Work problem

August 4, 2008

Ok, I have a problem.

I work in a public place and my department is mostly women. There is one lady in my department that has been with the company for 24 years and she does alot (I'll call her Ann). I have been working in this dept. for almost 8 years. When I first got hired, I made friends with Ann and she seemed to be a little stressed that she has so many responsibilities within the dept. So, I told her that if she needed any help with anything, to let me know. This was while I was still part time (about 4 years ago).

Well, I started doing things for her here and there and over time, she started putting more and more things on me that are her job and when I became full-time I told her that I had my own responsibilities and job to do so I couldn't help her as much as I used to but if I had my work done, and she needed some help to let me know.

She was kind of cool and distant for a few weeks. I came in that following monday and there was a stack of things on my desk with a note saying, "this needs to be done, and this, and this, and........" the list goes on and on.

I went to her and told her that I had to do my job first and if I still had time I would help her do hers. She said, "oh well I figured you could do that, it won't take long, etc." and I told her again, " I have to do MY JOB FIRST. If I have extra time, I will help you do yours." and turned around and walked back to my office. She didn't speak to me for the rest of the week.

I went to my Supervisor and told her that now that I was full-time, I have alot more responsibilities and I have to do my job. I told her about the situation and she said, " oh Ann does so much around here, she is the glue that holds this dept. together and she needs help."

I told my Supervisor, "I know she does alot around here, but everyone else does too. We all have our own jobs and responsibilities but we fall behind in our tasks because we are too busy helping Ann and when we need help, she always tells us she is busy."

My Supervisor said, "I do not like conflict and I am good about sticking my head in the sand. Can't you all just get along?"

I told her I would try.

So, here I am again with a pile of crap on my desk to do that isn't my job to do and I have my own work on top of that. I talked to Ann, didn't do me any good, talk to supervisor, didn't do me any good, so what else can I do?

Any thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks for your time.

August 6, 2008

When I've been in similar situations (mainly due to a dumb clause in my contract that adds anything else my superiors ask to my job description), I've done my work first and done it well.

If there is any room to do the other person's work then I'll help. Your supervisor sounds weak so she's not going to discipline you if you don't help,as she'll just bury her head in the sand.

If you carry on helping then nothing will be resolved, but if you do only what you can, then maybe Ann will get an assistant.

August 6, 2008

Max, that's not true. I, for one, get along well with women at my work place than men.

OP, next time you need to give this Ann lady a very firm 'NO'. If you come in the morning to find a pile of crap on your table, just calmly take it back to her and simply tell her you can't do it for so and so reason. She will be quiet and distant, but over time she'll get over it and treat you with respect. Staff who are too accomodating are always unappreciated and get walked all over. For some reason, the most rude and uncooperating staff in my office and the most respected and highly evaluated people.

I faced a similar situation for 3 years, the only difference was that my 'Ann' was infact my supervisor. Nothing much to do there.

August 6, 2008

I went to my Supervisor and told her that now that I was full-time, I have alot more responsibilities and I have to do my job. I told her about the situation and she said, " oh Ann does so much around here, she is the glue that holds this dept. together and she needs help."

I told my Supervisor, "I know she does alot around here, but everyone else does too. We all have our own jobs and responsibilities but we fall behind in our tasks because we are too busy helping Ann and when we need help, she always tells us she is busy."

My Supervisor said, "I do not like conflict and I am good about sticking my head in the sand. Can't you all just get along?"

I told her I would try.

Ann is either being asked to do or voluntarily taking on more than she can handle. That's evident from the fact that she keeps attempting to delegate her own tasks to other people. She's doing this to the extent that she's continually impeding other people from doing their own work. It doesn't sound as though it's her official role to delegate duties to the rest of you. As long as your supervisor continues to overlook Ann's efforts to unofficially promote herself in this manner, it seems likely that there will continue to be problems that should be addressed with something a tad more dynamic than the "can't you all just get along?" plea.

If you take it on yourself to be the motivating force for change in this department, the chances are that you'll end up either being promoted (if for no reason other than that your supervisor will want rid of you) or the supervisor and Ann will start to really gang up on you and you'll have a scrap on your hands. Then again, if an ineffectual supervisor and a woman who's plugged away martyrishly in a subordinate role for the last 24 years are the toughest team of opponents you ever encounter in life, you'll be luckier than most of us.

August 6, 2008

You're kinda in a tough spot here. Your boss supports Ann more than you. So, push come to shove, you will lose, and Ann will prevail.

NOT GOOD.

Because if she gets pissed off enough for you blowing off her work, then she will complain and it wont bode well for you.

Do you have an HR department? Your only recourse is to document the situation.

Beyond that, either suck it up and do Ann's work for her, or plan on getting another job. With the dynamic so weighted against you, you don't have many options.

August 6, 2008

Ok, I have a problem.

I work in a public place and my department is mostly women. There is one lady in my department that has been with the company for 24 years and she does alot (I'll call her Ann). I have been working in this dept. for almost 8 years. When I first got hired, I made friends with Ann and she seemed to be a little stressed that she has so many responsibilities within the dept. So, I told her that if she needed any help with anything, to let me know. This was while I was still part time (about 4 years ago).

Well, I started doing things for her here and there and over time, she started putting more and more things on me that are her job and when I became full-time I told her that I had my own responsibilities and job to do so I couldn't help her as much as I used to but if I had my work done, and she needed some help to let me know.

She was kind of cool and distant for a few weeks. I came in that following monday and there was a stack of things on my desk with a note saying, "this needs to be done, and this, and this, and........" the list goes on and on.

I went to her and told her that I had to do my job first and if I still had time I would help her do hers. She said, "oh well I figured you could do that, it won't take long, etc." and I told her again, " I have to do MY JOB FIRST. If I have extra time, I will help you do yours." and turned around and walked back to my office. She didn't speak to me for the rest of the week.

I went to my Supervisor and told her that now that I was full-time, I have alot more responsibilities and I have to do my job. I told her about the situation and she said, " oh Ann does so much around here, she is the glue that holds this dept. together and she needs help."

I told my Supervisor, "I know she does alot around here, but everyone else does too. We all have our own jobs and responsibilities but we fall behind in our tasks because we are too busy helping Ann and when we need help, she always tells us she is busy."

My Supervisor said, "I do not like conflict and I am good about sticking my head in the sand. Can't you all just get along?"

I told her I would try.

So, here I am again with a pile of crap on my desk to do that isn't my job to do and I have my own work on top of that. I talked to Ann, didn't do me any good, talk to supervisor, didn't do me any good, so what else can I do?

Any thoughts, suggestions?
Thanks for your time.

It happened to me too...all women. It sucks to work with all women. I eventually quit that job. Sorry I don't have any more advice for you.

August 6, 2008

The problem is working with women, they're generally not very nice people.

Well, I don't think that is true but thanks for your input.

August 6, 2008

Max, that's not true. I, for one, get along well with women at my work place than men.

OP, next time you need to give this Ann lady a very firm 'NO'. If you come in the morning to find a pile of crap on your table, just calmly take it back to her and simply tell her you can't do it for so and so reason. She will be quiet and distant, but over time she'll get over it and treat you with respect. Staff who are too accomodating are always unappreciated and get walked all over. For some reason, the most rude and uncooperating staff in my office and the most respected and highly evaluated people.

I faced a similar situation for 3 years, the only difference was that my 'Ann' was infact my supervisor. Nothing much to do there.

Thanks. I do feel bad about just telling her no because I was the one that told her I would help her if she needed me.

When I find the stuff she puts on my desk, I do calmly take it back to her and tell her I don't have the time to do it right now and she just gets irritated like she just expects me to do it and to be honest, it pi$$e$ me off. I don't want to lose my job and I enjoy working with the women in my dept. in general but it does create a tense environment and if I don't do her work then she just passes it off to someone else and then they fall behind.

August 6, 2008

Thanks. I do feel bad about just telling her no because I was the one that told her I would help her if she needed me.
When I find the stuff she puts on my desk, I do calmly take it back to her and tell her I don't have the time to do it right now and she just gets irritated like she just expects me to do it and to be honest, it pi$$e$ me off. I don't want to lose my job and I enjoy working with the women in my dept. in general but it does create a tense environment and if I don't do her work then she just passes it off to someone else and then they fall behind.

Do you think getting in bad terms with her can jeopardize your job or your performance evaluations? If so, how about, for starters, accepting a certain amount of work from her, then ask her to reassign the rest to someone else. She sounds like a huge pain, but on the other hand she sounds influencial too. What with your supervisor believing she's the glue of the unit and all that crap.

I would advise you to first find a way to work around this situation without creating too much fuss like report to management or HR people, a battle you're very likely to lose. You need to realize that since she has been around for what seems like eternity, and they're likely to take side with her.

August 6, 2008

Ann is either being asked to do or voluntarily taking on more than she can handle. That's evident from the fact that she keeps attempting to delegate her own tasks to other people. She's doing this to the extent that she's continually impeding other people from doing their own work. It doesn't sound as though it's her official role to delegate duties to the rest of you. As long as your supervisor continues to overlook Ann's efforts to unofficially promote herself in this manner, it seems likely that there will continue to be problems that should be addressed with something a tad more dynamic than the "can't you all just get along?" plea.

If you take it on yourself to be the motivating force for change in this department, the chances are that you'll end up either being promoted (if for no reason other than that your supervisor will want rid of you) or the supervisor and Ann will start to really gang up on you and you'll have a scrap on your hands. Then again, if an ineffectual supervisor and a woman who's plugged away martyrishly in a subordinate role for the last 24 years are the toughest team of opponents you ever encounter in life, you'll be luckier than most of us.

Yes you are exactly right about her volunteering to do too much and then she doesn't even have time to do it all so she starts handing off stuff to everyone else (or whoever will let her without putting up a fuss) and she takes all the credit for it.

Update- I did just find out that Ann almost got fired yesterday for doing something "unethical". She wouldn't give me details but she did say that our director told her that if she hadn't already been here for 24 years it would be immediate termination and if she ever does anything questionable again, she will be fired.

So, If we wait a little longer, the problem may solve itsself.

Now I am curious as to what she did.

Thanks to everyone who replied!

August 6, 2008

You're kinda in a tough spot here. Your boss supports Ann more than you. So, push come to shove, you will lose, and Ann will prevail.

NOT GOOD.

Because if she gets pissed off enough for you blowing off her work, then she will complain and it wont bode well for you.

Do you have an HR department? Your only recourse is to document the situation.

Beyond that, either suck it up and do Ann's work for her, or plan on getting another job. With the dynamic so weighted against you, you don't have many options.

Yes you are right about my supervisor supporting Ann more than me and anyone else in the dept. for that matter.

We do have a HR dept and I asked my supervisor if we could go to them since she wants to keep her head in the sand. She told me she would rather it be dealt with within our dept because she doesn't want the other departments knowing our business. I told her that it would have to be dealt with then and soon and she said, "I will get to it as soon as I can. I quess I will have to pull my head out of the sand, huh?"

I told her yes she is our dept head and it is in her job description.

She hasn't dealt with it yet.

August 7, 2008

Yes you are right about my supervisor supporting Ann more than me and anyone else in the dept. for that matter.

We do have a HR dept and I asked my supervisor if we could go to them since she wants to keep her head in the sand. She told me she would rather it be dealt with within our dept because she doesn't want the other departments knowing our business. I told her that it would have to be dealt with then and soon and she said, "I will get to it as soon as I can. I quess I will have to pull my head out of the sand, huh?"
I told her yes she is our dept head and it is in her job description.

She hasn't dealt with it yet.

Yeah, what she meant was, "I don't want everyone knowing what an inept manager I am."

I only recommend HR just to CYA. This situation doesn't have any great potential outcomes.

I would go into your boss when she's in a good mood, and ask her for a set date on how the Ann situation will be handled. If she blows by it, then go to HR.

Horrible situation, as no matter what you do, besides Ann's work, that is, won't go well for you.

August 7, 2008

We do have a HR dept and I asked my supervisor if we could go to them since she wants to keep her head in the sand. She told me she would rather it be dealt with within our dept because she doesn't want the other departments knowing our business. I told her that it would have to be dealt with then and soon and she said, "I will get to it as soon as I can. I quess I will have to pull my head out of the sand, huh?"
I told her yes she is our dept head and it is in her job description.

She hasn't dealt with it yet.

Hi southern lady (neighor!!). Just weighin'-in here with my own experience... you're welcome to take it or leave it for whatever it's worth to you.

I don't know where you work, or who you work for... but in my world, saying these kinds of things to my boss would immediately send my own career into a rapid death-spiral. First Cardinal Rule Of Business -- Always, Always, Always make your boss look good... no matter how you feel about them personally. And if you don't like them, hide it well!! - and always treat them respectfully, no matter what they do. I would never get away with talking to my boss the way you talk to yours. It would backfire on me big-time.

Another rule that's unfortunately formed in recent years (although it didn't used to be this way) is, it's not a good idea to involve HR in a business conflict. Either resolve it yourself, or leave the company. But anytime HR gets involved, you're the one who ultimately pays the price. HR is not there to protect you. They're there to protect the company. Period.

The most effective way (and about the only way!!) to deal with problem-children like Ann is to cultivate allies of your own. It's herd mentality - the more people lean a certain way at work, the more the company usually sits up and pays attention. This includes your boss. Do whatever you can to make her (it's a she, right?) feel like you are on her team, and you're behind her 100%. I would have brought the work to her and asked for help prioritizing it. Bottom line, the work needs to get done, and you are a mere mortal. Bosses love it when you ask for their direction. (If you have already done this, forgive me, I missed it.)

One more thing - you're definitely not alone out there. It takes all kinds... and unfortunately they're all at the office!!

August 7, 2008

Hi southern lady (neighor!!). Just weighin'-in here with my own experience... you're welcome to take it or leave it for whatever it's worth to you.

I don't know where you work, or who you work for... but in my world, saying these kinds of things to my boss would immediately send my own career into a rapid death-spiral. First Cardinal Rule Of Business -- Always, Always, Always make your boss look good... no matter how you feel about them personally. And if you don't like them, hide it well!! - and always treat them respectfully, no matter what they do. I would never get away with talking to my boss the way you talk to yours. It would backfire on me big-time.

Another rule that's unfortunately formed in recent years (although it didn't used to be this way) is, it's not a good idea to involve HR in a business conflict. Either resolve it yourself, or leave the company. But anytime HR gets involved, you're the one who ultimately pays the price. HR is not there to protect you. They're there to protect the company. Period.

The most effective way (and about the only way!!) to deal with problem-children like Ann is to cultivate allies of your own. It's herd mentality - the more people lean a certain way at work, the more the company usually sits up and pays attention. This includes your boss. Do whatever you can to make her (it's a she, right?) feel like you are on her team, and you're behind her 100%. I would have brought the work to her and asked for help prioritizing it. Bottom line, the work needs to get done, and you are a mere mortal. Bosses love it when you ask for their direction. (If you have already done this, forgive me, I missed it.)

One more thing - you're definitely not alone out there. It takes all kinds... and unfortunately they're all at the office!!

Great Advice !

August 7, 2008

Great Advice !

Thanks Mary! (Or "MAY-ry", in Southern dialect)

August 7, 2008

Hi southern lady (neighor!!). Just weighin'-in here with my own experience... you're welcome to take it or leave it for whatever it's worth to you.

I don't know where you work, or who you work for... but in my world, saying these kinds of things to my boss would immediately send my own career into a rapid death-spiral. First Cardinal Rule Of Business -- Always, Always, Always make your boss look good... no matter how you feel about them personally. And if you don't like them, hide it well!! - and always treat them respectfully, no matter what they do. I would never get away with talking to my boss the way you talk to yours. It would backfire on me big-time.

Another rule that's unfortunately formed in recent years (although it didn't used to be this way) is, it's not a good idea to involve HR in a business conflict. Either resolve it yourself, or leave the company. But anytime HR gets involved, you're the one who ultimately pays the price. HR is not there to protect you. They're there to protect the company. Period.

The most effective way (and about the only way!!) to deal with problem-children like Ann is to cultivate allies of your own. It's herd mentality - the more people lean a certain way at work, the more the company usually sits up and pays attention. This includes your boss. Do whatever you can to make her (it's a she, right?) feel like you are on her team, and you're behind her 100%. I would have brought the work to her and asked for help prioritizing it. Bottom line, the work needs to get done, and you are a mere mortal. Bosses love it when you ask for their direction. (If you have already done this, forgive me, I missed it.)

One more thing - you're definitely not alone out there. It takes all kinds... and unfortunately they're all at the office!!

Howdy neighbor!

Don't get me wrong I love my supervisor, she is so easy going and and open to suggestions, takes unput seriously and tries to see things from all sides. But, when it comes to conflict, and dealing with it, let's just say that it's not her strong suit.

I really enjoy my job and the people I work with and I know that I am really lucky to have the type of relationship with my supervisor that I have. I know that I can go to her about the things at work that bother me and she will listen but she doesn't like to deal with conflict. She even asked some of us to help her with that because she doesn't know how.

I have formed allies with the other women because this is not the only problem we have with Ann and we have all went and talked to our supervisor about our concerns and she said she was trying to figure out a way to deal with Ann without it looking like we are all ganging up on her.

I don't know if she has a soft spot for her or not, but it seems like when it comes to Ann, she should be forgiven and we need to get along.

But, since Ann has gotten in trouble over being unethical, she has been keeping to herself and there has been no work from her on my desk for the past two days now. So maybe she realizes that she needs to do her own job or that could be the final boot out the door for her.

I don't know, time will tell.

Thank you for your reply!

August 7, 2008

Thanks Mary! (Or "MAY-ry", in Southern dialect)

Funny but true!

Thanks for the laugh and making me feel at home!

August 7, 2008

HR needs to create another position. Your supervisor does not have the b@lls to make is happen. Ann is only doing what she knows best. Maybe if you all come together like OpenBook suggested, strength in numbers can get them to at least take the concept seriously. For all they know, there isn't an issue.

August 7, 2008

HR needs to create another position. Your supervisor does not have the b@lls to make is happen. Ann is only doing what she knows best. Maybe if you all come together like OpenBook suggested, strength in numbers can get them to at least take the concept seriously. For all they know, there isn't an issue.

Yeah that would be nice but we have already been told that we can't hire anymore people because of the "budget". We went without a raise for three years because there wasn't enough in the budget.

Ann is very good at shoving her work off on other people but when it comes time to help someone else, she says she is too busy or it's not my job.

It's like she thinks the rules apply to everyone else but her.

Thanks for your input!

August 7, 2008

Thanks Mary! (Or "MAY-ry", in Southern dialect)

Yu'h ver~ay welcome kind sir ( In a southern like accent

August 7, 2008

Yeah that would be nice but we have already been told that we can't hire anymore people because of the "budget". We went without a raise for three years because there wasn't enough in the budget.

Ann is very good at shoving her work off on other people but when it comes time to help someone else, she says she is too busy or it's not my job.

It's like she thinks the rules apply to everyone else but her.

Thanks for your input!

She thinks that because it's true.

August 7, 2008

She thinks that because it's true.

Well, not anymore because she is treading on thin ice if you know what I mean.

August 7, 2008

Yu'h ver~ay welcome kind sir ( In a southern like accent

That's pretty good Mayry - but ah'm a woman. Hear Me Roar :D

August 8, 2008

That's pretty good Mayry - but ah'm a woman. Hear Me Roar :D

OMG Ma'am~~ Please accept ma' deep~ust apologies

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