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05-14-2002, 05:49 PM
|  | A Has Been | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Farmersville, TX
Posts: 6,444
| | Office troublemakers--How do you handle them? | |
We have a lady that is mad because she didn't get her transfer to another department. She has started misquoting people and it's starting to cause some ill feelings. She has straight out lied in some instances to the higher ups. The top people are aware of her actions, but no moves to solve the problem have occured.
How do you handle these people and what are your experiences? |
05-14-2002, 07:27 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Granite State
Posts: 10,466
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Stuff her in the copy machine. It isn't permanent, but will give her plenty of time to "think" while she waits for someone to notice the flashing paper jam sign......
Seriously, I find that with people like this you mucst do a few things, because talking with them doesn't work - nothing is ever their fault. First, never be alone with her, always have a witness to any conversation you have with her - that helps ease the potential for misquoting somewhat. Second, keep daily notes to yourself in oyur day runner that list any incidents with her each day. Day runners are admissable incourt in many states and can help settle disputes. As far as the higher ups... well, I'm not a big believer in runnign to the boss with problems - I prefer to try to either fix it myself or live with it if possible, saving the boss for more serious things.
Good luck - these office situations are very tricky. |
05-14-2002, 08:02 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,824
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Depends on her position. If I regard her as a peer, I'd do a little peer intervention with other peers. Keep it friendly but tell her that her attitude is going to get her in trouble and you'd hate to see that happen, etc. A fellow company commander was screwing up (missing formation, not going to physical training, fighting all the wrong battles with the battalion commander) and the other captains and I got together for lunch with her. We told her up front that we were concerned (she showed signs of depression) and wanted to help her. Asked if there was anything we could do (I lived upstairs and was more than willing to knock on her door at 0-dark-30 to go to PT) and laid it out that she was pissing off the battalion commander. She was somewhat upset, but took it well and actually shaped up.
If it's a subordinate and I catch her doing something non-kosher in front of me, I'd pull her aside and tell her to shape up--on the spot. Letting it go is just reinforcing bad behavior.
If it's my subordinates bringing me complaints about her, I'd pass them on to her supervisor and ask for feedback when the supervisor has handled the situation (this way, they're obligated to do something or they have to tell you that they won't do anything and people tend to avoid that for some reason).
--naomi
__________________
--naomi |
05-15-2002, 08:31 AM
|  | Rockin The Suburbs | | Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 8,759
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I agree with Naomi that simply ignoring can lead to poison being added every day to the morale. If it's a group of co-workers who are noticing, try not to gang up on her, but do use two people. My experience is that while the initial reaction is still that the person will get their back up, having two in the room will at least add credibility through numbers. |
05-15-2002, 08:42 AM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: The Nutmeg State
Posts: 13,548
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Hmmm... I hate to admit it, but I'm really good at getting people on my side in those situations. I talk to my most trusted co-workers and tell them what has upset me and why. They are usually on my side from that point. If their torn, I just am careful to make sure they find out each time I am made a victim by the poison-office-worker (or even each time other people are made victims) until the trusted co-worker sides with me. I do that with a few people, and I have strong allies, especially if that poison office worker ends up doing something to one of my new allies. Then... watch out! 
I say this is unfortunate, because I tend to have this effect without even trying for it in every aspect of my life. Sometimes I get my way more than I want. I realized at the concert I went to this weekend. It was scary. I know how to make allies in work, or friend type situations, but I didn't realize I could do it with complete strangers at a rock concert, and I didn't realize how effective it could be. I only use the power when I feel I need to, but this last weekend proved that it was sometimes that's too powerful of a method. |
05-15-2002, 05:00 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Olathe KS
Posts: 1,251
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