excellent job (which was confirmed a few months later at bonus/rating time) but that I basically needed to keep up appearances by putting in a little extra time. This was annoying (why should I sit around twiddling my thumbs when I have all my work done, and am CONSTANTLY offering to cover for others, help out when they get busy, etc) but I understood where he was coming from. For the next month or so, I cut down on the lunch time, stuck around a little longer on some days, etc.

Then last week I get an email from my boss basically re-stating the conversation that we had back in December. He mentioned that his boss "or someone on the floor" (which was a possibility we talked about back in December) had noticed my hours again and I was advised of our formal policy for working hours. I'm not an hourly worker. I'm a pretty well paid salaried worker doing an excellent job. So at this point, I'm convinced that one of my co-workers has been, for lack of a better term "snitching" on me.

Took all of about 5 minutes to figure out who it was. Talked to 2 friends of mine on the floor and they basically spilled the beans that this other person (who we'll call "Valerie) has been making comments every time I walk out the door.....

"Who does TLEF think he is working a 35 hour week when I'm here till 6:30?"

"Must be nice to take an hour and half lunch (which I NEVER do) every day"

And apparently she stomps into the boss' boss office several times a week, likely to vent about her workload and throw me under the bus. (dont know what she's talking about in there with the door closed, but I've been told she goes in there after 5 PM at least 2-3 times a week)

This was basically confirmed by 3 people in the office. I have no reason not to trust them. Had a conversation with my boss about this on Friday. I basically told him that I had been told that someone on the floor was making comments about my hours and that I suspected she was the one who went to his boss. He was easily able to guess who I was talking about even though I didn't mention her by name. Said that others have made complaints about her being rude, making nasty comments etc. I tried to keep the conversation positive and constructive (focusing more on the fact that I dont appreciate the comments on the floor rather than the fact that my hours are being informally extended for no reason) but I'm more than a little annoyed. This is a person who I've covered for when she's been on vacation, answered questions for and volunteered to take on work when I know she's busy. And now she's basically bus-tossed me twice in a 6 month period because she cant get her job done.

Other notes:

I'm the only person on our team that doesn't have a scheduled work from home day. (dont want one. Short commute) So who knows how little work she's doing when she's sitting around her house every wednesday

I've taken a total of 2.5 vacation days this year (saving them for selling my house in July, vacations, random summer golf days etc) . She's taken about 2 and a half weeks (only reason I know this is because I covered for her twice)

So what's the play here? In today's climate, I can't imagine it would do me ANY good to confront her in any way (being seen as being aggressive towards a woman would obviously not be positive for my career) but I'm just fuming at this point. Definitely going to talk to the big boss (that she's been complaining to) ASAP (after giving my boss a chance to speak with her first, as I dont want to go over his head) but after that, what should I do? Suck it up for 5 months until I can start posting for other gigs? Go to HR to complain?  I'm really at a loss here. At the very least, I'm shutting down any and all help going her way.

TIA

 

[Galileo]

My knee jerk reaction is let it go.  If you're getting your #### done, and your bosses know it, why do you give a rat's ### what she is saying?  Clearly they (bosses) see value in you if they have hired you back on with increased salary for "doing about 1/2 the job".    Is it affecting your interaction with other workers besides Valerie?   If not, don't let it get to you.  

 

[Ron Swanson]

These kinds of things have a way of working themselves out if you work for a good company with competent management.  Just take the high road. No way your bosses boss doesn't realize what a wacko she is if she's in there as frequently as you've been told.  He's probably trying to diffuse her complaints about you the easy way so he can deal with her.

 

[Soulfly3]

Start hiding lunch breaks.

 

[Galileo]

These kinds of things have a way of working themselves out if you work for a good company with competent management.  Just take the high road. No way your bosses boss doesn't realize what a wacko she is if she's in there as frequently as you've been told.  He's probably trying to diffuse her complaints about you the easy way so he can deal with her.

Either that or he is getting hummers behind those closed doors.  If that's the case, the OP is screwed

 

[Epic Problem]

If I've learned anything over the last few days, I'd say objectify her in some way.  Just look at her and say to yourself 'she's a 4 at the best'

That's really the worst thing you could do. 

 

[Slider]

Just roll on. The bosses will do what they want anyway. If you do your job they'll like it. Now if she develops a relationship with a boss you're toast. 

 

[TLEF316]

 Her comments aren't affecting my relationship with anyone else at this point. Boss says I'm his go-to person and his boss (the one she allegedly complains to) continues to loop me in on projects, ask for help on stuff, etc.

One issue that does concern me is that the boss' boss is retiring shortly. And even if she thinks I'm going a great job, I still dont "We've needed to stay on TLEF over his hours" to be something that gets passed along to the next regime,

And honestly, I kinda need the hour lunch and the short (or rather, just not long) hours. The job is not at all fulfilling or mentally challenging, so the lunch helps me re-charge. And I dont really feel like playing the "hey, Look!! I'm staying an extra half hour" game when I could be getting in 9 holes of golf.

So while this is the kinda thing I'd normally just get over (and did the first time it happened) this has the potential to affect both my day to day happiness and my long-term career (to some extent)

 

[Joe Summer]

I understand why you would be upset here, but..................it sounds like you have a pretty cush gig. Walk the line a little, ya know?

Cut back on the lunch breaks. Work past 5 once in a while. Show up early once in a while. And document the hell out of all your extra hours.

Don't confront Ms. Stompy. But don't ever go out of your way to help her. And if she ever DOES ask for your help, then you should assist her in a way that encourages her to figure out the problem on her own (without you looking like you're being unhelpful). Then immediately document the fact that you gave her assistance.

 

[TakiToki]

Seems like you got along with her at some point, as you were answering her questions and helping her when she was busy.

I'd try to repair that relationship. Leave Valerie a note to call on you or come and see you, and that you're the same that you used to be.

 

[Joe Summer]

SIX FIGURE JOBS THAT DON'T CHALLENGE YOU MENTALLY AND ALLOW YOU TO SQUEEZE IN 9 HOLES OF GOLF ON A REGULAR BASIS DO NOT GROW ON TREES!!!

Don't screw this up.

 

[TLEF316]

I understand why you would be upset here, but..................it sounds like you have a pretty cush gig. Walk the line a little, ya know?

Cut back on the lunch breaks. Work past 5 once in a while. Show up early once in a while. And document the hell out of all your extra hours.

Don't confront Ms. Stompy. But don't ever go out of your way to help her. And if she ever DOES ask for your help, then you should assist her in a way that encourages her to figure out the problem on her own (without you looking like you're being unhelpful). Then immediately document the fact that you gave her assistance.

I hear ya on this line of thinking. But its not like I'm walking out at 4:30, walking around socializing all day, etc.   And its not like its 9-5 like clockwork every single day. Most days I'm in somewhere around 8:45 with the occasional 8:30 arrival. I spend tons of time working with/training/answering questions for the assistants and they've re-arranged the assignments so that I'm working with all the newer ones (because my experience and attitude can help them ramp up without as much pressure). I sit on on late night/early morning conference calls (I work with Asia a decent amount) on a fairly regular basis and any time my boss is hung up on something or overwhelmed, I'm the one he calls in to help. I had my full territory 2 weeks after I started. The 2 people who started after me had to train for 6 months (and still have like 1/2 my workload even though we have the same "senior" title)

While my hours might be close to the minimum, my contribution is above and beyond. I guess I just dont quite understand why that is getting sort of ignored just to placate some whiner who cant hold up her end.  I wont get into the details, but part of why she's busy is because she specifically requested a specific territory that comes with some additional challenges. That territory could easily be split among multiple people (it is made up of 3 separate offices) but she either wanted to be the star (failing) or just wanted to avoid the different types of issues (essentially, dealing with people that dont know what they're doing) that comes with my territory.

 

[TLEF316]

Seems like you got along with her at some point, as you were answering her questions and helping her when she was busy.

I'd try to repair that relationship. Leave Valerie a note to call on you or come and see you, and that you're the same that you used to be.

I didn't know there was anything to repair until last week. She's always nice to my face and we've never had a single problem. She's basically making me her punching bag because of her own frustration. 

 

[Joe Summer]

TLEF316 said:

While my hours might be close to the minimum, my contribution is above and beyond. I guess I just dont quite understand why that is getting sort of ignored

Like it or not, you're on salary and you get paid more than the others. Those types of jobs have certain unwritten expectations and responsibilities that go with them.

 

[TLEF316]

Like it or not, you're on salary and you get paid more than the others. Those types of jobs have certain unwritten expectations and responsibilities that go with them.

While I suspect I'm the highest paid person on our team (6 total people in my job) I don't know that for sure.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Like other have said, I wouldn't say anything to her.  She will either deny it or get confrontational which could make things worse.  If anything, kill with her kindness, like asking her if she needs help when you are caught up and needing something to do.  

If your bosses know you do a good job, I wouldn't worry too much.  She will likely hang herself if she is given enough rope.  

 

[Johnny Rock]

If your bosses know you’re doing a good job why are they bringing this up to you twice? They shouldn’t need to placate her; they’re in charge.

If you don’t want to play along for show you’ll need to discuss it more with the bosses. Explain your points that you brought up here. Be prepared to answer in a multitude of ways.

 

[RC94]

IMO bad mouthing people at work is a stupid thing to do and it often backfires.  I know that I look skeptically at people who complain, especially those who don't try to solve the problem.  I agree with your high road approach and don't stoop to her level.  You should defend yourself, and increase your workload and hours, but don't start bad mouthing her.  In your post, it seemed like it was almost an inevitability that you will get to move on to a better role soon, but IMO you should work towards that next level job you are trying for.  Take on some added responsibilities, even if they aren't really in your current job description.  Make sure management has no choice but to promote you and let you move to a different part of the company.  If the work is that easy for you, it shouldn't require a lot more effort.

 

[JuniorGong]

Make up a dummy resume for her and plaster it on every job board out there. Put her work number and work email address for her contact information. Apply to a ton of jobs that would be a fit for her. She will either get intrigued by one of the positions and leave or your company will find out she is aggressively looking and utilizing company contact info for her search. Either way your problem is solved. You need to teach her not to bring a knife to a gun fight.

 

[comfortably numb]

They feel you make more and put in less hours. Your job, like most are idiots that reward quantity over quality. 

Play the game. Pick a day and bring in something do on your phone or something and stay til 7 or 9 once every 6-8 weeks. Make sure to send out 65 emails that night.

Im exaggerating but you get the idea.

If theyre giving you the rules to the game, play the game.

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

next time you're leaving at 5, walk by and whisper in her ear, "I could kill you with an icicle, and they'd never figure out it was me." then smile and say, "have a nice night!" and stroll out the door.

 

[Ghost Rider]

They feel you make more and put in less hours. Your job, like most are idiots that reward quantity over quality. 

Play the game. Pick a day and bring in something do on your phone or something and stay til 7 or 9 once every 6-8 weeks. Make sure to send out 65 emails that night.

Im exaggerating but you get the idea.

If theyre giving you the rules to the game, play the game.

This is a good post. 

My boss thinks very highly of the work I do, but I always make a point to send emails that many will see on the days I arrive early (which is most days) or work a little late.  And these are emails I have to send anyway, but I do them right away so they go out at like 7:38 (I technically work 8-5, but am salary).  It never hurts to remind the big dogs that you are putting in a little extra work.  Like you said, it's part of the game. 

 

[msudaisy26]

People always think that talking down other people will make themselves look better.

Don't fall into that trap, you already are worrying too much about her by knowing how much vacation time she has taken and comparing it to yours and talking about her working from home one day a week, like everyone else except yourself. 

 

[TLEF316]

If your bosses know you’re doing a good job why are they bringing this up to you twice? They shouldn’t need to placate her; they’re in charge.

If you don’t want to play along for show you’ll need to discuss it more with the bosses. Explain your points that you brought up here. Be prepared to answer in a multitude of ways.

Couldn't tell ya. And again, both times I've had this conversation with my direct boss, he has stressed that he has ZERO problems with my performance and considers me a very valued member of the team.

I think it boils down to the fact that his supervisor (a straight older woman, so there's no chance of it being a sexual thing or anything like that) has a pretty close relationship with the complainer and feels that hearing her out and trying to get me on board (indirectly) is the lesser of 2 evils (the alternative being to tell her to stop complaining and worry about her own work)

 

[TLEF316]

People always think that talking down other people will make themselves look better.

Don't fall into that trap, you already are worrying too much about her by knowing how much vacation time she has taken and comparing it to yours and talking about her working from home one day a week, like everyone else except yourself. 

I only brings this up because it speaks to why she might be behind on her work.

And the only reason I know she's taken 2+ weeks of vacation is that I was her backup both times she was out.

But point taken. I'm trying to not dwell on it.

 

[DaVinci]

Well, I generally come in fifteen minutes late. I use the side door - that way Lumberg can't see me. After that I sorta space out for an hour. I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too. I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual work.

 

[Scoresman]

I’ve worked 7-4 in just about every salaried job I’ve had. It has so many advantages. The commute is better at those times compared to an hour later, lunch lines are shorter at 11-11:30 and the two hours of quiet from 7-9 are so productive for me. 

That said, there is such a bias in the workplace towards staying late as opposed to coming in early, it pisses me off sometimes. As if staying late by itself is something worthy of praise.  

If somebody has to stay late because they are inefficient and slow, that shouldn’t be used as a comparison to make me look bad. 

Sorry, this isn’t advice. But it looked like a good place to rant. 

 

[D-Day]

If your boss brings it up again, just tell them that she doesn’t have a problem with you (tlef), she has a problem with how they are managing the company. She’s probably looking for a discrimination lawsuit. 

 

[TLEF316]

I’ve worked 7-4 in just about every salaried job I’ve had. It has so many advantages. The commute is better at those times compared to an hour later, lunch lines are shorter at 11-11:30 and the two hours of quiet from 7-9 are so productive for me. 

That said, there is such a bias in the workplace towards staying late as opposed to coming in early, it pisses me off sometimes. As if staying late by itself is something worthy of praise.  

If somebody has to stay late because they are inefficient and slow, that shouldn’t be used as a comparison to make me look bad. 

Sorry, this isn’t advice. But it looked like a good place to rant. 

When I started at my first job, I did 8 to 4. I had a longer commute and it made things much easier. I was also young and training and not that much was expected of me. 3 years later, moved to a different job and assumed I'd stick with the same schedule.

Turned out my boss didn't come in until quarter to 9. He was a sarcastic guy but also sort of passive aggressive at times. All it took was him chirping "looks who's working bankers hours" when I left at 4:30 for me to re-adjust my schedule.

I have no issue staying late or coming in early to get stuff done. It just isn't required for me to get my current job done. And I live 5 minutes away, so there's no benefit to commuting at off-hours or anything like that.

Basically, it comes down to cutting down my lunch time, which is where I'm probably settling here.  In the end it will cause me to be more bored and drained at the end of the day,(with even less work to do)  but if it will shut down this situation, I guess I might as well.

 

[JuniorGong]

This is a good post. 

My boss thinks very highly of the work I do, but I always make a point to send emails that many will see on the days I arrive early (which is most days) or work a little late.  It never hurts to remind the big dogs that you are putting in a little extra work.  Like you said, it's part of the game. 

There is software you can download that will send out your emails at whatever time of day you choose.

 

[comfortably numb]

There is software you can download that will send out your emails at whatever time of day you choose.

Lol.

I have used outlook delayed email serrings a few times

 

[IMAX 3D]

Either that or he is getting hummers behind those closed doors.  If that's the case, the OP is screwed

If I've learned anything over the last few days, I'd say objectify her in some way.  Just look at her and say to yourself 'she's a 4 at the best'

That's really the worst thing you could do. 

Maybe you missed the memo but that’s not the kind of image we want to represent around here anymore 

:reported:

 

[Brony]

Sadly, it doesn't matter your opinion of yourself nor your boss's opinion . If you are being told not to shirk on hours in writing, that's a manager CYA move that I wouldn't want on my record regardless of other praise I received. 

You can ask your boss if they prefer a 37 hour  go getter or a 40 hour slacker, but if you're not putting in the bare minimum hours, it's actually tough for them to say they'd want the 37 hour worker. 

 

[IC FBGCav]

The shark move is to tell your boss that you will do her job too for 75% of her salary since you have to work late and he can save by letting her go.

 

[TLEF316]

Sadly, it doesn't matter your opinion of yourself nor your boss's opinion . If you are being told not to shirk on hours in writing, that's a manager CYA move that I wouldn't want on my record regardless of other praise I received. 

You can ask your boss if they prefer a 37 hour  go getter or a 40 hour slacker, but if you're not putting in the bare minimum hours, it's actually tough for them to say they'd want the 37 hour worker. 

Yeah, the  fact that this one was in writing wasn't lost on me. That being said, the email also explicitly said that had zero problems with my performances. It also stated that he realizes that some people are more efficient than others and it specifically noted that this was at least partially about optics.(it looks bad when I stroll out every day and others are grinding until 6:30)

When you consider that the words "I can absolutely handle more work and would be happy to help if others are swamped" came out of my mouth at least 10 times during my yearly review, I really dont see how this can be about anything other than keeping others from melting down.

 

[Zow]

Ignore her. Sounds like you got a good thing going. 

 

[comfortably numb]

Your boss does have a problem with it. Your too busy listening to your boss and not hearing him. His problem is his bosses problem with your 40 hour work week.

Your boss is passive aggressively telling you about a problem he has to handle but he doesnt really care about it that much....but he cares enough about it to not let it STOP at him, telling his boss to back off. Instead he has carried out his bosses wishes and "talked" to you about it. Twice. 

Just be cautious your boss is not 100% supporting you behind closed doors. For all you know he may be in there patting himself on the back saying how he has trouble keeping you motivated but is able to get you to be a top producer. 

 

[Dedfin]

Sleep with her wife

 

[Zow]

If your bosses know you’re doing a good job why are they bringing this up to you twice? They shouldn’t need to placate her; they’re in charge.

If you don’t want to play along for show you’ll need to discuss it more with the bosses. Explain your points that you brought up here. Be prepared to answer in a multitude of ways.

To placate the co-worker, obviously. It’s not fair but that’s reality. 

And yeah I think your boss is basically saying you should put in the 40 hours. Spend more time in the ffa or improve on your idating game. 

 

[TLEF316]

Your boss does have a problem with it. Your too busy listening to your boss and not hearing him. His problem is his bosses problem with your 40 hour work week.

Your boss is passive aggressively telling you about a problem he has to handle but he doesnt really care about it that much....but he cares enough about it to not let it STOP at him, telling his boss to back off. Instead he has carried out his bosses wishes and "talked" to you about it. Twice. 

Just be cautious your boss is not 100% supporting you behind closed doors. For all you know he may be in there patting himself on the back saying how he has trouble keeping you motivated but is able to get you to be a top producer. 

I certainly get that this might be a possibility with some people, but not this guy. He doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. (passive or otherwise). He's been with the company forever and i know tons of people that have worked with him for years. (so I know its not an act) He's pretty much the most jovial laid back boss you could ever have.

 

[TLEF316]

To placate the co-worker, obviously. It’s not fair but that’s reality. 

And yeah I think your boss is basically saying you should put in the 40 hours. Spend more time in the ffa or improve on your idating game. 

Unfortunately, blatantly doing non-work related things really isn't an option. I'm right on the corner of the aisle and every single person walks right by my desk 20 times a day. No back to the cube wall and they're only like 4 feet high.  Its basically an L shaped version of this in the absolute highest traffic spot in the office.

 

[Christo]

WITH haven't you asked to work from home one day?

 

[Dedfin]

Unfortunately, blatantly doing non-work related things really isn't an option. I'm right on the corner of the aisle and every single person walks right by my desk 20 times a day. No back to the cube wall and they're only like 4 feet high.  Its basically an L shaped version of this in the absolute highest traffic spot in the office.

What do you do?

 

[TLEF316]

WITH haven't you asked to work from home one day?

I know myself well enough to know I wouldn't be as productive. If I'm sitting around in gym shorts with the TV 10 feet away, I just can't get in the zone.

I'm moving in a few months and will have a home office area setup. At that point, I'll evaluate whether it makes sense to do it.

 

[Christo]

I know myself well enough to know I wouldn't be as productive. If I'm sitting around in gym shorts with the TV 10 feet away, I just can't get in the zone.

I'm moving in a few months and will have a home office area setup. At that point, I'll evaluate whether it makes sense to do it.

You don't have to get in the zone. You put in 9 hours 4 days a week at the office (which I suspect most of your co-workers are doing) and all you have to do is be available in case anyone wants to get in touch with you during your work at home day..

Plus, you get the added bonus of being able to ##### about the people who only put in 8 hours on the days you're at the office.

 

[TLEF316]

What do you do?

I'm a commercial underwriter at a large insurance company. But in my current role, I'm not responsible for soliciting new business or even underwriting all the lines of business. (which is what I did previously) The producing office does that and in most cases, I'm just responsible for putting together compliant programs (the offices we're servicing dont understand how the US market works) and servicing the account throughout the year.

 

[TLEF316]

You don't have to get in the zone. You put in 9 hours 4 days a week at the office (which I suspect most of your co-workers are doing) and all you have to do is be available in case anyone wants to get in touch with you during your work at home day..

I hear ya, but this really isn't a habit I want to get into. It likely wont be an option at my next gig nor is that how I really want to work. I also enjoy the collaborative nature of being in the office.

Its really only a big deal here because the office used to be like 30 minutes west of where we are now and the move (which happened like 2 years ago)  caused most of the more tenured employees a much longer commute. Its one of those things where 1 person asked for it and then everyone else got jealous and decided they wanted it as well. 

 

[Christo]

Well, you've got to figure out something. Because you've got a problem whether you want to admit it or not.

 

[comfortably numb]

I certainly get that this might be a possibility with some people, but not this guy. He doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. (passive or otherwise). He's been with the company forever and i know tons of people that have worked with him for years. (so I know its not an act) He's pretty much the most jovial laid back boss you could ever have.

Understood but did he essentially write you up?

Ive had to fire people after constantly telling them they are one of my best employees for basically a year. In those cases it was more black/white as absenteeism was the issue.

My office/shop is as dysfunctional as they come and ive had my boss and the owner tell me about X leaving at the bell at 330 and not being able to stay late like others. I had no issue telling them X gets more done by 11am than 4 combined people in that department do all day. 

What i didnt do was mention a single word to X.

What your boss did means he has no backbone to stand up to his boss or is somewhat in agreement with his boss. Neither of which are in your favor.

 

[mr. furley]

35 hour work week, low 6 figures salary, boss wants you to work 40.. on salary. seems like a no brainer. twiddle your thumbs an extra hour a day. not worth tarnishing your standing or losing your job over.

salaried people in my office are required to work 45, expected to work 50 and more often put in 55-60.  and not for 6 figures.