Girlfriend hates her power-hungry coworker

[VertexSquared]

My girlfriend works at a fairly cutthroat financial firm, and there's this girl, Jane, who is technically a year below my girlfriend in rank/age/etc but acts as if she's holier-than-thou.

 

For instance, my girlfriend's manager will tell my girlfriend to get X and Y done and to let Jane know to get Z done. Jane will constantly question my girlfriend and basically not do a damn thing because she has trouble working with peers and is more concerned about sucking up to the managers/partners.

 

In addition, Jane will try to "assert authority" by constantly asking my girlfriend to do mundane things for her ("Could you please print this for me?" etc) instead of simply doing them herself.

 

I'm having a hard time advising my girlfriend on what she should do. I've dealt with powerhungry people before but it never seems to end well. Any advice?

[donnamaybe]

When your GF is asked by the manager to ask "Jane" to do something, your GF should e-mail the request to Jane. When the task is not completed and the manager asks why, your GF can simply forward the sent message to the manager and explain that she had done as she was told in asking Jane to complete the task. It's then up to the manager to deal with Jane's insubordination.

 

As for her always asking your GF to do menial tasks, have your GF say, "Why? Do you need help learning how to print (use the copy/fax machine - whatever)? I can teach you how." She should NOT knuckle under to this girl's manipulation, but she SHOULD remain professional about it.

[Keridan]

I dealt with a few co-workers like this at my last job. I found that emailing is great (as mentioned by Donna), but the best tactic is to cc the manager at the time it is sent and any emails between those two. Tell her to email requests back or put them on paper. It's harder to squirm out of work and kiss up when everything is out in the open like that.

 

Also, those types usually get themselves in trouble. Few people like them and nearly everyone can spot them. Your GF should do her job and let the other girl succeed or fail on her own. Especially in a financial firm where everything is watched and results are the important thing.

 

Tell yer gf good luck!

[Seamless74]

You dont need to advise her to do anything... Shes a big girl she can figure it out..

 

P.S. every woman regardless of where they work financial firm or Wal Mart has some other female co worker at their job out to destroy them lol.. Its just part of being a girl so dont sweat it..

[TwinkletOes26]

You dont need to advise her to do anything... Shes a big girl she can figure it out..

 

P.S. every woman regardless of where they work financial firm or Wal Mart has some other female co worker at their job out to destroy them lol.. Its just part of being a girl so dont sweat it..

 

 

I know the bolded was said in jest but sadly it is true....a lot of women see the only way to get ahead is to put others down. Women will let jealousies get in the way of acting professional. So often times it isnt just petty drama it really is one woman trying to destroy another womans career. I have a coworker who hates me and another women in our department because we are women of color....we ahve heard her make racist remarks and act shocked as hell because we both enjoy the arts and like to bake from scratch...and we are pretty dern smart to boot. So yea.....i believe the OP 's g/f is actually having issues at work and not just girl drama.

[Seamless74]

lol..... uh, no I was being dead serious about what i said.. the comment was not in jest.