redfathom Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 I started a thread a few weeks ago about an issue with my co-worker, our purchaser. I have been here for almost two years and she has been here for a year. Three months after she started her boss quit and was replaced a few weeks later. Her boss is now giving her more accounting tasks and does not understand her role as our purchaser (which is her job title and was her pimary function when hired). I was told specifically to only use my Amex card to purchase travel, nothing else. Well, she just came to me because she has to run errands, Starbucks, holiday decorations, etc and told me that this is something she has a "feeling" will slowly start moving to me to be responsible for, because she doen't have time to do it. Oh....okay....because I do have time to do??? I am swamped most days, yet I will not have to do the primary function of her job. I asked her is she is getting a replacemnent and she said no. I said, well I was told that I was not to purchase these things by managment. So she asked me what my card is for then, and I let he know. The way I took the conversation is that she is very busy and will not be able to run errands for the office when we need supplies and now I will have to do it... Personally, I don't like being told what I will have to do by someone who is not my boss. What do you all think?
norajane Posted October 25, 2008 Posted October 25, 2008 Have you considered discussing your role and responsibilities with your boss? Make sure you understand, and your boss understands, what your role is. Then you can feel freer in telling the purchaser to piss off, in a professional manner, of course.
Author redfathom Posted October 27, 2008 Author Posted October 27, 2008 I really didn't want to go to my boss and 1. get her in trouble or 2. sound like a complainer. But I am starting to realize this is all some big game to her. She is helping me plan our halloween party with some other people and her and another co worker went to get supplies (they were gone for three hours and a half, and went to one store and had their hour lunch break) and came back with supplies that just wouldn't work and were nothing like what we dicsussed in our planning meeting. I sent her an e-mail asking her what they spent and letting her know I would run out to get some more decorations this weekend (I have to go shopping myself for some). She replied back that she would let me know on Monday (after the weekend) what they spent. I told her I would just look it up online. She said she is too busy to run errands early last week and I had to go anyways so I said I would get the rest of the supplies...plus I am in charge of this project and I don't want anything to go bad. She sent me a text message later on Friday (after I went shopping) that she was planning on getting more stuff on Monday. I replied that I already got some things and I would bring them in for her to look over and we could discuss getting more things if they wanted. She never sent a reply back. So she complains about running errands, spends two hours shopping at one store (hardly gets anything) doesn't tell me she was going to get more decorations after I told her I would get some this weekend. Then sends me a text message after I already went shopping that she was going to go shopping, again, to finish her errands. Mixed signals much??? I honestly think she did this on purpose then when I offered to finish the "project" she got upset. I really don't have the time or patience to play mind games at work...
Author redfathom Posted October 27, 2008 Author Posted October 27, 2008 So I did talk to my boss just a little bit ago. I gave him a summary of our conversation and asked him if they would like me to start ordering more. He said this is the first he has heard of it and asked me why she said that. So I explained about her going more accounting work. I told him I was willing to help more if I had the time, and I told her this. He asked me how she took it and I told him she is mad at me, but that was another issues (possibly). He said ordering things is the job of a purchaser, not my job...and told me to talk to our COO about it. For some reason I feel guilty. I know I shouldn't because she is the one who started this conversation, tried to pass on her work to me and is now not speaking to me... Should I try to initiate a talk between us? I did this last time she was mad at me and sulking, again over something that was not my fault. I felt like I have already tried to smooth things over once, that's I don't need to waste the enegry doing is again.
hotgurl Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 So I did talk to my boss just a little bit ago. I gave him a summary of our conversation and asked him if they would like me to start ordering more. He said this is the first he has heard of it and asked me why she said that. So I explained about her going more accounting work. I told him I was willing to help more if I had the time, and I told her this. He asked me how she took it and I told him she is mad at me, but that was another issues (possibly). He said ordering things is the job of a purchaser, not my job...and told me to talk to our COO about it. For some reason I feel guilty. I know I shouldn't because she is the one who started this conversation, tried to pass on her work to me and is now not speaking to me... Should I try to initiate a talk between us? I did this last time she was mad at me and sulking, again over something that was not my fault. I felt like I have already tried to smooth things over once, that's I don't need to waste the enegry doing is again. I wouldn't bother talking to her. She obviously wants to do the accounting work and not the purchasing work. That is not your problem. I think you handled it well. You are doing your job that keeps you busy and you don't have any time to do her job as well. Don't feel bad about it.
Author redfathom Posted October 27, 2008 Author Posted October 27, 2008 The funny thing is her job is not "accounting" her title is "buyer". I know this is not my problem, but we have to work on things together and she is being difficult. I wish she would grow up, stop sulking, and get over herself... Thanks for reminding me I don't need to feel bad about it...
Jilly Bean Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 I wouldn't feel guilty, Red. I think you did the right thing. You tried to resolve it with her first, then brought it to your bosses attention (an excellent CYA) while explaining how you offered to help, if need be... You owe this woman nothing at this point. She tried to over-step your professional boundaries, and got smacked down for it. Let her go sulk like a 4 year old, and I am sure she will think twice of trying to take advantage again.
Author redfathom Posted October 27, 2008 Author Posted October 27, 2008 Thanks JB, well said! I don't know what her problem is, I mean we used to be freinds. No offense to any woman here but she must be PMSing. She has told me that she get's majorly bad emotional swings during that time. She said that she used to break up with her BF every 25 days or so...haha! I just know that this won't be the end of my dealings with her and I don't like her pissy passive aggressive attitude. I will do my best to stay professional... I have actually decided that the next time she asks me to come to her office and shut the door, I will ask her what it is about first and depending on the agenda, I will inform her that she can tell me what she needs to infront of HR or a supervisor. I don't need to play these games anymore. This is my job and I don't need her making this a horrible place to work. I don't need to tred lightly like she thinks I should...
Author redfathom Posted November 3, 2008 Author Posted November 3, 2008 So, said co-worker just stopped me this morning and said, "for the things that I will be transitioning to you, do we need to talk to someone about that?" And I said, "Yeah, X and X." (Both our bosses). So haha, she still thinks she is just going to give me her work to do with out talking to anyone else.
Nemo Posted November 3, 2008 Posted November 3, 2008 Her boss is now giving her more accounting tasks I suppose this is a bit like an unofficial promotion. She obviously has a talent for this sort of work, and she'll consequently have less time to do the monkey work. Just a fact of life, but the easy, fun-filled days before the bailout have now passed. We're all going to have to pick up the slack that we've enjoyed delegating to others so much, and get back to business.
Author redfathom Posted November 3, 2008 Author Posted November 3, 2008 Well, I sent her an e-mail that basically said: she should arrange a meeting between our two bosses and I will do my best to help her with things, like I already do, and to let me know if she needs me to run errands today or tomorrow and that I would see if I have time. But that I can't permanently accept more responsabilities until I can make sure I can take care of my main responsabilities (those which I was hired to do). That was over an hour ago and she has not replied, not even with a "thanks for the offer"... I guess she is not that busy then???!!!
Trialbyfire Posted November 3, 2008 Posted November 3, 2008 I think the two of you are playing a little power game. Time to sit down and hash it out between the two of you. If the two of you can't resolve it in a professional manner, bring in your respective employers. Regardless, this type of interplay is neither productive for either one of you, or good for the company, which should be both your first concerns. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Author redfathom Posted November 3, 2008 Author Posted November 3, 2008 I agree 100%!!! I already told her when she first approched me that she needed to talk to her boss and he needed to talk to my boss. She just sent me another e-mail saying that we both have different perspectives which is why we were miscommunicating. I found an e-mail which was sent to her, me, and my boss from her old boss which basically said: "thank you for helping to procure items for the office during the transition from X to X (co-worker having problems with), now that she has a company credit card please stop all procurment activities except travel." That is a basic summary. She replied: "I guess that clears up where you are coming from. But we still need to reassess job duties and I hope you join the meeting." I have not replied to this yet...I don't feel like wasting my time, because like you said, it's a power struggle which is why I don't want to be part of this meeting and neither should she. Our bosses need to discuss it and we need to suck up what ever they give us and do our jobs.
mental_traveller Posted November 15, 2008 Posted November 15, 2008 In my experience, the best way to avoid this kind of thing is to become indispensable at your job. Then you can pretty much dictate terms, and if you can't (e.g. irrational ahole manager who is connected to the CEO), then you can always find a better paid job at a competitor. Work is like anything - if you're a replaceable commodity, don't expect great treatment. If you are a star, people will kneel down and sing your praises. Try to be more like a star than a replaceable commodity.
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