Small issue with another at work. (what do you think was her intent?)

Family & Parenting Other Family & Parenting
1

I have recently asked a question about a co-worker who is a mess. I am happy to report that she leaves me alone as I decided to take the high road.

There is a woman here, she is my equal, she is very nice and helpful. Anytime I ask a question she is ready with answers, but I have started to notice that she puts things off on me, so as not to admit what she did wrong. Now I am not sure why, But I have two ideas;

  1. She clearly does not like to make mistakes, even though very small, so she put them off on ‘the new girl’ because that way she comes off clean, and people just assume I did it wrong because I am just learning.

  2. She doesn’t want to ask me to do something, as she is not my superior. So she acts as though the mistake was mine, and that way I have to do the task as it was and is my mistake to fix. Letting her off without actually asking me to do it.

Back story:
I was asked to enter data into the system. There is a customer number for each entry. There were over 46 that could not be entered because the information was not there. I finished with that I was given and called it a late night.

In the morning she grabs two blue pens from our supplies, and we chat and then she goes back to work. A moment later she resurfaces with the entire stack of well over 100 papers, to which she wants me to go through, and add the numbers because, " You missed a couple…they all have a number." I said to her that I made sure to put in all that were there, and that some employees did not have one. May I add that all forms have been written in blue ink.

As I went through them, I noticed that she had written in the two employee numbers, that were not there last night…why did she say I missed them, when she knew she just put them in??? Furthermore, there were still 46 incomplete entries, because all of the paperwork was not there. I took it back to her, and I am very open, I do not lie. Ever. There simply is no real point to telling someone something that is not real, and so in turn even though this was very small and silly, it bothered me that she actually though she could tell me an apple was an orange, and I would say…okay?

I handed her the stack and asked if the form available had the number she needed entered. She said no, I told her that I was unable to enter as there was no number. She apologized and explained that she hadn’t gone through the pile. (because she was too busy quickly writing in a number that was not there.) I went on to say, “I also added the numbers into the system, that were added to the forms this morning. And if you get the numbers for these, I will be happy to do those too. Just let me know.”

She has a habit of telling on herself. She mentions that she worries about asking me to do things, because she is not my boss, and therefore does not want to give me the impression that she is bossing me around. So instead she lies to me about something I know I did? Because she thought THAT would make me feel obligated to do it, as supposed bossed to do it?

All conversations were nice and professional, she is truly a nice person. I am an amazing judge of people. What I am bad at is stupidity. I simply do not get what the purpose was. Do I worry about this? Anyone experience anything like this?

2

I wouldn’t worry or spend lots of time trying to figure out her reasons. I would be sure to cover my ass. When you review the forms, use a highlighter to trace any areas where information is missing. Don’t just put a dot or an X, run the highlighter across the whole line so that that space stand way out. I do that when I am completing forms and need to gather more information or a signature. It saves time and energy because I can see it at a glance. Don’t get it in your mind that you are doing it to show her up. Just know that it helps you to be more proficient and efficient in your own work. Use a fluorescent yellow highlighter so it won’t show up on copies, if that’s ever an issue.

What she’s doing is not personal to you; she’s just protecting herself, as should you protect yourself.

3

Forget about intent. You are not her therapist. Respond to her actions and interactions if they affect you. Don’t assume anything. If you have a question about why she did something, ask her in a curious, non-judgmental manner.

4

I’m curious about why she would be giving you any work to do. If it’s her work as assigned by the boss then she should be doing everything. If it’s work that has been assigned to the office then the 2 of you would be working together on it and she should have just owned up to the fact that she didn’t give you all the info needed to do what was needed.

I think you need to stop thinking of yourself as the new kid on the block and think of yourself as a co worker. Knowing her reasons for doing things can come in handy if your office is very political however you just need to have your ducks in a row. In the above case I would have shot off a quick email at the end of the day cc’ing in the boss letting them know what issues you ran into that kept you from completeing things. After being burned by coworkers I learned to cover my bases when dealing with others.

5

I think you should come up with a way to nicely counter this.
She’s making you look bad - not in a big way - YET - but it could add up over time.
I would have separated the papers into 2 piles - numbers entered vs no number to enter.
It would be easy to flip through 46 pages or so to show you had nothing to go on - but THEN ask where you can obtain the info for these.
That way you’ll know where to look and it’s one little piece of knowledge you won’t have to rely on her for.

6

For many years (well over 10) I worked in a law office where the secretary was queen. Literally, the powers that be just did not believe that she ever made a mistake and if she did, it was all good.

Anyway, she would leave something sitting on her desk untouched for eons. Then when it became urgent (because of sitting so long) she would give it to me. When the attorney asked her about it, she would say “Oh, I gave it to Cheryl” and not bother to say that she just gave it to me that day or the day before. So they always thought that I was the one who had ignored it until the last minute.

I didn’t bother saying anything because I was not going to go around constantly defending myself. I just sucked it up and moved forward. It’s hard, but I felt like I was taking the high road by not trying to throw her under the bus even though she took every opportunity to throw me under it.

I didn’t worry because they knew I possessed skills/knowledge/experience that they needed. But if I were new I might have worried that by her doing that, I would get fired.

7

It’s possible she is a victim of emotional/verbal abuse. One symtom is perfectionism, she is afraid to make mistakes.

Since you are new to your job you can ask ‘dumb’ questions of your supervisor. If customer numbers are missing on reports there must be a master list of customer numbers. Ask your supervisor to show you where this list is and if you can keep a copy at your desk.

8

“She’s a mess”
“She’s my equal”
“I’m amazing”???
“I’m bad at stupidity” (Your’s or someone else’s)?

Should you worry? No, I suggest you take a long look at your own behavior and opinions of the people around you. From your post, I don’t find you amazing, in fact it seems like you enjoy “stiring the pot”. If you are having difficulty with ANY of your co-workers, talk to your manager or supervisor. It appears that there should be a group meeting to have a clear understanding of each employee’s responsibility and job description.

9

I’m with Heather. Forget the superiority games and just worry about your job. When you find a part of the paperwork that is missing information, highlight it completely and enter the rest. Then put the documents with missing information to the side so you can track down the information later.

If she’s the person you get the missing info from, simply take ONLY that stack to her and ask for it.

If this becomes a constant occurrance, perhaps you might consider creating a journal on your computer in which you annotate how many documents have missing information in each stack. Be completely up-front with her every time you deal with her. If her job is providing this information, keep returning the documents to her until it’s all there. It might not be that she’s stupid, or even a liar…she’s just never had anyone call her on the fact that she’s not doing her job completely.

Best of luck,

Christy

10

I think you are over-thinking this matter.. People are who they are… she is just someone whom in my opinion may possibly fear losing her job and perhaps feels threatened by a newcomer… I don’t think it’s anything personal.. just make sure you cover your tracks… I keep finding that in this world.. it’s usually less about me… and more about the other person…
in other words, don’t make her problem(s) yours… Also, you mention that you know people in high places, that said.. I honestly believe that if this co-worker wrongly accuses you of doing bad work, then you could say otherwise and would probably be believed… I don’t think you have much too worry about… these things have a way of working out..

11

I don’t understand why you waited for her to bring up the subject of the missing data. Why didn’t you tell her first thing in the morning that you were unable to enter all the forms because some were missing numbers. She couldn’t have gone and added the info if you handed her the pages yourself. Even if it wasn’t your responsibility to do that task, if you agreed to do it, then you need to tell her if you were unable to complete it.

12

You said you’re the new girl, so I take that you’re still in training. Then why in the world didn’t you go to this woman or your supervisor or whomever is responsible for training you and tell them that you needed access to the number list so that you could input the numbers into the forms yourself and then do the data entry?

I’m also curious as to why you’re not more direct with your co-worker. You have all of these complaints about your co-workers but the common denominator in these “situations” and issues is, well, you.

13

I think this is a lesson learned.
The next time you are unable to complete a task due to lack of information, make a note of it (or better yet, send an email so that you have an electronic record) and give/send it your supervisor first thing in the morning, or better yet, leave it on his/her desk the night before. That way you are covered in case anything comes back on you.
You really shouldn’t waste time wondering about the intentions and habits of your coworkers, just focus on doing a good job and like I said, cover your ass when you need to!

14

You’re WAY overanayzing. Worry about learning the job and do what you’re asked to do. Ask for help when necessary. Which leads to my main thought - I guess I’m different than you, because the second that I saw that I was unable to do the job properly due to missing information, I would’ve asked for guidance. I wouldn’t have just ignored it.

Maybe she’s afraid of losing her job, maybe she’s a control freak. Who knows, and who cares? You’re taking a simple data entry job and making it to dramatic and difficult. Missing information = ask for help or find the info yourself, the end. No alterior motives necessary.

15

Everyone has an assumption about their coworkers do or do not do. Most of the time, the assumption is incorrect.
It’s human nature
The best advice is worry about you and your performance and not theirs.
Stop trying to anticipate the angles. Run your own race and you’ll be fine.
If you get called on an “error” explain what happened without laying blame. It’s her managers job to correct behavior not yours.
At the end of the day, what your coworker admits to is irrelevant. Don’t let it worry you.
Do the best you can, if you have an issue follow the protocol and go home!

16

Obviously the purpose is to make her look like she is doing her work correctly and keep her job. Sorry, you might usually be a terrific judge of character and she might be nice as in ‘charming’, but I do not find this nice I find this person shadey and willing to cost you your job if push came to shove. I suggest you either go to her superiors (although they might not listen because she is so nice) or anticipate the possibility that you might need a new job sooner than expected. Been there, done that. Sorry.

17

Okay so to clear up some questions…I am not data entry. The level of my position is significantly higher. I am new yes, but you don’t ask for information that is not in your department, and is need to know/access. I was to do my part, which I did in 5 hrs, as suppose to the week it takes others :slight_smile: Also, after reading this you will see I have no issue voicing my position on any matter, but the way and time you do this means a lot, especially in a small office, where everyone knows your name. Eloquence is key. I also always protect myself in any situation. I did not need pointers on how to be a powerful woman, just thoughts on her position, and should I or shouldn’t I view this as it would appear.

Of COARSE you are different silly! no two people are alike. But the issue was NOT that I needed guidance. I have never needed to be trained on a job. I watch, assess, and do, very efficiently. It is why I have never had to apply any where. The issue, is that I was missing information due to it having not been provided. The QUESTION IS…why would she provide it later, and LIE to me about the fact that it was there, when it was not?

I did not go to her with what was missing, because I was helping her do HER job. Not mine. I was asked to enter info into a sheet, and to enter what was provided. Not to report what was missing. Also to answer another question or statement, ‘the problem is me’ well, my first issue with a co-worker was that of a temp who clearly was upset that I was offered a job from no where, while she had to temp in, and still is not guaranteed the job. This situation is simply one of…understanding. I simply wanted to know what you ladies thought. I am a little disappointed to find that all anyone got, was I did not do a job properly. Clearly as they did not read my issue. I get along well with this woman, she is amazing.

I talk a lot, so I tend to do the same when I type/write. Which I think is why only 2 people actually answered/helped me with my question, (I do have a tendency to read further into things than needed, and this instance has happened 3 times not. Different situations) Which is why I am good at what I do, and why I major in Psych. The mind is phenomenal. But while the rest answered that I need to do my job and go home, and other nonsense. Which brings me to MY point…I worry about things that have a lot to do with how you treat people. And sometimes the simplicity of vindictiveness in others miss me, as I am not that way. I NEVER work to go home. I love to work and provide exceptional work across the board. Which is why I have an issue with someone not doing their job, and throwing it on me. No matter how insignificant it may be to others. The smallest thing, means mountains, if you ignore it long enough. Oh, and my job IS to analyze. Hence the major :confused:

Thank you for trying:) And thank you immensely to those who understood. I appreciate you!